Women With Know How August 2011 Issue

8/6/2019 Women With Know How August 2011 Issue

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Lynn DouthetSmall Business Administration-Distr

Director North Carolina District Ofc

Are LeadersBorn or Made?

Whats theOutlook forSocial Security?

August 2011


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From the publisherDear Readers,

This months cover story is a truly remarkable woman,

Lynn Douthett, Regional Director of the North Caro-lina Small Business Administration.What she says isso true, that many of us in business under utilize theSBA.I hope this article will help you better understandall the wonderful resources available to you at theSBA!

This is also the launch of our new logo and newdesign of our magazine.

Please email me your comments [email protected]. I welcome yourfeedback!!

Thank you to Moonlight Creative for designing ournew logo and to Christina de Castro and DustinShores for great design and photography. I amthrilled to be working with such a dynamic team!!

Like our facebook fan page, WWKH, and we will

give two Charlotte Seen Fashion Week VIP tickets to anew fan drawn randomly for the Month of August.

Have a great month.

Mimi

Mimi ZelmanPUBLISHER


3/40www.womenwithknowhow.com AUGUST 2011

Publisher/President

Mimi L. Zelman

[email protected]

Vice President Marketing

Wendy [email protected]

Design and Page Production

Dustin ShoresChristina de Castroof eSplash Marketing

Contributing Writers

Mary Elizabeth MurphyRobyn CriggerAmy WhathmanApril Oliver

Cover Photography

by Dustin Shores Photography

For more advertising information

call Mimi at 704-491-1207or email her at:

[email protected]

Copyright 2011

Content

COVER

Lynn DouthettSmall Business Administration-DistrictDirector North Carolina District Ofce

28

PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

Joy CampbellOwner of Natures Spa

4

Be Cautious Hiring ContractedHelp

8

Tastes So Good.Hurts SoBad

10

Are Leaders Born or Made?12

Whats the Outlook forSocial Security?

16

Has your Career Stalled?18

Feng Shui20

The New Workplace:Tomorrows Future24Every Dream Requires A Team!34

Savor the Season36


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How did you get started inthis business?It was kind of luck I guess. I havea friend Brad Cain, who runs apersonal training facility called YourFlex Appeal. He originally openedhis studio up here in Charlotte in2004 and had asked me if I wasinterested in renting a room from

him. I was ready to venture on myown right at that time, so I tookhim up on his offer. After about 2years at our original location, wewere forced to relocate in a shorttime due to new ownership of ourbuilding we were renting. We werelimited on the rightlocation to move to and movedinto a space much larger thaneither one of us needed. Brad had

decided to sublease some of hisspace out to an individual whoat last minute backed out. I sawthat as an opportunity to expandmy business and make my littlemassage studio into a massageand skin care spa. Constructionlasted about 5 months and ourgrand opening was on December17, 2007. I worked all day and

stayed until 1 in the morning afterconstruction was done to primeand painting the walls, stain all thewood in the spa and then the funpartdecorating. I built this placefrom nothing, and it has been sorewarding to watch it grow like ithas.

What is your background?What were you doing beforethis business?I did a few things before NaturesSpa, but everything I did wasbased around some of mypersonal experiences that changedmy life in some way or another andI wanted to help those with someof the same issues I had. I wasover weight in my younger years.

When I lost all my weight, I becamea group tness instructor and apersonal trainer in Florida whereI am originally from. I did that onand off for several years along withworking in the restaurantindustry. In 1997 I was involved inan automobile accident that left mewith a lot of pain and dysfunctionthat was unexplained in the

medical eld. Thats when I wasintroduced to Neuromuscular

Therapy. Within 6 months I wasback to normal and decided thenthat I wanted to become amassage therapist so I can helpothers who are frustrated and notsure if they can live a normal, painfree life. This has been an

incredible experience for me as Ihave helped many people regaintheir life back through massageand some personal training toeducate them on how to maintainthat state of health.

What are some interestingstatistics about yourbusiness?Wella few months after our

grand opening, the economy hadcrashed. Not expecting to makemy original goals, the spa hascontinuously made about a 30%gain each year. I attribute that tothe expertise of my incredible staff.

They are hard workers and aspassionate about their eld of workas I am and I feel truly blessedevery day to work with them.

PROFESSIONALSPOTLIGHT

Joy CampbellOwner of Natures SpaBy Mimi Zelman

Connect and Grow With Women In Our Community


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What is unusual or uniqueabout your business, incomparison to yourcompetitors or similarbusinesses?I think the fact that we are small,

we can tailor each session to eachindividuals needs. Our staff is

highly trained in manymodalities and comfortable inspeaking with the person theyare working with to offer a bettersuited treatment for them if thatswhat they need. It is not unusualfor us to throw in an extra addon service or some extra time ifwe have it. By being a small spa,its nice to have that luxury to beable to do that for our clients. Theother big thing that sets apart isour Charlottes exclusive 38 jet spatub. This is included in our entireaward winning body wraps andcan be added onto any massagetreatment as well. 20 minutes inthis tub and a massage, and youare in total bliss.

Is there a customer

experience you are mostproud of?

I wont say that this story I amabout to tell is the one I am mostproud of, but denitely the mostmemorable for me. I had an oldergentleman come in about 5 yearsago with a sour look on his face,folded arms and you could just tellthat he did not want to be here. Heeven said that he was here toappease his wife, whom I hadworked with at my last job, andnothing has worked yet, so whywould this? He wascomplaining of chronic back painand headaches which nothing hadrelieved his discomfort. He hasseen doctors, taken over thecounter and prescription painrelievers as well as donephysical therapy. I could not gethim to relax, and had to pull

information out of him. After therst session, he reluctantly saidthat there was some relief. Afterthe second session, I think hecracked a smile. Now he is amassage junkie and one of my verydear friends.

Do you do any charity or nonprot work?Most denitely. My goal has beento try to volunteer our servicesto some organization once everyquarter. We will usually set up ourchair massages and offer $1 aminute massages, and then donatethe money earned to theorganization. We work with somany individuals who are not as

fortunate as we are in our physicalhealth and it is nice to give back

to an organization they are a partof, or just to give back for a goodcause. We can usually donatemore money by working at theevent than we can bydonating monetarily. Were alsoable to help out moreorganizations this way as well.

Who are some of your mostnotable clients?I can honestly say that we havesome of the best clients around.Most everyone has been sosupportive in so many ways; I canteven begin to explain my grati-tude for them. Our clients rangefrom young children to seniors,from stay at home moms to profes-sionals to pro sport athletes. The

feedback and referrals they give uskeeps our passion alive.

What are some of yourgreatest challenges in your

business?The biggest challenge for me wasto try and compete in this crashedeconomy. It was only afew months after our grand open-ing that the economy fell and the

struggle has been very hard, yetrewarding. Although I do not have

www.womenwithknowhow.com AUGUST 2011

I wont say that thisstory I am about to

tell is the one I am

most proud of, but

denitely the most

memorable for me.


6/406 Connect and Grow With Women In Our Community

any kind of business background,I do have management experienceand learned a lot from past jobs tohelp me get through. My goal wasto operate a spa as I thought itshould be ranwith the customerrst, the best staff that I could nd,to use the best products and offer

treatments that would surpassthe bigger, more well known spanames around. With the help of myspa director Corie Rae, we haveaccomplished that.

What would you most likeour readers to know about

your journey in business?Before I became a business owner,I had a different thought processabout other business owners. Itruly thought that they made theirown schedules, had time to dowhat they wanted and enjoyed life.

WOW this was an eye opener. Itsquite the opposite. The hard work,the time it consumes, thenancial requirement it takes tokeep things going smoothly, is notwas I had in mind for me. I knewif was going to take some time tobuild things up, but had no idea

to the extent of it. My journey hasbeen a great one though. I havegrown in so many ways as aperson, manager and friend.

Although it can be overwhelmingat times, it has been a wonderful

journey with so much love andsupport from family, friends andclients that I am thrilled to havebeen lucky enough to experience

this in my lifetime.W

www.natures-spa.com

6311 Carmel Rd, Suite B

Charlotte NC 28226

704-542-7306


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Has your home been damaged during a recentstorm, or do you just need to have general repairsmade?There are simple effective steps that a personcan take to avoid being ripped off from an illegitimatecontractor.

Applying some quick research with the BetterBusiness Bureau and trusting your instincts can helpsave some problems. Also, try these 11 points toavoid getting scammed.

Take your time in choosing true professionals torepair your home.

Get estimates from several licensed, bondedcontractors.

Check their credentials with your local BetterBusiness Bureau or Home Builders Association.

Ask your neighbors what theyre paying for similarwork.

Inspect contractors licenses and proof of liabilityinsurance.

Get a contract in writing.

Avoid paying money up-front. Some reputablecontractors will require partial, up-front payment, butthese pre-work payments shouldnt exceed the costsof materials or 20 percent of the total estimate.

Follow local building codes and inspectionprocedures.

If anyone performs work on your house or propertywithout your permission, dont pay them, and contactyour local authorities.

Avoid signing over an insurance settlement checkto a contractor.

Immediately report any suspicious behavior to your

local police, sheriffs department and Allstate agent.W

For more information on insurance topics, post-stormhome recovery, or other safety topics, contact Allstateagent Kim Fewell at (980) 875-9385 or [email protected] Fewell

Agency Owner

Charlottetowne Insurance GroupAllstate Insurance1230 Charlottetowne AveCharlotte, NC 28204Ph: 980-875-9385Fax: 980-875-9802Email: [email protected]

Be Cautious Hiring

Contracted Help11 Checks to AvoidGetting Scammed


CAREER

By Kim Fewell


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If you have listened to any of my workshops orbeen around me for much time at all, you know

that I do not encourage processed foods at all.

I admit, I am not pure when it comes to processedfoods. I have had plenty and it has taken a few yearsto clean them out of my familys diet. We still are notperfect and have some minimally processed foodsaround. After all, I do have teenagers in the house.Having said that, there are going to be times that weall resort to packaged foods. Some of these foodsare better than others. Reading labels is very impor-

tant in purchasing the most healthful. Many packagedfoods that seem healthy often contain llers, preser-vatives and other ingredients you really dont wantin your diet. Try to choose products that have onlya handful of ingredients, all of which you know whatthey are. One test to know whether an ingredient ishealthy is to ask yourself whether your grandmotherwould recognize it. If not, there is a good chance theingredient is less natural food and more man-madechemical. Another good test is whether or not youcan easily pronounce theingredient. If you cant pronounce it or dont know

what it is, chances are you should avoid it.When I shop, I read labels. Being a health and nutri-tion coach, I also do research on ingredients that Idont know what they are. I have a little book thatis a couple of inches think and lists thousands andthousands of ingredients that are allowed in our food,our skin care products and our household cleaners.

That little book is enough to scare me when it comesto discovering what ingredients are and what I haveeaten over my lifetime that I was fully unaware of.

The list is long of what we should be watching for, butthere are some that are very common that you canpick out right away. Learning to identify theseingredients and knowing what they do will help you

start cleaning out your pantry today.W

For more dietary consultation, Vickie may becontacted at www.YourBalancedHealthStyle.com704-995-1951.

Vickie BunzeyCertifed Holistic Health CoachDirector, Renew Weight Losswww.RenewWeightLoss.comwww.YourBalancedHealthstyle.comwww.SimpleWholeFoodNutrition.com704-708-4437704-995-1951 Cell

Tastes So

Good.Hurts So Bad

WELLNESS

By Vickie Bunzey


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inuencing and motivating others, effectivepresentation skills, self-awareness, and businessacumen, to name a few. Im sure each of youhave at least 5 other skills that you could addto this list. These skills can be learned throughleadership training programs.



LEADERSHIPLeadership development is an effort to enhancethe learners capacity to lead oneself, other indi-viduals, groups and organizations. This leader-ship training can also improve their procienciesin variety ways from an operational and strategicstandpoint. Furthermore, it can also assist themwith the development of a set of values which

may help him/her to make more condent andsolid business decisions.Marshall Goldsmith and Howard Morgan studiedthe progress of 88,000 managers who had beento leadership development training. The peoplewho returned from the training, talked about it,and did deliberate work to apply their learningwere judged as becoming more effective lead-ers. The ones who didnt showed no improve-ment.

If youre responsible for the development of lead-ers (or high potentials) in your organization, youshould structure your support for your leaders torecognize that most leadership learning happenson the job. Help individuals develop leadership

development plans. Help them select specicskills training and then nd work on transferringskills from the training room to the job. Help themnd role models, mentors, and colleagues whowill discuss leadership issues with them.A true leader understands that they simply can-not rest on their laurels. Theyll never be donebecause theres always more to learn. Their jour-

ney is one of continuous improvement.W

Amy WarthamDirector o Corporate Training UNC CharlotteExtended Academic Programs8701 Mallard Creek RoadCharlotte, NC 28262

Oce: 704-687-8723Cell: [email protected]

http://continuinged.uncc.edu/corporate


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Will Social Security be available foryou when you retire?Based on how much chatter and misinformationsurrounds the subject, you may be surprised bythe answer. Barring dramatic changes, SocialSecurity will continue to provide benets for allfuture retirees, including you. The real question

is how much you will receive in benets.

A pay as you go program

It is important to understand just how SocialSecurity is structured. While the system facesnancial challenges due in large part to demo-graphic trends of a large baby boomer popula-tion retiring, it is not going broke as many havestated.

The primary source of benets for current re-tirees is the Social Security (FICA) tax paid byworking Americans. This is an ongoing source ofrevenue for the program. Therefore, benets willbe available indenitely assuming the FICA taxremains in place.What concerns forecasters is that, along with on-going tax receipts, the Social Security program

has become increasingly dependent on a trustfund that has been building for decades. Thetrust fund is a pool of money that represents theexcess of tax receipts generated over the yearsbeyond what was needed to pay current bene-ts. As the large baby boomer population beginsto retire, the trust fund will slowly be depleted inorder to fulll all promised benets to retirees.

Life after the trust fund

The only part of Social Security that is goingbroke is the trust fund. It is projected that if nochanges to benets or the tax structure occur,the trust fund will be depleted by about 2037.

The trust fund has faced challenges before. Inthe 1980s, changes to the tax rate and benetseligibility were put in place in order to delay the

potential depletion of the trust fund. It is possiblethat additional changes will be implemented atsome point in the future to extend the life of thetrust fund and maintain benet levels that areclose to what future retirees expect to receive.But even if the trust fund is exhausted, benetsshould continue. The Social Security Adminis-tration estimates that ongoing revenues to theprogram (through the FICA tax) will generate

Whats the

Outlook forSocial Security?


FINANCE

By April M. OliverCFP CERTIFIED FINANCIAL

PLANNER


17/40

sufcient dollars to provide benets equal to atleast 75% of what future retirees would expectto receive based on the current structure after2037.

Planning ahead

The ongoing uncertainty about funding for SocialSecurity creates issues for those who are tryingto plan for their needs in retirement. While youshould be able to count on some form of SocialSecurity well into the future, it is prudent to useconservative estimates. Assume that monthlypayments will be only about 75% of what youmay have previously anticipated, and plan onovercoming the gap with dollars generated bypersonal savings. This may require you to com-mit more dollars toward your retirement, even

though some form of Social Security will mostlikely be around for you when you retire.W

April Oliver, CFPCERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitionerAdvisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. resi-dents only in the states o CA, CO, FL, IA, MD, MI, MO,NC, NY, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA.

Brokerage, investment and nancial advisory

services are made available through AmeripriseFinancial Services, Inc. Member FINRA andSIPC. Some products and services may not beavailable in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rightsreserved.



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If you have found yourself feelingadrift, like Tom Hanks in the middle of

the ocean in the movie Castaway, not

knowing where you are or where you

are going, it may be time to re-evaluate

your career path. The sluggish businessclimate has caused many in the working world to

be in a lull. However, if you believe your situa-tion is beyond stagnant, what can you do?

The recession has caused many to become disil-lusioned and frustrated. This is normal, and youcan be rejuvenated with some fresh ideas, in-teraction with respected colleagues, and devel-oping strategic steps to move you toward yourcareer goals.

How would you respond if asked where you wantto be in three years? What will it take to get youthere? Are you competing with other co-workersfor in-house opportunities? It is good to knowexactly where you stand. Ask some of yourgood supporters or fellow company associatesto coach or mentor you with constructive direc-tion.

What are you doing personally to develop yourfull potential? Though it is good to build solidrelationships with higher executives within yourcompany, it would also be helpful to reach out-side of your rm and seek strong professionalsin your eld, who can stretch your skills evenfurther maybe take on a community project tochallenge yourself.

Dont forget to consider taking additional educa-tional classes and seminars to keep you currentand well informed. Some of these educationalvenues may even provide you with additionalcertications.

Another way to energize your career is by read-ing books, business publications, and whitepages to see what others in your eld are doing

and exploring. In order to move up that ladder,you need to be current and possibly be a part ofthat cutting edge.

Dont forget to get out and network with bothprofessional organizations and individual profes-sionals, who are in-the-know. Personal ex-changes with high prole business leaders aregreat ways to keep you informed, challenged,

Has your Career

Stalled?


BUSINESS

By Robyn Crigger,CEO

Compass Career ManagementSolutions OI Partners Inc.


19/40

and updated.Or it may be time to meet with a Career Coach,who can help you evaluate what career is bettersuited for you. A Career Coach can recognizesigns that determine if you are just in a rut;need some motivational support in getting your-self back on track, or make a major change.

Bottom line In order to reach your full poten-tial and grow professionally you need to takeinitiatives yourself. Be responsible for your ownwelfare. Invest in yourself!!!

It is easy to get caught up with your daily workroutine and forget to take the time and effort togrow your natural abilities. Mix with other pro-fessionals and exchange intellectual ideas andquestions. You can learn so much from each

other. Otherwise, the routine of sitting at your joband going home will denitely put your careerpath to sleep. Light your own re and stimulateyour career!W

Robyn Crigger has owned a human resource-consulting rm for over 17 years and providescareer counseling and job transition assistanceto individuals and company employees. Thisline of work is a true passion for Robyn and aform of contribution to the community.

Robyn A. Crigger, CEO/OwnerOI Partners Inc.-Compass Career Management Solutionswww.compasscareer.comVISIT ROBYNS BLOG --http://transitionalbusinessconcerns.blogspot.com704) 849-2500; FAX (704) 845-2420



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Feng Shui is a practice used to create spacesthat are attractive, comfortable, and harmoni-

ous with their environment. Translated, FengShui means wind and water, and the principlesprovide practical guidelines for Home Stagingand decorating.

I run into a lot of people who are interested in thepractice which is often referred to as acupunc-ture for the house or the art of placement.Conversely, Ive met a few people who dontbelieve in it at all. Feng Shui is not an etherealidea. It is rooted in thousands of years of history,and has evolved through the years to providepractical applications of principals in todayshousing environments.

The philosophy is simple: everything is alive, in-terconnected and changing. It is about achiev-ing balance and success in all areas of life.

The most commonly used principals of FengShui when Staging or decorating a house are the

command position and armchair arrangementsfor furniture placement; the Five Elements: Fire,Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood - which are repre-sented by colors, shapes & materials that mustbe balanced; and the positive, free ow of Chi(energy).

Ancient Feng Shui masters studied the land, theslopes of mountain ranges and curves of riversto identify what they then referred to as dragonveins. They used this technique to identify aus-

picious sites for emperors tombs believingthat future generations would prosper. Certaincongurations of hills, valleys and rivers wereconsidered fortunate, others were consideredunlucky. Over time, these principals were ap-plied to housing sites and eventually to interiorspaces.

The command position refers to an area in a

Feng Shui


REAL ESTATE

By Carol SchulenbergOwner & Principal Stager

Ballantyne Home Staging ASP

They cannot existwithout the other and

must be in balance.



room that has a commanding view of the space.Look around and determine where in a room youwould be able to see everything going on peo-ple coming in or leaving, all activity this is yourcommand position. Generally, this will be alonga solid wall and/or the tallest wall. The armchairarrangement refers to having your largest pieceof furniture in a room such as a sofa or bed in thecommand position. The piece is then balancedon each side with similarly sized and shapeditems that are slightly taller than your primarypiece of furniture, such as end tables or nightstands with lamps. The nal touch is to hang wallart above the furniture. The overall result of thisarrangement is an outline similar to the shape ofan armchair. By combining the command posi-tion and armchair arrangement, which are bothbased upon the ideas of those ancient Feng

Shui masters seeking auspicious burial sites for

their emperors, is to provide balance and protec-tion.

The ve elements are water,

wood, re, earth, metal.Each element creates or enhances another and

each element can destroy another. This is whybalancing these elements through the use ofshapes, materials and colors are a practical ap-plication of Feng Shui in todays world.Energy: Chi is considered good energy repre-sented in all things. It ows freely meanderinglike a river, ows down hill, and can sometimesbe directed. Sha Chi is negative or harmful en-ergy caused by blocked, constricted, improperlydirected, or too much & too forceful energy. Yinrepresents the passive principals in nature and

is associated with femininity, while Yang repre-



sents the active principals in nature and is asso-ciated with masculinity. They cannot exist withoutthe other and must be in balance.

There are a variety of tools available for thosewho want to incorporate Feng Shui into theirlives:

ColorUsed to create balance and is brought into aroom with wall art, accessories, area rugs, andlamps.

Live plants and owersrepresent life and abundance. From a practicalviewpoint, live plants can also absorb moisture

in areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. Thebest plants to use in these areas are uprightgrowing.

Waterfeatures are used for their calming effect, andthe moving water attracts Chi. Water featuresrepresent wealth and prosperity, and are oftenused in an entrance area, a home ofce or out-side near the front door.

Mirrors and crystalsUsed to attract, slow down and redirect Chi. Becareful to not place a mirror incorrectly as thiswill have the opposite effect of attracting nega-tive energy.

Mixed materialsBy mixing woods, metal, ceramic, and glassyou can create both balance and an impressiveroom!W

Carol SchulenbergOwner & Principal StagerBallantyne Home StagingASP, CYH Color Consultant, Certifed Decorating

ProessionalPhone: 980-322-5825

www.ballantynehomestaging.com



Several key trends intechnology, globalization,workforce demographics andsocietal shifts have causedtodays workplace to undergomassive shifts in the midst of

lingering fundamental reformand continued economicuncertainty.

For the rst time in our nationshistory women represent nearlyhalf of the U.S. workplace. Ac-cording to the Center for Ameri-can Progress, working mothershave become key breadwin-ners or co-breadwinners innearly two-thirds of Americanfamilies.1 As CEOs and work-place leaders we must consid-er how these trends and other

fundamental shifts will impactour companies going forward.Have you given thought to thefollowing?

How will we work and live inthe future? What critical talentcapabilities exist in your organi-zation now?

How compelling is your work-place in attracting, developingand retaining leading talent?What it the strength of yourworkplace brand?How agile is your workplaceculture in redeploying talent toexecute strategy effectively?

While each warrants our con-

sideration we must not neglectthe anticipated impact of otherworkforce trends; each add-ing another level of complex-ity while also presenting newopportunities to increase ourrespective organizations futurecompetitiveness.

When the Boom Hits

Your company may currently bebeneting from the explosionof mobile technologies and theexpertise that the culmination offour diverse generations bringsto your workplace. Yet accord-ing to the U.S. Census Bureauand the U.S. Department ofLabor the domestic working

age population is expected tosee slower growth rates of 1%through 2015. The working agepopulation in countries such asFrance, Russia, Italy, the Neth-erlands, South Korea and Spaincontinue to decline. Accordingto the United Nations World/Population Prospects databaseJapan and Germany are ex-

pected to drop by 14% and 7%respectively by 2025.

While some baby boomers areexpected to delay retirement,an estimated skills gap short-fall in excess of 30 million U.S.workers will still exist. Com-petition for highly skilled talentis only going to increase. AsCEOs and business leaders we

need to adapt to the changingenvironment and have severalscenarios in place. We need toplan ahead and design a tal-ent management blueprint thatinfuses our business strategieswhile leveraging adaptablescenarios, all while prioritizinginvestments and exceeding

The New Workplace:

Tomorrows Future

BUSINESS

By Judy White


25/40

customer needs. We needto re-evaluate how we denevalue, how we approach talent.

Understand and Strengthen

Rather than focusing on agegaps within our workforces,we need to think through thevarious strengths and capabili-ties that each generation hasto offer. We must rst seek tounderstand our people anddesign a workplace culture thatencourages people from vari-ous generations to work andadapt together, each bringinga unique way of thinking and

doing. The result will be freshideas and a greater apprecia-tion for the knowledge and tal-

ent that each individual bringsto the workplace community.

Changing with the Times

The information era has creatednew opportunities and forever

changed the way in whichwe view and do work. Thenew workplace is less abouta physical location, and moreabout the ability to connect withcolleagues and leading expertsaround the globe from virtu-ally anywhere. Face-to-faceinteraction is not going to fadeaway. However executives andfront-line managers must effec-

tively build and manage teamscomprised of various culturesand even native languages.

Critical Talent Segments

Companies continue to rely ontemporary workers and free-lancers for exibility in manag-ing work volumes and efcien-cies in an uncertain economic

environment. The USA Today2released data from the Bureauof Labor Statistics reportingthat of the 593,000 jobs addedby private employers betweenSeptember and October 2010,68% were lled by workersplaced by temporary-stafngagencies; this constitutes anincrease of 404,000 workers.

With these shifts, loyalty canbecome a serious concernamong existing workers who




may view their positions injeopardy of being outsourcedor eliminated. Leaders needto exercise caution and focuson existing workers as wellas not to alienate critical staffmembers who may be keep-ing their options open with the

anticipated improvement of theeconomy.

What Next?

Weve read the statistics.Weve seen and heard the mar-ket trends. What can we do asCEOs, as business leaders, toprepare our companies for the

future?

Revisit Your Company Values

& Make Any Necessary

Adjustments- Are the company values rel-evant to the future youenvision?- Do our leaders reect thesevalues in their behaviors,

communication, and leader-ship?- How does our workforce per-ceive these values?

Create an Integrated Talent-

Management Roadmap-Create a strategic overviewand design of your companyspeople management disciplineand workplace architecture.

Conduct a Strategic Talent

Inventory and Workforce Plan-Provide holistic insight intoyour actual capabilities throughanalysis of internal vs. externalsupply and demand, engage-ment, performance and neededskill mix to make the companyadaptable for the future.

A exible workplace culture

that can enable performance

potential to execute business

objectives goes far beyond

ex-arrangements, job sharing

and telecommunicating.Pro-actively addressing the strate-gic and broader implicationsof these trends can secure astructural and communicationpipeline of capabilities, fuelperformance improvements,

and attain desired results.

Every investment into your

business matters. Treatingtalent and culture with the same

rigor as other nancial consid-erations can help you prioritizethe necessary investmentsneeded to achieve your busi-ness strategy now and in thefuture.W

Judy White, SPHR, GPHR, HCSis the founder and president ofThe Infusion Group LLC, atrusted partner in helping peo-ple and leaders create thrivingworkplaces t for the future.The Infusion Group bringsnew possibilities in workplaceservices and talent manage-ment solutions to achieve per-

sonalized business strategiesthat connect people to whatmatters most.Whites globalexpertise with award-winningorganizations expands acrossa number of industry sectorsincluding health insurance,health care and Fortune 500global manufacturing. She isan author of numerous articlesand a member of several globa

professional associations.



2011 All rights reserved.Judy White, SPHR, GPHR, HCSis the President of The InfusionGroup LLC, a next genera-tion strategic people manage-ment consulting and executivecoaching rm based in theRaleigh/Durham, NC area. Part-

nering with leaders and orga-nizations in designing the newworkplace to have meaningfulimpact on people, businessesand society. More informationabout The Infusion Group isavailable at www.theinfusion-groupllc.com .

Notes:1Center For American Progress,The Shriver Report, A WomansNation Changes Everything,October 16, 2009.2 The USA Today, FreelanceWorkers Reshape CompaniesJobs, Paul Davidson, October

13, 2010.

Judy White, SPHR, GPHR, HCSFoundere Inusion Group, LLCInuse. Excel. rive.T-Free: 877.628.FUSE (3873)Fax: 877.628.3873Mail: P.O. Box 233Apex, NC 27502Email:[email protected]: e Future WorkplaceVisit Website: e Inusion GroupLLC


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Lynn DouthettSmall Business Administration-DistrictDirector North Carolina District Ofce

By Vilma Betancourt-Oday


As a young woman, Lynn Douthett watched withintensity as her mother managed and grew hersuccessful dry cleaning business. She learnedabout having tenacity, one of many importantcharacter traits one must possess in order tobecome a successful entrepreneur. As a resultof her observations and work experiences begin-ning at a young age, a strong ethical compasswas born and today it continues to grow andstrengthen. Life experiences often provide a

Masters in Business without the formal academicprogram, Lynn mentioned as we discussed thatwomen must be prepared and how we shouldall continue educating ourselves along the way.Staying informed of market trends and the eco-nomic challenges small businesses are facingrequires reading recent business publications,magazines, and newspapers satisfying her con-stant thirst as the proverbial student.Lynn suggests that prior to opening your rst


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small business, individuals do their homeworkand ask themselves some of the following ques-tions: 1) Do I have the support (nancial andemotional) to run a business? 2) Am I passionateabout the products or services I will be providingto my clients? (This is a compelling piece of thepuzzle) 3) What differentiates my business frommy competitors?; 4) What are the costs and ben-

ets of starting a business? 4) Is there a demandfor my products and/or services in the currentmarket to create a sustainable business?

Q: What other advice would you give to wom-en who are considering entering the world ofentrepreneurship?

A: Take advantage of the local resources avail-able in your community to help support you inthe journey. SCORE, the Small Business Technol-

ogy and Development Center and the WomensBusiness Centers are SBA partners who offerfree and condential one-on-one counseling.They can help an entrepreneur navigate gettingstarted, developing a business plan, reviewingmarketing strategies and evaluating nancialprojections that a banker would consider if aloan is needed in their future. The North CarolinaCommunity College system has Small BusinessCenters at 58 campuses statewide. Classes andcounseling are available for women in all stages

of the journey. The NC Department of Commercehas a service called Business Link North Caro-lina, BLINC (www.blnc.gov) which helps busi-nesses throughout the state get connected withlocal resources in their area.A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with aBachelors Degree in Business Administration,Lynn worked in the banking industry.

Q: You worked in the banking industry for 15years. As a female banker, what are some of

the challenges you had to face and how did youovercome them?

A: The challenges I faced are the same asmany women doing business in a male dominat-ed world. Building ones credibility and brandcan be a hurdle depending on your position andnetwork within the organization. It requires be-ing prepared, going the extra mile, and workingat a high level as a team player as well as team

leader. This sends a signal that your work prod-uct and your commitment are to be respected.Consistency in this approach over time will paydividends especially if you are willing to takeon assignments that are challenging with somevisibility. Identifying a mentor who can assistwith securing these types of work assignmentsis helpful. Remaining exible, adaptable with a

positive approach in an ever changing environ-ment is essential.After exiting from the banking world, in 1991Lynn started a small decorative painting busi-ness.

Q: As a Small Business owner providing spe-cialty painting services, you marketed yourservices to residential and commercial clients.What are some of the lessons you learned as anentrepreneur? How do these experiences af-

fect decisions you, as the North Carolina DistrictDirector for the Small Business Administration(SBA), make that affect businesses, small andlarge?

A: Many lessons as an entrepreneur hold truefor the work I do today. Understanding the needsof the customer is number one. This requireseffective communication skills in order to accom-plish their goals and objectives. In addition fol-lowing through on what I have committed to do

and completing my projects on time. Attentionto detail. Having a vision for where the businessis going and plan outlining the strategies to getthere reduced the risk of failure. These simplelessons translate at SBA. Putting our small busi-ness customer rst and understanding what theyneed is essential. Each year the SBA DistrictOfce executes a plan to leverage our resourcesin order to help small business start, grow andsucceed. We work with our partners such aslenders, Federal, State, and local agencies,chambers and trade associations/organizationsthroughout the state to deliver access to capital,government contracting opportunities and coun-seling/training events that support the our smallbusiness community throughout the state.

In 1997 you joined the Small Business Adminis-tration Charlotte ofce and managed the SBAsNational Call Center.



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Q: How did you transition from a specialtypainting business to joining the SBAs NationalCall Center as the Manager?

A: The SBA National Call Center located inCharlotte is responsible for answering entre-preneurs questions in various stages of theirbusiness journey. Whether it is obtaining a busi-

ness license, learning how to do business withthe government or how to secure nancing SBAprovides many programs and services to meetthese needs. My banking background and mybusiness experience had laid a good founda-tion of knowledge to build on when I joined SBA.Transitioning into this role took six months as Iwas on a steep learning curve becoming familiarwith how the SBA lending programs and govern-ment contracting programs worked. The big

challenge was moving from the mindset of beingyour own boss, responsible for how you allocateyour time and resources to answering to a bosswho was responsible for making the decisions Ipreviously made. Being a team player and rec-ognizing that it is just important to be a followeras it is to be the leader was the approach I took

in handling this mindset change.You bring corporate and small business experi-

ence to your position as the SBAs District Direc-tor for the State of North Carolina.

Q: Has your diverse background in the bank-ing and entrepreneurship prepared you for thisleadership role?

A: It has taught me that it is important to askkey questions in order to bring people together,ll gaps, and get them the resources they needto create a win-win situation. For example whennancing a small business, an entrepreneurneeds to step into the shoes of the banker andentrepreneur. Being able to understand andspeak the language of credit enables me under-stand the requirements the lender needs fullledand explain that easily to a small business.

Collaborating and building strong relationshipswith partners creates a network for small busi-ness to tap into that can provide them valuableexpertise and knowledge. Using the network isan important tool that we strategically work toenhance. Finding good mentors or working withour network of partners helps a business face



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the many challenges with valuable support.

Q: In facilitating loans and its particular termswith each lender, how have your banking skillshelped you in the negotiation process? Pleaseshare a success story with us.

A: SBA does not negotiate with lenders di-rectly for a small business if they need nancing.

We can recommend three or four bankers for theowner to talk to about a loan. The bank and theentrepreneur will decide together if the nancingterms and conditions are the right t for the busi-ness. A good example of this is Leonard Building.Leonard Buildings and Truck Accessories inMount Airy, NC took advantage of SBTDC coun-seling and an SBA loan. In 2009, after a 30%drop in sales at their retail outlets, they turned to

the SBTDC to examine their situation and workwith the management team to create a plan. Therm concentrated on online marketing, exploredgovernment contracting, and started a brandnew Rent-To-Own business model. To supportthis new effort, they obtained a $1,000,000 SBAloan from Surrey Bank & Trust in 2011. These

changes helped Leonard to increase sales dra-matically, and hire 57 additional employees.The SBAs website has been updated and is

now very user-friendly. A wealth of informationcan be found at www.sba.gov. One of the manyresources available includes online training andother business tools, including evaluating yourbusiness skills: strengths and weaknesses.

Q: You are passionate about working behindthe scenes creating change and streamliningprocesses. What changes, if any, can we expecfrom the SBA in reference to the certicationprocess?

A: Our nancing products are continually be-ing evaluated as to how we can reduce the pa-perwork and processing time for a loan to be ap-proved. SBA is working with our lenders today to

improve our contract lines of credit. We want toincrease the use of this program by our lendingcommunity so that they have another resourceto use if they customer needs a loan guaranty toget the deal done.This is also true for our government contract-ing and business development programs. The



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new womens certication process establishedin February 2011 will continue to have enhance-ments and upgrades added as we see howprocess is working. In North Carolina over 400WOSB have submitted certication documentsinto the repository for contracting specialists toaccess. This certication has established newbenets and opportunities for women in business

sectors that have been underserved. These aretwo examples of how SBA works to respond tothe changing market conditions faced by smallbusiness.The SBA has a network of resource partners thatcan assist business owners with marketing theirproducts or services, obtain loans and managingtheir business along with many other services.The greatest part? Most of their services are freeof charge all you have to do is ask!!

SBA Programs

SBA offers programs to support the diverseneeds of small business owners. From this pageyou can access information on programs relatedto technical, nancial, contracting, educationand disaster assistance, as well as special inter-ests, advocacy and civil rights compliance.Financial Assistance

All businesses require money to get off theground and to continue to grow. SBAs resourceshelp you research loan programs, explore op-tions around export nancing, learn more aboutSmall Business Investment Companies (SBICs),and determine ...

Small Business Audiences

SBA has programs and resources for everyone,regardless of age, gender, race, and nancialstatus. Explore the options to nd out how SBAcan help you turn your business idea into a vi-able enterprise or expand your current businessfor ...

Counseling & Training

Every business owner needs guidance duringthe start up and running of their business. SBAsOfce of Entrepreneurial Development helpsbusinesses start, grow and compete in globalmarkets by providing quality training, counselingand ...

Contracting

Working with the federal government can pro-vide many opportunities to small businesses. Tohelp business owners work effectively with gov-ernment, the Ofce of Government and GeneralContracting works with Government Contractingand Business ...

Disaster Assistance

Disasters can wipe out a small business in sec-onds. To help protect small business owners,SBAs Ofce of Disaster Assistance (ODA) pro-vides affordable, timely and accessible nancialassistance to homeowners, renters, and busi-nesses. ...



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Lets make a plan! Whether youre singleor just starting out in the working world, a stay-at-home mom or mompreneur, a working motheror considering your next chapter, its still impor-tant to keep everything on track. Time manage-ment, activity coordination and planning are thekeys to a successful plan.

So rst, get a pad of paper and a pen. Have aseat. Pour yourself a nice glass of tea, water orwine. On the rst piece of paper, please writethe following: I cannot do everything by myself.

The successful women of the world are seen asbootstrappers, women who had a dream andmuscled their way through glass ceilings to buildmulti-million dollar empires. What they dontshow you on TV is what happens behind thescenes. Successful women are headstrong, yes;

they are innovative, creative people, certainly;they are do-it-her-selfersto a point. But atsome moment in time, all of these women guredout that one simple credo: I cannot do every-thing by myself.

Tear that rst piece of paper off the pad, butdont put it too far out of sight. Youll need it aswe move along. Next, think about your friends,

your co-workers, your colleagues and counter-parts in the eld. Who would you put on yourdream team? What kind of a support groupwould you need in order to succeed on the levelyoud like? The people on your list must be sup-portive, they must be driven, and they must beas gung-ho as you are to achieve your goals.Remember, if your friends cannot be supportivein these ways, then do not include them on your

team.

Get yourself a Dream Team with specic abili-ties. In superhero lingo, wed call these specialpowers. Have one of your heroes be a memberwho is very organized and knows how to createa functional, comprehensive and easy-to-followtimeline. Without organization and discipline,your team will not succeed. Second, nd a herowith the contacts and connections necessary to

achieve your goals. Business or personal suc-cess is not only about who you know; anyoneon LinkedIn will tell you that its also about whoknows the people that you know.

One of your team members must be a cheer-leader of the highest order. He or she must bea like-minded individual who sees the value ofyour dream and wants it realized. Dont mistake

Every Dream

Requires ATeam!


BUSINESS

By Mary ElizabethMurphy


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this cheerleader for a yes-man, however. Hisor her job is to call you to task. Too tired? Toodistracted? You need a team member who willnot let you off the hook. When things just arentworking out, that cheerleader also needs to bea good set of ears for you. Lets face it when youneed to vent, you need to vent!

Now that you have your dream team laid out onyour pad of paper, send out a few emails or textmessages. Invite them to your ofce or out tolunch for an initial meeting, and share your goalswith each of them. For those willing to join yourteam, determine which person demonstrateswhich special power and assign roles. You willwant to schedule regular meetings so that eachone of you can stay on task and on track. Mostimportantly, be respectful of time, both your

teams and your own. Show up when you sayyou will and be done on time. Arrive early andleave late. Dont expect them to dedicate them-selves to a goal you havent demonstrated dedi-cation to.

When you have found and formed your dreamteam, your focus should remain on the goalyouve set for yourself. If someone isnt workingout as a team member even if that someone isyourself its time to reevaluate both your team

and your goal. Maintain your focus and focus

those around you. Frustration, anxiety and angstare all allowed. Excuses are not.

Nothing kills a dream faster or more assuredlythan trying to achieve it on your own. Build yourdreams and goals as high as you dare; buildyour Dream Team before you begin your pursuitof them. W

Mary Elizabeth Murphy is Managing Director ofS.T.A.R. Resources, a performance managementconsulting, coaching and education rm thatspecializes in creating environments in whichpeople want to work. An expert at helping indi-viduals and organizations to earn more, producemore and achieve more, she is the author ofRESET Your Buttons. You can reach Mary Eliza-beth at 704-535-5610 or [email protected].

Mary Elizabeth Murphy, CPCC, ORSCCManaging DirectorS.T.A.R. Resources - Strategic Teams Achieving ResultsCreating Environments in which People Want to Work Since1993




FamilyFeatures

Grilling can bring so much more to the table than basicbrats and burgers.In these recipes, cookbook author and celebritychef Nick Stellino uses a few key ingredients that add new dimensions of

avor to seafood, steak and even salad. He calls on olive oil and vinegarsfrom Pompeian to make savory marinades and zesty seasonings that willmake you truly savor the grilling season.

Olive oil, a key component of the Mediterranean Diet, is a great way to fol-low the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which urge people tocut back on saturated fats and recommend an increase in monounsaturatedfats. For more of Chef Stellinos recipes, as well as how-to videos, visit www.pompeian.com and Like Pompeian on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Pompeian.


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Skewered Shrimp with Black Bean-Lemon RiceServes 4

Marinade/Dressing:3/4 cup Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil1/4 cup Pompeian Red Wine Vinegar3 tablespoons lemon juice2 medium garlic cloves, minced1 1/2 teaspoons salt3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Skewers:24 large raw, headless, peeled shrimp, with tails on (about 1 pound)24 whole green onions, trimmed to 6 inches in length24 cherry tomatoes2 poblano chili peppers, seeded and cut into 24 pieces8 12-inch bamboo skewers, soaked in water

Rice: 3 cups hot cooked brown rice15 ounces canned black beans, rinsed and drained1/4 cup chopped cilantro3 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Whisk marinade ingredients in small bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup mixture in separate bowl and set aside.Place shrimp in a resealable plastic bag, pour marinade over shrimp, seal tightly and coat well. Refriger-ate 30 minutes, turning frequently.

Remove shrimp from marinade (reserving marinade). Place shrimp on skewers, alternating with toma-toes, chilies and onions (folded in half).

Preheat grill on high heat. Brush skewers with reserved marinade and cook 4 to 5 minutes on each sideor until shrimp are opaque in center.

Place remaining marinade in a small saucepan on the grill to heat slightly. Toss rice with black beans,cilantro and lemon zest.

To serve: Top rice with skewers and spoon remaining marinade over skewers.



The Queen City gears up once again for the 4th Annual Charlotte North Carolina Fashion Weekwith an impressive line-up of talented designers from around the region. This year the show will takeplace at the Pavilion in the Epicentre Entertainment complex in Uptown Charlotte September 21-24,2011 and will feature more than 20 unique designers and several local boutiques. Designs featuredin the show will include everything from high-end denim jeans, elegant cocktail dresses and eveninggowns, to wedding dresses and hand-detailed couture dresses and green designs. The AmericanCancer Society will kick-off the event on Wednesday night with a fundraiser beneting their Cure byDesign initiative, an event in which the local fashion, design, and retail communities join forces with

the corporate community to benet the American Cancer Society. The goal of Charlotte NC FashionWeek is to provide local, regional, and national designers as well as models, stylists, and makeupartists an opportunity to present their talent and reach a broader market of fashion consumers andthe media states Anthony Simons, the events director. Tickets range between $25 and $75 andcan be purchased for each day or as a three day package. For more information visit www.Charlot-teNCFashionWeek.com

4th Annual North Carolina

Fashion Week


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Documents

Women With Know How August 2011 Issue