Category Archives: leadership

Black Business Owners: Digitize Your Business for New Market Growth

February 12, 2023communities of color, entrepreneurships, leadership, small business, strategic planning, strengthsbarkadacreative

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By Pon Angara, VisionReady storyteller

“Despite the ingenuity and striving of generations, Black Americans have found their opportunities systematically limited by racial inequities in virtually every aspect of society and the economy.”

— Senior partner Shelley Stewart and senior partner emeritus James Manyika from their report “Building business ecosystems that support Black entrepreneurs” published by McKinsey & Company

Dismantling the barriers that have kept Black Americans from fully participating in the US economy could unleash a wave of growth, dynamism, and productivity. One of the most important pillars in this effort, according to authors Stewart and Manyika, is building business capabilities and facilitating knowledge sharing.

Organizations working to support equity in entrepreneurship can compensate Black service providers to lead these capability-building efforts. This work would protect and strengthen Black-owned businesses and build business networks with Black-owned SMBs as hubs.

The private and social sectors—particularly anchor institutions—could provide resources, including help with re-skilling and up-skilling Black-owned businesses’ workers, to make Black-owned SMBs nimbler. On-the-job training and web-based courses are both resources that can be easily shared among multiple businesses. Business-services providers could also facilitate digital transformations to help Black business owners identify new market opportunities.

VisionReady works with communities of color to guide them in digitizing their businesses. Learn how we can provide strategic planning that creates a blueprint for your company’s digital transformation, capacity building, and market share growth.

For more information, send an email to info@visionready.org or call (305) 791-2610. You can read the full report at www.mckinsey.com.

Managing Change Begins with Listening

January 29, 2023communication, leadershipbarkadacreative

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By Pon Angara, VisionReady storyteller

As a child growing up in the Philippines, I enjoyed listening to the adults in my family tell stories. I recall one afternoon when relatives came to visit. My cousins were outside playing while I was sprawled on the floor of the living room drawing pictures on sheets of paper that Dad brought home from work. He and Mom sat with my aunts and uncles around the table to enjoy a light merienda of rice cakes and fruit juice. I remember trying hard to stay still and quiet while listening in awe to stories about their lives in the rural provinces. Having been raised in urban Manila, I was transfixed by new images conjured from the imagination of a young mind. At the same time, I was transported to a new place.

Listening to a live storyteller is like opening a human book. Not only do you get the words, but you also get the actual emotions from their voices and facial expressions. The Human Library Organization is a global movement that uses the power of personal storytelling to foster dialogue about social issues. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, the organization secures spaces in libraries, educational institutions, and conferences for people to engage in transformative storytelling.

The goal for storytelling is three-fold: to spark conversation, to change people’s perceptions, and to influence their behavior. We must transport them to a different place where they gain a new consciousness and a new human perspective.

Listening to those who can affect change is the first step to engaging them. It opens the door for them to be heard which in turn opens a window for them to listen.

Story begets story. It’s an emergent form of communication that naturally sparks conversation. The more stories are shared, the more learning happens to change people’s worldview.

Learning forges relationships. In time, a level of trust is formed between the people who now share a common perspective. When we build community around a shared narrative, we can find meaning in our actions for creating change.

Begin with the willingness to listen first. It sets you on a course to rediscover your young mind, set it free, and let your imagination transport you to a new place. Then invite others to share your vision and work with you to realize a new space for all who need it.

Let VisionReady guide you and your leadership team through the challenges of managing change in your company. Contact us today by sending an email to info@visionready.org or by calling (305) 791-2610.

The Power of Positivity

January 29, 2023communication, leadership, strengthsbarkadacreative

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By Pon Angara, VisionReady storyteller

I recently met up with a friend to catch up after more than two years. She asked me what I did to keep a positive attitude through the difficult times. Upon reflection, I shared with her three things that I believe have helped me make every moment count.

I’ve learned to follow my instincts. They have always led me down the right path. By listening to my inner voice, I also honor my truth.

I’m fortunate to know many people with fresh and unique insights. It’s amazing how much I’ve learned from them. Staying in touch keeps me infused with new inspiration.

I feel good about myself when I’m being productive. Creating gives me a sense of accomplishment and it moves me closer to my goal. Afterward I can reward myself with something that provides pure enjoyment and relaxation.

After my friend and I parted ways, I thought of another thing that helps me stay positive. Gratitude. Saying thanks reminds me how much I’m surrounded by generous people and validates them in return.

So, as we forge ahead into 2023, I would like to take a moment to thank you for your interest in VisionReady. Because of people like you who have stayed engaged with us, we launched successfully Season 3 of our podcast series Disrupt Your Day where we chat with some of our personal Superheroes who have positive messages that will enlighten and inspire!

Click here and here to watch the first two episodes and stay tuned for more by subscribing to our YouTube channel. For questions or comments, email info@visionready.org or call (305) 791-2610.

5 Best Business Books for Entrepreneurs in 2023

January 16, 2023innovation, leadership, strategic planningbarkadacreative

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By Pon Angara, VisionReady storyteller

Quoted from Entrepreneur | Updated: January 9, 2023

Many of the most successful business leaders, from Warren Buffett to Oprah Winfrey to Tory Burch, share a common thread: They are voracious readers. Books have the power to educate, inspire and give you a fresh perspective on what you can do to improve your business and personal growth.

As 2023 begins, Entrepreneur’s editors have hand-selected the following list of best-selling books that will give you a concrete roadmap for your entrepreneurial journey ahead. Whether you are launching a business, side hustling for the first time or looking to ramp up your existing business, this selection can be your blueprint for a successful and fulfilling year.

Start Your Own Business

Now in its 8th edition, Start Your Own Business covers every detail of what entrepreneurs will face in their first three years of running a business. Okay, we know a lot of books profess to be a “one-stop shop” for everything you need to know, but this edition more than lives up to that claim. Experts from all industries chime in with clear, concise, and easy-to-understand advice to get you on your way. It is an indispensable resource that you will find yourself returning to repeatedly as you progress. Simply put, it is the bible of startup business books

The Best of No B.S.

After 30 years of telling it like it is, we’ve collected legendary millionaire-maker Dan S. Kennedy’s best sales and marketing wisdom into one. The Best of No B.S., Kennedy’s frank and, well, no b.s. approach to educating readers is fresh, fun and most importantly, it works. Kennedy breaks down what really matters in your marketing, how not to get distracted by ego-centric goals that don’t add up to any monetary value and so much more. If you want realistic, straight-talking marketing advice, this is the book

Unstoppable

Facing debilitating fatigue and depression, best-selling author Ben Angel set out on a 90-day mission to ﬁnd and conquer the root of his issues. Enlisting the help of biohackers, neuroscientists, doctors and New York Times bestselling author Dave Asprey, Angel discovered a world of wellness and in Unstoppable shares tactics that have helped him reduce stress, increase focus, improve physical performance, and eliminate fears. This is a compelling and useful guide to healthier, happier, and more productive living.

Million Dollar Habits

Based on interviews with hundreds of successful people, leadership, and success coach Brian Tracy’s Million Dollar Habits shares insights from their habits that we can all use to work more effectively, make better decisions, and ultimately boost our income. Tracy breaks down how getting into the right habits will give you a better handle on your finances, give you better physical health, strengthen relationships and help you turn your personal and financial dreams into reality.

Write Your Business Plan

This comprehensive companion to Start Your Own Business is a deep dive into what can be the most critical step to launching a successful business. Before you spend a penny on your idea, Write Your Business Plan will help you vet your concept, fine-tune it, and give you advanced insights into where your advantages and pain points lie. Unfortunately, there are no crystal balls that will let you know with certainty if an idea will succeed, but having a solid plan is the next best thing.

What business books have you read recently or will be reading soon that you can recommend? Let us know by emailing info@visionready.org or calling (305) 791-2610.

3 Tips for Hiring the Best Talent

January 16, 2023leadershipbarkadacreative

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By Pon Angara, VisionReady storyteller

It’s always an exciting time in a company’s history when success creates growing pains which leads to needing new hires. It’s an opportunity to bring fresh perspective and new experience to your organization.

On the other hand, talent search presents its own set of challenges. Not only do you want quality hires, but you also need to retain current talent. You also need to invest time and effort in minimizing turnover to build the company and promote a welcoming work environment that people want to be a part of.

Whether it’s your first employee or 50th, enhance your hiring practices and bring on quality workers with these three hiring tips:

Craft a detailed job description.

Whether on your career page, LinkedIn, or a well-known job site, you only have one chance to make a good first impression on a job seeker based on what you post about the position and your company.

A well-written job description provides insight into the company and how a candidate can contribute to the organization. Be sure to include relevant keywords that job seekers may be looking for, and be clear about role responsibilities, growth potential, professional development, and benefits candidates may be looking for. You may also want to highlight intangibles that could tip the scales in your favor.

Tap into current employees for referrals.

Employees can be a valuable hiring resource. Encourage your employees to do some hiring legwork by leveraging their network to attract top talent. Referral bonuses could include cash, trips, gifts, and vouchers. Not only does this practice reduce the costs of hiring but it also can improve employee morale.

Recruit at local colleges and universities.

Developing a relationship with local educational institutions can create a healthy pipeline that’s loaded with new talent. You can screen potential candidates and stay top-of-mind when a student’s job search begins by attending university careers fairs.

Consider sending employees to guest speak at lectures to provide more insight into what your company does. This can be especially valuable if you have internship opportunities you can offer to cultivate talent further.

You can find quality candidates efficiently and economically by developing a robust hiring strategy. For more information, email info@visionready.org or call (305) 791-2610.