SPOTLIGHT MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE 8 VOL 2

MICHELLE LYNNEPANT

INTERIOR DESIGNER & MOTHER EXTRAORDINAIRE

First time buyers guide

Looking to buy your first home is a huge step.

Oatmeal Habits to Help You Shrink Abdominal Fat

Try these new tips to optimize the health benefits of your morning oatmeal.

Editor's Note

starting a podcast or want to attract more guests?

First time buyers guide

User Created Content

Prioritize your inward relationship!

The Protégé

THE GIVA2022 MOST INFLUENCIAL ENTERPRISE NOMINEES !!

Made With Love

5 Encouraging Facts to Know About MultiUnitFranchising

Five Ways that Nonprofits Can Make Decision

Making More Inclusive and More Effective

REGULARS + FEATURES

EXPLORE 1-11

Explore our research based insights on what's happening at Ark & Brook, from worklife balance productivity hacks to PR and other thought leadership tips and doodle hacks for small business owners

DISCOVER 12-28

Our Discover section is a movement to take our readers to experts in relatively distant geographical locations that they wouldn't normally dream of. We find local Thought Leaders in spaces and places that help businesses to survive.

THRIVE 31-35

Our Thrive Section is where you'll find your takeaway self-care to live a healthy and sane life, from our Travel, entertainment recommendations to the Ignite events, jobs , Adventures and much more.

A NoteFromJen

Editor-In-Chief Jennifer Nash introduces the content in this Spotlight issue. Starting with acknowledgements of our fabulous team to whet your appetite. Using a drop of ink to make a million think, has been Jen's motto since she learned how to write professionally, together we can amplify our voices

Editor's Note

From disruptive culture to out-of-this-world inventions, this issue celebrates the innovators and their relentless need to question the way things work.

The Good. The Bad. And The Ugly...

There I was - with every good intention - planning how I'd week in January going over the final touches of the magazine, do this and that! Then on the Monday WC 24 January, the unexpected happened. I crashed the car door onto my left thumb! That was itwithout warning - all my plans went pearl-shaped. I could not use my right hand for 72 hours! The agony I was in was so immense that even my right shoulder got referred pain! Is that NOT so crazy that we can plan all we want in life; yet somehow life always seems to have a PLAN of its own for us? That's why in this February issue of Spotlight, I want to just sit back and appreciate the work of others, and say again my gratitude for my own privilege. There is always some good coming out of the bad and ugly right. We can use this moment to take stock and see what is going on around us and also be grateful for everything we have. At least I am!

I wan to celebrate Black History Month [USA] with all the black content creators and with One World Media for the work giving Journalists from the Global South an opportunity to tell underreported stories and awarding them for their work too!

As a spectator and Media professional looking in - OWM mission gives me so much joy and excitement for the work they all do collectively.

Speaking of collective work, I spotted Bre Bradley and Channel Daniels on Clubhouse doing their thing to collaborate with other! Also spotted Angela Davis cooking up a storm on Twitter. Finally, as we enter the new GIVA era, I'm inviting you to recommend your own heroes for 2022!

EXPLORE. DISCOVER. THRIVE!

Together we illuminate a spotlight on what matters to us and thrive

Acknowledgements

ForWelcome to the February edition of Spotlight magazine At Spotlight, we don’t follow trends, We create them!

We're glad you're back in the Spotlight. Our gratitude as always goes out to you our clients, subscribers, and a small but mighty army of expert contributors Michelle Lynne Pant, Bre Bradley, Chantel Daniel, Angela Davis, Samantha Boesch Jeff Cheatham, Michelle Markey for your support of supplying us with valuable content. A special and BIG thank you and welcome to our additional Spotlight team who have joined us in the last few months

Together we are happy to be navigating these uncharted waters, re-imagining and challenging the PR industry status quo. We do this with a Thought Leadership magazine founded and owned by a woman with female thought leaders writing for female entrepreneurs -this includes but is not limited to SMEs, Artisans, Freelancers and every type of small business that perhaps doesn't fit into the categories we have named above. [See list on left if you fit the bill - Click here to get featured as an expert contributor

It is with great pride and joy that we bring you this global phenomenon with exclusive content for you to Explore what it means to be a Thought Leader in this complex and cluttered digital space where everyone is a prosumer

We're confident you will Discover tools and insights that will help you to sustain and scale up your business, but much more so, amplify your voice as an expert in your industry.

More than anything else, we want to grow with you our readers, as we share and investigate what it means to be a Thought Leader. Our expert articles and advice will do just that. So take the front row seat enjoy the view as you Thrive.

OnTheCover

Michelle Lynne, President & Owner of the Dallas, Texas based interior design firm, ML Interiors Group and founder of the interior design business education platform, Designed for the Creative Mind®, used to feel out of place.

MICHELLE LYNNE-PANT INTERIOR DESIGNER & MOTHER EXTRAORDINAIRE

About motherhood, she says "After lengthy conversations with the hubs, a ton of praying, overcoming the fear that I would be mistaken for her grandma…we adopted. I cut the cord from Genevieve’s birth mom, and we were parents!2

She focused on her Corporate based career first, married at age 37, the same year she launched her interior design business, not knowing a thing about the industry That was 2008 Fast forward a decade and in 2018 she adopted her daughter, Genevieve, who is now three years old. Do the math. Michelle is 51 years old.

"I wondered if I got to the end of my life and met the person I could have become, what regrets would I have? The only thing I could come up with was not being a mom," says Michelle

AM I TIRED? YES.

AM I HAPPY? HELL YES!

A ready-made mompreneur Michelle adds "In addition to raising a “threenager” and overseeing her team at ML Interiors Group, Michelle provides coaching services on the business aspects of the interior design business “It brings me such joy This is where God wants me I have always known I would serve women but had no idea how.

LESSON FROM MICHELLE:

"I remind my clients that they create a refuge for others and design spaces that feel like a hug. Then I teach them how to be the CEO and confidently run a profitable business around their talent. So many women take their gifts for granted, I’m here to help them make a good living at it while also not trading their time for money."

“I didn’t follow a traditional path in life and did not really fit in with the crowd”, says Michelle, “I felt out of place – but now I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.”

HayleyHunterHines,CEOofSoulSparkleLivingandtheCreatoroftheSoulCenteredCEOCollective.

soulsparkleliving.com

BAKED

FRESH FOR FOR 2022 2022

E X P L O R E

When I think about the things I want the most in my life, the first thing I think of are deeply connected, loving, supportive relationships. With everything we've been through this past year, I think we need to feel connected more than ever. So much has changed about how we do life, and I believe there's a new paradigm of how we can do business as well.

It begins with beautiful connections and deep relationships that create an amazing community of love, support, and collaboration. This is what we're creating in the Soul Centered CEO Collective, a community of soul-led and successful leaders who want to make an impact and leave a legacy.

Are you a heart-led CEO that desires to create a ripple effect of change in the world by giving back? Are you a six-figure earner ready to scale to seven figures and beyond? This is a carefully curated collective of bright minds with big visions and a heart for service. Our vision is to serve more so we can make more and together we can give more.

I'd like to invite you to join us in the Soul Centered CEO Collective, imagine having a mastermind experience based in real connection, community and contribution where you feel seen, known, connected and supported. Where, together, we can support organizations that are in alignment with our values and our vision.

If you've been dreaming of a community of like-minded and big hearted visionary leaders, this may be the perfect fit for you. We would love for you to join us on this journey of expansion and impact. If you are ready to amplify your revenue, amplify your visibility and amplify your impact, join us. This collective is for thought leaders and visionary business owners, ready to leave a legacy and live a life of service and impact.

I hope you'll join us. Membership

open from.

TOP TOP TOP

al Roster of the most disruptive, riven and innovative virtual mark

STARTNG A PODCAST OR WANT TO ATTRACT MORE GUESTS?

MEDIA TRAINING 101

BY JENNIFER NASH

As a PR professional I have the innate ability to jump into an interview without giving it much thought…whether am the one interviewing someone or being interviewed. So it came as a surprise when I was complemented for being a good guest and indeed interviewer on my Spotlight NetTv show. Therefore, I thought best to should share some useful tips.

We all know, interviewing experts in your area of interest is the best way to draw your ideal audience to your platform. Spotlight has 10 Media Training 101 tips to help you conduct an interview like a pro

Fortunately, that means you don’t need a broadcasting degree to conduct a compelling interview! A little preparation and practice will make you sound like a professional.

As podcasting becomes more popular, interview skills are becoming important to people who never thought they would need them As I said, interviewing experts in your field of interest is a great way to drive traffic to your own spaces.

Fortunately, that means Fortunately, that means you don’t need a broadcasting degree you don’t need a broadcasting degree to conduct a compelling interview. to conduct a compelling interview.

HERE ARE 10 PRESCRIPTIONS TO NAIL YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW:

1. Set your goals.

Setting the goals for your interview should be the first step. Create a general outline of what you want to discuss and what the end result should be. This will guide your questioning and help your guest know which direction to take. Keep it flexible enough to allow for surprising twists and turns. Be prepared to course correct back to your main goal if you get sidetracked Check out my own ‘Cue Sheet’ here

2. Research Your Guest.

Do secondary research on your guest as much as possible. Carry out a ‘mini-background’ check like listening to their previous interviews. Practice makes perfect – so get conversant on their topic areas and be in-theknow of any controversies or trendy topics in your guest’s field of expertise. For example read their latest book. Research products they’re plugging. The additional research will help you ask the questions that haven’t been asked before. That’s your cracker! It’s what will make you memorable to your guest and get them to go from unknown to unforgettable!

How to Conduct a Media How to Conduct a Media Interview Like a Pro! Interview Like a Pro!

3. Inform Your Guest

Knowledge is power Ensure your guest knows who your audience is and what type of content they'd expect. Give your guest an overview of questions you’ll ask, however, don’t give them the full spill. Hold some back for authenticity –nothing beats genuine reactions! Make sure to the share your ebbs and flow of the conversation, like time, length, and format of your podcast and the tone of voice you want go with Remember to be clear about when and how they can insert their product and how they can plug-in a call to action.

4. Chillax Your Guest

While it is not always possible to conduct the interview in their territory in our new normal, let them pick the platform i.e. Zoom vs Google meet – wherever possible. Always log in earlier beforehand to chat to them, this will help them relax.

If it’s an on location in-person interview where they come to you, set the scene up with a comfy chair [but no any that makes them slouch in or recline too far back] – so, an easy upright seat is always better! Be sure to add a side table for a glass of water If you have a crew assisting with the production, be sure to Introduce them too.

5. Ease into the conversation.

Be human first Acknowledge their presence

Pay your guest a compliment. That’s the best form of an ice breaker. E.g. 'so excited you’re here! How are you doing today? What fun thing are you working on right now? The idea is to give the person opportunity be authentic and intentional to connect with your audience; while granting them a bragging opportunity about their work or themselves. If your guest is shy or the topic is too sensitive, tell your own similar narrative first to show empathy. The innate human behaviour to mirror you will kick in and your guest will feel the nudge and confidence to reciprocate with their story.

HERE ARE SOME STATISTICS

BASEDONSURVEYRESULTSOF 30OFSPOTLIGHTNETTVGUESTS

80% 89% 91%

Guests found my interviewing skills made them more effective storytellers that helped them get a higher recognition than they expected.

Guests said they would come back as paying clients to guest again They received Return On Equity of their time which raised their profiles as experts

Guests received several positive reviews and requests for proposals after guesting on my show and even said they would recommend their friends /network to be guests too

BOOK A MEDIA TRAINING SESSION TO GET EXACT STEPS I USE TO GET MY GUESTS COMING BACK FOR MORE INTERVIEWS

D I S C E R

UK First Time Buyers Guide

Congratulations! Looking to buy your first home is a huge step. In fact, it can be totally life-changing. So it’s normal to be a mixture of nervous and excited. That’s why we made our guide for first time buyers, so we could walk you through the process.

What an exciting time Buying your first home can feel a little overwhelming but we'll take it step-by-step. From getting a mortgage to making an offer, we’re here to help guide you through.

SPOTLIGHT | ISSUE 8 VOL 2|

Upfront costs

The biggest costs you’ll run into when buying are the one-time, upfront costs Don’t worry, we have guides for each.

The deposit: As little as 5%, but normally more like 15%-20% Learn more in our mortgage guide.

fer tax on properties ate varies depending rty. Check out our re.

around £850-£1,500, rvice. It’s all there in e.

ONGOING COSTS

Ongoing costs are often left off of first time buyers guides, but they’re important to consider. Bills, council tax, insurance you’ll be paying all of these on top of your mortgage

Plus, any maintenance costs are down to you No more calling your landlord (or your parents) when the shower breaks. You’re in the driver’s seat.

The good news? You’re putting money into your own property, rather than paying rent on someone else’s. That feels good.

DO YOU HAVE A BIG ENOUGH DEPOSIT?

In most cases, you’ll need at least a 5% deposit to get on the housing ladder but the average deposit amount is about 16%. The bigger the deposit you put down, the less you have to borrow which can save you thousands of pounds in interest payments in the long run.

WHAT TYPE OF MORTGAGE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

There are a lot of different types of mortgages out there. Interest-only mortgages, repayment mortgages, fixed-rate tracker mortgages it can feel like a lot of information to take in, but it’s more straightforward than you think. For most people, a repayment mortgage is the most straightforward option. When in doubt, a broker or mortgage advisor can talk you through your options

GETTING A MORTGAGE

If you think you can afford to buy, the first step is usually a mortgage. How do you get a mortgage and how do you know you’ve found the right one? Here’s what you need to know.

When looking at mortgages, try to ignore the jargon. A fixed-rate mortgage is exactly what it sounds like you have one fixed interest rate for the entire mortgage. An interest-only mortgage is also what it sounds like you’re only paying the interest on the loan, not the repaying the loan itself. It’s that simple.

T H E S C O O P

User Created Content

The pandemic has given a boost to the user-created content marketplace, with consumers saying they are watching more of this content now than they did a few years ago, per the CTA report Beyond looking for entertainment, some of the top reasons consumers seek out this content include learning how to do something, to consume content on niche topics and to watch content not on traditional TV

In a reflection of how UCC is impacting the monetization of content, more than one-third of consumers pay to support the content they like via subscriptions, tips and purchasing either merchandise and fan experiences or a la carte content.

Seven percent of U S consumers 13 and older nearly 20 million people are monetizing content online in some way, per the CTA report. More than anything, full-time creators are driven by financial reasons Full-time content creators earn an average of $768 per month with about a quarter coming from merchandise or fan experiences, a quarter from content subscriptions, a quarter from a la carte payment for content, 16% from tips and 2% from other sources

[springboard Editor’s note: Check out 10 Ideas for Getting More User-Generated Content]

This article was written by Nina Lentini from Marketing Dive and was legally licensed through the Industry Dive publisher network Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com

In February there is naturally a focus on love and relationships. We spend time and energy celebrating our Valentines -which is wonderful and amazing -but when do we direct the same affection and jubilee for ourselves?

What if we cultivated our relationship with ourselves with the same dedication and jubilee that we did in our relationships with others? I believe we could accomplish so much more if we turned our attention inward just as much as we export it!

focus on empathetic relationships

LEAD WITH HEART!

If you overgive in your romantic relationship (or any relationship!), you won’t have enough left for yourself. The saying “you can’t pour from an empty cup” rings true when it comes to your self-love and joy. We often deserve so much more than we give ourselves…and our most important relationship is always the one we have with ourselves.

So, prioritize your inward relationship!

When your inner self is happy then your “cup” will naturally flow over. You’ll find the overflow fuels every other relationship and aspect of your life as well. Your personal connections will improve, your mindset will shift, and you will achieve even more.

You’ll

find the overflow fuels every other relationship and aspect of your life as well.

There was a point in my life where I had almost zero relationship with myself. I wasn’t even connected to who I was and it was that bad. I was unhappy and that misery spread to my family and even bled into some friendships.After healing and building a concretely affirmative reconnection to myself, everything quickly changed for me.I glowed in every facet of my life!My business grew, my children began thriving, new powerful friendships formed, and everything else fell into alignment too.

Now I am pleased to be showing up as the best version of myself because I am constantly working on my most important relationship first; mine with me! So, this month, I urge you to reflect on yourself and that connection. Make adjustments, commit to yourself, and focus energy on feeling great and then watch everything else improve as well.

PS:When you love yourself first that adoration and vibe flows through our social media and draws our audience to us.When you shine brightly and authentically, your people will find you.

ABOUT MICHELLE MARKEY

Michelle Markey Unlock Your Words

Experienced Social Media Manager specialized in brand growth and recognition through strategic use of social media and email campaigns. Let me help you unlock your words and spread your message.

Skilled in Copywriting, Web Content Writing, Blogging, and Social Media. Strong business development professional with a Bachelors focused in Human Services, General from University of Phoenix.

Owner at

Your relationship with yourself is everything!

Oatmeal Habits to Help You Shrink Abdominal Fat, Say Dietitians

BY SAMANTHA BOESCH

TRY THESE NEW TIPS TO OPTIMIZE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF YOUR MORNING OATMEAL.

Oatmeal is one of the healthiest breakfasts you can eat for weight loss Its high soluble fiber content helps control your appetite, makes you feel full for longer periods of time, and slows your digestion, which all help with weight regulation.However, even though oatmeal is a healthy choice, it can easily become unhealthy depending on how you make it.

In other words, what you choose to add to your oatmeal will either make or break your weight loss goals.

Here are a few healthy oatmeal habits for losing abdominal fat to try, and for more healthy eating tips make sure to check out Oatmeal Recipes Perfect For Weight Loss.

ADD NUTS OR SEEDS TO YOUR OATMEAL.

If you're trying to avoid sugary toppings on your oatmeal, it certainly doesn't mean you have to eat it plain For example, Ronald Smith, RD recommends adding nuts and seeds for a nutrient boost.

"Nuts and seeds are high in protein and healthy fats," says Smith. "I recommend adding chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans, as well as seeds such as flaxseeds, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds." This boost in protein can be a helpful tool in weight loss around your stomach area, and according to a study from Nutrition & Metabolism, high-quality protein was associated with a decrease in abdominal fat

AVOID TOPPINGS WITH TOO MUCH ADDED SUGAR.

Although oatmeal can help you reach your goals of shrinking abdominal fat, people often derail their goals unknowingly by adding sugary toppings to their favorite oatmeal. "I recommend avoiding too much regular sugar and additives when trying to eat a healthy bowl of oatmeal, says Morgyn Clair, MS, RDN, author at Fit Healthy Momma. "Sugar-free replacements like stevia are a good choice because they still allow you to have a great taste without any of the negative things that come with a high dose of sugary breakfast foods."

2 2

ADD PROTEIN AND FAT.

Grace Hamrick, RD recommends rounding out your oatmeal breakfast with some protein and fat to help you stay full longer

"My favorite is adding fresh blueberries and chopped walnuts, but another way to enjoy oatmeal while increasing the protein is by adding a runny egg to the bowl and serving with a side of fruit," says Hamrick

TOP YOUR OATMEAL WITH FRESH FRUIT.

One way to add natural sweetness without added sugar is by including some delicious fresh fruit in your oatmeal "Berries are especially good options because they are low in calories and high in fiber, and they help reduce the risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers," says Smith. Medical News Today also notes that apples can be a great aid in weight loss because of their exceptionally high fiber content, so you may enjoy adding some sliced apples and cinnamon to your next bowl of oatmeal

4 4

AdvertiseWith Us

ENJOYING THE MAGAZINE SO FAR?

It's because Spotlight Magazine has a new publishing home. A more intuitive and interactive platform where you can watch video inside the publication and click on links to ads or articles without leaving the platform. Want to be Featured? Join Our TLC Expert Contributors List.

The Protégé

EXPLAINED

You must be wondering why the Protégé? Here is why in every issue we feature an up and coming female entrepreneur who is finding their way into the business landscape This can be a recent graduate, or someone leaving a 9-5 career or already running an existing business for under 3 years!

Perhaps they are your VA, PA or your subordinate at your business; they work under your leadership and you have been mentoring them to become an Intrapreneur within your business. They are the coffee maker, paper pusher anticipating everyone's needs!

Either way, if it's you or you know a smart, sharp, skilled young or older person who needs a hand being Seen, Heard, Known & Recognised as a budding entrepreneur; then they deserve the title of The Protégé

With your recommendation; together we can inspire another woman to become the best version of herself because according to Maya Angelou; there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story! Do your bit:-) Send their story to jennifer@arkandbrook com

.

SPOTTEDSPOTLIGHT

GOT TIME TO SPOTLIGHT SOMEONE? SEND US A SUCCESS STORY ABOUT A LOCAL HERO OR BRAND THAT IS INSPIRING CHANGE TO HELP US ALL RE-IMAGINE THE STATUS QUO IN THIS LIFE! WE WILL ADD THEM TO THE GIVA NOMINATION LIST.

EARLY BIRD ENTRY OPENS fEBRUARY 28!

Explore!

Like Comment Share

THESE HAND PICKED GIVA2022

MOST INFLUENCIAL ENTERPRISE NOMINEES !!

By Jennifer Nash

Photographs credit to each subject

GO TO CLUBHOUSE WITH

Bre Bradley is in da Clubhouse. She is a digital creator and self titled CEO of Resourcefulness, she's is out there teaching women how to blaze their trail and show up confidently. Her Generational Curse breaker and Thought Leader tools you need are as bold type, simple and useful as you can imagine. Connect with her @brebradly

YOU'RE IN GOOD COFFEE COMPANY!

Spotlight magazine issue will take you on an adventure to discover The Good Coffee Project led by Chantel Daniel and Specialty Coffee enthusiast as she takes you on her journey of building the bridge between consumer and the farmer from bean to cup.

The project is a multi-ethnic, female-led coffee company, focused on supplying ethical coffee, green + roasted, retail + wholesale. As Chantel asks...

My question is why are farmers so poor when they are part of one of the largest markets and most commonly traded commodities in the world?

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

Finally, onto Twitterdom; as a foodie myself - I fell in love with Angela Davis, The Kitchenista; a private chef and mom of two based in Detroit. She's a digital cookbook author who is cooking up a storm on Twitter, IG and now Patreon. Of her The Kitchenista Diaries she says SHUT UP AND COOK!

A SWAG & ACCESORIES

Shop Re-opens in Spring 2022

We've gone sourcing globally to improve quality and selections on our shop. Visit our website to see our latest collections SOON!

GIVA Swag is A Gift That Keeps Giving. Our Signature Memo Shirts are Inspired By The Idea That a Picture Speaks a Thousand Words. By Wearing this Swag you embody the spirit of our collective social Impact tribe!

100% Proceeds benefit the HML Foundation

Made With Love

AND JUST LIKE THAT CREATOR MICHAEL PATRICK KING ON WHY HE HAD TO KILL [SPOILER]

On December 9 2021; we got a shock and awe on the series premiere and maybe you have not hat the time to view or review the HBO classic remake of Sex & The City called 'And Just Like That' well; here is the scoop:

It all goes back to Carrie's last voiceover in the finale of Sex and the City, says the showrunner who also explains why Peloton's response to the shocker is "fantastic " Says Kristen Baldwin

Television giveth, and television taketh away For those Sex and the City fans still reeling from The Huge Thing That Happened in the series premiere of And Just Like That, perhaps this will help ease your pain: Creator Michael Patrick King says there was simply no way he could conceive of a SATC revival without having said Huge Thing happen

Television giveth, and television taketh away For those Sex and the City fans still reeling from The Huge Thing That Happened in the series premiere of And Just Like That, perhaps this will help ease your pain: Creator Michael Patrick King says there was simply no way he could conceive of a SATC revival without having said Huge Thing happen

"I wouldn't have come back and risked everything that we risked by bringing these characters back if I didn't have a really bold, strong narrative as a writer," he tells EW, "and if I didn't have an actress like Sarah Jessica Parker, who I knew would be devastatingly good in it "

Still feel sad? Well, read on for more from King about what's next for Carrie, whether the door is still open for Kim Cattrall to return, and why we should all stop being mad at Peloton " READ MORE ON EW

AND JUST LIKE THAT CUPID IS BACK ON THE ON THE NEXT PAGE...

And Just Like That!

Cupid is back... What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

While Mr Big's heart wrenching demise was not what we would call a heart warming love story - we know a thing or two about love and this is why we are excited that Cupid is back this February - to bring you some encouragement that unlike the Peleton bike - what does not kill you makes you stronger - literally!

We are talking about self-love! Last year in February issue we covered the idea of self love and what it does for your well being It is on those lines that we continue this line of thought - that is to say, taking a well earned break from your work and pampering yourself will NOT kill your business at all It makes you stronger and able to cope! Unlike the popular gospel circulating on social media that to be a successful entrepreneur that says you have to be willing to sacrifice everything, your family, your kids, your metime and even your own soul to be successful

What good are you to anyone if you grind yourself to the grind and do not live to enjoy it?

Self-love should be a priority; in order to serve others fully, you need to give yourself permission to rest and recharge Whatever that looks like to you

WHAT GOOD ARE YOU TO ANYONE IF YOU GRIND YOURSELF TO THE GRIND AND DO NOT LIVE TO ENJOY IT?

Here are a 3 top tips to help you survive the hustle bustle hamster wheel:

1. Take A 20-Minute Nappacino :-)

If you start to feel sucked out of energy in the middle of the day. Grab your usual coffee and take a 20 minute nap right after. Research says this is the best time to rest because it takes 20 minutes for the caffeine to kick in.

2. Give Yourself a Time Out!

Sometimes all you need is time-out! Yes - as adults we ' re so good at barking orders to the kids and giving them T.O's as soon as they are out of line. The same psychology behind giving it to kids works wonders for us too. If you find yourself making errors in your job...it's time to take the 'naughty-step-back to recharge. Lucky for you it could be a drive, walk or a treat of chocolate! That's naughty but nice right?

3. Learn To Say No!

Lack of planning on other people's part does not constitute an emergency on your part! If you offer to do something for someone and they miss the window of opportunity; you have the right and power to say NO to a rescheduled time or working over time. Just because someone forgot to put their alarm clock and missed a meeting and apologised for it - does not give them a getout-of jail card for a do-over because that is disrespectful of your time, point blank period!

TAKING A WELL EARNED BREAK FROM YOUR WORK AND PAMPERING YOURSELF WILL NOT KILL YOUR BUSINESS AT ALL.

5

Encouraging Facts to Know About Multi-Unit

Franchising

There's a convincing case to owning more than one location.

The popularity of multi-unit franchising is no longer up for debate. Data from some of the leading market researchers in the franchising industry have been analyzing this trend and have found hard evidence that owners with more than one location are more common than you think. It’s estimated that there are now 45,000 multi-unit owners in the U.S., amounting to 228,000 units, which accounts for more than half (54.8%) of all franchise business units.

If you’re just beginning the investigative process, or you’re a current franchise owner considering expansion, here are five encouraging facts about multi-unit franchising.

Preps 01

The popularity of multi-unit franchise ownership is no overnight phenomenon. In fact, interest in owning more than one unit appears to have happened over the last decade. Not only are singleunit owners looking to expand their territorial footprint, but this proposition has picked up interest among the investor class. For multi-unit franchise operations (MUOs), the average number of units rose from 4.8 to 5.1% over the past 10 years

IT’S NO RECENT TREND, FAD OR PHASE

While large franchisors and an ever-increasing amount of private equity groups have a formidable stake in the establishment of multi-unit franchises, they’re not the most dominant players. A look at the average share of units controlled by franchisees reveals that almost half (42 3%) only own between two and five units These owners make up more than twice the amount of the next closest group at 19 6% (owners of more than 50 units) And from 2010 through 2018, there was a 23% increase in entry-level multi-unit operators.

Preps 02

A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

SPOTLIGHT .

SPOTTED Non Profits!

SPOTTED NGO SECTION - THIS IS WHERE WE GO OUT INTO THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO SPOT NON PROFITS THAT HAVE NOT MADE THE HEADLINES IN THE NEWS YET - BUT WE THINK THEY ARE DOING AMAZING WORK!

ON NEXT PAGE WE SPOTTED ONE WORLD MEDIA AND BRIDGESPAN GROUP.. READ ALL ABOUT THEM!

THE GLOBAL SOUTH STORY!

One World Media - a non profit organisation that supports journalists and filmmakers globally to tell stories that inform and connect us all. Established in 1988, the One World Media Awards recognise the best media coverage of the global south. Stories that break through stereotypes, change the narrative and connect people across cultures. Celebrating underreported stories, from around the world.

KEY DATES:

OPEN FOR ENTRIES: 6 JANUARY 2022

CLOSE FOR ENTRIES: 10 FEBRUARY 2022

LONGLIST ANNOUNCED: APRIL 2022

NOMINEES ANNOUNCED: MAY 2022

AWARDS DAY: 16 JUNE 2022

FIVE WAYS THAT NONPROFITS CAN MAKE DECISION MAKING MORE INCLUSIVE—AND MORE EFFECTIVE

Effective leaders are decisive and confident and almost always surrounded by a strong team of advisors. Their ability to call on specialized expertise and multiple perspectives helps to shape more effective decisions and manage their consequences. More recently, though, many nonprofits have become acutely aware that their leaders and advisors the decision makers don’t fully reflect the rest of their organizations or their communities. More inclusive decision making could better factor identity and lived experience into decisions, and also entrust decision making to a broader set of leaders. It would ultimately drive more equitable progress toward nonprofits’ missions

When decision-making authority and roles are distributed more broadly across an organization, and decision processes are well understood, it can sharpen decisions, improve follow through, and spur learning and growth.

Inclusive decision making done right is essential to decision making done well. A growing body of research from the business world also shows that more diverse perspectives can result in better decisions. It brings relevant information to the table and better guards against the biases that can lead decision makers astray. But it hasn’t always been a priority for nonprofits. Until 2020. That’s when the social sector stepped up to respond to COVID-19 and the racial disparities in the pandemic’s health outcomes and economic impacts as well as to the nationwide protests against police violence and a broader awareness of racial injustice in the United States. The reckoning echoed an ongoing shift in mindsets globally to lift up the voices and power of the communities most directly experiencing inequities across a broad swathe of social issues.

In our conversations with nonprofit leaders and their teams, the desire to turn reflection into action came through. Many nonprofits are seeking ways to open up their decision processes to better reflect the racial diversity within the organization, and among those they serve. “We need to think about how we get better as an organization so that those closest to the effect of the decision have voice and are involved,” says Elizabeth Whitford, CEO of School’s Out Washington, which works to ensure equitable access to high-quality, expanded learning programs in all the state’s communities.

RAPID Decision Making

The RAPID® tool for decision making can help a nonprofit spell out roles to improve its organizational decision-making process. Read more

Others are seeking to improve decision making as their organizations grow or change. Social sector leaders like Ananda Valenzuela and Vu Le have strongly criticized top- down processes in the nonprofit world, arguing that decisions should be made by the person most closely linked to the decision, or by the person with the most energy, skill, and experience to make it. “When I started here, I was running the organization with one other employee,” says Julie Cordua, CEO of the nonprofit Thorn, which builds technology to defend children from sexual abuse. “Now it’s a $25 million organization with lots of employees and stakeholders around the world. So my job as a leader is different. You want more people making decisions, and you want why and how they’re making these decisions to be transparent ” Having more voices at the table can be vital to hearing a diversity of perspectives. However, when we talk about inclusive decision making, we’re also talking about decision power and roles being distributed more broadly across the organization This article, based on The Bridgespan Group’s work with scores of local, national, and global nonprofits and NGOs around decision making, looks at five promising approaches for making decisions in ways that are both inclusive and effective, leading to more equitable outcomes

1. Map roles for key decisions and make sure you’re hearing the full range of perspectives

“The idea of making decision roles explicit really matters,” says Markita Morris-Louis, incoming CEO (and currently chief strategy officer) of Compass Working Capital, which focuses on financial coaching for residents of public and subsidized housing. The organization uses a tool called RAPID®[1] developed by Bain & Company and used by a wide range of nonprofits, including Bridgespan itself to make decisions “Every employee is trained in RAPID as part of our onboarding,” Morris-Louis adds. “Everyone understands the language you can walk into a meeting, and people can say who has what role in a decision.”

RAPID described in greater detail in “The RAPID Decision-Making Tool for Nonprofits” is a way to assign roles in a decision process. The letters in the acronym provide an easy way to think about five important roles in most decision processes: Recommend, Agree, Perform, provide Input, and Decide The tool helps clarify who provides input on a decision, who shapes the decision and ultimately decides on it, and who carries out the decision once it is made. Many teams have an “aha” moment when they realize that everything doesn’t just come down to the “D,” or decision maker Other roles are also critical We’ve found it to be easily adaptable to different situations, team sizes, and types of organizations. And, despite the name, the framework’s focus is clarity and accountability more than speed itself.

Consider the example of One Million Degrees, which helps low-income community college students succeed in school, work, and life. The organization grows through partnerships, so decisions about whether to enter into a new partnership are vital. PuraCarina González, director of innovation and strategic initiatives, explains that as the organization grew, the CEO understood that she could no longer decide on new partners primarily by herself.

We need to think about how we get better as an organization so that those closest to the effect of the decision have voice and are involved.

up new decision makers for success

Experienced decision makers often rely on important assets in making their decisions access to information, a broad view of what else is happening in the organization, and a culture or power structure that supports their right to make that decision. New decision makers need those same assets and, most importantly, the safety to actually make decisions.

In setting up its decision process on partnerships, One Million Degrees “created a set of key questions to guide the decision,” explains González. “Does the partnership strengthen our work with our target student population? How does it connect to our strategic plan? Can the project be executed within our current staff capacity, or is there enough time built in to ramp up our team?”

Whitford of School’s Out Washington describes how important it was to create an environment where new decision makers could succeed. “The culture had been that many of our staff felt uncomfortable making even small decisions like spending money for food,” she says. “They worried they would get in trouble for making the wrong decisions. You can delegate decisions, but if you don’t have a feeling of safety in the organization, it’s tough.”

Whitford also notes that her own style created challenges in pushing decision making away from the top. “I have a tendency for being fairly relaxed and flexible,” she explains. “But it meant I was unwittingly putting the risks on managers to figure out the gray areas and where the lines were.” So the organization has put more structure around this transfer of decision-making responsibility freedom within a framework. Decision makers create work plans describing who they are getting input from and what kind of decisions they expect to make And the leadership team helps them understand where their authority lies what’s in scope and what’s not. That might include setting guardrails for a decision (think budgets, for example) and then stepping back to let managers make decisions within those constraints Similarly, new decision makers benefit from clear criteria for making a decision.

This redistribution of decision-making power can relieve many leaders of the “decision fatigue,” as Vu Le calls it, that drains them when all questions come to a handful of leaders. But it also requires that they step up in a different way and act as coaches for new decision makers. Morris-Louis of Compass Working Capital emphasizes that this kind of coaching isn’t just about getting individual decisions right. “It is about building competence, building the bench, developing future leaders.”

Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO at Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy, whose mission is to transform quality of life in India’s cities and towns, thinks similarly. As the organization has grown, he is focusing more and more on empowering senior leaders with “hard” authority over budgets and spending, and with “softer” experiences leading relationships with government officials and donors. He emphasizes that when new managers take on formal decision power over programs and budgets, it’s critical to continue to build their confidence and provide support “If I turn up as CEO every week and say ‘I’m just going to review your project’ they get put off. They’re not just looking for performance management conversations. They are looking for a sounding board and a coach. They are looking for someone with whom they can candidly share the frustrations and challenges, both within the organization and outside it. We create a safe space for open, honest communications.”

Viswanathan spends a significant portion of his time in these conversations His goal is to coach leaders so that they embody the mission and the organization and make decisions of their own based on context and data, rather than deferring to formal authority.

You can delegate decisions, but if you don’t have a feeling of safety in the organization, it’s tough.

ELIZABETH WHITFORD, CEO, SCHOOL’S OUT WASHINGTON

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