Melanie Klag

Digital Portfolio of Melanie Klag

I've set up my portfolio to showcase recent work, blogs/articles, case studies, video scripts, whitepapers/ebooks, infographics, emails, newsletters, and more. All of the copy was written by me but some of the design work was done by talented graphic designers. If the layout was done by me, it will be noted in the description of the piece. 

My Recent Work

McKissock Learning •

URAR - McKissock Learning

The legacy Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR), also known as Form 1004, was established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the 1980s to standardize residential property appraisal. FHA and VA adopted this form too, and it is often used for portfolio lending.


As the primary report used to document a single-family residential property’s value, the URAR is critical for all stakeholders in mortgage transactions. From lenders to appraisers, this report supports transparency and reliability i...
Contractor Training Center •

Mastering the Operations Side of Contracting

Running a successful contracting business requires more than just exceptional technical skills. While expertise in construction, remodeling, or specialized trades is essential, the real key to long-term success lies in mastering the business side of operations. 

Without solid business acumen, even the most talented contractors may struggle to maintain profitability, grow their businesses, or establish sustainable operations. Now is the time to close that gap and elevate your contracting busine...
McKissock Learning •

Artificial Intelligence and Engineering: How AI is Revolutionizing the Role of PEs

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the world at an unprecedented rate, and the engineering industry is not immune from its impact. From innovative design optimization tools to predictive maintenance and autonomous systems, AI has become a powerful ally, enhancing efficiency and precision across various engineering disciplines.  


But how exactly is AI impacting professional engineers, and how can they adapt their skills to stay ahead in this new technological landscape? 


This blog div...
McKissock Learning •

How to Use Drones in Land Surveying

Drone technology has revolutionized land surveying, offering enhanced efficiency, safety, and accuracy. For licensed land surveyors, integrating drones into your practice can streamline workflows and provide clients with superior deliverables.  


This blog provides an in-depth guide on how licensed land surveyors can use drones for professional surveys. From understanding their applications to exploring their benefits and practical considerations, this guide aims to help surveyors integrate th...
McKissock Learning •

Prescriptive Easement vs Adverse Possession: A Land Surveyor's Guide

Licensed land surveyors frequently encounter boundary disputes complicated by claims of adverse possession or prescriptive easements. These legal doctrines allow parties to acquire rights to land without the owner’s consent, creating challenges that can significantly impact boundary retracement surveys.  


Understanding the fundamental differences between these concepts is essential for surveyors navigating complex property disputes. 


Both prescriptive easements and adverse possession stem...
Contractor Training Center •

How to Become a General Building (B) Contractor in California | Exam Prep & Licensing Guide

Dreaming of running your own construction business in California? To take on major building projects as a licensed professional, you’ll need to earn your General Building (B) Contractor License.

At Contractor Training Center, we help you navigate the licensing process and prepare to pass your exam on the first try. In this video, we break down what it takes to become a licensed B contractor in California, including:
✅ License requirements and qualifications
✅ The application and approval process
✅ Exam details and what to expect
✅ How to study and prepare effectively
✅ Resources to help you succeed

With the right guidance, you can cut through the red tape and start building your career with confidence.
👉 Learn more in our step-by-step blog: https://contractortrainingcenter.com/blogs/news/how-to-become-a-general-b-building-contractor-in-california or https://contractortrainingcenter.com/blogs/news/how-to-become-a-contractor-in-california
👉 Ready to start exam prep? Enroll today:
https://contractortrainingcenter.com/collections/california-general-building-b-contractor-exam-prep-courses
📌 Subscribe to Contractor Training Center for more contractor licensing tips, guides, and prep resources: https://www.youtube.com/@contractortrainingcenter
Follow us on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contractortrainingcenter/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contractortraining

#ContractorLicense #CaliforniaContractor #GeneralBExam #ContractorTraining #ConstructionBusiness

Landing Pages

Contractor Training Center •

California Construction Contractor Exam Prep | CTC

Becoming a licensed contractor isn’t just a milestone—it’s your launchpad to credibility, higher earnings, and bigger opportunities.Contractor Training Center's California contractor license classes can help you unlock your new future in contracting.Establish Yourself as a Trusted Professional Earning your contractor’s license gives you instant credibility—helping you build trust with clients and grow your business with confidence.Earn More by Doing More Licensed contractors command higher rates...
Contractor Training Center •

Bridging the Skills Gap in the Construction Industry: Perspectives fro

As new technologies and expectations reshape the field, a growing gap has emerged between the skills employers need and what workers bring to the job. We surveyed professionals nationwide to uncover the real impact—and what you can do about it.
This free resource gives you the data and strategies to confidently hire, train, and lead in a fast-changing market. Whether you're a contractor building your team or an employer making critical staffing decisions, this report helps you stay ahead.

A...
Fillogic •

Building the Future: How a Channel-Free Partner Network is Revolutionizing Retail Logistics  - Fillogic

Experts expect to see a boost in retail sales in 2024, up 6.7% in dollar value and 2% in volume. However, because consumers shop across channels, retailers need to adopt that same channel-free mindset to capitalize on the expected boost.

By implementing a channel-free ecosystem, retailers will be able to integrate technology and break down silos across their supply chain and use inventory across all channels, meeting consumers where they live, work, and shop, and having a choice in how they wan...

2025 Appraisal Salary Guide

Whether you're just starting out in your appraisal career, or are a seasoned pro, this guide has something for you. We surveyed appraisers from across the country to gain new insights on salaries and trends that today’s appraisers should be aware of.  What’s Inside the 2025 Appraisal Salary Guide? Explore what 1,593 appraisers in the U.S. had to say about their incomes, industry challenges, and optimism for the future. Find actionable insights to help you elevate your career, including:

Whether...
Contractor Training Center •

Contractor Licensing Guide

Do you have construction experience, the desire to call the shots, and the ability to work with people? Getting your general contractor’s license could be your ticket to success.  With the growing demand for skilled contractors, now is the ideal time for you to take the next step in your career. If you're seeking to gain authority over your professional path, this is your chance to make it happen.

Do you have construction experience, the desire to call the shots, and the ability to work with pe...
Fillogic •

Huckberry | Fillogic - Fillogic

Retailers face significant challenges with returns management, including high fraud rates, excessive costs, and environmental impact. To address these issues and maintain customer satisfaction, Huckberry partnered with Fillogic to revolutionize their returns process.

As a result, Huckberry implemented Fillogic's Local Market Hub solution, which processes returns locally using existing infrastructure like shopping malls. By combining this with Narvar's post-purchase experience platform, they cre...
McKissock Learning •

URAR - McKissock Learning

The legacy Uniform Residential Appraisal Report (URAR), also known as Form 1004, was established by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the 1980s to standardize residential property appraisal. FHA and VA adopted this form too, and it is often used for portfolio lending.


As the primary report used to document a single-family residential property’s value, the URAR is critical for all stakeholders in mortgage transactions. From lenders to appraisers, this report supports transparency and reliability i...

Case Studies

How Don Oswalt Adds Value to Proforma Rhino Graphics

Don Oswalt is an extremely experienced Sales Representative who has achieved yearly sales
bookings of more than $1 million multiple times during his career. While he wasn’t necessarily
actively looking for a career change, he wasn’t NOT looking either and was open to new
opportunities. Nick Barsalona, senior recruiter at your Worldwide Support Center – Cleveland,
made the call that would prove beneficial for Oswalt as well as Steve Spence, Owner of
Proforma Rhino Graphics. Even if it took multiple phone calls, meetings and a couple of months
of convincing.
Virago Marketing •

Boosting TrueTMS Brand Identity And Awareness With Virago

Because marketing and messaging are still ramping up, solid metrics are not available, but by leveraging Virago’s industry expertise and strategic guidance, TrueTMS successfully established itself as a reputable player in the transportation sector. Its continued partnership with Virago is yielding significant benefits, which include:“I was at a trade show last year just walking the floor, I had my TrueTMS shirt on, and a guy walking past said, ‘hey, I see your ads everywhere; tell me more about...

UCHealth Listens to Its People to Drive Employee Engagement

“We chose six questions that were highly actionable and gave us a quick opportunity to engage our employees and get feedback fast,” Matthew Gosney, Ed.D, vice president of organizational development and learning services at UCHealth.

As part of its ongoing employee listening program, UCHealth now surveys employees three times per year, including follow-up pulse surveys to ensure leaders are sharing results with their teams and acting on those responses. Each survey is open for two weeks and inc...

Blogs/Articles

Virago Marketing •

Sales + Marketing Alignment = Successful Smarketing  | Virago Marketing

1. Establish Shared Goals and Metrics:In order to be successful and work as one, sales and marketing have to agree on their end goals. That also means understanding how they’ll determine if those goals are met (i.e., which metrics to track).  Teams must shift their language from siloed teams like “marketing pipeline” and “sales funnel” to “shared marketing funnel” to emphasize teamwork and that everyone is working toward the same outcome.  For some companies, they are even changing how they refe...

DEIB in Healthcare: Is Your Organization Doing Enough? | Perceptyx

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is vital for all organizations, but it may have even more significance in healthcare because it affects not just the employee experience but the patient experience as well. And providing the best care for their patients is paramount for all healthcare institutions.

While as singular entities, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are important, it is together as a whole that can greatly impact a culture. Diversity is just representative o...

Top 3 Benefits of Using an Alternative Delivery Network for Retailers

You know what they say about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It’s the definition of insanity, and definitely not good business sense. Yet, retailers feel boxed into shipping products via the same major delivery network as everyone else – over and over again with the same results. And with today’s increasingly volatile shipping environment, which is marred with increased freight rates, decreased carrier capacity, and demanding consumers, the status quo is...

Visual Schedules Can Help Students Succeed

It is back-to-school season! Whether your children are going back to an in-school, traditional educational model, are learning remotely or are doing a hybrid model of both online and in-person, it can be a challenge
getting kids back into the swing of things. This can be especially true for students with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or other medical or behavioral challenges as it is harder for them to change, add, alter or deter from their “normal” routine.
Virago Marketing •

How To Align Your Marketing Efforts With Revenue Goals  | Virago Marketing

1. Define Clear Business GoalsTo set yourself up for success, you first have to decide what success looks like. That means outlining your business goals – clearly and succinctly. This will help your marketing team, business development team, sales team, and everyone else in the company have a final objective to strive for. It will then be up to the other teams to align with the company goals.  Some areas of focus can include: Revenue targets: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant,...

Increasing Sustainability in LTL Transportation

Sustainability has been a buzzword for a while now, as it is something everyone can play a part in and something we all need to take responsibility for. As more corporations and consumers prioritize “going green” or being environmentally friendly, sustainability will remain a focus.

This very point was showcased in a couple of recent studies. Forbes found that 92% of consumers will be more likely to trust a company that supports social or environmental issues. Coyote Logistics and Martec discov...

Omnichannel Logistics is Dead; It’s Time for Channel-Free Logistics

Retailers have to keep up with today’s modern consumer. And that means meeting their demands for fast delivery, easy returns, in-stock inventory, and more. It also means delivering on those demands no matter where the customer shops – whether it’s in-store, online, in mobile apps, from a catalog, etc. – or how they want their package delivered – shipped direct, pick up in store, curbside delivery, locker/parcel pickup, etc.

Typically, retailers believe they have to offer an omnichannel experien...
Virago Marketing •

How Experts Create Must-Attend Supply Chain Events

1. Correct Branding: Jennifer shared the importance of consistent and clear branding for their events. In 2023, TMSA rebranded its annual conference as “Elevate” to reflect their goal of elevating attendees’ networking skills, industry connections, and sales and marketing techniques. This shift not only clarified their event offerings. They wanted to move away from using the generic term “annual conference” to reduce confusion since it holds multiple events per year and to emphasize the unique v...
Virago Marketing •

5 Best Practices To Set Up A Winning Lead Scoring Model | Virago Marketing

Establishing a winning lead-scoring model will help you prioritize the most qualified leads with the highest probability of closing and nurture them accordingly. To determine a lead’s score, you’ll start by creating a value for demographic, firmographic, and behavioral attributes. With this points-based system, leads are qualified based on an agreed-upon set of criteria, identifying which leads sales staff should call on in the short term and which leads should continue to be nurtured through th...
Eleos •

Custom Apps: Have it Your Way on the Highway - Eleos

Fleets of all sizes can build custom driver apps with a SaaS-based platform
Customer service expectations for all freight sectors – truckload, LTL, parcel, and more – are driven by trends in ecommerce. Shippers want faster and more cost-effective fulfillment solutions. Meanwhile, carriers are experiencing mounting pressures from rising labor, fuel, equipment, and insurance costs.
One way fleet owners can address such complexities is by creating a custom mobile app for their drivers. 
Before the...
Virago Marketing •

6 Strategies To Improve Your Marketing Maturity | Virago Marketing

Congratulations! You know your marketing maturity level, have reviewed your scores, and understand your strengths and weaknesses. Now the real work begins. Boosting your strategic marketing is the way forward. Here are six strategies to elevate your marketing maturity and take your organization to the next level. 1. Understand and Prioritize Your Target MarketResearch is time-consuming, so it’s tempting to put it on the back burner while you focus on other daily tasks. However, it provides the c...
Perceptyx •

Officism, a New Type of Workplace Discrimination

Fortune 500 firms take preemptive action to prevent officism from having negative effects on company culture

TEMECULA, Calif., September 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the coronavirus Delta variant summer surge delaying many return-to-office plans, a new source of conflict could erupt between workers who have returned to the office and those continuing to work remotely. The conflict could disrupt any chance of a smooth transition to a hybrid workplace.

Perceptyx, a leading employee listenin...
Northeast Ohio Parent •

Helping Children With Special Needs Adjust to School During the COVID-19 Pandemic -

COVID-19 has changed the way we all live and approach our daily lives. For children with special needs, the deviation from their regular schedule and normal daily activities often is much harder to cope with than it is for other children. 

Generally, a school day provides that much-needed stability for our children with special needs. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, school looks and feels very different for students as they adapt to new safety protocols. Stud...
Proforma Blog •

Fetch New Business with Promotional Pet Products

As winter changes to spring, people start to emerge from their abodes and get outside more to enjoy the warmer, sunnier, longer days. And that often means bringing along their favorite animal companion! As people are spending more time with their pets and taking them along on adventures, it means they are spending more money on them too. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), an estimated $72.13 billion was spent on pet products in 2018. That’s a lot of kibble!
It’s proven th...
Proforma Blog •

Should You Give Holiday Gifts to Employees?

It’s that time of year again! Hard to believe, but it will be 2019 in the blink of an eye. But before the New Year arrives, you need to decide if should give your employees holiday gifts, and if you decide to go down that road, what type of gift is appropriate?
There is no law that states an employer has to give gifts to employees at the holiday. In fact, it is generally not necessary nor is it something employees expect. (However, once you start, holiday gifts become the norm and giving up woul...
Eleos •

Effective Trip Planning: How to Reduce Fuel Spend and Combat Truck Parking with a Custom App - Eleos

Effective trip planning is essential for truck driver safety and job satisfaction. It allows them to safely maximize earnings within the daily limits for on-duty and drive time, which are 14 and 11 hours, respectively.
However, trip planning for 18-wheels of commerce is more complex than tapping a destination on Google Maps and following the prescribed route on a smartphone. Truck drivers must consider myriad factors besides the shortest distance or fastest travel time between two points.
Driver...

Video Scripts

Host-to-Host Replication Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)

Is your company and its data prepared to survive a disaster? This video provides an overview of Expedient's disaster recovery as a service, which we call host to host replication (powered in part by Zerto).

This solution allows you to replicate your production virtual servers between your own legacy virtual environment and Expedient's virtual infrastructure. Since the replication is happening at the host level, you don't need to have identical hardware at each site. This will protect the integrity of your data while providing you with an economical solution for your needs.
McKissock Appraisal •

Single-Family Home with an ADU vs. Two-Family Property: What Every Appraiser Should Know

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are changing how appraisers classify and value residential properties. In this video, McKissock Senior Appraisal Instructor Kevin Hecht explains how to correctly identify whether a property is a single-family with an ADU or a true two-family property (duplex)—and why it matters for zoning, valuation, and lending.

Learn how to:
• Distinguish ADUs from two-family properties
• Understand zoning, size, and utility differences
• Document your findings in your appraisal report
• Recognize market perceptions that affect classification

Stay ahead of evolving housing trends and produce credible, market-supported reports with the right training.

Explore these related McKissock courses:
• Small Spaces, Big Impact: Appraising ADUs- https://www.mckissock.com/appraisal/continuing-education/missouri/small-spaces-big-impact-appraising-adus/

• Appraising 2–4 Unit Residences - https://www.mckissock.com/appraisal/continuing-education/louisiana/live-webinar-appraising-2-4-unit-residences/

👉 Subscribe to McKissock Appraisal Education for more expert insights, live webinars, and continuing education tips for appraisers. https://www.youtube.com/@McKissockAppraisal/

#AppraisalEducation #McKissockLearning #RealEstateAppraisal #ADU #AccessoryDwellingUnit #Duplex #AppraiserTraining #ContinuingEducation #AppraisingADUs #PropertyValuation #HousingTrends #AppraiserLife

Visit McKissock.com/appraisal for more information.
Follow us on social media for appraisal tips, news, promotions and more! Facebook: / mckissockappraisal
Instagram: /mckissockappraisaledu

Explore our pre-license education packages here: https://www.mckissock.com/appraisal/become-a-trainee/

Already an appraiser? Take your career to the next level by upgrading your license with one of our certifications: https://www.mckissock.com/appraisal/get-licensed-certified/

Need to renew your license? Try out our state-approved continuing education courses: https://www.mckissock.com/appraisal/continuing-education/
Gold Coast School of Construction •

Electrical Licenses in Florida Explained | Which License is Right for You?

Thinking about becoming a licensed electrician in Florida but not sure which license is the best fit? In this video, we break down the different types of electrical licenses in Florida, what each license allows you to do, and how to choose the right path for your career.

Whether you’re considering a Registered Electrical Contractor license, a Certified Electrical Contractor license, or specialty options, we’ll help you understand the requirements, scope of work, and benefits of each.

🔗 Learn more in our full guide: What Are the Types of Electrical Licenses in Florida and How Do They Differ?
🔗 Get started on your path today with our Electrical Contractor Exam Prep: https://goldcoastschools.com/courses/construction/unlimited-electrical-contractor/

At Gold Coast School of Construction, we’ve helped thousands of professionals prepare for and earn their contractor and electrical licenses. Explore our courses and start your path to success today.

📌 Subscribe for more tips and guidance on contractor licensing in Florida.
👍 Like this video if you found it helpful and drop your questions in the comments!
🌐 Visit our website: https://goldcoastschools.com
#ElectricalLicenseFlorida #ElectricianCareer #GoldCoastSchools #ContractorLicense
Contractor Training Center •

How to Become a General Building (B) Contractor in California | Exam Prep & Licensing Guide

Dreaming of running your own construction business in California? To take on major building projects as a licensed professional, you’ll need to earn your General Building (B) Contractor License.

At Contractor Training Center, we help you navigate the licensing process and prepare to pass your exam on the first try. In this video, we break down what it takes to become a licensed B contractor in California, including:
✅ License requirements and qualifications
✅ The application and approval process
✅ Exam details and what to expect
✅ How to study and prepare effectively
✅ Resources to help you succeed

With the right guidance, you can cut through the red tape and start building your career with confidence.
👉 Learn more in our step-by-step blog: https://contractortrainingcenter.com/blogs/news/how-to-become-a-general-b-building-contractor-in-california or https://contractortrainingcenter.com/blogs/news/how-to-become-a-contractor-in-california
👉 Ready to start exam prep? Enroll today:
https://contractortrainingcenter.com/collections/california-general-building-b-contractor-exam-prep-courses
📌 Subscribe to Contractor Training Center for more contractor licensing tips, guides, and prep resources: https://www.youtube.com/@contractortrainingcenter
Follow us on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contractortrainingcenter/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contractortraining

#ContractorLicense #CaliforniaContractor #GeneralBExam #ContractorTraining #ConstructionBusiness
McKissock Appraisal •

Fair Housing and Valuation Bias | McKissock Learning

Appraiser valuations play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the housing market. Maintaining

Because of that responsibility, our profession is not bound simply by our honesty, morality, and integrity, we must also abide by fair housing laws and the USPAP Ethics Rule.

This video outlines the latest in fair housing laws, the USPAP Ethics Rule, and how these laws directly impact appraisal work, training, and continuing education requirements.

Topics covered include:

1. Background of the Fair Housing Act & Its Amendments

2. The Implementation of the USPAP Ethics Rule

3. The Impact of Fair Housing Laws & USPAP Ethics Rule on the Appraisal Industry

4. Misconceptions about Bias in Appraisals

5. The Importance of Bias Valuation Training & Education

6. How to Protect Yourself

At McKissock Learning, we’re committed to helping appraisers stay informed, up-to-date, and compliant with fair housing laws and continuing education requirements. Ongoing training on recognizing and addressing bias is crucial for ensuring fairness and accuracy in appraisals, building trust in the process, and contributing to a more equitable housing market for all communities.

McKissock will offer mandatory Fair Housing and Valuation Bias courses to support your professional growth and compliance. Visit McKissock.com/appraisal for more information.

Follow us on social media for appraisal tips, news, promotions and more! Facebook:   / mckissockappraisal  

Instagram: /mckissockappraisaledu

Explore our pre-license education packages here: https://www.mckissock.com/appraisal/become-a-trainee/

Already an appraiser? Take your career to the next level by upgrading your license with one of our certifications: https://www.mckissock.com/appraisal/get-licensed-certified/

Need to renew your license? Try out our state-approved continuing education courses: https://www.mckissock.com/appraisal/continuing-education/

Whitepapers/Ebooks

Top 12 Reasons Employee Listening Programs Fail

How, when, and where we work has become an increasingly complex and variable proposition. Today, teams are dispersed, highly decentralized, and often
communicate asynchronously. This makes it impossible for a single leader or even an entire global HR department to just ‘get a sense’ for how employees are
doing – and more importantly, what actions may be needed to ensure a high-performing, positive, and equitable employee experience.

Infographics

Additional Media (Emails, Social Media, Press Releases, Product Sell Sheets, Etc.)

Business Wire •

Contractor Training Center Launches National Program to Close Construction Skills Gap and Position Contractors for Growth

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Contractor Training Center (CTC)©, a national leader in contractor licensing and workforce education, has launched two new initiatives to help contractors and employers address rising costs, labor shortages, and operational complexity in a rapidly changing industry.
These include:

The publication of Bridging the Skills Gap in the Construction Industry, a national survey uncovering key mismatches between contractors’ self-assessed skills and employer expectations...
Business Wire •

The Appraisal Foundation Announces McKissock as Host of Foundation Asynchronous Courses

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Appraisal Foundation today announced that McKissock, LLC, a leading provider of real estate appraisal education, has been awarded the contract to be the exclusive host of The Appraisal Foundation’s asynchronous continuing and qualification education courses. These courses cover the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), Yellow Book, and other essential valuation topics. This new contract extends a longstanding partnership between The Founda...
Business Wire •

Florida’s Electrical Industry Surges: Gold Coast School of Construction Launches New Licensing Prep Course to Meet Growing Demand

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Florida’s construction and renewable energy boom has created unprecedented opportunities for skilled electrical contractors, and demand for licensed professionals has never been higher.
To support this industry surge, Gold Coast School of Construction is proud to launch the Florida Unlimited Electrical Contractor Exam Prep Course, designed to help electricians, supervisors, and business owners easily pass their exam, obtain their licenses, and expand their careers.

"Our...