Best in Business Magazine May 2023

MEET AUTHOR

RYDER BARBAT

WORKERS' COMP 101: JUST THE BASICS

ONBOARDING FOR KEEPS!

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.

We do not necessarily endorse all of the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and/or services advertised Check with a healthcare professional regarding the appropriate use of any type of health or wellness advice, product, treatment, or service

ADVERTISING AND SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE

To advertise with Best in Business Magazine or request a media kit, please contact us at 228-229-3117 or email bestinbusinesspublishing@gmail com

Deadline for the ads: the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication

COMMENTARY SUBMISSIONS

Email articles, good news items, and ideas to: bestinbusinesspublishing@gmail.com

Deadline for commentaries: the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication.

ASK DR. BIZBUZZ

Submit business questions for Dr. BizBuzz to: bestinbusinesspublishing@gmail.com

Deadline for questions: the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication.

HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

To become a contributing writer with our magazine, you may request a contributor media kit by contacting us at: bestinbusinesspublishing@gmail com

Deadline for contributing articles: the 15th of the month prior to the month of publication

Editor’s Note

HoldingOntoTopTalent!

HappySpring,myBestinBusinessfamily!

Inthisissue,we'retakingacloselookathowtoretaintho helpourbusinessesstandoutfromothers. We'llalsowel toourcontributingwriterlineupandshareaboutanonprofitthatisworkingto makeadifferenceforthefutureofourplanet!

Wewanttocontinuetopartnerwithyouin2023tohelpyouachieveallofyour professional goals. If you need direction or help, please feel free to call on us...we 'recommittedtohelpingyousucceed!

Let's

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 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

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

Rob'sCabinets&More

F E A T U R E D N E W R E L E A S E

R Y D E R B A R B A T

A ROOKIE HITS IT OUT OF THE PARK WITH HER NEW RELEASE!

by Sheila Farr

Karen Ryder Barbat describes herself as a small-town Louisiana beautician who loves her family, her friends, and her work She's long had the dream of writing a book, and she thought the best way to make this happen was to write about something she knows: hair! Inspired by some of the wacky and unconventional things she'd experienced in her 37 years in the field of cosmetology, she wanted to share some of the crazy shenanigans of a small-town beautician.

"Writing this book was both encouraged and inspired by my clients, family and friends. And one of the main reasons I started this book was that my mama was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I wanted to write about my experiences while I still could, and share my crazy stories," says Karen.

Karen is the owner of Kay Kay's Beauty Salon in Deville, Louisiana If you know Karen, then you know one thing for certain: Karen loves what she does and she puts her heart and soul into it She says that one of the things she enjoys most about her work is making people look and feel more beautiful Karen says, "Transforming a person's hair by cutting and coloring it can make such an impact on someone's self-esteem and self-worth. Everybody needs a little pampering every now and then, and since the world of beauty is always changing, I learn new ways to help others every single day."

Motivated by a good challenge, she says that her clients' happiness is her first priority "Trying to keep everyone happy can sometimes be a big challenge However, I am happy to say that I've been able to overcome many of the hair-related challenges that I've come up against I love color corrections and makeovers, so doing these always gives me an opportunity to try new techniques and products Even though it can sometimes be difficult to give someone exactly what they're looking for, I always try to make sure they leave happy.

A self-described "people person," one of the reasons Karen loves what she does is because it involves two of her favorite things: doing hair and visiting with people! "Along with my family and friends, my clients are also a great source of inspiration and encouragement for me, and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to work at a profession I love for nearly 37 years now," she says

As you can imagine, Karen's seen some interesting things and had some unbelievable experiences in her years as a beautician Some of those experiences were the inspiration for her book; and some crazy things really do happen in a small Louisiana town!

It's Crazy Up in Hair is Karen's first book. It is a work of fiction with glimpses of real-life sprinkled in It was among Amazon's Top New Releases in Humor and Satire, and it even hit their best-seller list in the Literary Short Reads, General Humor, and Humorous Literary Fiction categories

You can find Karen's book on Amazon. It is available as eBook and in paperback. We hope you'll make it a point to learn more about this amazing woman and her funny (and phenomenal) book!

ON TOPIC

SET YOUR COURSE FOR SUCESS?

A leadership philosophy is essentially a belief system that guides your decisionmaking It consists of your core principles, perspectives, and values

When you define what they are, and use them to shape a leadership philosophy statement, your behaviors and decisions will remain consistent.

Our formula for beginning to developing your personal leadership philosophy is simple It can help you gain a greater sense of self-awareness so you have a clearer idea of who you are as a leader and the areas in which you need to grow. It can be developed just by considering these questions:

1. What is your definition of leadership?

2 What are your personal core values?

3 What do you feel are your best leadership qualities?

by Sheila Farr SHRM-SCP Business Strategist

4 What are some areas in which you feel you need to grow or develop as a leader?

5. What would you like your "leadership legacy" to be?

These are some really great questions to get you started on your way to developing your own philosophy of leadership Looking at these questionsand taking time to really consider the answers - can help deepen your understanding of yourself, your behaviors, and your actions as a leader.

Join us next month for more about ways to develop your leadership philosophy

MentalHealthAwareness Month(alsoreferredto as"MentalHealth Month")hasbeen observedinMayinthe UnitedStatessince1949.

Themonthisobserved withmediaandevents thatremindusthatyour mentalhealthis essentialtoyouroverall health.

It wasstartedbythe MentalHealthAmerica (MHA)organization (thenknownasthe NationalAssociation forMentalHealth).

Duringthemonthof May,MHA,itsaffiliates, andother organizations interestedinmental healthconducta numberofactivities whicharebasedona differentthemeeach year.

MAYISNATIONAL MENTALHEALTH AWARENESSMONTH

WeneedaMental HealthMonthbecause inthisbusyworld,it remindsustofocusin onwhat'sreally important.Thisyear's keymessagedeals withwellness.Wellness isessentialtolivinga fullandproductivelife. It'saboutkeeping healthyaswellas gettinghealthy.

Peopleareconcerned abouttheirmental health.Ithasan influenceonmany aspectsoftheirlives. Mentalhealthreferstoa feelingofwellbeingin whichapersoncancope withdailyproblems.It allowsthemtodo creativeworkand contributetosociety. But,therearemany factorsthatmightimpair one 'scapacitytodeal withlife'sevents.

Thesefactorsmayalso affectdailyactivitiesand theabilitytocopewith changes.

Asaresult,failingtocare foryourmentalhealth canhavenegative consequencessuchas

increasedstress loweredmood lowself-esteem

Geneticsmayalsoplaya partinonesmental fitnessmakeup,soitis importanttobesureyour haveacompletefamily medicalhistory.

Mentalhealthissuescan becausedbyanumber ofthings-andthetype ofresponsetowehaveto thingsthatnegatively impactiscanbevaried.

Thegoodnewsisthat thereishelp.Allweneed todo istocreate awarenessandbe empathetictowards otherswhomaybe

experiencingastrugglewithcircumstancesorsituations thatarenegativeeffectingtheirmentalwellness. Don'tbe afraidtoreachouttoothers. Sometimesjustbeinga soundingboardforotherscanbegintorelievesomeofthe stressorpressuretheymaybefeeling.

Wewouldalsoliketoencourageyoutoaskforhelpifyou needit. Ifyouareincrisis,youcandial988andreceivethe helpyouneed.

Weallstrugglewiththingsfromtimetotime. Just remembertoaskforhelpwhenyouneedit,reachoutto otherswhoyoufeelmaybestruggling,andalwayskeep thisimportantnumberhandyincaseyouneedit!

988Suicide&CrisisLifeline

BUSIN BUSINESS ESS SPOTLIGHT

DEBBI BOSTDORF, FENG SHUI CONSULTANT

Feng Shui is a mixture of Chinese philosophy, Buddhism, and Taoism. It has been around for thousands of years. It means Wind and Water it is an art and science of placement. It’s all about keeping positive energy flowing for harmony and balance to support your lifestyle. It can be applied to your house, individual rooms, desktops, and landscaping.

MEETDEBBIBOSTDORF

Debbi Bostdorf is a U.S. Veteran who has found a new career after her military service with Feng Shui.

"Feng Shui has always fascinated me," she says, "It is a feeling - a vibe and energy you get from a room or area you are in. I’m sure you have experienced it as well. For example, if you walk in a dark, cluttered room you’ll feel weighted down, whereas if you walked in a bright room with open space, you feel energized."

WHATIS FENGSHUIANDHOW DOES ITWORKFORYOU?

There are various types of Feng Shui : BTS, White Pillar, 8 mansion, and Flying star. I am certified in Black Sect Feng Shui (BTS) which is the 5 elements and uses the Baqua map. By using the map with 9 sections we call qua’s we learn to enhance that section of your house; for example - if it’s the wood section, we would not want to load it with fire that would burn the energy. The goal is to keep positive energy flowing.

Everyone most likely is already using some elements of Feng Shui and you may not even realize it. It’s as simple as keeping areas uncluttered, throwing away dead flowers, and making sure the mirrors are clean. However, it’s how we enhance the areas in ways that prevent us from getting the feeling of being stuck. Feng Shui can also be used when we want to advance in our careers, find a partner, or even travel more. In those instances, we would learn how to enhance those qua’s to support our goals.

It’s all about the flow of energy and I would like to help you better understand yours and assist you in reaching your goals.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

With

CARLIN DUNCAN of

MAY'S RECIPE

BUSY MOM POT ROAST

I called this one Busy Mom Pot Roast It seriously tastes like you have been in the kitchen all day slaving away when in actuality you just set it and forget it! But Shhhhh, the family doesn’t need to know! So go grab a notepad and pencil and listen very carefully, because you are about to make the best pot roast you have ever tasted in your life It’s guaranteed to leave your family asking for seconds, and you will be the talk of the town at your next holiday party!

Ingredients

1 pork pot roast

1 half yellow onion

1 bag of red potatoes

1 bag of carrots

1 32 oz carton of chicken stock

1 stick of butter ( not margarine)

1 packet on Lipton soup mix

1 tsp lemon pepper

1 tbsp garlic herb dash seasoning

1tbsp adobe

1 tbsp slap yo momma

1 tbsp of garlic powder

1tbsp of bait season ( optional)

1 packet of sazon Goya

Photograph by Staff Photographer

Step one

Rinse your thawed roast off and place it in your crockpot or roaster. Add your full carton of stock, fill your carton with water, and add to the pot ( don’t worry this is going to create an amazing broth) Next, add all your seasoning and roughly chopped onion to the pot Place the lid on and cook for the next 6 hours on your high setting ( if using the roaster set temp to 350-400)

Step two

At the 6-hour mark, your roast should be cooked through At this point you can take a fork and begin to slightly shred it (You do not have to thinly shred unless that is your desire, or don’t shred at all) Once shredded place lid on pot and continue to cook for another hour While roast is cooking, quarter your potatoes and rinse ( if feeding small children please cut potatoes in a small form that you are comfortable with) Place potatoes in pot and finish cooking

Step three

Once an hour has passed, potatoes should be fork tender and the roast should fall apart. The broth in the pot at this point has reduced down significantly (if potatoes are not tender, continue to cook in 30 min intervals). Once potatoes are tender, (DO NOT STIR) pour in half a bag of baby carrots, add a stick of butter, and cut the crockpot or roaster off and close lid. Let roast rest for 30 mins as carrots soften in broth and the potatoes soak up the juice.

Step four

Serve over rice and enjoy

bySheilaFarr

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, onboarding is "the process by which new employees get adjusted to the performance and social aspects of their jobs." This process, when handled promptly and smoothly, can not only help new hires feel welcomed and well-led,itcanalsosetthetoneforemployeeretentioninanorganization. Onboardingcantake training and orientation to the next level when its goal is to cultivate a long-term relationship between the employer and the employee Having an organized and engaging onboarding process can foster a feeling of belonging for new employees and reaffirm the fact that they've madeagooddecisioninjoiningyourteam

Best Practices for Retaining Top Talent

Whenemployeesfeelwelcomedand directedintheirnewroles, theywillwork moreefficientlyandeffectivelybecausethey trulyfeellikepartofateam.

TheImportanceofOnboarding

AstudypublishedintheAcademyof ManagementJournal,foundthatthefirst90 daysofemploymentisapivotaltimeperiod foremployeestobuildrapportwitha company,itsmanagementandtheircoworkers.Similarly,accordingtoastudyby theWynhurstGroup,whenemployeesgo throughstructuredonboarding,theyare58 percentmorelikelytoremainwiththe organizationafterthreeyears.Whenyou shareyourcompany’sgoalsandvalueswith youremployeeswhilesimultaneously showingthemhowtodotheirjobs,everyone benefits.

WowYourNewHires

Didyouknowthatmorethan25percentof newhiresquittheirnewjobwithin45days?

Often,it’sduetorealitynotmeeting expectation.Preboarding–theearlyphase ofonboardingthatwelcome,informand preparenewhiresforthejobbeforethefirst dayatwork–isatoolthatservesboththe employeeandthecompanywell. Along withdevelopingastrongpreboarding program,hereareadditionaltipsonhowto createmoreofthatspecialWOW-experience andlaythefoundationforalucrative collaboration.

Pre-boardnewhiresbyalleviatinganystress thataccompaniesfirst-dayjitters.Senda welcomeletteroremailalongwithessential HRforms,informationaboutthecompany andanyotherusefulfirst-dayinformation. Youmightevenconsidersendingashort

welcomevideothatfeaturestheentireteam.

Otherwaysto"wow"yournewhiresinclude:

1.Saying"hello"instyle. Welcomeyournew hireswithasmallgiftandacardsignedby theCEO. You'vespentalotoftimeandeffort toattracttoptalent,nowmakethemfeel special. Youcouldprovidecompanythemed swag,agiftcardforlunchordinner,oreven sportsortheatergiftcertificates Becreative anddowhat'smostreflectiveofyour organization.

2. Assigninga"workbuddy"ormentor. It makesthingsmucheasierifanewemployee hasa"go-to"personforhelpfindingthings andunderstandingprocesses. YourHR Directormayprovidejobtraining,but assigningateammateorteamleaderto assistnewhiresonthejobnotonlyhelpsthe newpersonfeelsecure,italsogivesother employeesachanceforgrowthasabuddy, leader,ormentor.

3. Givingnewhiresagrandtour. Don't forgettoshowyournewemployeesaround theplace,includingallofthepertinent locationstheywillneedtobecomefamiliar with. Followthisbyleavingawritten"key"to wherethingsarelocated,andtheprocesses necessarytoprocureneededitemsor information.

4. Preparingawrittenscheduleforthefirst twoweeks. Putsomethoughtintothetype ofworkandtasksassociatedwiththenew hire'spositionandprovideasimulatedwork scheduleortrainingscheduletohelpthem becomefamiliarwiththeirtasks,work processes,timemanagement,and scheduling. Besuretoincludesome1:1time withtheirbuddy,mentor,ordepartment leaderduringthosefirsttwoweekstogive

themanopportunitytoaskquestions,get clarificationonthings,andtohelpthemfeel likeavaluablepartoftheteam.

5. Providingachecklistofdaily,weekly, monthlyquarterlyandannuallyrequired tasksordeadlines. Setyournewhireupfor successbyprovidingimportantinformation abouttheresponsibilitiesoftheirposition. It maytakethemseveralweekstodevelopa workstylethatfitstheirnewenvironment,so understandingwhichthingsareapriority canhelpthemfeelmoreconfidentfaster andhelpthemworkmoreefficiently.

6. Ensuringaworkplaceset-upthatworks. Havingalltechnology,supplies,and necessaryitemsavailableBEFOREyournew employeegetsonthesceneshowsthat you 'reanorganizationthatisprepared. Makesurealltechnology,portals,and equipmentareingoodconditionandare workingproperlypriortothenewemployee's firstday.

7. Followinguparegularintervals.Following upwithnewemployeesisessentialto effectiveonboarding.Managersneedtobe involvedwiththeirnewhiresanddetermine whetherornotanychangesneedtobe madeintheirtrainingprocess.Consistently meetwithnewemployeesandhelpthem solveanyproblemsalongtheway.

Workers compensation is insurance for businesses that protect them from financial loss It is a governmentmandated program for employees who are proven to have been injured or to have become ill while actively at work at their company. Due to their occupations, the insurance program might give cash or healthcare benefits, or both.

Almost all states must carry this policy, except Texas and New Jersey, where this is optional However, while companies do have it, certain conditions apply so that sick or injured workers can claim it The employer is responsible for paying the insurance premium, and there is no cost to the employee Below are five important things to remember about Workers' Compensation.

1 Haveawrittensafetyplanandtrainallworkersto communicatetheirillnessorinjuryassoonas possible.Theymustunderstandthatthereporthasa timelimitwhenfilingaclaim.Haveyouremployeefill upaformstatingthedate,time,andaccidentdetails. Organizeimportantreceiptsandproperdocuments andreporttoyourinsuranceproviderafter Employersmightneedtosubmitaclaimandreport tothestate’sworkers’compensationboard.

2.Theemployeemustseekmedicaltreatment immediately Thetimecouldvarydependingonthe severityoftheinjury Itisimportanttoobtainmedical careasquicklyaspossible

.Oncetheemployersubmitsthepaperwork,theywill havetowaituntiltheinsurerapprovesordeniesthe claim.Iftheinsurancecompanysupportstheclaim,

theemployeecanacceptitornegotiateasettlement Theemployeeisalsoallowedtoappealiftheprovider deniestheclaim

4.Theemployeewillhavetospendtimeundergoing treatmentandrestingtorecoverfully. Employers mustholdthepositionfortheinjuredemployeeuntil theemployeecanreturntowork Theemployercan temporarilyreplacetheinjuredworkeroroffer modifieddutiesandresponsibilities

5.Theemployerwillneedtoinformtheinsurance companythattheemployeeiswellenoughtowork. Theinsurancecompanywillalsoneedtopay permanentbenefitsiftheworkerispermanently injured

Health and Wellness

Why Restorative Yoga Might be Exactly What You Need

By Sheila Farr

If you've ever tried Vinyasa or Ashtanga yoga and decided you're "not a yoga person," I would encourage you to give restorative yoga a try! Many find Vinyasa and Ashtanga a little too physically demanding and fastpast, so for those people I say, "try restorative yoga!"

Restorative yoga has a more gentle, slow, and nourishing style and flow. It is a relaxing, meditative, more passive style of yoga that involves holding fewer (and more floorbased) postures for longer periods of time. It involves the use of props (blocks and bolsters) for support and can also be done from a chair for those who are unable to lower themselves onto a mat

The primary focus of restorative yoga is to connect with your body and relax. The benefits of this style of yoga are plentiful and include:

Promotes emotional and physical relaxation

Can lower blood pressure

Promotes deep breathing

Reduces pain and tension

Improves sleep

Is suitable for any size and type of body

Because restorative yoga requires such gentle motion, it makes it a great option for those just getting started with movement, and even for senior citizens with limited mobility. It is a great way to begin waking up your body and connecting with a form of movement and exercise that is more conducive to helping us slow down a bit from our busy lives and overthinking.

It might be exactly what you need! Give restorative yoga a try!

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

MIND YOUR THOUGHTS

Matthew 6:34

Another Bible TranslationsMessage Bible Says Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Rev. Allison G. Daniels

Mind Your Thoughts! Be mindful of the things that you are thinking aboutdon't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today. You have enough to think about, enough things to do. But, God doesn’t want you to even worry about that because He will supply all of your needs when you surrender your all and all unto Him and cast your cares on Him

Mind Your Thoughts! And stop worrying over things that you cannot changethings that only God can do. Yes, God knows that you see, feel, and hear everything that is going on around you but He doesn’t want you to get distracted. Instead put your trust in Him knowing that He’s still going to make a way out of it - a way just for you, my son, my daughter, my child. When you mind your thoughts and trust Me (GOD).

Mind Your Thoughts! And stay focused on the Word of God Why? Because whether you know it or not the devil isn’t using new tactics - he’s only feeding off of what you fear the most. The devil is feeding off of your emotions. If you’re walking in fear, if you’ve lost all hope, if you don’t think that you can make it, and if you don’t feel like living this old life anymore - the devil is going to bombard your mind with suicidal thoughts. The devil is going to bombard your mind with depression and the devil is going to bombard your mind with low selfesteem. My sister, my brother pick yourself and stop allowing the devil to speak negative thoughts into your life be free and move on.

Mind Your Thoughts! And stop going down memory lane rehearsing and rehearsing and rehearing everything that didn’t happen in your life. Stop allowing the devil to steal your peace and rob you of your joy. Stop allowing the devil to push you into tomorrow when you haven’t even embraced the joys of today, the love of today, the hope of today, the peace of today.

Mind Your Thoughts. And be still... settle down and know that He is still God. And God is listening to you. But you have to listen for His small still voice to guide you from this day forth because this is the day that the Lord has made so rejoice, rejoice and be glad in it. Rejoice right now and be glad in it.

Mind Your Thoughts! Be mindful of the things that you are meditating on and remember that devil comes to steal, kill and destroy you but since he can’t kill you will bombard your mind and make you think that you are crazy, make you think that God doesn’t care, make you think that God is not present.

Mind Your Thoughts! Cast down the opinions of the enemy, the opinion of your friends be careful who you allow in your circle, be careful you allow to pour into you, and trust God to send you the ones that are for you and not against you.

Connect with Rev. Allison at the following social media sites:

Website/social media information: Web site: www.AllisonGDaniels.com Twitter @ AllisonDaniels9

Instagram: allison daniels29

Youtube: AGDaniels29

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

Fromthemomentyoulayeyes on the patriotic-colored tiedyed logo, you know there's something special about this organization.

Veteransville is a new nonprofit established to provide charitable and educational services to Veterans and their families. Founded by retired U.S. Army logistics specialist Brandi Miles, Veteransville has already started making an a major impact serving homeless Veterans along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. "We aren't just limited to helping the homeless population, but herealongtheCoast,somany of our brothers and sisters needhelp. We'reworkingto

Veteransville: HelpingOthers Connect& Grow

by Sheila Farr

make sure we don't just get stuck in a cycle of outreach, but instead, we'd like to focus on helping with reintegration into our community,"saysMiles.

In addition to homeless outreach and reintegration, Veteransville will offer assistance to female Veterans undergoing trauma recovery by offering quarterly retreats that focus on providing mental health counseling, on-going lifecoaching, and education in the areas of health and wellness. "It's so important to help others understand that many of our veterans arestillinrecovery. Somany ofourfemaleveteransneed

help in releasing the control and experiences that had in the military, so they can transitiontocivilianlivesand still be productive. We're working to make sure that happens for as many Veteransaswecan,"saidthe Executive Director of the organization.

Plans are in the works for a fundraising golf tournament on May 27th and a festivalcalled "VetsFest" this November.

Keep watching for details on VetsFest and other events happening at Veteransville. You may follow them on Facebookat:

https://www.facebook.com/ VeteransvilleMS

ppportions of this article were previously shared in Best in Business

TALK BACK!

Last month, we asked you to share about the worst onboarding experience you've had. Here's what you had to say...

"I believe big corporations are the absolute worst. They left a big swag box on my desk and I met my "trainer" the first day of employment, but haven't seen or heard from him since. Everything I've learned, I've learned through Google. I'm leaving this job in three weeks and will never look back."

Ron B., Covington, LA

"The worst onboarding experience I've ever had included getting to work that day and just being thrown into it. Don't believe the hype when someone tells you the best way to learn is trial by fire - it ain't!"

Trey J., Macon, GA

TALK BACK!

LET US HEAR FROM YOU! EMAIL US AT TRAINTHEGULFCOAST@GMAIL.COM TO SHARE ABOUT THE BEST WORK TRAINING EXPERIENCE YOU'VE HAD! 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!

JUNE'S TOPIC: DEVELOPING DYNAMIC TRAINING PLANS!

"The worst onboarding experience I've ever had was when I got to work, and no one knew I'd been hired. They couldn't get in touch with HR and I sat in a cubicle playing on my phone for three days while they tried to figure out what to do with me. On the fourth day - I just left."

Barb L., Milwaukee, WI

VETERANS' CORNER: UNDERSTANDING VA ELIGIBILTY AND WHAT THE VA OFFERS TO VETERANS

By Sheila Farr

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the term "veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable. A minimum service requirement exists to be considered a veteran Service members must have served a minimum of 24 months of active duty to be considered a veteran. If the service member becomes disabled because of their time in the service, there is no minimum length of service to qualify for VA benefits.

You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn't receive a dishonorable discharge. Even if you have other forms of health care coverage (like a private insurance plan, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE), you can use VA health care benefits along with these plans.

Aside from healthcare benefits, the VA's website also indicates that the following services and assistance is available to our veterans:

Beneficiary Financial Counseling

The VA's Insurance Service provides beneficiaries with free, professional financial advice from FinancialPoint, an independent company whose team of professionals are experts in handling a wide range of financial matters Beneficiaries can access this service online 24/7 to request a financial plan.

Career Center

The Career Center on eBenefits offers Service members in transition and Veterans with opportunities to translate their military skills into careers in the public and private sectors The tools and resources available in the Career Center allow Service members and Veterans the ability to search for jobs, identify professional strengths, and create and post resumes

Educational and Vocational Counseling

VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment Service provides educational-vocational counseling for veterans and certain dependents. This service can provide a wide range of educational and vocational counseling services to Service members still

on active duty, as well as Veterans and dependents who are eligible for one of VA's educational benefit programs These services are designed to help an individual choose a vocational direction and determine the course needed to achieve the chosen goal.

Fiduciary Program

The VA's Fiduciary Program was established to protect Veterans and other beneficiaries who, due to injury, disease, or due to age, are unable to manage their financial affairs. The fiduciary is responsible to the beneficiary and oversees financial management of VA benefit payments Generally, family members or friends serve as fiduciaries for beneficiaries; however, when friends and family are not able to serve, VA looks for qualified individuals or organizations to serve as a fiduciary

Independent Living

The Independent Living program is designed to make sure that each eligible Veteran is able, to the maximum extent possible, to live independently and participate in family and community life increasing their potential to return to work Those who may qualify are Veteran's whose service connected disabilities are so severe that they are currently unable to pursue an employment goal.

Mortgage Delinquency Assistance

In cases where loan servicers are unable to help Veteran borrowers, VA's Loan Guaranty Service has Loan Technicians in eight regional loan centers and a special servicing center who take an active role in interceding with the servicer to explore all options to avoid foreclosure Service members or Veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans can call (877) 827-3702 to reach the nearest Loan Guaranty office where Loan Specialists are prepared to discuss potential ways to help save the loan

Reach out to your local VA for more info on any of these programs.

find the right employment fit as they transition to civilian employment

Sheila Farr is a former U S Air Force Reserve personnelist and currently serves on the Board of the Gulf Coast Human Resource Association and the Mississippi State Council of SHRM as the Workforce Readiness Director. She's the CEO of Gulf Coast Training & Education Services, where she works to help Veterans

This article was previously shared in Best in Business.

Dear Dr. BizBuzz:

I used to work in the oil field for 10 years where I invested a percentage to my 401K. It has been 8 years since I have worked there or in a similar industry. Shortly afterward, I ended up working in a different field that offered 403's. So, I opened another account to be able to keep my previous investment available in hopes that I would return to the oil industry. I am currently working in an industry that has IRA plan that I have agreed to contribute bimonthly. I also have a personal investment account where I can buy, sell, or trade if I wanted. Each of these accounts has proved to be beneficial and profitable. I don't mind keeping track of these accounts.

My question is, "Is it better to stay diversified with 401K, 403, and IRA accounts being that each one of these investments has its own perks in the long run, or should I consolidate so that I can manage gains and losses from the 401K that I don't have any financial control over or can't contribute to purchasing more shares in the oilfield? If it is better to consolidate, which account would be best for future financial security?"

Thank you for taking my question. I look forward to wise counsel.

Gloria N., Texas

Dear Gloria,

Thank you for your question regarding financial planning. This is an area that is not in my wheelhouse of expertise. As a business consultant, I recommend that individuals get at least 2 referrals from financial planners in their area. However, I have been going through a similar financial planning endeavor, so I will share with you the steps I took and hope this helps.

Here are some questions I have to consider as I go through this journey. My first step was to get a notebook and pen and answer the questions in writing about my financial future What does it look like? Whom will it impact? How much longer do I want to be involved in a career? What experiences would I like to pursue once I change the course of my retirement? Do you have long-term healthcare? Do you have all of your paperwork done including your will and end-of-life documents completed? What is paid for? What do I want to invest in?

A favorite article that helped me is “7 Important Questions a Financial Plan Can Help You Answer “written by Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz in October 2020. Below is a link to the article that really makes me consider things I hadn’t thought about. A portion of that article is included within this reply.

https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/7-important-questions-financial-plan-can-help-youanswer

“1) How realistic is it to reach all of my dreams and goals?

The only way to make any of that happen is to get specific A financial plan starts with helping you zero in on what you own and what you owe and clarifies how your income can cover essentials as well as savings and discretionary expenses It will help you focus on your goals, put a dollar amount on each and create a realistic timeline for achieving them

2) What should I do first?

Trying to save, invest and pay off debt all at once can be overwhelming. A basic plan helps you prioritize, whether you're creating a savings strategy, trying to reduce debt or both. It can give you a blueprint for acting; for example, getting a 401(k) match first, next paying off nondeductible high-interest debt, then contributing to your child's education. These aren't high finance issues; these are everyday issues.

3) How should I invest for retirement as well as shorter-term goals like a down payment or kids' education?

How you invest has a lot to do with when you need the money The longer the timeframe, the more risk you can afford to take, depending on your own feelings about risk Generally speaking, the money you'll need within the next six-to-eighteen months, like an emergency fund or a vacation, should be in cash Money for intermediate goals that you may need in two-to-four years, like a home down payment, might be conservatively invested in bonds

Savings for longer-term goals more than five-to-seven years out, for instance, retirement or college, could reasonably be invested in stocks Once you've answered questions one and two, you'll more easily be able to pinpoint how to invest for your various goals

4) What's the best way to protect my family and me?

A financial plan can also help you focus on crucial issues like emergency preparation and insurance. Do you have enough cash to cover at least three-to-six months' essential living expenses? When was the last time you reviewed your health insurance coverage? Do you need life or disability insurance and how much? These are the deeper questions a plan can help you answer to protect your family from the unexpected.

5) When will I be able to retire and how much will I need?

As you prioritize your savings goals, retirement should be high on your list, because the earlier you start planning the better But planning for when you'll be able to retire isn't about saving blindly; it's about projecting your needs with some degree of accuracy So back to question one Your current expenses provide a reasonable starting point to estimate a retirement budget This will give you an idea of how much you need to save when you can realistically retire, and if you're on track

6) What if something should happen to me?

This is the key reason for estate planning another concept that many people feel doesn't apply to them. But we all need to think about who will take care of our children, who will make financial and medical decisions if we can't do it for ourselves, and how we want our assets and personal property distributed. Again, it's not about "how much," but rather about "how" we want these decisions to be made. A financial plan helps keep you in charge, so someone else doesn't make decisions for you.

7)

What am I overlooking?

There are a lot of pieces to our financial lives And sometimes it's hard to see them all, let alone how they fit together A financial plan lays them out for you so you can see if something is missing If you can work with a financial planning professional, so much the better A set of trained eyes can help you address any savings shortfalls, improve your budget, and save on taxes.

Answers that go beyond money:

The process of creating a financial plan can be just as important as the plan itself It can help you think through and more confidently make life decisions; it can give you the assurance that your family is covered in the face of an uncertain world; and it can help couples be on the same page as they deal with present worries and future hopes. In other words, financial planning can be liberating not just for you personally, but for your entire family as well.”

The more that you learn and the more you visualize what type of life you want to create, the better the foundation for it happening. Finding a financial planner will be the challenge. Ask for recommendations. and Interview them with your questions.

Good luck

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.

Ask

Dr. BizBuzz

Bookworms

FOR MORE GOOD READING ABOUT THE BEST IN HIRING, WE SUGGEST THESE BOOKS!

HIRE TO WIN BY TATIUANA CURE

If you ever found yourself struggling to find time for recruiting or not knowing where to start in bringing someone new to your team, this book is written for you. You are looking for solutions, answers, shortcuts, time-saving hacks, results, and, most importantly, you are looking to win.

Hire to Win is designed to accompany managers looking to achieve better results, higher profits, and more success through the employees they hire

HIRING FOR GROWTH BY TRAVIS BUTLER

Whether you're a small business owner, HR manager, or a startup founder, this book provides practical and tactical insights and proven strategies to help you identify and attract quality candidates, build a positive company culture, and retain top performers.

HIRE WITH FIRE BY DENISE AND RANDY WILKERSON

Hiring decisions can be challenging for even the most experienced managers You want to hire top talent – “A” players, high achievers, and top performers who are engaged and passionate about their work But how do you screen for these important traits during the interview process to hire the best candidate for the job? Is there an interview method that would give you more confidence in your hiring decisions?

Coming in june: training plans 101!

All year long we are focusing on the topics that our human resource managers and business owners have requested.

Next month, our focus is on developing effective training plans! We'll share information for small businesses and entrepreneurs that will help them design, develop, and execute training plans that will not only "wow" their new employees, it will encourage them to stay and grow with the organization for years to come!

Also coming in June is a new monthly feature that features YOUR commentary! We'll be inviting guest contributors to provide thought-provoking commentary that will keep you engaged, intrigued, and will move you to action.

Join us for all of this and more in June!