9 minute read
How to Maximize Google Workspace
EMILY HOLDORF
MS, RDN, CDN
NE MENTOR
It seems like we’re all always looking for ways to make our lives easier, more seamless and increase our productivity� As entrepreneurs it can seem like we have to keep on top of all the new tech trends, purchase new platforms for our businesses and always be getting the next best thing� Let’s chat about how you can maximize Google Workspace (previously known as G Suite), which I personally find to be my most useful piece of technology for my business�
Google Workspace’s main tools and functions are Gmail, Drive (which includes Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms), Calendar, Meet, Hangouts - the list goes on� One of the first
things to note is that you can make your Google Workspace HIPAAcompliant by signing a business
associate agreement (BAA)� This is important if you are conversing with clients/patients via email or housing any sensitive information within your Google Workspace� There’s also the opportunity to create a personalized email address using your domain name for ultimate professional communication�
The Drive function is probably the most widely used since it allows for real-time updates and evergreen documents to be shared with multiple people.
If you’re just getting started seeing private clients, definitely consider using Docs, Sheets, etc� as your EHR platform� You can keep client notes, track information and easily share resources electronically with your clients all through these Drive features� It’s low-cost, very user-friendly and low financial risk if you’re just testing the waters of private practice� You can also utilize the Forms feature to have clients fill out basic application info to work with you or gather other information� If you do any virtual work or have team members in different locations, I’m sure you know how vital Drive is to your business already�
As dietitians, we probably all live and die by our calendars, so making sure that your Google Calendar is synced with any scheduling systems you may have will help make your business tasks seamless and you’ll never forget a meeting or session�
A couple of my newer favorite features are Keep and Jamboard� Keep is a
note-taking tool so you can share memos, lists, voice notes and images
across multiple devices. If you’re the type of person who always has great ideas at spur-of-the-moment times, you can voice-note this in Keep on your phone and be able to access it on your computer in the future� Jamboard
is great if you are working with a team on a project or have associates
within your business. It’s essentially an interactive whiteboard feature, which is great for brainstorming and organizing ideas as a group�
Lastly, Classroom may be a cool feature to explore if you want to create courses within your business.
I’m sure many parents are familiar with this function by now after months of virtual learning, but there could be some really great ways to utilize Classroom as a course platform�
All in all, Google Workspace has a lot of great features to help maximize efficiency at an affordable price� In my opinion, it’s a must for all business owners�
Emily Holdorf, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian located in upstate New York� Emily owns her own nutrition coaching business, EmPowered Nutrition, where she helps busy young professionals feel empowered and positive about their bodies and the food on their plates� She also creates easy, approachable recipes for her blog�
LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship vs. S-Corp
STEPHANIE DORFMAN
MS, RD
DIRECTOR OF MEETINGS
Time to get down to business - but, starting one could be kind of tricky� How do you know what type of business you should open as a registered dietitian? See below for the pros and cons for three different business types: LLC, Sole Proprietorship and S-Corp�
LLC
When a business is organized as a limited liability company (LLC), it means you cannot be held personally responsible for business-related debts - meaning you are legally separated from your business� With an LLC, the business can be owned by one or more members�
How to Start an LLC:
y File state paperwork and pay a fee� y Create an operating agreement to form and communicate important guidelines and details for your business� Without an operating agreement, the LLC is governed by state laws� There are also online resources to help you draft an operating agreement�
Important Things to Note:
y Once an LLC, you must keep your business and personal finances completely separate� y State laws may require certain LLC records to be submitted annually� y You and your personal assets are more protected against various business liabilities� y Your business name will be protected within your state� y All profits made are only taxed once�
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
A sole proprietorship is when a business is unincorporated and run by one person - meaning that person is legally responsible for all business-related liabilities�
How to Start a Sole Proprietorship:
y No formal action is actually required if you choose to operate your business under your own name� y To secure a business name that is different from your personal name, you need to file a DBA or “doing business as” through your state�
Important Things to Note:
y With a sole proprietorship, there is no separation between your personal assets and the business�
You are responsible for all the business profits as well as all the debts and legal obligations� y To file taxes as a sole proprietor you must submit a Profit or
Loss from Business form -
Form 1040 or Schedule C with your personal tax return� y You only pay taxes on the profit of your business�
S-CORPORATION
Forming a corporation usually happens when a small business is very successful and continuously growing� Starting an S-corp offers tax advantages while maintaining ownership flexibility� Similar to an LLC, a business organized as an S-corp is legally protected and separated from personal assets� The main differences are that corporations have shareholders and generally require more formal record-keeping�
How to Start an S-Corp:
y File forms and pay a fee� y The business may only have one class of stock� y An S-corp must have a board of directors�
Important Things to Note:
y S-corps are limited to 100 shareholders and all must be
U�S� citizens or residents� y Consistent filing and fees are required to stay compliant� y The business is taxed once and only the shareholders pay taxes on the business’s profits through their personal tax returns� y There is flexibility to how the owner can characterize income, which could benefit the business when it’s time to file taxes� As dietitians, most of us do not have a background in law, so all of this could seem very overwhelming� Since these legal decisions are so important when starting a business, I would recommend asking for help� There are great resources online; for example, LegalZoom has a lot of detailed and easy-to-understand information regarding starting a business and the legal requirements� Also, take advantage of the many dietitians who have already started a business and have been through this process� All of us entrepreneurs have been new business owners at one point or another and are here to help�
Stephanie is passionate about all things wellness, running outdoors, puppies, peanut butter and spreading all of the joy � When she’s not at her corporate food service job, you can find her running (usually in Astoria or Central Park), baking challah or laughing with family and friends� During the summer months, look for her at her favorite sleep-away summer camp, where her family still works and where her grandparents met� Stephanie loves being able to combine all her passions into her profession every day �
SHELLEY A� RAEL
MS, RDN
NE DELEGATE
The 2020-2021 House of Delegates (HOD) is working on one critical issue (formerly called mega issues) for the year: diversity, inclusion and communication�
In October, the Fall 2020 meeting focused on “A Systems Approach to Accelerating Nutrition and Health Equity�” As a result of this meeting, a proposed cultural humility tool is being developed by the nutrition and health equity task force within the HOD in collaboration with other Academy groups and committees to help accelerate health equity and inclusion� A guide for this will be coming this summer� In January, Delegates participated in a Policy and Advocacy Training on “Navigating Future Practice: VUCA�” The concept of VUCA describes environments characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity�
How can we successfully navigate in an environment where things change rapidly and people struggle to trust health professionals, media, government and other historically trusted sources?
The better we understand the realities of a VUCA world, the better prepared we will be to thrive in our profession�
The Winter 2021 meeting held in February 2021 focused on “Implementation of the DGAs: Customizing to Meet Diverse Need” and asked the Critical Issue Question: How can the Academy and
nutrition and dietetics practitioners support and inform the translation of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) to apply to all?
At this meeting, we discussed both strengths and opportunities on improving resources related to the DGA so they may apply to all populations with whom we work� We also discussed how we could develop resources for translating the DGA to diverse groups�
The discussion included:
y How can we best deliver messages about the DGA to our diverse population? y What populations can be better served? y How can we personalize the DGAs for the specific populations identified? The delegates discussed various populations that we, as Academy members, could do better at serving� We acknowledge that there is diversity even within the populations we discussed� We also gave input on who would be key stakeholders (including you) and what are the tools, resources and other ways to serve the underserved populations better�
As always, work is ongoing, and the outcomes of the meetings will be shared with the appropriate staff within the Academy, including policy leaders, Delegates and Academy Members�
As members of the Academy and Nutrition Entrepreneurs DPG consider the Action Alerts to communicate with our Congresspersons� Keep an eye out for notices for feedback from me, your Delegate, to help express opinions and needs to the Academy leadership� If you have questions, please reach out to me and ask�
Shelley A� Rael, MS, RDN, is the author of The One-Pot Weight Loss Plan� A life-long learner, like most of us, Shelley wants to experience or try nearly everything at least once in her lifetime, from trying a new adventure or experience, mastering a new skill, and of course, having a variety of food experiences�
