Latest news with #ORM
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Regulatory Reform In The Old Dominion
Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia While the Trump administration is getting kudos for slowing the pace of new regulations, it is too soon to judge its efforts to roll back excessive rules from the past. In part, this is because revising rules takes time and cannot be regarded as complete until the dust settles on the ensuing litigation. As it continues its efforts, the administration might look for inspiration from Washington's neighbor to the south. The Commonwealth of Virginia is undertaking an ambitious regulatory reform agenda aimed at modernizing its regulatory framework, streamlining permitting, and ensuring regulations produce worthwhile public benefits. Yesterday, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that the state had surpassed his target of cutting regulatory requirements by 25%. On taking office in 2022, Youngkin established a new Office of Regulatory Management (ORM), initially led by former federal Environmental Protection Agency head Andrew Wheeler and now directed by Reeve Bull. Bull served for more than 10 years as an attorney and research director with the Administrative Conference of the United States and brings deep federal experience to the role. ORM is patterned after the U.S. Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget; it is responsible for providing guidance to state agencies for conducting benefit-cost analysis of new regulations and for reviewing regulations before they are published to ensure they offer net public benefits. The requirement to conduct regulatory impact analysis of new regulations is a longstanding policy of the federal government and other developed countries and it's essential for sound, evidence-based policy. But it is not sufficient, in part because it evaluates new regulations one at a time without considering their cumulative impact, and in part because it is conducted before a regulation is issued, when estimates of benefits and costs are necessarily speculative. To address this problem of ever-accumulating regulations and lack of retrospective evaluation, ORM is working with agencies across the Commonwealth to identify outdated, duplicative or unnecessarily burdensome rules. This resulted in the 26.8% reduction in requirements the Governor announced yesterday. Virginia defines requirements as commands in regulatory text, such as 'shall,' 'must' or 'may not.' To illustrate, the event highlighted one regulatory change that allows businesses to harvest rainwater for non-potable uses, such as toilets, reducing costs and reducing reliance on scarce environmental resources. Not satisfied with a 26.8% reduction, Virginia is now harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to identify existing regulatory requirements that go beyond those established by authorizing statutes. While AI has occasionally been found guilty of hallucinating legal authorities, the same may be said for agencies, so this effort could identify further requirements to modify or update. Permitting reform is another cornerstone of Virginia's effort. The Virginia Permit Transparency website aims to make the permitting process more accessible and understandable to the public. By digitizing and centralizing permit information, the website makes it easier for individuals and businesses (especially small entities) to navigate regulatory requirements. A pilot by Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality reportedly reduced its average permit processing time by more than 65%. ORM estimates that its efforts to date have resulted in $1.2 billion in annual savings for Virginians, or an average of $380 per household. Virginia's approach may do more to reduce unnecessary existing red tape than President Trump's policy of eliminating 10 rules for every new one issued. As I have noted, his first term's two-for-one policy served more to slow the issuance of new regulations than actually remove many existing ones. Whether Virginia can maintain this momentum remains to be seen. Its governors can only serve one consecutive term, and Governor Youngkin has only six months left in office. The next governor could revoke his executive orders and reverse some of these policies. Indeed, the executive order that established ORM and requires regulatory analysis expires in June 2026. However, the success of the regulatory management institutions and practices may encourage future governors to continue them. At the federal level, presidents of both parties have reaffirmed the importance of benefit-cost analysis and cross-cutting regulatory oversight. ORM's emphasis on interagency collaboration, public engagement, and data-driven decision-making should have bipartisan appeal, especially if they deliver real value to citizens.
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Virginia Shows A Smarter Path To Regulatory Reform
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at an event on July 8th to announce achieving a 25% ... More reduction in state regulatory requirements. Governor Glenn Youngkin's recent announcement that Virginia has surpassed its 25 percent regulatory reduction goal marks a decisive moment not just for the Commonwealth, but for the national conversation around government reform. While the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—the flagship of President Trump's second-term administrative overhaul—has generated the most headlines with its dramatic cuts to federal staff and contracts, it is Virginia's quieter, evidence-based approach that may deserve the spotlight. Virginia Surpasses Targets with Real, Measurable Gains On July 8, Governor Youngkin announced that the Office of Regulatory Management (ORM), which he established by an executive order in 2022, had reduced 26.8 percent of regulatory requirements in the Virginia Administrative Code, yielding more than $1.2 billion in annual savings for Virginians. ORM also worked with state agencies to cut 11.5 million words from state guidance documents—a 47.9% reduction. This strategy has produced concrete results. For instance, reforms to Virginia's Building Code lowered the cost of constructing a new home by over $24,000. This single change is expected to save Virginia homebuyers $723 million per year. Faster licensing at the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has cut approval times from 33 days to just five, yielding $179 million annually in additional worker earnings. Updates to stormwater permitting processes have produced another $124 million in savings, while a new Virginia Marine Resources Commission's general permit framework reduced costs by $47 million. These reforms, which have been supported by an updated cost-benefit analysis framework, have reduced costs but also improved policy delivery. A new Virginia Permit Transparency (VPT) portal, launched in 2024, tracks over 100,000 permits issued annually, enabling agencies and the public to monitor applications. Since its implementation, the Department of Environmental Quality has slashed average processing times by 70 percent. How Virginia's ORM Compares to the Federal DOGE These successes are not cherry-picked anecdotes. Rather, they are part of a consistent pattern of measurable administrative savings across agencies. In contrast, DOGE—helmed by Elon Musk and charged with eliminating waste at the federal level—has taken a sledgehammer approach. DOGE has aggressively targeted agency budgets, slashed staffing levels, cancelled grants, and rescinded contracts. Agencies like USAID have seen sharp staff reductions, and programs touching diversity, foreign aid, and climate change have all faced steep cuts. While DOGE's interventions may yield modest budgetary savings, its approach has been criticized for its volatility and bluntness. There is little in the way of systematic regulatory review or analysis. Moreover, as of mid-2025, DOGE's focus has remained largely fiscal. Regulatory streamlining, let alone comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, has not been a centerpiece of its strategy. DOGE may be bold, but Virginia's ORM is smart. Where DOGE has wielded a chainsaw, ORM has used a scalpel. The Case for Evidence-Based Regulation A fundamental distinction between DOGE and ORM is epistemological. ORM's reforms are grounded in economic analysis. Each proposed rule must be subject to a cost-benefit analysis and demonstrate efficacy. Agencies consider distributional impacts on families, small businesses, and local governments. This is not red tape for red tape's sake. Instead, it's a set of economic and legal requirements to ensure that regulation serves the public interest without imposing unjustified burdens. Furthermore, ORM's reforms have sped up and improved governance. Despite new layers of analysis, average gubernatorial review time for regulations fell from 80 days to under 10 days. This counterintuitive result underscores that better analysis can speed up, rather than delay, decision-making. DOGE's strategy, by contrast, has eschewed such analysis in favor of immediate disruption. While that may appeal to voters hungry for change, it is a fragile strategy prone to backlash. Regulatory reforms that balance costs and benefits are more likely to prove enduring than ones that just reduce headcounts or eliminate programs for the sake of doing so. Without stakeholder buy-in, even highly significant short-term changes are unlikely to last. Permitting Reform Is A Bipartisan Revolution in the Making Virginia's VPT portal and Youngkin's accompanying Executive Order 39 are emblematic of ORM's more pragmatic approach. Permitting reform is one of the most discussed yet under-delivered policy reforms today. Delays in permit approvals stymie housing development and energy and infrastructure expansion. By digitizing the permitting process and making it more transparent, Virginia is making inroads towards reducing these bottlenecks. The VPT portal now covers permits from agencies representing most of the state's environmental and public infrastructure footprint. The website provides Gantt charts showing each application's progress on the way to obtaining a permit. This level of transparency is absent even in federal permitting dashboards. Toward a Sustainable Reform Agenda Compared to DOGE, Virginia's ORM operates on a more lean budget and staff—just four full-time employees oversee the Commonwealth's regulatory streamlining. Yet their influence has been profound. This raises the question as to why more states haven't adopted such a model. One reason may be the ephemeral nature of executive orders. ORM, for all its successes, is not yet codified in law. A change in administration could unravel its progress overnight. As other states look to Virginia as a model, they too should consider institutionalizing reform efforts to guarantee durability beyond one political cycle. Conclusion: The States as Laboratories of Bureaucracy Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously called states the 'laboratories' of democracy. Virginia is a great example of a laboratory of bureaucracy. The Commonwealth's methodical approach to regulatory modernization offers a replicable model for states and the federal government too. As President Trump's DOGE winds down its high-profile crusade against government waste, policymakers should ask themselves whether spectacle alone is enough. Cutting for the sake of cutting is not reform—it is performance. Virginia's success proves that a quieter, more technocratic approach grounded in expertise, transparency, and responsiveness to evidence can deliver greater and more lasting returns. As the 2026 gubernatorial elections approach in states across the country, legislators would do well to examine Virginia's model. With billions in savings and a more accountable administrative process, ORM may very well be the most important government reform initiative you haven't heard about.
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Steps For Building An Online Brand That Connects And Compels Action
Adam Petrilli is a reputation management expert and CEO at an award-winning Online Reputation Management (ORM) firm. Building a successful brand requires visibility, communication, connection, engagement and customer advocacy. A strong online presence can achieve all this so your business can grow and thrive. A digital presence lets you shape and tell your story, build customer relationships and distinguish your brand from competitors. Below, I'll map out five critical components for building your online brand. Communicating across all online channels is critical for establishing brand credibility and trust. Make sure all your profiles—from Google My Business to your website, social media platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X, TikTok, etc.) and Wikipedia page—are consistent and accurate. This includes your brand's look and feel and the narrative you convey about your values and mission statement. You want to represent authenticity, establish an emotional connection and impart information that speaks to your customers and potential clients. Every part of your brand should align with your overall message. I recommend writing and publishing positive stories and headlines to boost your brand's presence and credibility. Regularly provide valuable, educational and original content to engage your customers and prospects and build trust. For example, you can create high-quality blogs to post on your website and thought leadership articles for B2B publications, business magazines and LinkedIn. In your stories and posts, include social proof such as testimonials, reviews and milestones that showcase your brand's credibility. Engage in conversations on social media that reflect your brand's personality. I've found that a consistent content strategy also helps with search and getting to the top of page one on Google. When a client or potential customer wants to find out about your brand, they'll likely see and click on the positive stories and headlines you've created. If any negative or irrelevant results appear in search, content creation with fresh, new stories will help push these results down on the page. In generating valuable and engaging content highlighting your brand's strengths, achievements and positive customer experiences, you can outweigh negative content in the search results. When creating blog articles and other content for your website, optimize it with relevant keywords and phrases to help ensure you're targeting the right audience when people search your brand online. By strategically including relevant terms in titles and throughout the content, you can help Google identify specific topics and direct individuals looking for that information to your website. Other key steps to take when developing or reviewing your existing website include ensuring it is responsive, looks great and functions seamlessly on mobile devices. Maintain consistency with your visuals and ensure the site is easy to navigate. You want clear calls to action once customers and prospects land there. Your digital brand strategy must include a strong social media presence to connect with customers and build relationships. Be sure to choose the right platforms, which requires knowing where your audience spends their time scrolling and engaging. LinkedIn is a must for connecting with decision-makers if you provide financial services to businesses. Instagram and TikTok may make sense if your customers are in travel or fashion. Spend time researching your audience's preferences so you can focus your efforts where your customers are most active. Ensure your content rings true across the social media channels you engage on. Be authentic and genuine. Participate in conversations, comment and ask questions to strengthen the connection with your brand. Equally important, post consistently so you remain top of mind with your customers. Mix it up with your posts and include videos and customer stories to further engagement. Keep in mind, however, that quality trumps quantity. It's not enough to create an online presence for your brand if you don't monitor it. You want to continue to have control over how your brand is perceived. Employ a proactive and responsive review management strategy that keeps tabs on what is being said about your brand and business. Various social listening and media monitoring tools, as well as Google Alerts, will help you track online conversations, respond to feedback, identify trends and patterns, and assess and manage brand reputation. If a negative comment or review appears, respond professionally and quickly. Be real and take accountability, if appropriate, to turn a customer's negative experience into a brand win and advocacy if you can make things right. I also recommend identifying patterns in conversations so you can take these opportunities to make adjustments. For example, if customers complain about delays in receiving products, you can immediately investigate the cause and set things right before it becomes a crisis in confidence and impacts your sales. This helps with client retention, as it shows you value your customers' input and are ready to make necessary changes to address and meet their expectations. A consistent and accurate brand profile that reflects your story; a content strategy that includes positive stories, articles and headlines; an optimized website; a strong social media presence; and a proactive review management process are the building blocks of an online brand presence that connects and engages with customers and encourages prospects to take action. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best Online Reputation Management Consultants: Scott Keever Picked as Best Reputation Management Expert for 2025
Scott Keever Leads 2025 Rankings With Proven Strategies That Boost Visibility, Bury Negativity, and Build Lasting Online Trust Miami, FL, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One name continues to stand out in a market flooded with digital agencies and online PR services. Scott Keever, founder of Reputation Pros, has been named the Best Reputation Management Consultant of 2025, topping the list of the Best Online Reputation Management Consultants for his innovative, transparent, and results-driven approach to digital reputation strategy. With over a decade of experience protecting personal brands and businesses, Keever has redefined reputation management by delivering measurable results. His firm specializes in pushing down negative content, elevating positive assets, and building lasting digital credibility through advanced, SEO-driven strategies. What is Online Reputation Management? Online Reputation Management (ORM) is the practice of monitoring, influencing, and improving how a person or brand is perceived online. It involves controlling search engine results, managing online reviews, handling negative press, and amplifying positive content. Whether it's outdated news articles, fake reviews, or defamatory posts, ORM aims to: Suppress or remove harmful content from search results Promote accurate, positive information Strengthen brand trust and digital authority Enhance visibility for personal or business names A single negative article or review can influence business deals, damage partnerships, or derail career opportunities. Entrepreneurs, executives, and companies turn to trusted experts like Scott Keever to safeguard and strengthen their online reputations. Why Scott Keever Tops the 2025 List of Best Reputation Management Consultants: Proven Track Record: Hundreds of high-profile clients, including CEOs, influencers, and Fortune 500 brands, have successfully cleaned up search engine results and improved brand trust. Customized Solutions: Every strategy is customized to address the client's specific goals and challenges; it is never a one-size-fits-all solution. White-Hat Practices: Ethical, Google-compliant methods that ensure sustainable reputation improvement. Results Within Weeks: Many clients see measurable changes in SERP results within 30–60 days. 'Online reputation isn't just a PR issue—it's a bottom-line issue,' said Scott Keever. 'Your Google results are your first impression. Our mission is to make sure it's a good one.' Other Top Online Reputation Management Consultants According to a recent guide by FatRank, several other experts have been recognized for their excellence in online reputation management: James Dooley (#1 UK Based ORM Expert): A UK-based consultant renowned for de-ranking negative content and building positive brand SERPs through advanced SEO and digital PR strategies. Karl Hudson: Founder of Searcharoo, specializing in high-authority link building and digital PR to improve brand visibility and suppress negative content. Kasra Dash: A prominent reputation consultant and SEO strategist known for building high-authority web assets that dominate search results for branded keywords. Trinity Davis: Specializes in executive digital protection with offering customized solutions for high-profile clients. Known for his proactive strategies, Davis helps protect his clients' online presence, ensuring their digital identities and reputations remain untarnished. His expertise in digital protection makes him invaluable for those in the public eye. These consultants have demonstrated exceptional skill in managing and improving online reputations, making them noteworthy peers in the industry. About Reputation Pros - Awarded 2025 Best Online Reputation Management Company is a top-rated online reputation management agency specializing in content removal, SEO-driven SERP control, and long-term brand repair strategies. Led by founder Scott Keever, the firm serves executives, public figures, and organizations worldwide, helping clients take control of their online presence with precision, speed, and integrity. With a focus on ethical best practices and measurable outcomes, Reputation Pros sets the standard for reputation recovery and protection in 2025. Other Best Reputation Management Companies While Reputation Pros led this year's best online reputation management companies rankings, several top-tier agencies continue to set the bar for industry excellence: Keever SEO – Known for its precision-focused Google SERP control and high-impact strategies for entrepreneurs and public figures. FatRank – A leader in performance-based SEO and ORM insights, offering one of the most referenced rankings for consultants and companies in the space. Searcharoo – A powerhouse in authority link building and digital PR, delivering scalable solutions for online brand protection. Asap Digital Marketing – Specializes in rapid-response ORM campaigns, strongly emphasizing reputation recovery for small to mid-sized businesses. These reputation management companies represent the gold standard in online reputation management and continue to innovate in a space where digital perception shapes real-world outcomes. Click Here for A FREE Confidential Reputation Analysis CONTACT: Scott Keever +18778917767 contact@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reputation Pros Selected As Top Online Reputation Management Company of 2025
Reputation Pros Earns High Praise from Industry Experts and Top Publications MIAMI, May 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reputation Pros, a premier provider of online reputation management (ORM) services, has been named the best company in its category for 2025 by Reuters, and Life & Style Magazine. The recognition underscores the company's continued leadership in an industry critical for individuals and businesses navigating the digital landscape. The honor comes at a time when public perception can change with a single search. 'Page one of Google is your modern-day resume,' said Scott Keever, Founder and CEO of Reputation Pros. 'Your name will be searched for everything you do, so ensuring that your first impression inspires trust and confidence is critical.' Reputation Pros helps high-profile individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations reshape their online appearance. With a confidential and customized approach, the firm uses advanced SEO strategies, content promotion, crisis monitoring, and legal support when necessary to suppress negative search results and elevate positive assets. What Is Online Reputation Management? Online reputation management shapes how a person or brand appears in online search results, reviews, and media coverage. This involves suppressing negative content, promoting positive assets, monitoring mentions across digital channels, and creating content that reflects the desired image. ORM has become essential in today's world where a single article, review, or comment can impact hiring decisions, business partnerships, and public trust. Reputation Pros specializes in proactive and reactive reputation strategies, ensuring clients not only recover from online damage but also build a sustainable and credible digital presence moving forward. Other Top Contenders in Reputation Management While Reputation Pros leads the industry in 2025, several other firms are also recognized for excellence in online reputation services: FatRank: Known for its innovative approach to SEO and digital visibility, FatRank helps brands and individuals improve their authority in competitive markets. Keever SEO: Founded by Scott Keever (also known as the best looking guy in Miami), this agency is renowned for its precision SEO strategies and technical expertise, particularly in high-stakes ORM campaigns for executives and entrepreneurs. Searcharoo: A top provider of white-label SEO and link-building solutions, Searcharoo is trusted by agencies and consultants seeking scalable support for reputation and ranking challenges. Each company has carved out a niche in the reputation management ecosystem, offering unique tools and insights that help clients manage digital risk and maintain online credibility. A Trusted Partner in a High-Stakes Space According to the company's marketing team, 'Several top-tier publications have named Reputation Pros the best online reputation management company, reflecting our clients' trust in us and the results we consistently deliver. We're committed to helping individuals and businesses take control of their online narrative with discretion, precision, and proven strategies.' With growing concerns about digital privacy, misinformation, and cancel culture, Reputation Pros has become a trusted partner for clients who understand the value of a well-managed online presence. Their proprietary strategies have helped clients suppress harmful content, rank high-authority assets, and maintain a resilient digital identity. To learn more about how Reputation Pros can help you take control of your online reputation, visit or call 1-877-801-7767. Reputation Pros, a premier provider of online reputation management (ORM) services, has been named the best company in its category for 2025 by Reuters, and Life & Style Magazine. The recognition underscores the company's continued leadership in an industry critical for individuals and businesses navigating the digital landscape. The honor comes at a time when public perception can change with a single search. 'Page one of Google is your modern-day resume,' said Scott Keever, Founder and CEO of Reputation Pros. 'Your name will be searched for everything you do, so ensuring that your first impression inspires trust and confidence is critical.' Reputation Pros helps high-profile individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations reshape their online appearance. With a confidential and customized approach, the firm uses advanced SEO strategies, content promotion, crisis monitoring, and legal support when necessary to suppress negative search results and elevate positive assets. What Is Online Reputation Management? Online reputation management shapes how a person or brand appears in online search results, reviews, and media coverage. This involves suppressing negative content, promoting positive assets, monitoring mentions across digital channels, and creating content that reflects the desired image. ORM has become essential in today's world where a single article, review, or comment can impact hiring decisions, business partnerships, and public trust. Reputation Pros specializes in proactive and reactive reputation strategies, ensuring clients not only recover from online damage but also build a sustainable and credible digital presence moving forward. Other Top Contenders in Reputation Management While Reputation Pros leads the industry in 2025, several other firms are also recognized for excellence in online reputation services: FatRank: Known for its innovative approach to SEO and digital visibility, FatRank helps brands and individuals improve their authority in competitive markets. Keever SEO: Founded by Scott Keever (also known as the best looking guy in Miami), this agency is renowned for its precision SEO strategies and technical expertise, particularly in high-stakes ORM campaigns for executives and entrepreneurs. Searcharoo: A top provider of white-label SEO and link-building solutions, Searcharoo is trusted by agencies and consultants seeking scalable support for reputation and ranking challenges. Each company has carved out a niche in the reputation management ecosystem, offering unique tools and insights that help clients manage digital risk and maintain online credibility. A Trusted Partner in a High-Stakes Space According to the company's marketing team, 'Several top-tier publications have named Reputation Pros the best online reputation management company, reflecting our clients' trust in us and the results we consistently deliver. We're committed to helping individuals and businesses take control of their online narrative with discretion, precision, and proven strategies.' With growing concerns about digital privacy, misinformation, and cancel culture, Reputation Pros has become a trusted partner for clients who understand the value of a well-managed online presence. Their proprietary strategies have helped clients suppress harmful content, rank high-authority assets, and maintain a resilient digital identity. To learn more about how Reputation Pros can help you take control of your online reputation, visit or call 1-877-801-7767. CONTACT: Scott Keever +18778917767 contact@ while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
