Business

Business owners…..Make your employees soar. Train them!

Date: June 18, 2023

Author: Michelle L. McDonald

Categories: Business, Caribbean, Customer Service, Employees, Learning & Development, Training

As the description in this video says, well trained and knowledgeable employees make all the difference to a business’ revenue and profit. It’s no wonder that the best companies have a Human Resource Development strategy aligned with their business goals. And yet, so many business owners, especially who offer services, do not invest in a good training programme for their employees, including new hires.

I saw this scene while driving recently. My first thought was “whoever is operating that back ho, is very brave!” But then I reasoned that if the operator was very skilled because of good training, this excavation would be a breeze. However, it also occurred to me that the owner of this equipment would NOT hire someone to operate it who was not trained.

Herein lies the value of training. If you wouldn’t put a new hire to excavate this hillside on his or her first day on the job, why do business owners of, for example restaurants, retail shops etc put new employees to serve customers on their first day? Apart from it being unfair to the employee, it can hurt the business financially. A few days after I was driving by, I notice that a part of the back ho was broken. Could it be that either the driver was not trained and caused the accident, or was the person who serviced the back ho incompetent?

The lesson is invest in training. It does not have to be expensive. In fact, it is likely more expensive to NOT train employees.

“What’s your advice for getting out of a temporary rut?” I asked Jack Canfield

Date: September 22, 2021

Author: Michelle L. McDonald

Categories: Business, Engagement, Learning & Development, Motivation

Since last year’s onset of the pandemic, there has been a proliferation of virtual events, giving people around the world (with an internet connection) the opportunity to learn and grow, even as it seems the world has been falling apart around us.

Today, I was fortunate to attend (without charge) two of the sessions in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)’s Sustainability Development Summit. The full video is at the end of this article.

The second was entitled “Leveling-up for High Performance and Breakthrough Success.” The presenter was Jack Canfield, who I had never heard of. Sure, I knew about the “Chicken Soup For the Soul” series of books, but didn’t know the author’s name or what he had accomplished.

His presentation was empowering and action-oriented and I found myself taking screenshot after screenshot. Yes, registered participants will get the recordings, but in the moment, I wanted to capture those aspects of his presentation which resonated with me, such as….

Success Principle: Decide what you want. What is your vision of success?
There are only 3 responses you have any control over. E + R = O: Thoughts, Images, Behaviour
You have to give up making excuses
Create a Breakthrough Goal.…a goal that would quantum leap your personal or professional success or the success of your organization…and that will require you to grow to achieve it.
Practise the “Rule of 5”: Do 5 things every day that will lead to the achievement of your breakthrough goal.
Set a goal that is big enough so that in the process of achieving it, you will become someone worth becoming! BHAG “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”

What I appreciated about the presentation and indeed the first one I attended, what that the speakers took questions after. Here is the host Dr Terri-Karelle Reid asking the question I posed which was “what’s your advice for getting out of a temporary rut or setback, especially if you’re normally positive and a believer?” (That’s the reflection of the ceiling light)

“Setbacks are part of the process” Canfield said. He further said that it is learning to handle those obstacles which builds your capacity, confidence, patience and courage. Part of the goal of life, he said, is to become a master, like in Karate, where you go through different belts.

Other advice he gave was:

See those ruts as opportunities to learn something new.
Surround yourself with positive people. Listen to something positive everyday.
Get your mindset changed and start doing something different.

Canfield ended by saying this:

“A rut is something where you keep digging the same hole over and over and it looks like forward progress, but you’re not going anywhere really. You’ve got to do something different, anything different at all that you think might get you out, and surround yourself with something positive.“

Vacancy: Associate for Accounting firm in Grenada

Date: October 26, 2019

Author: Michelle L. McDonald

Categories: Accounting, Business, Caribbean, Grenada, Job Vacancy

RSO & Co. Ltd is an independent firm of chartered accountants providing professional accounting and business advisory services to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in a variety of industries.

These services give clients the ability to make business decisions in real time, thereby assisting them to achieve their business objectives. Our strategy is therefore built around being technology enabled, delivering outstanding value to our clients and empowering our team.

The Associate is a full time permanent position and would be assigned to perform meticulous after-the-fact bookkeeping and accounting duties for a growing quality client base in a variety of industries, according to established guidelines and procedures in compliance with international standards. This is a great opportunity for a professional who has recently qualified and would benefit from being mentored and trained by a leader in the Accounting field. Opportunities for further studies would be provided and encouraged.

The following are the ideal mix of experience, education and personal characteristics: –

At least one (1) year’s previous experience in performing the following:
- After-the-fact bookkeeping and accounting tasks (includes data entry; balance and reconcile accounts; analyse invoice/expense reports and post transactions correctly; prepare payroll and remittances for statutory deductions; accounts production)
- Audit procedures in the areas of cash, receivables, inventory, fixed assets, payrolls, and expense analysis
- Review and audit business transaction cycles including cash, capital expenditures and other income and expenses
- Research audit issues, utilise electronic databases, review-track financial information and utilise audit related software, if applicable
- Tax compliance and tax preparation assignments and file tax returns at Inland Revenue Division (IRD)
First degree in Accounting or Finance related field with strong technical aptitude and skillset
Evidence of critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills
Friendly and sociable disposition as part of a service-oriented personality
Ability to critically review own work
Experience of accounts preparation and tax work for SME clients
Experience using Microsoft packages, internet, email and computerised accounting packages
The requisite stamina to complete intense work to achieve critical deadlines

Please apply by November 5, 2019 via email only to caribbeanvacancy@gmail.com

**Shortlisted candidates will be further contacted**

Vacancy: Operations Manager (Grenada Real Estate Company)

Date: July 15, 2019

Author: Michelle L. McDonald

Categories: Business, Caribbean, Grenada, Job Vacancy, Real Estate

Our client is a growing Real Estate company in Grenada which provides services in sales, rentals, multi-unit property management and valuation.

A vacancy exists for the new position of Operations Manager. The job holder’s main focus would be to build on the current operating systems in order to further improve efficiency and effectiveness in all divisions. The expected outcomes would be financial growth and provision of excellent real estate service by a team whose competencies have been further developed.

This would be ideal for a Caribbean professional with the following mix of experience, education and personal characteristics:-

1.Previous work experience in a structured dynamic organisation where duties included:

managing a dynamic team and growing their competencies,
developing workflows and written standard operating procedures which led to excellent customer service ratings and higher returns,
strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of sales and other targets,
developing and implementing successful marketing strategies,
budget planning and control, payroll management as well as financial reporting, and
conducting training

2. An Operations, Business or Finance related degree

3. Sociable and service-oriented personality

4. Analytical and detailed approach to work and decision-making

5. Demonstrates integrity and accountability

6. Working knowledge of software programmes including Dropbox, QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps

7. International working and living experience as well as conversational ability in a foreign language

8. At least 2 years’ regular driving experience

Please apply via email only to caribbeanvacancy@gmail.com

A copy of both sides of your driver’s licence must be included.

**Shortlisted candidates will be further contacted**

Techy Learning

Date: October 4, 2014

Author: Michelle L. McDonald

Categories: Business, Electronics, Gmail, Google, Productivity, Technology

Learning is a good thing, especially when you do it by trial and error. There is a sense of accomplishment in figuring out something on your own, just by using all the resources available, including the brain.

Since 2012, I have made a concerted effort to do away with the old way of doing things and only sticking to what I knew and was comfortable with. The first time I saw a friend with an iPad, I ‘pffffed’ at their need to ‘follow fashion,’ as Jamaicans would say. I then remember being with another friend one day and she took out her iPad to show me some pictures. I got a close up view of the gadget. A trip to New York later that year saw me heading to THE Apple store soon after arriving. Expensive, yes, but it has been well worth it.

That was the significant event which led to other tech-type developments such as the creation of this website after going to a Bootcamp to learn how to do the basics and get the hosting set up.

Applying this new found technology interest to my professional life, I started to explore various tools that could be used to help employees work more efficiently. The latest search is for a collaboration tool which does not cost any money. Who doesn’t like free things?