Tag: business

By on

Did you happen to hear Episode 69 of the Don’t Call It Small… Business podcast?

We shared business news about Apple, Etsy, and Kmart, and began to ponder the lessons we can learn from all three. We shared a few business events happening around the world, and shouted out a few businesses that we think are pretty cool that you should consider supporting.

You can listen to this episode and any past episodes at ForemanLLC.com/podcast and that’s also where you can share show suggestions, etc.

Listen to Episode 69

Thank you for your continued support!

Love,

Natasha

Copyright 2022. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved.

By on

This Thursday I will be leading a webinar, simply titled: How to Successfully Start, Revamp or Revitalize Your Business.

During our time together I will help you to:

  • Answer some bold and important questions for you and your company
  • See how to leverage your strengths and resources
  • Seize opportunities
  • Identify and understand the failing and failures of business
  • Gain access to a new course that I’m offering through Foreman & Associates
  • Much more…

To register for the webinar you can click on any of the images below or click on this link. I hope to see you Thursday at 7pm ET. Space is limited so register now and arrive 5 minutes early (if possible). Thank you!

http://foremanllc.gr8.com

By on 3 Comments

Tomorrow at noon I will be broadcasting Episode 5 of the Don’t Call It Small…Business Podcast. We will cover business news, about various companies, including mine.

We will also discuss a few business topics that you may deem useful. So tune in at Foremanllc.com/podcast.html or check us out on:

  • Spreaker
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Google Podcasts
  • iHeart Radio
  • Castbox
  • Spotify

Thanking you in advance for your support!

~Natasha

By on

Tuesday…

After teaching my Human Resource Management class, I made a late-night announcement for my company, Foreman & Associates, LLC. Some of the things that I shared include: the launch of an Online Business Course, a Business Podcast, and a Webinar that will provide insights on the course and other service offerings, such as Coaching and Training.

Check out the in-car announcement below.

Yesterday…

Following our updated marketing plan, we re-engaged with our neglected social media accounts. I take full responsibility for their underuse. I did something that I always tell business owners not to do: allow my personal accounts to overshadow my business profiles. They should compliment and help to drive traffic to my business profiles. It’s not good enough to use the excuse that, “I had my personal accounts first”. I know what’s needed. I also know how difficult it is to come from behind. So I will be working hard to ensure that Foreman & Associates has as great, or even greater, presence than my personal brand.

Today…

This morning, we shared the name of our podcast, and details about what the podcast will be bringing to listeners.

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

What’s Next?

I want to thank those of you who have supported me from the start. I want to thank those of you who are new supporters. Thank you for having a desire to start and build a relationship with me, even if only virtually. On May 11, 2011 I launched Foreman & Associates, and there’s been highs and lows, and moments when I wondered why in the world I was still trying to make this evolving idea (in the form of a company) a successful one. My personal life has caused me to pause, step back, run in circles, realign, and make reactionary moves. I told myself that I don’t want to be in that position any longer. I don’t want my company to be in that position anymore. I have to do better in order to have what I desire most. I have to do better, so that Foreman & Associates can provide the types of services that you have asked for, in the ways that you need, and with the quality and care that you and I both desire.

So, what’s next?

I guess you will have to wait and see what other details will be shared over the next several days and weeks.

Love always,

Natasha

Copyright 2019. Natasha L. Foreman. Images are Copyright Protected by Foreman & Associates, LLC.

By on

The time is NOW! Don’t wait. Don’t procrastinate. You’re only stealing from yourself when you do. Seriously.

Yes, I’m talking about the new book Believe Bigger: Discover Your Path to Your Life Purpose

Invest in this book, this guide, this map to explore sides and crevices of YOU that you have overlooked, neglected, abused, misused, underutilized—yet you want to RECLAIM, RESTORE, RENEW, REINVENT, RECHARGE, REACTIVATE and REALIGN.

Get your copy of #BelieveBigger by my dear friend Marshawn Evans Daniels if you want to do more, see more, experience more, give more, receive more, and be more.

Abundance of anything positive can ONLY come from faith, discipline, and action.

You have to DO. You have to MOVE. You have to GET UP and GET OUT OF YOUR WAY, THE WAY, GOD’S WAY.

It starts by thinking abundantly, feeling it, visualizing it, speaking it, and believing it LONG BEFORE you see the first buds sprout, long before the first harvest becomes ready.

To #BelieveBigger you have to have FAITH in what you hope for, in that which has yet to arrive—but you have already staked your claim as YOURS!

Health, financial wealth, intelligence, a fulfilling and rewarding career, work-life balance, to travel more, marriage, or to start a family of your own—whatever it is—YOU MUST CLAIM IT AS SO—CLAIM IT AS YOURS, and then do your part to make the puzzle pieces come together.

God has already shown you what is possible. He’s already said it can be yours. But do YOU believe in His vision for you? Or will you settle on the small—lower your expectations below what He wants to gift you? Will you let fear tell you it’s not possible or will you let faith tell you “Oh yes it is!”

Every successful entrepreneur knows that their forward-thinking vision must be stated, shared, and reinforced constantly and consistently in order for that vision to be fully comprehended and embraced; and the more that the vision is shared and embraced the more energy and passion is poured into making sure that vision becomes a reality. That’s the difference from merely being a dreamer and a doer. It’s seeing where you want to go and putting together the resources, and doing the job to achieve what you desire.

In organizations we focus on two primary drivers (besides our triple bottom line) which are Mission and Vision. A mission is your purpose—why you’re in business, why you do what you do. Your vision states where you want to go, what you want to be, what type of impact that you want to have as an organization.

Those same principles need to be taught and embedded in the mindset of individuals, not just business leaders. It’s not necessarily tied to your profession or you finding the cure for cancer (side note: but if you do please make sure that you keep those costs affordable for all).

Vision-tied-to-Purpose-aka-Mission….

What is your purpose in life? What is your purpose in your neighborhood or community? What is your purpose in your house of worship? What is your purpose as a member of your family? Why do you get up out of bed every day? Why do you keep living? Why do you want to keep living? Purpose is so bold and deep, so scary, so what if you swap the word and said “mission”, does it help? Probably not. Because purpose, mission, and vision, no matter what you want to call them they are all bold and dynamic, and anything worth achieving is a scary proposition. But if it doesn’t scare you a little or a lot then it’s not big enough, it’s not bold enough. You need to BELIEVE BIGGER!

A lot of people are suffering in their career and in their home life because they lack vision, and their hope is dwindling and dying a slow and painful death. They are focused on their present, their lack of, rather than on where they could be in the near or distant future. When you’re blinded by what you don’t have you don’t see the opportunities opening up around you and ahead of you. You walk right by them or you stop short of achieving them. You need to grab a defibrillator, also known as an AED, and you need to resuscitate your hope and vision.

Stop relying upon New Year’s Resolutions and start with (and be fueled by) vision and action plans. Resolutions are what we aspire to resolve to one day do, but we have become so casual and relaxed with them that we rarely achieve a quarter of the things on the list, and most of the things we aspired to achieve we fell short by January 15th of the year and never tried again.

An action plan fueled by a vision is our road map to GET IT DONE!

Some of you have fulfilled one mission in life and now you’re wondering, “what next?” well maybe, just maybe, Marshawn’s book can help you answer that question.

If you’re ready for that next level, of whatever it is and wherever it may be, then you need to get your copy of Believe Bigger at BelieveBigger.com or at any retailer that sells books, so that you can get moving and start claiming what’s waiting out there for you!

~Natasha

Copyright 2018. Natasha Foreman Bryant/Natasha L. Foreman.
All images within this post have a copyright protection enforced by Marshawn Evans Daniels.

By on

This month let’s connect and see how my team and I can help your new or seasoned business.

At Foreman & Associates, LLC we specialize in management consulting, individual and team training, and business support services—you can outsource work to us or we can help your team setup your systems of success.

Companies call on us for large and small projects, operations and management overhauls, full-cycle recruiting, and to coach owners and executives to be more efficacious leaders.

Visit FOREMANLLC.COM for more details. Let’s make some moves together so that it can be our best year ever!

~Natasha

By on 1 Comment

Some people wonder why I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and even more perplexing (and in recent years), a college professor. Below are some of the comments from students in my most recent Business Management course that just wrapped for the semester yesterday. We spent 17 weeks together, learning and sharing, and as they have learned from me I have learned a great deal from them.

It touches my heart to know that I made and make a difference, that the information that I’m sharing is not falling on “closed” ears and minds, and that they are not only implementing (in their professional and personal lives) what I’m teaching but they are empowered to challenge themselves in those areas of their life.

If I can help encourage them to be better students, employees, employers, managers, leaders, family members, life partners, and members of their community–then I’ve done my job. There are thousands of established organizations and thousands of future startups that will build and nurture a culture that will either thrive or die. My goal is pour into my students enough information and learned lessons that they can take with them to help positively change the culture and environment of organizations and communities all over. You never know who the next “big time” entrepreneur may be. It could be one of my students. So I’m going to give them all that I have and more!

I love to see those “light bulbs” come on when they grasp a concept that I’m sharing, or finally see “why Professor Bryant made us do this assignment“. I love to see my students step up, accept my challenges, and succeed. I love to hear my students share how they tested one of my concepts to see if I knew what I was talking about, just to discover I was right. That shows me that they are listening and not just regurgitating information to pass tests and get out of my class. I’m reaching them and what they are hearing and learning is “clicking”. Oh how that brings me so much joy. These are the the reasons why I’m a college professor and why I love what I do.

I won’t lie, after reading some of these comments below I shed a few tears:

Dear Prof Bryant,

Thank you so much for really challenging me and being there every step of the way. There were times when I felt like giving up, but thanks to you and the self discipline that I’m still practicing, I survived from flunking and I will still read my book and reference it as long as I’m in the workforce and when I get enough courage to become the entrepreneur that I dream to be. Thank you! God bless!!! 

Hello Class & Ms.Bryant 

This semester has been very interesting. This has been my first online class that required a weekly assignment and a discussion. I really enjoyed that there was weekly assignments and we were able to communicate with each other. Being able to see how others react and think about situations help me understand that theres always different ways to solve problems. I really learned some great knowledge of management and will always apply them to my everyday living. I’m going to continue  to read my book so I will have all skills mastered.

The time I have spent in Prof.Bryant’s class has been fresh and a new breathe of air. I have been a student online and have never met any of you, but still felt a big connection to this wonderful class. I enjoy reading everyone’s discussion posts….I also intend to use my management information from this class to better understand people of all levels,whether an owner of their store. The management sides are enormous and able to advance to top level with hard work. I have really enjoyed this class. Thank you

I really enjoyed being in this class.  I learned a lot from the other students.  I wouldn’t mind having some of them as my supervisor or manager.  I learned a lot about them, such as what goes on at their job, how their family lives and their lives are.  I can learn from the feedback that they gave me during our discussions and apply it to my everyday life or with events happening in my family.  They were an excellent group to participate with and I enjoyed my instructor.  She said she was going to shake us a little and she did.  She kept me on my toes and there was a little pressure which made me concentrate and get the work done like it was supposed to be.  Thank you Prof Bryant and thank you class.

These 17 weeks went by very fast and I’ve enjoyed learning and growing with this class. I’ve learned so much from motivating employees, building an effective team, planning, control, ethical responsibilities, how to handle stress, along with many other things. This class also taught me management isn’t as easy as I wanted it would be but I’m more knowledgeable and gained confident. I plan to further my education and continue to learn everything there is about management.

   This semester has been great and very informative. The information I learned during this course will definitely benefit me while pursuing my dream as the future owner of my own radiology clinic. Ms. Bryant you have showed me different fundamentals of management and made me realize that its not as easy as it looks. Now I feel somewhat prepared to be a manager and I will always go to my references to refresh my memory….Thanks so much for being a great professor Ms. Bryant!!!

I am glad that I took this class with the instructor that we have had because at first I thought the class was going to be hard, not to say that it was easy writing all those assignments on Zestiful, Inc., but I must say it was a lot better experience than I thought it would be when I was sitting at my computer 17 weeks ago.  Truthfully, I thought the class was going to be a lot harder. We did work our butts off though. I am also glad that we used the whole book, even though reading it was a chore. Being that I work in a college bookstore, the main complaint that I hear from students is that the instructor never used the book at all, so I am glad we used the whole thing.      

I have learned a lot from the Principles of Management class. Professor Bryant I enjoyed being your student this semester!! Thank you for being a great professor!! I enjoyed interacting with my classmates weekly through the discussion board. I pray that everyone pass this class. I gained a lot of knowledge from this class and I will apply the management skills to my career and  everyday life.

…I have learned a great deal about planning and setting realistic goals and also about the different levels of management and what decisions and issues each level should handle. I have also learned about some of the different unethical situations that happen in the workplace and some of the ways to solve them. Learning the principles and fundamentals of management in this class has prepared me for my future in Property Management and will also help me to continue that success even in my personal life.

 

By on 1 Comment

I have some questions for you to think about and then answer….
What and who is most important in your life? 

How much time are you investing in those things and people?

When you look at how your time is invested each day, how much is steered towards your professional goals and how much is nestled in living out your personal dreams?

I see that too much of my time is wading in professional water. Even my dreams somehow are tied to my professional life. What in the world! Here’s a few things that I see myself missing out on if I don’t stop the madness now…

1. Food…seriously! 

For those of you who don’t know me intimately, I’m a foodie and I enjoy cooking. Many people who follow me on Instagram get a kick out of seeing what meals I’ve posted. I’ve been slacking on those posts, mostly out of respect to the current social and political climate plaguing the U.S. But I do intend to return to food posting soon, so you can stop asking me [*smile*].

Now let’s get back to the food….I know that I’m worn out (from work and life) when the last thing I want to do is cook. I know that the last place I need to be turning toward is a restaurant, and especially a fast food restaurant. But there are times when I just cave in and say, “oh well“. 

Here’s the thing, if I have those moments now, how will it be when my companies really have growth? How will it be when I have one or more little children crawling and then running around? 

2. Flexibility

I want some flexibility in my days so that I have a desire to get in the kitchen and whip up greatness. I’m no joke in the kitchen!

I want some flexibility to enjoy my workout times, and not feel rushed to cram in a quick session that shows little to no results on my body (that’s used to intense workouts). My best workouts should not surface when I’m on a retreat or mini vacation. That’s just ridiculous! 

I want some flexibility to sit down with a good book and get carried away by the author’s writing. Can a sista just have a Calgon moment in the tub with her book and some beautifully-scented candles?  Come on now, really?!?

3. Family

I love spending time with my family. I’m a huge family person. I enjoy taking trips to the states where many of closest family members live, and spending quality time with them. I look at my family and all of those amazing feelings that I get are the same ones I want to fill my home with. 

I want to be an engaged mother like my mother was. We didn’t have to be overly concerned with the performance of the schools that I attended (like many parents are now), because my mom and dad were extremely active educators of their children. They didn’t leave the job for the school teachers, they worked hand-in-hand with the school. 

Please don’t take this as an attack against today’s parents. I’m just telling you how I was raised, and how my sister (roughly 15 years my junior) was also raised. 

My mom taught me how to read at the age of two, she created a learning environment for me at home, at my dad’s office, and anywhere we went. My parents planted, watered, and nurtured the seeds within me. That’s the kind of parent I want to be. That’s all I’m saying. So put down your virtual daggers, you hyper-sensitive parents out there!

My Family Legacy…My Look Within To See Myself 

Looking at all sides of my family (maternal and paternal), I’ve been reflecting on the past and present, and wondering about the future. I’ve always had the most thrilling time when visiting with my great-grandparents and grandparents, and now in my adult years, my grandmothers (since the greats and the grandfathers have passed). 

Paternal Family Line

My paternal grandmother, Dorrisene, just passed away a few weeks ago, and her funeral was held on the anniversary day of my father’s passing. She walked this earth for 81 amazing years. She used to be an entrepreneur for over 20 years, a super sharp real estate broker, and then she shifted her career and focused on church ministry (on various levels). She was a public speaker and a published author (with her writings found in the Christian Science Journal, some of which were translated into other languages). My grandmother continued serving through the church (although modified in later years) all the way until her last day breathing in this physical realm. 

At my grandmother’s funeral the other week, I was reminded (by a comment someone made) about how my family had to learn how to share her with members of the church and those in the community that she served and prayed for, as her phone would ring throughout the day and night–with callers on the other end asking for prayer and guidance.

I’m not sure how my grandmother juggled mothering 7 children, being the partner to her husband, and balancing her career. But she did it and did it remarkably well, and without complaints. She used to travel a great deal, but I know that over the past 20 years she really wanted to travel more. She loved her freedom and sense of independence. I loved taking drives along Pacific Coast Highway with her as we both oohed and aahed over the crashing waves, and how the light from the sun glistened over the water. Today I sit back and look at the water from the beach and I smile, thinking of my beloved grandmother, my “Mama”.  

Today, for me, is a reflection about the life and legacy of my beloved family members, paternal and maternal. By looking at them I see myself.

My father passed from a heart attack at age 48, after working out at the gym for two hours. He was the pure definition of a workaholic. An entrepreneur that never took a vacation during his entire adult life. 

Every exciting trip he took was tied to business, and I can only recall one family trip, to Las Vegas, and my mom had to pry him out of the hotel room to chaperone me at the arcade, and to go to dinner with us. He was too busy in the room, on business calls, and what else? Working! As long as he had room service and a television to watch football or basketball, my dad was good to go. He could focus on work and scream occasionally at the television like he was the team coach.

Dad promised us family trips, that never happened. The Bahamas, Walt Disney World (for my sister), trips throughout Africa and Europe. We never went as a family. In 2001, he planned a 2002 trip to Brazil for the two of us, so he could finally let loose and be free during Carnival–that trip never happened. He passed away a few months after he made this huge announcement. I’m not upset that we didn’t take the trips. I’m saddened that his dreams were cut short, right when he was getting ready to set sail.

My paternal family is made up of work horses—driven, competitive, and more career-focused than play-focused. They work hard but I don’t see them taking much-needed breaks to play or even to just unwind. 

My paternal grandfather, Robert (aka “Jim” by his kids, for some strange reason), passed away around the age of 51. My grandfather passed the day after saying he was going to “slow down and relax more”. He was in the hospital due to a heart attack and had plans to relax and enjoy the simple things in life, but never made it out of the hospital. He too was an entrepreneur who just couldn’t seem to slow down and enjoy the beauty within this world. After serving more than 20 years in the Air Force, you think he would have slowed down some, but nope.

Two of my dad’s six siblings also passed at young ages, and the surviving four are left behind to live life as fully as they allow themselves to live. My aunt Cheryl, a lawyer, passed away in her thirties after working out at the gym. She passed before having children (unless you count she and her husband’s dogs, “Ash” and “Obadiah”) and before really getting her feet wet in life. 

My uncle Ricardo (we call him “Ricky”), was a tech genius that helped keep IT running strong at the college where he worked. He was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia (that he had overlooked because he was working too hard to slow down and go to the doctor), and upon release the hospital didn’t tell him he wasn’t capable of walking (because of the medicine they gave him), so while unsupervised he fell and this fall caused a domino effect that landed him in the ICU with a stroke (and mini heart attacks), and years later (and at least two long-term care facilities after) my uncle, with limited verbal and physical capacity–who just wanted to leave the hospital and go home—passed away. This is the same uncle who was engaged to be married, was planning elaborate trips with his fiancé, and enjoyed the getaways that they shared several times per year. But he passed, not fully living as he had dreamed.

Maternal Family Line

I look at my maternal family line, and my grandfather, Elisberry (his grandchildren called him “Poppa” and everyone else called him “E.L.”) passed from an asthma attack he waited too long to treat (after doing someone a favor by doing work at their property). He worked over 40 years for Ford through Fred Jones Ford, before retiring, and rewiring to a new, daily routine. 

My maternal grandmother, Maxine, also in her 80s (and the senior of the two grandmothers) is fighting with Alzheimer’s disease while dealing with a medical issue that has her in a care facility while she heals. My Mamacine (as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren call her) was an entrepreneur for over 40 years and retired too soon in my opinion, and from what I heard, in her opinion too! 

She retired with the hope of traveling more. She traveled quite a bit before retirement (mostly for church, family reunions, and NAACP events), but she wanted to go to Hawaii and other exotic places for leisure. She never made those trips. I won’t say it’s impossible now, but it’s probably not wise for us to make that attempt at this stage in her Alzheimer’s battle. So for her most recent birthday we decided to throw her a luau-themed birthday since she always wanted to visit Hawaii. She looked at all of us like we were silly for celebrating her birthday after it had already passed (that was the Alzheimer’s talking) but I can tell that she enjoyed herself.

My mom is reading the memo of life and finally getting it. She’s a hard worker who is finally making the time, little by little, to enjoy the simpler things in life. She’s returned to her birth state to help take care of my grandmother, and with that sacrifice she’s come to the conclusion that she now knows how she wants to live her life, not just exist in this world. She’s not waiting on other people to accompany her on excursions and to attend events, she’s jumping in her car and riding solo. I’m praying that her brother and sister also begin reading that memo. 

Stop The Madness…Or At Least Slow It Down

I shared all of this to say…

We have to break this work-work-work cycle and blend in more spiritual time, play time, family time, breathing time, and “just being present” time. We need to take breaks from the technological portals that keep us tied in like the Borg on Star Trek. Take a leisure walk. Read a book, a paper one, so you can feel those rough pages on your finger tips. Go to your nearby public library and explore the thousands of books waiting for you. Pack a lunch and relax at the park. Go to the beach and see how big of a sand castle you can build. During the winter, plop in a pile of snow and make snow angels (that of course is only possible if you live in or travel to a snow area). 

When was the last time you swung on a swing? 

If you were a child, then it’s been way too long. Go find a swing and laugh like a kid again. Put down the umbrella and splash in the rain. Watch dinner by candlelight and don’t even look in the direction of the television, video games, laptop, or your mobile devices. 

Legacy Building

The richness of your legacy is made up of the magical stories told about your life and the lives you positively touched, hundreds of years later. 

Those family members of mine who have passed away and transitioned to a much better life than here, they all made a positive impact on lives within our family, their community, places of business, and beyond. The more generations who tell their story, the longer their legacy. 

I’m just reflecting on my life and wondering if I will be able to live out my dreams with the complex variables that I’ve created for myself. I’m a few years older than my paternal aunt when she passed, and several years younger than my dad when he passed away 16 years ago. I’ve gotta a lot of living that I want to do, so I’m praying that this train ride doesn’t stop sooner than my dreams. 

I want to work hard, play hard, and enjoy every millisecond that I have on this planet—so I’m going to do something about that now, rather than later!

Warmest wishes,

Natasha

By on

One of my students [hi Michelle!] shared this TED Talks by Jason Fried, co-founder and president of 37signals.

Fried’s theory is that the office isn’t actually a good place to work, and that M&Ms are the real problems in the modern office today. “What?” you ask. Watch the video and hear what this brilliant software entrepreneur had to say, and see why I love how his brain works: https://www.ted.com/talks/jason_fried_why_work_doesn_t_happen_at_work

By on

By Natasha L. Foreman

Today I wrote an article for my Business Management Firm, Foreman & Associates LLC, highlighting an article that I read about UPS’s decision to cut insurance coverage for 15,000 spouses of non-union workers in the U.S.

Read my article here: http://wp.me/p11NVc-5X and share your thoughts, experiences, and possible solutions for small business owners, and the employees that are caught in the middle.

Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. Natasha L. Foreman.

By on

By Natasha L. Foreman, MBA

The debate continues about the unemployment rate, job creation, and the potential boost in our nation’s economy. The Los Angeles Times shares all sides of the debate in last Saturday’s business section.

Although the national unemployment rate is currently at 8.1% (which is almost double in Black and Brown communities) the L.A. Times reported that this rate is not solely because more jobs are being secured by workers —since only 115,000 jobs were added in April (after winter gains of an average of $252,000 jobs December through February)– but rather because more people are discouraged and dropping out of the labor market.

Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington was reported as telling the L.A. Times that workers are dropping out of the labor market because they no longer believe that there are jobs out there for them. In April the numbers shrank by 342,000 workers. That’s 342,000 that are reported to have lost hope in securing a job.

President Obama sees and reports things differently and more optimistically. He reminded people in his speech last Friday at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia, that we are surviving the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, have created more than 4.2 million jobs within the last 26 months, and 1.6 million of those jobs were created just within the last 6 months.

Obama’s chief economic advisor, Alan Krueger told the L.A. Times that the jobless rate fell a full percentage point since last August, and that nearly three-quarters of that drop was due to increased employment. Dean Baker however said that some of the three-quarters was attributable to adjustments in the population.

Analysts claim that the warm winter weather we experienced across the nation has impacted the reported rates of job growth, as certain industries, such as construction—that were booming in December and January, have since seen no increase in jobs.

However, car sales are strong, manufacturing continues to perform well, there is growth in the demand for growth, consumer spending is up, and there is an improvement in the housing market that once was severely depressed.

The L.A. Times makes a point of reminding and educating readers that our country’s economy is vulnerable to various “shocks” such as high oil prices, China’s slowed-down economy, and the debt-strained problems of Europe. When the rest of the world is suffering, our country is hit hard also; and vice versa. We’re literally in this together.

Let’s also not forget that more than 90% of the companies in our country are small business enterprises, with less than 200 employees, yet maybe 90% of job seekers are applying mostly to large corporations—less than 10% of the businesses in the U.S.

Who’s helping to equip these small businesses with the resources to hire more employees?

Who’s reminding and educating job seekers about employment opportunities with small businesses?

Who’s bridging the gap?

We must realize that our economy is impacted by other world economies and “shocks”. We must focus more on the things we’re for and less on what we’re against, and then help to bring about a progressive movement towards solution rather than allow a spiraling effect that will lead to ultimate failure.

We should also be grateful for our country and the numerous resources here. Let’s consider if we lived in Liberia where the unemployment rate is a staggering 85%. What if that was our reality?

Let’s look for solutions rather than people to blame. Let’s look for business opportunities and leverage our strengths, rather than examples of our weaknesses and failures.

What can we do individually and collectively to bring about positive change and to be the change we want to see in our nation, and in the world?

What can you do to help with unemployment in the United States?

————————————-

Source: Don Lee. Los Angeles Times. Job weakness feeds fear of a slowdown. Business section. B1, B4. Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Copyright 2012. Natasha L. Foreman. Foreman & Associates, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

By on

Attend the Women’s Economic Development Agency (WEDA) Beyond the Basics Business Bootcamp this Weekend:

We are Celebrating March – Women’s History Month!

In the Atlanta area? Join us for an affordable $99 Business Bootcamp at the SBA funded Women’s Economic Development Agency (WEDA) located in Midtown Atlanta this Sunday Mar 18th!

For details and to register, go to Eventbrite at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2990738379

Please share this with vendors in your network.

By on

By Natasha L. Foreman, MBA

I just read a very interesting article by Sabina Nawaz, written for the Harvard Business Review that encourages executives, managers, and other professionals to take two hours per week out of our insanely busy schedules to create our own personal ‘white noise space’, separate from the ‘noise’ of mobile devices, iPads, iPods, tablets, video games, laptops, computers, telephones, television, radio, and the like. Instead, Nawaz suggests that for two hours each and every week we should be taking a relaxing walk, drive or bike ride; or sitting in a comfortable location and doing absolutely nothing but thinking and reflecting; allowing our minds to totally dump all thoughts and ideas where we can quickly write them down in a journal or notepad (plain ole’ pen/pencil and paper, no electronic devices).

This is similar to a method that I have used over the years and have suggested to my clients and mentees; but I use ‘alone time’ to ‘idea-dump’ or ‘stress-dump’ on paper everything that is in my head; but it has never been a requirement to do so in the absolute silence of non-silence, and without any distractions from electronic devices, etc. Nawaz’s method expands upon my thinking, eliminates all possible distractions (except whatever could pop up while driving in our car or riding a bike) and measures the results from doing so on a regular and consistent basis. She has shown the positive outcomes of creating and building our our white noise space.

Nawaz suggests that in our constantly moving and changing lives we can be so overly consumed with deadlines, projects, and closing deals that we may miss or overlook a great idea or concept that can be used strategically in our business, simply because we don’t take a few moments consistently each week to take in the non-silence of silence, and allow our minds to do what they were created to do…process, strategize, and create. She also suggests that by building this white noise space to think, we can also find ways to creatively free ourselves for our personal lives so that we can spend this time with family and friends, whom we oftentimes neglect because of work commitments.

She makes note of when in 2004, the BBC Symphony Orchestra gave a performance of the modern classic 4′ 33″ by John Cage, a composition that was made famous for “its counterintuitive focus on the sounds of music not being played.” John Cage, “…believed that true silence did not exist; he wanted people to pay attention to what was all around them, to recalibrate their perceptions of sound and silence. He wanted them to hear in a new way,” Nawaz wrote.

I agree with Nawaz that in business we rarely take time out to let our minds wander and breathe. We think that the only time we can ‘allow’ ourselves this moment of freedom is when we sleep, and if you’re only sleeping 3-5 hours per day yet up ripping and running 19-21 hours, that’s a great portion of your day being spent in high stress, high intensity environments where you don’t make the time to “wander around the edges of seemingly intractable problems.” Nawaz suggests that, “Building white space in your week lets you hear and think in a new way.”

I believe that it is something worth trying, especially since it has been proven effective with other managers, executives, and business leaders Nawaz highlighted in her article. So I’m going to give it a try for several weeks and see what changes I notice in my stress levels, clarity, business, and in my personal life. It takes my idea and stress ‘dumping’ to a higher level of thinking. So I’m inspired.

I recommend that you read Nawaz’s article in its entirety then share your thoughts: http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/07/this_space_intentionally_left.html

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman and Foreman & Associates, LLC. Some Rights Reserved.

By on

By Natasha L. Foreman, MBA

I have had the opportunity recently to forgive some people in my life who wronged me over the years. I had forgiven them already, but I guess for them, it was necessary to ask…and in some cases, this was not the first request. In all relationships- business and personal I believe that when we part ways, even on bad terms, you should still forgive the person that you believe wronged you. It’s not so much for them as it is for you. This is your opportunity to leave the past in the past, release the weight you have been carrying around on your shoulders and in your heart, and free yourself from the venom inside that causes you to roll your eyes and suck your teeth every time you think of them.

So a few years ago I walked away from a personal relationship. I had forgiven that person for misleading me, betraying me, and mistreating me. I forgave that person for not treating me with the respect that I deserved- that I had given him. He thought money and gifts were good enough, and they would make me overlook his indiscretions in our relationship. He thought that material possessions and a ‘status’ and ‘title’ excused his behavior and treatment of me. He thought that telling me lies and misleading me were excusable offenses because he was, “a man” and “men will be men”, and some other nonsense.

He forgot he was playing games with a child of God. He also forgot my clear declaration that I shared with him, and every man before and after him…”Be honest and upfront. If you want to see other people then let’s just casually date, so we can both be free to date others” because “Once I’m through I’m through, there are no re-takes, breaks while we figure things out, or break-ups to make-ups…if you cheat I’m gone….”

But what was I thinking? Women didn’t leave him, he left them, so I was obviously delusional and way in over my head in his opinion.

It would appear that he was actually the delusional one. Once I walked away from the relationship there was no looking back, no holding on to memories and hopes for something more with him. No desire to punish him, get even, or parade around him and his friends as a reminder of what he had and lost. I was at peace. I had already moved on before I made the decision to say, “this isn’t working out.” But to have this overwhelming sense of peace and resolve it required me to forgive him, which I did.

Years have passed and it never crossed my mind that this individual would spend the time and resources to track me down to ask for forgiveness. But he did. So once again I forgave him. No emotion, no questions of why, how, and “what did I do to you to make you think I deserved this?” Instead, I calmly and rationally told him that I forgave him years ago, have no interest on rekindling flames or even being friends. I wished him well in life and said a quick prayer hoping he receives the life he has always wanted, and that it falls in line with what God believes he needs.

For him he felt he needed clarification; he needed to know how I knew he was cheating because he had been so careful; he needed to know if we could be friends (I guess he thought the first time I said “no” it was a typo), and if we could meet up from time to time. Quickly, clearly, and succinctly I explained the following…

I knew he was cheating because I pray throughout the day every day that God always reveals the truth to me and never allows me to be hidden from it or blind-sided by it; I told him that he should never attempt to mislead or battle with a ‘believer’ because no weapon formed against us shall ever prosper. I firmly yet respectfully told him again that he had no reason to contact me after that point, that if he has learned from his past and has no intention on repeating it then it’s time for him to move on and learn his next lesson.

Had I still been carrying around resentment, anger, desperation, or even a romantic-type of love for him, this moment would have been destroyed because I would have reacted and responded emotionally, and would have allowed myself to be engaged in a lengthy conversation. I would have allowed his need to feel like he closed the chapter on ‘us’ or manipulative desire to start a new one overwhelm me. Instead this dialogue lasted no more than 10 minutes (the time it took me to finish eating my sandwich, chips, and most of my drink).

Forgiving him once more was again for me.

I have learned over the years that I am quite capable of walking away, moving on, weeding out people who serve no purpose but to distract me, and doing so lovingly. My high self-esteem is an added benefit, because I know that no matter what I go through and who I go through it with, that there is always someone better out there for me; that God is there watching over me and setting things in motion where I eventfully (through obedience) afterwards end up with bigger, better, and more beautiful experiences each and every time…and this has happened after each and every ‘failed’ relationship- both in business and in my love life.

The only way to truly prepare for bigger, better, and more beautiful experiences and blessings is to unload the weight from anger, guilt, fear, and negativity. We have to drain the venom from our minds and bodies that poisons us and everyone in our path. We have to forgive those who wronged us past and present. If you haven’t done it, if you haven’t let go, release that weight and start living your life fully…today!

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. All Rights Reserved.

theparadigmlife.wordpress.com
paradigmlife.blogspot.com
natashaforeman.com

By on

By Natasha L. Foreman, MBA

Photo Source: Corvallis Gazette Times/Associated Press

I smiled widely when I saw the Wall Street Journal’s article about the HP 12c financial calculator turning 30 this year. I smiled because I still have this calculator and yes, it still works! My father purchased it in the 1980s and I have kept it long after his 2001 passing. I also smiled because of the “hello” message (pictured here in this article) that took me down memory lane to my childhood when I used to practice spelling out words such as this whenever the calculator was not in use by my father. Of course this calculator was designed for more serious business but try telling that to an 8-or-9-year-old!

Sales of the very first HP 12c’s began in 1981, is still a handy tool for financial analysts and business professionals worldwide, and is still HP’s best-selling calculator of all-time.  The current price for this classic calculator is $78 from HP’s website, so it’s no wonder why HP users value it beyond it’s obvious super duper capabilities such as, “It runs on an unconventional operating system called “Reverse Polish Notation,” which eschews parentheses and equal signs in an effort to run long calculations more efficiently”.  Standard calculators cost approximately $10 and even HP’s rival, Texas Instruments’  BA II Plus- which is the only calculator that test-takers are allowed to take during the CFA exam, is a mere $28.

What is amazing is that my calculator is between 20 and 30 years old, and since 2001 I have not had to change the batteries once- so I can only imagine how few times if ever my father had to change it.  Wouldn’t it be amazing if I still had and used this calculator 30 to 40 years from now?

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703841904576257440326458056.html#ixzz1LzjbDDQI

Copyright 2011. Natasha L. Foreman. Rights Reserved.