The Unplug

 Have you ever come to the stage in your life where you needed to unplug? 

You're probably thinking that this may be a strange question. The discussions that result can be awkward. But, are they really? 

Life has become too much:

• Too exposed
• Too open 
• Too out there 
• Too many things vying for your attention
• Too available
• Too many other things. 

If left unchecked, it can make one become overwhelmed. What can you do in order to take a break and catch yourself? Simply unplug. 

Unplug from the matrix of life, those seemingly important things are deemed as necessary but really aren't. The difficulty is the discipline that you're going to need to demonstrate to yourself. 

Your peace and sanity will thank you for the benefits that will accrue from the unplugging. 

Too many local companies function like this.

 There are a lot of people who are in business under the guise of entrepreneurship but don't really understand why they have set up their entity the way they did. What do I mean? Let's take a closer look. 

• Many register business names due to the following reasons. It is cheap and easy. They don't have a plan for how their entity should be set up to protect them. 
• Many do unlimited/general partnerships. They want to get into business and figure this is the best way to do it. They know precious little about the exposure they're inviting into their lives. Again there is no plan. 
• Those who incorporate sound more when asked like the popular saying "the devil made me do it". The attorney/accountant says that they should incorporate and give them some overview as to why this is necessary, but there's no strategy. This is clearly reinforced when a deeper dive into the company is taken. 

In all instances, there is insufficient planning and not a comprehensive understanding of why they did it. The sentiments are more emotional than strategically sound and practical. 

Here are some findings based on observations: 

• The investment in setting up the businesses in whatever form is ill recorded. Therefore equity is always questioned/questionable. 
• There is scanty knowledge of the statutory requirements and how the use of the various business formats can benefit/disadvantage the business person.
• Business owners use incorrect terms for identifying elements of their business. For E.g. they speak of partners in an incorporated set-up. 
• There is often no tax planning. The entire aspect of taxation is reactive rather than proactive. 
• Incentives for establishing certain formats for business are little understood. This is clearly apparent when they seek financing and begin to realize the limitations they encounter. 
• Businesses mainly embark on planning when there's a crisis as opposed to being proactive. 
• Business owners can put their funds into the business but are uncertain how to get them back out to facilitate additional investments. 
• They are unclear of/have no understanding nor knowledge of capital gains. 
• They don't understand the use or benefits of using various types of shares. 

Given the number of people who have studied business, isn't it time we become more sophisticated in our approaches to the business establishment? We need to stop taking the easy way out. Implement systems that can save and in some instances earn business owners and investors money. 

There's so much more than can be told. However, it's best to get consultations that are best suited to you. In a climate of growing expenses, isn't it time that we grow our wealth of information and prosperity? I think so. Please stay tuned. 

Troubling trend in work places

Can anyone take the blame for a hazard/social upheaval/a pandemic? 

Increasingly, there is a cry that seems to be permeating the workspaces around the region. It sounds like this: 

• No one is returning my calls!

This is the lament of product/service providers who serve other businesses and on occasion government entities, both core and quasi. Here are some of the comments being experienced by those who offer products/services. 

• Send me a proposal that I can review and get back to you.
• Why don't you WhatsApp me what the requirements are, I'm in a meeting. 
• I thought that I had paid for that already. 
• You were supposed to send me this information weeks ago. [When the proof is provided that the info has been sent, they vanish]. 
• Is there anything you can do about the costs of the assignment? 
• I'm travelling soon.

The thing is budgets are usually in place and available, just not getting the clearance to execute the projects. There seems to be a fear since the pandemic and the uncertainty created a crippling environment. 

There are many who wish to contribute, only to be met with comments like this: 

• Your rates are like that of an overseas consultant. [Wow!!!] Consultants work all over. It shouldn't matter that you may have worked with them before, in another life, and they continued to develop themselves whereas you may not have done so at the same rate. 
• There's also a developing trend where people try to read and spell for you. Here's what I mean; since they see you representing your organization, they think that the invoice represents what you make and that you're going to keep all the funds. Your team has been hired to work in the background, and you have to access information [which is expensive for current reports/ documents]. They think that you're making more than they are and create obstacles. 

There seems to be an atmosphere of busyness. Where workdays are extended due to online meetings. Most seem to be unprepared for meetings and there is a lack of agendas to keep on target. Life has become ad-hoc for many and it's creeping into the workplaces. 

Some are hiding behind the guise of working remotely and productivity is quite low. 

We are surrounded by more information, but it seems to be more of a distraction than actually useful. Our social skills and graces are becoming lost within the world of technology. Basic manners are basically becoming extinct. 

Organizations are going to need to clearly redefine what they expect of their cultures internally and engage in training to realize these objectives. All entities are going to need to examine the value they offer both internally and externally and implement programs that ensure their entire teams reflect these ideals. 

1. So can the problems we are experiencing be solved? Yes! 
2. Will those who are responsible be willing to solve them? If they want to succeed there's no other option. 
3. When will they need to address these anomalies? The sooner the better for all involved.
4. What can be done to address this on the part of the various organizations? There are a number of entities offering technical assistance. 

The environment within which we do business has gone global and therefore we are not subject only to the impact of our immediate environment. We, therefore, need to be prepared and roll out enhanced versions of ourselves at personal and organizational levels. When we do this, we will be well on the way to eliminating the troubling trend in the workplace. 

From de Islands

It's amazing how many people think that island life is easy and laid back, and that we don't have a care in the world. Nothing could be farther from the truth. 

In recent times some people are now getting to experience island life as a result of the work travel visas, an initiative which is consequent of the pandemic we've been experiencing from early 2020 through to current in 2021. It impacted the globe, and NO ONE was prepared. 

They are realizing though that it's not all coconut water and rum with Caribbean edibles to eat all day long. Here we actually work, some quite hard. Many live here and hardly get to put their toes into the water at the beach, let alone even get to walk in the sand. 

Barbados was recently seen on a listing among the most expensive countries in the world. Yet, that does not mean that people here are rich or wealthy. 

Living on the islands, we have to pay twice as much to experience half as much. Fortunately, we tend to have a good work ethic which does not permit us to compromise the standards to which we have become accustomed. Are we where we need to be? No! Success is a journey, not a destination. 

As we reopen, visit the islands, there are no two alike, and experience the events, food, beverages, culture, arts, crafts, people, and sights. I have found and have often described "Barbados, my island home, as the pendant of the chain of islands, where you can fly over, drive through, sail around and dive under." 

That being said, I join with all the other citizens of the Caribbean and say, welcome to paradise, where the experiences you will have is from de islands. 

Rabbit - clippings from across the globe

 

As I continue to examine alternate foods and their sources. I will look today at rabbits as a food source. However, the approach will be different since I will take clippings from articles I will look up and present them here so that you can form your own opinion based on what others around the world have observed. 

So today, I looked up rabbits in restaurants; here's what I found. 

What is rabbit called in a restaurant?

Senior Member. There was a word for rabbit meat which I think would be understandable today: "coney". In the same way that beef, pork, and venison all are from the French, so was coney.

Boston, USA has managed to incorporate rabbits into the menus. We found an article that shows seven (7) restaurants that serve rabbits on their menus. 

But why eat rabbits? In searching Google, this information which spoke to the nutritional content of rabbits came up. 

Is rabbit meat good eating?

They have a light impact on the earth, and they're healthy, all-white meat.” Rich in highly-quality proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and minerals like calcium and potassium, rabbit meat is also lean and low in cholesterol. Of course, its lack of fat means you need to take caution when you prepare it.

My curiosity went further, yes I live in a tourist destination, and here's what I found:

What country eats rabbit meat?

Rabbit meat is popular in countries such as Italy, Spain, France and China. These countries consume the most rabbit – about 8kg per person – and are the best export markets for rabbit meat.

When wondering why rabbits are cultivated as a food source. This came up:

Why is rabbit meat not popular?

Rabbits have never had a purpose as farm animals, meaning they did not have the same opportunity to become a popular meat in American households. Since rabbits never became a popular meat in the agricultural industry, a stigma was attached to the meat itself.

Additionally, when asking; Is rabbit a cheap meat?

Rabbit meat is expensive because fryers are not able to be effectively fed in large groups, require a more expensive feed ration than most other livestock and processing costs are higher per pound of meat sold.

So what would justify countries in the Caribbean adding rabbits to their menus? The answer may prove that we need to think more high-end even though rabbit was initially a poor man's food. The benefits outweigh the costs. 

In 2019, it was published that: 

First off, it's healthy: Compared to beef, pork, lamb, turkey, veal and chicken, rabbit has the highest percentage of protein, the lowest percentage of fat and the fewest calories per pound. Unlike other meats, it contains high levels of vitamins and minerals, such as potassium, magnesium and phosphorus.

Additionally, just this year 2022 it was concluded by another researcher:

It also takes a fair amount of time, effort and expertise to raise rabbits for food, which makes it more expensive than other meats. They are not bred & raised in factory farming conditions, so there is higher marginal cost per pound.

It was found that, Rabbit meat has a great taste and is highly nutritious. Although any type of meat lover will love to have a bite, it is best suited for people who want a more robust tasting and healthier meal than chicken. Rabbit meat has numerous health benefits.

What does the future of food look like for people who are lovers of meat and need to have protein requirements met? Here are the top 8 meats globally. 

When looking at food supply and food security, it's going to be increasingly necessary to examine the sources of food and its origins. 

Will you join the ranks of those eating rabbit meat? I have had some before and it's pleasant to the tastebuds when prepared well. I hope that this article enables you to find out how you can save economically. Enjoy your meals and make new dishes. 

Monkeying around with diets

As we grapple with our crops being destroyed by monkeys, some people in discussing ways of controlling populations have become quite creative in their suggestions. I happened to be around a conversation once where one was overheard saying that monkey tastes good. 

After getting beyond my initial shock, and realising the gravity of what we face with the ever-increasing monkey population, I thought I would look to see if there is any merit in adding monkey meat to our diets as suggested. 

It was a thought originating from the pending scarcity given the supply chain interruptions based on the Ukraine/Russia war which has a global impact. It was further supported by seeking ways to reduce import costs and eventually, given our numbers, explore export opportunities. 

According to this article by Aaron McDonald - entitled Monkey Consumption..., monkey meat is considered bush meat. This article outlines a number of species and the regions where they are consumed. Never once does he mention our local Green Monkey. The article has some cautions for our safety though which we will do well to consider. 

You can look up just about anything nowadays, here's what is said by people who actually consumed monkey meat.  In an article that speaks to the benefits of consuming monkey meat in terms of benefits, the costs of this diet can be quite high and dangerous for humans who engage in this practice. See this article. 

In short, I hope that this article helps those who were curious about this bush meat. My conclusion is that the risks far outweigh the benefits. I wouldn't mess with it. You now know the risks. 

Our businesses are NOT growing and developing

Business people are focusing their activities in the wrong direction. Sure in order to experience success one has to work hard; however, there has never been anything called "Work hard and Get Rich". There is a book written by Napoleon Hill some time ago called "Think and Grow Rich". Yet, many haven't read it though they are seeking success. 

If you are to be a leader, you have to be a reader. 

Success is a system. Yet people are not getting it because they are not receiving the information that is all around.

The title of this article will probably wonder what I mean, well here's what I mean:

• Entrepreneurs know how to put money into their businesses, but they don't know how to get it back out: When you make an investment into a business, then stop trying to get paid via a salary. When you do this, you are demonstrating the wrong mindset. You have to have a strategy that you can - legally - use when you are in business. Business people don't want to invest in learning about the different forms of business setups. It seems like attorneys suggest the incorporation so they can get the fees for incorporating the entity. The people, their clients, who are in business don't understand why they even incorporated. 
• The business has a lot of moving parts, being good and something doesn't mean that you'd be good at running a business in that area. Here's what I mean. E.g. a good plumber doesn't necessarily run a great plumbing business. They want to focus on plumbing. They don't want to do the administrative aspects of it. Therefore over time, the really successful plumbers realize that business is a team activity. 
• Why don't businesses grow their profits and thrive? The simple answer, the principles have the wrong mindset. Many don't have the mindset for handling large sums of money. When they do get the breaks they go on spending sprees until they get back to the level of money they are comfortable handling. Oftentimes, they make bad decisions along the way. There is a need to ask and answer some long, hard questions. 
• Dealing with businesses over the years, I have found that the owners are quick to settle within a comfort zone rather than strive to go to the next level. Does this mean that their goals are set too low? Perhaps not, they set it to what they want. E.g. Some people just want to have gainful employment rather than leave a legacy. What this tells me though is that we seem to be conditioned to study for a grade rather than have the discipline to study to get paid. Studying to get paid doesn't have to be formal. It can mean just reading, listening to the material or even taking short courses to keep informed about developments in business. 
• Not enough business people know/understand taxation, therefore they are unable to do proper tax planning to make the tax structures work for them. The result is the business haemorrhaging by paying more taxes than absolutely necessary and failing to make claims to which they are entitled. 

Are there other considerations? Yes, but this is not a consultation to diagnose every scenario that impacts all businesses. Just enough to get you to recognize that you need to have someone in business development help you. 

Feel free to visit our website to get a bit more information on how we can help businesses. Additionally, you may contact me directly so that our team can assist you.