Best in Business Magazine September 2023

MEET EMPOWERMENT AGENT DR.

BestinBusiness

2023 by Best in Business Magazine. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing.

Best in Business is a monthly publication distributed digitally with limited local distribution along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. If you would like to be a distribution site for our magazine, please contact our business office for information about how to become a distributor.

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Editor’s Note

LookingTowardQ4!

Thefourthquarteroftheyearisuponus,BestinBusiness family! Areyoualreadyplanningfor2024,orareyou laserfocusedonthelastfewmonthsof2023,readytoma

In this issue, you'll find great information about leading with heart. We're sharing tipsaboutwhyempatheticleadersgetgreatresultsandhowtodevelopyourskills tobecomea"leaderwithheart"

We want to continue to partner with you in 2023-2024 to help you achieve all of your professional goals. If you need direction or help, please feel free to call on us we 'recommittedtohelpingyousucceed!

Let's work together to be the BEST in business!

SheilaFarr

Editor-in-Chief

Best in Business Magazine

Editor-in-Chief

Sheila Farr

Creative Director

Mary Bell

Art Director

Sheila Farr

Columnists

Sher Graham

Photos for GMK

Christopher Duncan

Contributing Writers

Carlin Duncan

Debbi Bostdorf

Dr. Joan Henry-Fields

Allison G. Daniels

Partners

Gulf Coast Training & Education Services, LLC

WedgeCorp, LLC

Best in Business, LLC

Business Office: 1015 Howard Avenue, Suite C

Biloxi, Mississippi 39530 (228) 229-3117

ROB'S CABINETS & MORE, LLC

ON TOPIC

SET YOUR COURSE FOR SUCESS?

In our last issue, we posed a few questions to consider when developing your leadership philosophy, so this month, we wanted to continue the discussion A leadership philosophy is a belief system that guides your decisionmaking and forms who you are as a leader.

At the heart of one’s leadership philosophy is their core values Core values are your personal ethics or ideals that include your fundamental beliefs about who you are as a person They drive your decision-making, problemsolving, and relationship building as a leader. Your core values determine your priorities and help you decide on the best ways to set and achieve your goals.

We all have things that we value deeply, whether we realize it or not If you’ve never given much thought to your personal core values, let me encourage

by Sheila Farr SHRM-SCP Business Strategist

you to spend a little time thinking about them. There are a number of ways to identify core values, but we recommend these steps to help you get started:

1 Look at a list of values and write down any that resonate with you

2 Think about leaders or others that you admire and make a list of the qualities you like about them.

3. Pay attention to any patterns or similarities to the values, qualities or behaviors from steps one and two It is likely you will begin to understand and define your own core values

We will see you here next month to continue our discussion!

DR. JOAN HENRY-FIELDS

Advocating for Women in Leadership and Business

In our August issue, we welcomed a new feature contributor Dr Joan Henry-Fields joined the Best in Business writing team with her monthly feature, The Essence of Excellence. Her column focuses on successful businesses and explores the habits that help make business owners leaders in their fields. This month, we wanted to do a “deep dive” with Dr. Henry-Fields and share a little more about this amazing woman who is all about empowering others

Dr. Henry-Fields owns several businesses, including Out in The Fields, LLC, a real estate consulting firm named RESA Incorporated, 501c3 organization, and the WEE Global Network, widely known for its annual event that brings together leaders from all over the world. Dr. Henry-Fields is an International Radio Personality, Internet TV Host, and Published Author. She holds a bachelor's degree in human services from the Audrey Cohen College in Manhattan, New York; a master's degree in social work from Howard University in Washington District of Columbia, and a doctorate in business administration with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. HenryFields's research topic was "Business Success Factors of Female Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Maryland."

Her professional affiliations include Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, the International Honors Society, the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD), the National Association of Professional Women, the Chimes International Advisory Council (Virginia and Maryland), the Jamaica Nationals Association, and is currently serving as a Multicultural Commissioner in Prince Georges County Maryland under the States Attorney Aisha Braveboy. Dr. Henry-Fields believes that “Only The Best Is Good Enough.”

For over 15 years, she has worked diligently to host the Women's Entrepreneur Expo, serving women and girls in the greater Washington D.C. area and internationally with the tools and resources to connect, learn, and start their businesses, and now she brings her experience and expertise to Best in Business Magazine

You may connect with Dr Henry-Fields here at Best in Business or to learn more about her, visit her websites at www.resawomen.org or www.outinthefieldsllc.com

BUSIN BUSINESS ESS SPOTLIGHT

HOPE BROWN, MSA, ASFP THE TAX-MINDED BOOKKEEPER

Hope Brown, MSA, Founder/Owner of Brown Business Solutions, LLC (BBS) – I'm also a Virtual Bookkeeper, Tax Preparer, Project Manager and Business Consultant who is super passionate about helping small businesses become productive and succeed!

As she noticed a trend with her small business tax clients not being prepared with their financial data during tax time, she realized the need to teach those businesses basic bookkeeping practices and tax strategies that could help them not just on a day-to-day basis, but also make tax preparation so much easier for them.

Her business, The Tax-Minded Bookeeper, provides bookkeeping services, small business tax strategies, and financial literacy coaching. We hope that you will read more about Hope and how she grew a successful business in this month’s “The Essense of Excellence” feature with Dr. Joan Henry-Fields.

We work with entrepreneurs and small businesses to develop business strategies that work. In addition to marketing and management training, we provide personal and professional enrichment programs that foster a sense of total wellness. With a comprehensive course list and consulting that gets results, Gulf Coast

Sheila M. Farr

DEFINING EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIPIN THEWORKPLACE

TheBeginningofLeadership

Leadership starts with influencing yourself. Your energybeginstovibrateandsparkles forotherindividualswhoappearinyourcircleof influence.Theyseewhatpositiveenergyyou exude; they are excited to learn how you exude thatenergy!Theywantwhatyouhave.Thatis theprocessofinfluence.Leadershipunderstands whatisneededandessentialforsuccess.

RecognizingEmpatheticLeadership

An empathetic leader envisions and creates a cultureorenvironmentwherehis/herteam members feel heard, valued, and understood. Whenthistypeofcultureiscreated,thisleadsto increased trust, collaboration, and effective communicationonalllevelswithinthe organizationalstructure.

Empathetic leaders focus on identifying with others and understanding their point of view. This type of leadership take a genuine interest in the people around them – what makes them tick, what inspires them and the way they feel, what are their aspirations, what do they like to do – getting to know them on a deeper and more personal level. The communication and active listening skills between the employees and the leadership increase work efficiency and productivity, develop an understanding of employee behaviors, and guide both to develop and implement individualized strategies for employee improvement

OSBI/SYNERGYSOLUTIONS COLLAB,AUTHOR/SPEAKER

SHERGRAHAM,CEO

Therearethreetypesofempathyinleadershipthatwillhelpyoudetermineifyouare an empatheticleaderandwhattypeofempathyyouchoose:

1)Cognitiveempathyisbeingawareoftheemotionalstateofanotherperson;

2)Emotionalempathyisengagingwithandsharingthoseemotions;

3)Compassionateempathyinvolvestakingactiontosupportotherpeople.

Whichtypeofempatheticleaderareyou?

However, empathetic leadership in the workplace may have its negative influence and impact on employees and company culture When leadership is arrogant, selfcentered and egotistical, the communication dynamics between leadership and employeesbecomesalmostnon-existent.Non-empatheticleadersaremorefocused on the success of the company revenue and/or its stakeholders, and how decisions aremadethatbenefithis/hercareer.Or…leadersmaybecometooempathetic.When thathappens,he/shelosesfocusoneverythingelsewhicharealso important Great leaders are empathetic, but they also motivate vision and purpose, theyhold peopleaccountable,andtheyprovidegrowthopportunities.

I want to leave you with words from my chapter – The Red Power Suit Influential Leader - in “Red Power Suit: Leading through Influence”, an anthology by Sheila Farr, that focused on leadership and the ability to influence or guide others and how we choosetouseourinfluence.

Attributes of Influential Leadership

Leaders influence. Leaders inspire.

Leaders have different heights, ethnicities, physical abilities, ages, gender, intellectual abilities, educational levels, business acumen, productivity and performance levels, individual selfmotivators, skills, gifts and talents

Leaders encourage Leaders empower Leaders coach Leaders communicate Leaders motivate Leaders manage Leaders collaborate Leaders create Leaders innovate. Leaders include others.

Leaders wear red suits, red ties, red socks, red suspenders, red hats, and carry red briefcases. One of all of these!

Leaders lead. Leaders led change.

Leaders network. Leaders focus. Leaders connect. Leaders train. Leaders organize Leaders plan Leaders maintain morale Leaders help Leaders delegate Leaders direct Leaders pave the way Leaders guide Leaders initiate Leaders envision Leaders set intentions Leaders encourage cooperation Leaders set direction for the organization Leaders strategize. Leaders plan. Leaders promote. Leaders lead by example. Leaders emulate company values and ethics. Leaders make decisions. Leaders give feedback. Leaders are in the present moment. Leaders direct meetings. Leaders speak last at meetings. Leaders devise the mechanism to be followed by all team members. Leaders are a link between workers and management Leader represents the expectations and interest of the employees Leaders create policies to follow

Leaders write everything down – thoughts, ideas, comments, quotes – everything!

Leaders are confident to share their new ideas

Leaders learn. Leaders read. Leaders are knowledgeable. Leaders encourage others to share their ideas. Leaders focus on developing others.

Leaders encourage strategic thinking, innovation, and action. Leaders are civic-minded and philanthropic. Leaders exhibit humility. Leaders practice effective cross-cultural communication.

Leaders are Visionary and clearly define where their team is going and how they are going to get there

Leaders are Strategists

Leaders are talent advocators

Leaders possess self-awareness, Leaders garner credibility Leaders nurture growth Leaders are adaptable and flexible to change

Leaders like people and maintain positive interpersonal relationships

Leaders are authentic Leaders are transparent Leaders maintain positive knowledge on their business and personal finances on a daily basis Leaders are accountable Leaders are responsible Leaders are resilient

Leaders are negotiators – first with themselves and then with others. Leaders reward positive behavior and performance. Leaders step back to take responsibility to their commitments. Leaders ask for assistance, guidance, and mentorship.

And….

Leaders are human. Leaders make poor choices. Leaders are not always good leaders. Leaders are not always authentic Leaders are not always responsible

Leaders sometimes forget to lead Leaders take personal time to recharge their lives Leaders become resilient Leaders ask for forgiveness Leaders are human. Leaders have feelings. Leaders lead with mind, body and spirit.

The question I put before you – what type of empathetic leader are you?

Street Encounter Skills and Tactics

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Biloxi, Mississippi

THEESSENCEOF EXCELLENCE

BY DR. JOAN HENRY-FIELDS

Through interviews with successful entrepreneurs each month, we reveal different perspectives.

In a recent interview with Hope Brown of The Tax-Minded Bookkeeper, we asked her to share a bit about the road to successful entrepreneurship Dr Henry-Fields's questions are below in bold print, followed by Ms Brown’s replies (in italics)

A strong value proposition is crucial for a company ’ s success and survival. What is your company ’ s value proposition?

Our value proposition is “We Are Your Small Business Financial Advantage ” We selected this phrase because The Tax Minded Bookkeeper provides tax, bookkeeping, and financial literacy services that support small business owners Our clients feel the advantage of feeling confident about their finances while making critical financial decisions during the year, applying for additional money to scale, and, most importantly, during the tax season

Starting a business with your interest and expertise in mind is crucial It is also necessary to ensure this enterprise represents a concrete entrepreneurial opportunity

What other business decisions did you consider when starting your business?

Before starting my business, I initially went through the process of establishing a business plan which included identifying our potential clients and the services they may need This was a crucial first step for us because the accounting industry is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified individuals, so various work opportunities are always presented We decided to focus on the small business community, offering solutions that effectively serve this community

Another critical decision in business early on was remaining faithful to what I love to do I love helping people, entrepreneurship, and organizing numbers Identifying these loves made it a no-brainer for me to concentrate on building the bookkeeping side of my business, even though I was first a tax practitioner for over ten years Since I'm doing something, I enjoy, it helps make the work, although challenging, a pleasure I’m super glad I made that decision early on as well

Success is something that everyone strives for, but the path to achieving success is always a challenging one. It’s a journey that requires hard work, perseverance, and dedication. Along the way, there will be obstacles and challenges that will test your determination and resilience. What are some hurdles you had to push past to remain in business?

This is an excellent question! Social media and other individuals often make you think that entrepreneurship is glamorous, so many people dream of doing it People see it from the outside and don’t understand the hard work and commitment it takes The reality is that entrepreneurship can sometimes be a difficult and lonely road It will teach you things about yourself that you didn’t know or realize very quickly I had to push past the hurdle of being told no now, realizing that every door is not supposed to open for you, but the ones that do open can be amazing

Entrepreneurship has also been a faith builder for me, reminding me of a lesson my parents taught me as a child never to tell myself no or that I couldn’t do something that my mind was set on doing That advice has been essential to follow as I am building the business as an entrepreneur

Finances ensure businesses thrive in today’s competitive world. How did you finance your business startup? (Loans, savings, seed money, etc.) and how do you evaluate and ensure your company ’ s financial stability?

Believe it or not, I started my business with bootstrapping, which means I invested personal funds This was the right move for me because, at the time, I didn’t know if I would be moving into the business full-time or if the practice would remain more of a part-time business endeavor

Recently, as we ’ ve been steadily expanding to service additional bookkeeping monthly clients and open our bookkeeping membership program for business owners, I’ve had to extend our financing options to bring additional support This has been accomplished by establishing a banking relationship which has been beneficial, establishing a line of credit, and obtaining the first credit card for the company, which we use regularly (but responsibly) now

As far as evaluating our company and ensuring financial stability, we have a slight advantage as a financial services firm We do many of the same activities we work on and advise our clients to do regularly These include accounting tasks such as performing regular bookkeeping, reviewing our financials/KPIs, and having an in-house CFO to advise us on various moves we should be making as a business to ensure financial stability

Markets are changing rapidly, and businesses that need help to keep up will drop out. If you ’ re not prepared in advance, you’ll miss out on opportunities that could lead to business failure. How do you stay up to date in your industry/field?

Because I’m a licensed tax practitioner, I’m required by the IRS to participate in a certain number of continuing education hours each year. In most cases, I exceed the required CE hours because with tax law rapidly changing, I want to stay abreast of new developments to service our customers properly.

Another opportunity involves working with my peers, which has become essential in both the bookkeeping side of the house and the tax side I regularly check in with my peers to discuss challenges and new advances in the accounting field

Lastly, technology plays a big part in how we remain relevant. Following COVID, a large amount of how the accounting field works is virtual-based. This means consistent risk assessments to confirm data security requirements and updates needed are regularly performed to stay compliant and secure client data while supporting remotely

Customer retention is a critical factor in business sustainability. How do you build and foster relationships with clients/customers?

Trust from your clients is a big part of customer retention in the financial arena When you work with people’s money, they want a warm fuzzy feeling while working with you They want to feel they can trust you and that you regularly exercise integrity and care when dealing with their financial data This helps tremendously with client retention

We also take security very seriously in our field because of IRS requirements and because it is the right thing to do. Ensuring customer data is secure and data integrity checks are in place has gone a long way in gaining customer trust in the last three years of operation

Lastly, we know our customers by their first names We take the time to learn about their families and the challenges they may be going through in this season of life and their business Establishing these relationships with customers is essential to serve them the best way you can

It's often hard to find time for self-care as entrepreneurs because most entrepreneurs take pride in working long hours and caring for their businesses. With all the stress of running a business, it's easy to overlook the importance of maintaining a regular self-care routine. How do you ensure self-care?

Self-care has been a challenge in my business for me I'm in the first year of working full-time in my business, and in many instances, my time is not my own. I've slowly gotten the company to a point where I am beginning to bring in support to help us work, but it takes time to build the right team Once support is in place, though, that will free up more of my time to dedicate to selfcare In the interim, that becoming a reality, I still watch my diet since it's easy to eat an unhealthy diet while I'm sitting at the computer doing bookkeeping most of the day

Mental health is equally important to me, so I also make sure that I surround myself with positive people who are contributing positive energy to me whenever possible

What are your top three business principles that you live by, and why those three?

A significant principle I follow is to believe in myself and what I want to accomplish One big lesson I learned from my parents is that I never tell myself no, which I spoke about earlier. This sometimes means that I will try things that are totally outside what others think I should be doing, but in most cases, the company is growing because of my persistence in a good way

The second principle I reference in my business is to lead passionately I work with numbers, and I'm good at organizing them and producing strategies with tax planning for clients I've been able to use those skills to create a business that I'm excited about doing, and I know that is a gift I don't take for granted.

Lastly, helping others is essential to me both in and outside the business The services we offer business owners who often need clarification or stress about taxes in their business or how to get control over their finances and grow the business finally help these individuals succeed Many times, that success results in them being able to feed their families or provide services that help their clients daily It's a beautiful feeling knowing that what you do in business can have this type of positive domino effect on so many levels and is essential

Giving back to the community can take a variety of forms. Depending on your skill set and the unique nature of your community, you will find many opportunities to help those around you. In what ways do you give back to your community or industry?

I am proud to say that I am a second-generation entrepreneur! While growing up in Washington, DC, I watched my father's business grow Still, I also saw him have setbacks because of his lack of financial literacy and lack of access to experts in the financial sector.

Many people think that we ' re just a bookkeeping or tax planning firm Still, a large part of what we also do at The Tax Minded Bookkeeper is combat financial literacy in the entrepreneur community With entrepreneurship growing at the rate, it has since 2020, basic business financial literacy is something that I'm passionate about sharing with the entrepreneur community nationwide It's also no secret that the lack of access to financial knowledge and processes often results in business owners of color missing out on essential opportunities not being available to them because of a lack of resources to prepare

To address this void, I seek opportunities to partner with relevant organizations to provide no-cost training on financial topics To date, we ' ve donated training time to support various entrepreneur-based support programs such as YWCA 360, The Minority Christian Women Entrepreneurs Network (MCWEN), Operation Hope, National Entrepreneurs Association (NEA), among other organizations. Information presented has included topics on tax compliance, budgeting for starting a business, how to read financial reports and other relevant areas requested by these groups targeting essential financial information needed within their business owner communities

Being an entrepreneur is a high risk, high reward. You could make millions, or you could make nothing at all. What advice would you give to a budding entrepreneur?

I was fortunate recently to have the opportunity to begin working full-time in my business after growing it for the last two years. I'm sharing this information because before leaving my federal position, one big area I focused on was budgeting I created budgets for my personal and business life to ensure I had income projections for the business growth necessary not to compromise my future lifestyle I also wanted to ensure that the industry was able to scale successfully

In my case, this was a great way to transition into my business full-time Because of this approach, I, fortunately, haven't felt the stress of not having adequate funds to support my lifestyle. I suggest anyone thinking about transitioning into entrepreneurship fulltime take similar steps

Be bold, too, if numbers are not your thing It's wonderful to consult with a financial professional who can help you plan Having savings in place was another strategy I used before transitioning into a full-time business

Motivation is vital to all aspects of life, including entrepreneurship. We need motivation to maintain our focus on our goals. How do you stay motivated?

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs myself, where business finances were a challenge, the primary mission of The Tax Minded Bookkeeper as a business has grown from that personal experience I grew up with I want to empower business owners to understand the power of understanding their numbers I stay motivated by the work I am doing now because I see a difference in how our individual client businesses are growing and flourishing because of having knowledge about and confidence in their finances. Many have gained significant growth and peace of mind since we ' ve supported them in tracking their finances properly, and it is best to be a part of their success!

Additionally, motivation comes from the new services that entrepreneurs can offer This year alone, we launched a successful 4-week online tax and bookkeeping boot camp for entrepreneurs’ course, which students were excited about. We plan to launch our tax and bookkeeping support membership for business owners who do their bookkeeping to support them in maintaining accurate books and accountability at a price point they can afford in September 2023 Lots of exciting events are occurring in the business to keep me and the staff motivated!

Having a support system amid the chaos and crushing responsibility of founding and running a business is helpful. What support do you have in place?

I'm fortunate to have a support system from other entrepreneurs who have been instrumental in helping me run and build my business We usually meet to consult with each other about business wins and challenges We are all at different levels, so this support has been great to have and be a part of Finally, family support has been so great, especially from my daughter Everyone has been great since I was up at 1:00 a.m. listening to my new ideas to family and friends being product testers for new courses we ' re launching.

Marketing is a dynamic and ever-changing field. Every company needs a well-planned marketing strategy that defines milestones and objectives. What are your marketing strategies for your business?

One of our key marketing strategies since the business was founded has involved me appearing as a speaker expert at various in-person events, and on partner podcast shows to spread the message of our firm We usually appear on podcasts or in-person sessions to benefit entrepreneurs who may be listening to share valuable tax and bookkeeping resources useful for that community Of course, social media has also played a significant role in helping us grow the firm into what it has become in 2023, and we intend to keep using that as a marketing vehicle moving forward. Finally, current client recommendations have been the icing for us.

Individuals are usually excited to share the news when they've found bookkeeping and tax support services that work for them, and there has been no exception to that rule in the entrepreneur community We are blessed to be connected to our current customer base and their loyalty to our firm

Please create and write your motivational quote for this column.

A motivational quote I'm famous for in my direct circle is "Never tell yourself no " Plenty of individuals in and out of our immediate circles will doubt what journey we ' re on, but we have to believe in ourselves no matter what to reach our destinies

Is there anything else that you would like to share with the readers?

Thank you for sharing a little about our story at The Tax Minded Bookkeeper and for allowing me to be interviewed for the Essence of Excellence

How can people connect with you?

I have the following social media and website information listed below where I can be reached, and individuals can learn more about our services:

Hope Brown, MSA, AFSP

Social Media Links:

LinkedIn: https://www linkedin com/in/hope-brown-msaafsp-the-tax-minded-bookkeeper-463a44239/

FB Tax & Bookkeeping Group for Women Entrepreneurs: https://www facebook com/groups/656744925415071

IG: @taxmindedbookkeeper

Email and Website -

Website: bbizsolution com

Email: hello@bbizsolution com

Phone: 202-596-8411

Dr Henry-Fields owns s Fields LLC" a real esta 501c3 organization; and "WEE Global Network" widely known for its annual event Dr Henry-Fields is an International Radio Personality, Internet TV Host, and Published Author Dr HenryFields holds a bachelor's degree in human services from the Audrey Cohen College in Manhattan, New York; a master's degree in social work from Howard University in Washington District of Columbia, and a Doctorate in Business Administration with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, from the Grand Canyon University, Arizona. Dr. Henry-Fields's research topic was "Business Success Factors of Female Immigrant Entrepreneurs in Maryland "

More about Dr. Henry-Fields can be found at: www resawomen org or www outinthefieldsllc com

With

CARLIN DUNCAN of

SEPTEMBER'S RECIPE

SUNDAY GREEN BEANS AND POTATOES

Ingredients

2 lbs fresh green beans

2 lbs potatoes ( your choice pic’d are the red & yellow potatoes)

1 pack of bacon

2tbsp butter

Step 1 Cut your bacon into small pieces and cook until crispy Remove bacon from pan leaving about 5 tbsp of the grease

Step 2 … Add 2 tbsp of butter to grease. Quarter your potatoes and put in the pan on med/low heat. Let potatoes form a crust before touching them. Dont touch them too much or they will become mushy.

Step 3…Once crust forms, let potatoes cook on med/high for about 30mins or until half done stirring occasionally. Once your potatoes have reached a half done point , throw in your green beans. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, Tony’s or Slap your Momma . Cook for additional 25 mins until done. ( this part varies due to some people like a little crunch still in their beans) pic below was cooked for 25-30 mins slowly when beans were added

Step 4 Remove from heat and toss in bacon pieces Toss slightly and serve

Photograph by Christopher Duncan

Rob'sCabinets&More

Leading with Heart: Developing as a Compassionate Leader

Ask any leader how they would like others to define them, and the answers you’ll receive will be asvariedasfishintheocean Someleaderswillsaytheywanttobedefinedaspowerful,others might use words such as “fair,” “competent,” or even “engaged” When I ask people to tell me what type of leader they are - or aspire to be - they usually will tell me they are a “servant leader”becausetheyareinthetrencheswiththeirtroops Nomatterwhattypeofleaderpeople feeltheyareorwhatwordsthey’dlikeotherstousetodefinethemasaleader,onethingthatis fastbecomingatrendinleadershipisthecompassionateleader.

Compassionate leaders encourage empathy and caring and encourage employees to talk about their problems and to provide support for one another Compassionate leadership is about a) being a compassionate person and b) trying to create a culture whereby seeking or providing help to alleviate a sufferer’s pain is not just acceptable but is seen as the norm (Poorkovas,2016)

Whenemployeesfeelseen,heard,and appreciatedintheworkplace,theywillwork moreefficientlyandeffectivelybecausethey trulyfeellikepartofateam. Creating engagingenvironmentsthatemployees enjoycannotonlymakeyourorganizationa greatplacetowork,butalsoonethat promotesbetterhealth,higherengagement, andahighretentionrate.

BenefitsofCompassionateLeadership

Thebenefitsofcompassionateleadership arejustbeginningtobebetterunderstood, butinitalresearchshowsthatitresultsin higherretentionrates,lowerratesofstress,a higherlevelofphysicalwell-beingamong workers,andanincreaseddevelopmentof closeprofessionalbondsintheworkplace.

HowtoDevelopCompassionasaLeader

Compassion,andcompassionate leadership, donotfollowagive-and-take approach.Instead,theyhaveanadded componentofaltruisminthemastheperson showingcompassionrarelyexpectsto receivethesameordoessotoget somethinginreturn. Compassionate leadershipisessentially“empathyinaction.”

Recentresearchandfindingshave recognizedcompassiontobeanessential aspectofaproductiveworkenvironment (Dutton,Workman,&Hardin,2014).Showing compassiontocolleaguesisvitalto sustainingjobsatisfactionandwork-related motivation

It’sreallyquiteeasytodeveloptheskillsand characteristicsofacompassionateleader. Someofthethingsonecandoinclude:

Insteadoflisteningtoreplytoothers,try listeningsimplytohearandunderstandthe otherperson. Keepyoureyesfocusedonthe personwhoisspeakingandwithholdyoururge tojudge,interrupt,orshareadvice. Simplylisten. Youmayengageintheconversationby presentingpositivebodylanguageand affirmingvocalremarks.

Suchanapproachtoleadershipbuilds anoverallbroadunderstandingofthe industryandautomaticallygets passedonasapartofthe performancecultureamongall employeesofthefirm.

Askingopen-endedquestionsandbeingopen tooptionsthatmayvaryfromyourscanhelp developyourskillsasacompassionateleader Useacordialtoneandencourageothersto honestlyandopenlysharetheirthoughtsand opinions.

Mostpeopleagreethatcompassionis animportantpartofourlivesandwe needmorecompassiontohelpreduce sufferingintheworld However,few prioritizebuildingcompassioninthe placewherewespendaconsiderable partofourlives. Becominga compassionateleader

Itmaketakepracticingabitofselfawarenessto helpyougetintouchwithyouremotions. Take afewmomentstothinkaboutthethingsthat motivateyouinlife. Nourishyourselfwith positivethoughtsandmaybeeventryalittlebit ofautomaticwritingorjournaling. Makeita pointtocheckinwithyourselfthroughoutthe dayandaskyourself,“HowamIfeeling?” That willhelpyoubegintodevelopyourself awarenessandcanhelpyoutapintoyour emotionsthroughouttheday

Compassioninorganizationsinvites‘cognitive empathy’orthefeelingof‘thispersonisjustlike me.’Managersandworkersinacompassionate environmentarealwaysawareandreadyto accepttheperspectiveofothers,andtrytostep intotheirshoesbeforeconcluding.

Suchanapproachbuildsanoverallbroad understandingoftheindustryandautomatically getspassedonasapartoftheperformance cultureamongallemployeesofthefirm.

1. Beanactivelistener

2. Seekinputandfeedbackfromothers

3. Getintouchwithyouremotions

4. Payattentiontotheothersaroundyou

Each month the team at Gulf Coast Training & Education Services in Biloxi, Mississippi offers free professional development training?

If you're an HR Professional, or interested in the HR career field, you are invited to join in on the training each month.

SHRM-certified professionals earn 1 PDC for completing the training, but you do not have to be SHRMcertified to attend. Register at:

HOW TO ADVANCE GOD’S KINGDOM IN BUSINESS

"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it "

To begin, how to advance God's kingdom in business all starts with a prayer. The first thing that I do is to empower myself in prayer, empower myself in the Word of God to win and advance the kingdom of God. I would pray for and expect the demonstration of the power of God to see a change in my life I would make an effort to do the following things each day as I began to advance God's kingdom in business. I am determined to make the kingdom a very high priority in my life.

Rev. Allison G. Daniels

(1) Write the vision down and make it plain (Create A Vision)

(2) Seek and expect the manifestation of the power of God

(3) Winning souls, winning freedom to stay connected

(4) Start collaborating with other likeminded people

(5) Call for graphic artist for Pay by Projects

(6) Develop and create a blueprint for everything that you are getting ready to start

Learn how to manage your time well, keeping in mind that you must put first things first in order to accomplish your goals. I always stress that you pay close attention to what’s going on around you before you make any decision. Seek to wisely use every moment that God gives you to help accomplish God’s redemptive purposes in some way. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the wisdom you need to do so. Trust that there will always be enough work for the days

Learn how to organize your daily life plans and declutter the things you have that are surrounding you and close you. Trust that there will always be enough work for the days

Be able to surround yourself with people who are ready to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. Be intentional about how you want to proceed with carrying out the assignment that God has placed on your life.

Write the vision down that God first gave to you and continue to do a checklist of your daily completed assignments so that you do not get distracted or have to reroute your plans for this season.

Writing the vision will make a difference because you want to be able to see your progress, see your purpose come to past, and see your mission on how things are playing out in your life.

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

Website/social media information:

Web site: www.AllisonGDaniels.com

Twitter @ AllisonDaniels9

Instagram: allison daniels29

Youtube: AGDaniels29

Facebook: http://www facebook com/ allison.g.daniels

As an awarding-winning, 18-time best-selling author who has written over 31 books and a Life Coach, Allison Daniels is extremely honored and blessed to help empower women in various stages of their lives and to those who are seeking professional and personal growth through venues that provide motivation, awareness, and mentoring

Allison is a Multi-Visionary Author of the Book Series “Empowered to Win, Unshakable Faith and Women Be Free.

Health and Wellness

The Health Benefits of Honey

By Sheila Farr

Honey is rich in nutrients and antioxidants, has antibacterial properties, and can play a role in diabetes management as part of a balanced diet. Researchers have found that honey may increase adiponectin levels, a hormone that reduces inflammation and improves blood sugar regulation. There’s also evidence that daily honey intake may improve fasting blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes (Rogers, 2027).

The syrupy liquid that honeybees make from plant nectar, honey is a common ingredient in many foods and is available in many forms. It also has several potential health benefits and plays a role in many home remedies and alternative medicine treatments.

Studies have also shown that there are several health benefits to ingesting honey, including:

1. It is rich in nutrients.

2. It is filled with antioxidants.

3. Honey is better for blood sugar levels than table sugar.

4. Promotes wound and burn healing

5. May improve heart health

6. Can reduce coughing due to colds

There are more than 300 different types of honey right here in the U S , and it is generally considered safe for anyone over the age of one (due to a risk of botulism). The best honey doesn’t come in a cute little plastic teddy bear. That kind of honey is processed and less beneficial than its counterparts.

When choosing honey, look for the raw varieties. Those are the ones that contain the most health benefits.

For more information about honey and how to select it, please visit https://worldofhoney.com/2020/12/26/besttype-of-honey/

Wentz's Kenpo, Karate & Kickboxing

KENPO CLASSES

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS. TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

SPARRING CLASSES

FRIDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS. TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

KICKBOXING CLASSES

TUESDAY & THURSDAY

MIGHTY MIGHT’S: AGES 4-8 YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 5:45PM

JUNIORS: AGES 9-16YRS. TIME: 5:00PM – 6:00PM

ADULTS: AGES 17+ YRS. TIME: 6:00PM – 7:00PM

Wentz's Kenpo, Karate & Kickboxing

Girls ARE & Boys CAN is a 501(c)3non-profitorganization that operates to cultivate, inspire, and empower children and youth through leadership skills,education,andproviding a safe place for youth to grow and thrive in their communities. They do this by building relationships with community partners, hosting speaker events, field trips, community service, peer mentorship, and engaging in college and career readiness programs.

Their hope is to continue to meet the needs of our youth and ensure that they become productive members of society while also providing positive experiences that enhance their overall wellbeing.

GirlsAREand BoysCAN

by Sheila Farr

TajaCunninghamisthefounder ofthisorganizationandher visionandguidancehasledthe organizationastheyparticipated inlocalyouthcareerseminars, fooddistributionprograms,and othercommunityservice programsthatfoster independenc

InFebruary2023,the organizationpresented"Flaws andAll,"aneventthatfeatured realconversationsaboutteen datingandtheimportanceof consentinrelationships.

Ms. Cunninghamsays,"Our programsaresuccessfuldueto communitycollaborationand sponsorships." Onevisittotheir socialmediapagewill demonstratetheircommitment tothedevelopmentofour community'syouth.

Anyoneinterestedin collaboratingandsupporting ourmission/visioncanreach outtousviaemailat

Girls.ARE.GC@gmail.com.

Taja Cunningham Founder of Girls ARE & Boys CAN

This article was previously shared in our August issue

TALK BACK!

Last month, we asked you to share about the most comical performance evaluation fail. Here's what you had to say...

I worked for a place that had a numerical rating system from 1-3: 1 was “needs improvement,” 2 was “meets minimums,” and 3 was “exceeds standards.” The fail was that no one was allowed to use the 3!

Doug P., The Woodlands, TX

Our biggest - and funniest - performance evaluation fail was that I worked for a professional development company who trained new managers on compliance and regulations...and in the 3 years I worked there, not once did I even receive a performance evaluation. Even though it was our company’s job to teach about the importance of them, the company didn’t adhere to their own rules. Crazy!

Karen H., Clearwater, FL

TALK BACK!

LET US HEAR FROM YOU! EMAIL US AT TRAINTHEGULFCOAST@GMAIL.COM TO SHARE ABOUT YOUR MOST CHALLENGING WORK CONVERSATION. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME, OR NAME OF YOUR BUSINESS, AND THE CITY/STATE IN WHICH YOU ARE LOCATED AND WE'LL SHARE YOUR COMMENTS IN OUR NEXT ISSUE!

AUGUST'S TOPIC: DEVELOPING YOUR PERSONAL LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY!

Most comical performance fail: our company drew names to determine who would write who’s evaluation each year and they included people outside of our department. Talk about a FAIL!

Kevin T. West Chester, PA

HOMETOWN TRAVELER

Art - Music - Nature - Adventure

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA BY CARRIE WRIGHT

Stars Over Alabama...

Huntsville, Alabama

My name is Carrie Wright and I live in Huntsville, Alabama. One of the most exciting things in Huntsville is the U S Space and Rocket Center With more than 1,500 archives on display, the center has such artifacts as the Apollo 16 command module, Explorer I (America’s first satellite), and there’s even a moon rock from Apollo 12. There is so much to see and do here, including a Space Camp where STEM students can learn

The Huntsville botanical garden has more than 112 acres of grassy meadows and woodland paths adorned with plants native to Alabama, butterflies galore, and so many opportunities to explore the great outdoors. They have an aquatic garden, a nature trail, and even a teaching garden for school-age learners It is quite a beautiful and peaceful place to wander about.

The area also had many state parks that offer boating, kayaking, and hiking trails. On the trails are beautiful landings where you can see the amazing stars and all of the beauty that Alabama has to offer. We hope that you will visit us here in Huntsville soon. I think you will love it.

All About travel and traveling, for travelers.

Welcome to our newest monthly feature, Hometown Traveler. In this feature, we'll be highlighting the many amazing places in the U.S. and beyond that make great getaways, long vacations, and even staycations!

Our world is so beautiful - and amazing - so we'd like to share more about the places our readers live and the sights, sounds, and tastes that make those locations so incredible.

We are excited that we are now featuring all of the exciting things to see, do, and taste from around the globe. If you would like to submit an article for consideration, please feel free to email us at bestinbusinesspublishing@gmail.com

We are hoping to hear from each state in the U.S. - and beyond!

We want to hear from you!

HOPE BROWN, MSA, AFSP

VETERANS' CORNER: WRITING AS THERAPY CAN HELP WITH PTSD

By Sheila Farr

If you check out the New York Times on-line edition for August 23, 2023, you’ll find an article by Ellen Barry that outlines just how writing can be used as therapy for Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Her research found that just 30-minutes of directed writing can be as effective as talk therapy

Writing therapy involves writing about one’s feeling, thoughts, or experiences and can be either specific and directed or free-flowing It can be done individually or with the help of a mental health professional or coach.

You might wonder exactly how writing can be therapeutic? Well, particular types of guided, detailed writing can not only help us process what we’ve been through, but can also assist us envision a path that can lead us forwardout of active trauma - and towards recovery A 2020 Harvard study revealed that writing as therapy can also lower our blood pressure, strengthen our immune system, and increase our general well-being

So, if you’ve been feeling the impact of PTSD and you’re finding it a challenge to cope with, speak with your medical professional and consider picking up a journal to begin a new

adventure in healing.

There are several organizations, including your local VA, that offer classes in writing as therapy. If you need help locating one or would like to enroll in our upcoming virtual on-line class, please contact us The class is free for Veterans, so reach out to us at Gulf Coast Training & Education Services, LLC. We’ll be happy to help you.

Contact us through our website at: www.gulfcoasttraining.org

and

he's the CEO of

Coast Training & Education Services, where she works to help Veterans find the right employment fit as they transition to civilian employment.

Dear Dr. BizBuzz:

I am writing to ask you about starting a nonprofit organization. I am a small business owner and want to invest in starting a nonprofit to serve women in my community by providing workforce development skills including human relations skill building, computer training, resume writing, interviewing and job opportunities. My question is where do I begin?

Rosemary Higgins Vermont

Dear Rosemary,

Thank you for asking your question about how to start a nonprofit organization. It certainly is a challenge as in starting a business to create a solution to a community need. A nonprofit organization is a business. However, there are very different mindsets and opportunities with starting a nonprofit.

The first step in beginning to start a nonprofit is to understand the mindset of the nonprofit founder. An individual who starts a nonprofit does not become its owner. One definition of a nonprofit as designated by the Internal Revenue Service is a public charity and entity that is directed by the board of directors. One critical element is that founders who serve as Executive Directors may be replaced by the board of directors, if the goals and direction of the organization are not in alignment with the board’s vision. This s something that many people who start nonprofits do not understand.

You didn’t mention if you have any volunteer or board experience. Rely on your volunteer experience to give you insight into the business of nonprofits. The more knowledge you have before you begin to complete Form 1023 for your IRS designation, the smarter decisions you will be able to make as you progress. If you have little or no volunteer experience, then I would ask you to look within and really determine if this is something you want to undertake If the answer is no but you want to help women, then find nonprofits in the community who serve women, donate in their organization, and volunteer your skills/talents to moving the organization to serve women

I hope this helps you to think and plan ahead before investing your money into starting a nonprofit Your financial commitment will be the financial foundation of the nonprofit, not grants nor donations You may need to plan and save your money to begin this project.

Good luck with your vision of helping women in your community.

Dr. BizBuzz

Sher Graham is CEO/EVP, NeuroBehavior for OSBI/Synergy Solutions Collab, Mobile, AL, an international mindset transformation speaker and best-selling author, journalist and behavioral health advocate. She may be reached at synergytosoar@gmail.com.

All year long we are focusing on the topics that our human resource managers and business owners have requested. In September, we're turning away from looking at processes, as we start to look more closely at people.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “To handle yourself, use your head. To handle others, use your heart.” Compassionate leaders lead and manage with both their head and their heart. It's all about empathy. In November, we will be diving into ways to develop courage skills that can enable us to have those crucial conversations in the workplace.

We hope you will join us!