Cart before the Horse or Horse before the Cart?

My grandmother would always say that you can put the cart before the horse. Even at a young age, I understood what it meant. As an adult, I see this even more clearly now. I don't think that is my BA degree that brings it to fruition because plain old common sense can tell you so.

The cart can't pull the horse, the horse has to pull the cart. So it's that simple? Then why do we see things coming and never put the right initiatives in place to increase performance or reduce loss. You can't plan for the damage a natural disaster can cause but you can educate your people to be ready. We are good at getting that word out.

However, where we suck is with our infrastructure and human resources. These two facets are the building blocks of any country. There is no industry without good infrastructure. There is no future without people to preserve the culture and to form your labour force.

We get a bare passing grade for our education and I give a 'D' because the special needs students are not a serious priority. We have to get out of the mentality of hiding these children because they have special gifts. They must grow up and become members of the community. This is a major issue that is continually surpassed because we do not have programs to integrate them into the wider community where possible.

Our infrastructure - the core behind any country, needs work and this means money. We have spent millions of dollars trying to give the place an aesthetically pleasing appearance but we have not dealt with the major issues of the supply of clean water, disposal of sewerage, electrical supply, solid waste disposal and road improvement.. I will say plainly to any person that hiring a consultant or giving a contract to a foreign company which drags its feet is not a solution.

We seem to have a "dummy" sign on our backs and this is sad. We have spent millions educating the youth in various fields but we seem not to trust their judgement. We pay the consultants and then shelf their reports if they completed same in the first place.

The country's labor force is either in the private or public sector. The private sector is at the mercy of the persons installed to regulate employment practices. This does not always seem to go well. It is very sad because such persons have to try their utmost best to be unbiased and fair in their dealings with the public. The public sector is governed by rules that are designed to repress their freedom of speech.

We'd hope that there would be more calypsonians in this country who can sing in parables about the plight of the country. However we notice that certain leaders are not for that artistic side which is the one true freedom of speech that any artist has.

So what are we to do? I believe in solutions. We know what the problems are. In many cases we know the root of said problems. I believe that we have to make some hard decisions to get the country forward. However, we have several persons who prefer to see the place run to the dogs so that they can get their cutback.

So who's the cart and who's the horse?

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Tribute to my Family

My family is unique. They are creative, innovative, loving and fun to be around. They work hard and can pull things together as a team. Spending time with them is always a joyous event. It get's better when the extended family joins in because you get to hear all the stories from back in the day.

I get to look at my elders and then watch my children to see how the features are so similar. As the old folks say, "Apple don't fall far from the tree." Everyone is amazed at how my children and their cousins look so closely alike.

Our genes are strong and our family is healthy enough. We the younger generation have a legacy to carry forward. You listen to all the great stories and realize that family is always there for each other. I can name more than one family member who has opened their home to everyone - including to me.

It is truly a blessing to have an awesome family. It gets better when they love to dance and they dance the night away....."We Are Family".......

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Messed up a few things. Learned a Lesson.

Planning is everything. Knowing key people in your industry or key players in the community is important. Being able to think on your feet is priceless. Knowing the right person to call to make the contact that is needed is indisputable.

If you want to succeed in what you do, you have to know who to make links with - even at the late hour. Being able to work with people and convince them to support your endeavor is important.

I think that all of the above are neccessary when planning events. However, learning from mistakes, taking criticism and evaluating performance are just as important in moving forward on a better note.

Seen it. Done it. Messed up a few things. Learned a lesson. Ready for the next one.

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Good Internal Control Procedures Reduce Employee Theft

There is always the possibility that employees will be tempted to steal but good internal control procedures can reduce theft.

Employees can be tempted to steal for many reasons. Therefore employers must implement measures that deter the staff from misappropriating financial resources or stealing physical items. First, business owners must seek to ascertain why employees may steal, Organizations must also understand what internal control is. Only then will managers be able to delve further into implementing the necessary internal control practices to ensure that operations run efficiently and pilfery can be reduced.

Why Businesses Suffer From Employee Theft

While no employer wishes to know that any member of staff is stealing, there is always the possibility that it could happen. Theft can occur in any organization, both private and governmental. Some businesses have poor management and monitoring and this presents an easy opportunity for theft to occur. There are also cases where an employee may be in financial need and he resorts to stealing or embezzlement. Some staff members may be greedy and an example is the employee who would say "the business makes so much money and the boss pays me so little."

What is Internal Control

According to Cornell University's Professor Emeritus A. Neal Geller in "Internal Control: A Fraud-Prevention Handbook for Hotel and Restaurant Managers" (School of Hotel Administration, 1991), internal control is "the aspect of management that deals with prevention of fraud and embezzlement". The Office of the President of the University of California further shares in their publication "Understanding Internal Controls" that this concept speaks to the "effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reliability of financial reporting and compliance with applicable laws and regulations." Internal control is not implemented to make organizations top-heavy with red tape and long procedures. Instead, these procedures can aid in ensuring the stability of the business.

Implementing Simple Internal Control Measures

How can any business implement internal control? As stated by the University of California, effectiveness and efficiency are essential factors in internal control in the management of any operation.

• Inventory management: Large organizations will have an inventory clerk assigned to the requisition and/or the distribution of items. In smaller organizations, inventory management may be added to the job description of one of the workers. As the theft of any item is a loss to any company, managers must implement inventory procedures that ensure the smooth requisition and dissemination of items while ensuring that items are accounted for.
• Petty cash management: Petty cash can be tempting to staff. While Geller recommends that petty cash use should be minimized, he encourages that managers "separate (the) imprest fund" from other cash and the responsibility be placed to an employee who is not in accounting or record-keeping. He also strongly advocates that there should be a "voucher procedure for disbursements."
• Separation of accounts payable and receivable: Avoid embezzlement and fraud by one or more employees by separating the accounts payable and receivable duties. Of course this is also easier in large organizations. In small businesses where there may only be one employee handling the accounting, it may be impossible to segregate duties. Therefore, business owners must monitor the accounting records. If the owner is not knowledgeable in accounting procedures, an independent firm should be engaged to periodically ensure that there is no embezzlement or fraud.

Employers must ensure that internal control is resonant in any organization. Employees may steal for different reasons but good internal control measures should reduce theft. Business owners can implement inventory management systems, petty cash management and the separation of accounting duties to reduce the likelihood of employee theft.

My Journey in the Working World

When I look at my resume, I smile because of the varied experience I have been able to attain since my first on-the-job experience in 1992. I was a trainee for one month at a utility department. I remember the great comraderie there but not being sure if I wanted to really work in a place like that. Some of the same staff are there today working with the same momemtum I met them with almost 20 years ago. 

My next experience came for the two-week job training program and I'm guessing I was an over-achiever because it bored me to death. In 1993, there was high school graduation and I found a nice job in an accounting firm. There was no QuickBooks to use - just manual work. I got another offer at a bank and they were enticing me with a bigger salary and benefits so I ran.

I worked in the bank for two years and then decided, 'it's time to go to college!' I saw people who were in the bank for over 10 years and watched newcomers take higher positions. I decided that was not for me and I headed to UVI! My first semester at UVI was the longest stint that I have been unemployed.

As the second semester started, I found myself a job on campus. I kept that job until I graduated. I also had another parttime job in a video store during my senior year because I do love a good and legal hustle. After graduating, I got what was supposed to be my dream job at an advertising firm.

However, I've always been the child who seeks opportunity. I saw an application for a scholarship to go to Cornell University. I applied and was shortlisted. I travelled to Jamaica and then got a crazy phone call that I won the scholarship. Resignation letter, packed bags and moving out of my appartment were on the top of my list.

I headed to Ithaca and spent a year at Cornell's Hotel School. Of course as I set foot in Ithaca, I started looking for a job. Afterall, studying is never enough for me. I got a great job on campus and I learned a lot while I was there. During the summer, I decided that I would stay in Ithaca and take on the massive challenge of three parttime jobs and regular gym attendance.

That was a glorious time until I practically burned myself out going back and forth to the three jobs. I survived it all though and that was a piece of cake compared to coming back to the BVI's job market. I actually sought for a position in the USVI but was unlucky. I travelled to the BVI and sent out some applications and got called for interviews.

I actually refused a position and took another at a supermarket. I realized that I hated being a personal assistant. I can do it well but I hate it. So by the fourth month, a Govt. entity called me and I sailed away. Unfortunately, that job description was not the actual job and I found myself stuck, depressed and hating going to work. After my second year, I resigned because I thought that it was unfair that my contributions were not up to par in my mind.

I sought another job after resigning and was lucky to get a job in a law firm. This worked well for six years. Law is not my thing at all. It's like being a personal assistant for me, I can do it but it's not my thing. Plus for upward mobility, there was only so much that I could do.

So today, I work for another Government entity and while things change, they still remain the same in most cases. I do what I can and I try to work with everyone. I am stubborn at times but I try my best to be the best 'human being' that I can be.

You may say that I have had a lot of jobs but I say the experience is important and pertinent to my entire life.  Every job gave me an insight into something new and afforded me the opportunity to meet new people.

I have decided that no one can take my shine and I refuse to hide my talents.

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Two Chores I don't Like

There are some chores that I don't like. I don't like washing a car and I don't like ironing. However, I'll do the latter but I'll pay someone to wash the car. It is utmost laziness on my part and I accept that. I'll iron every piece of clothing in the house in one night but the car will be left by the car wash for them to handle that.

I know, you may say that I'm all about saving so why would I pay someone to wash my car. Well, I don't have a car anymore but when I get another one, it either has to self-clean itself or it's getting dropped off. I'm sure there might still be some young person in the neighborhood who won't mind making a quick ten bucks!

As for the ironing, I'll continue doing that even though it's so hot these days. I've even considered doing an ironing service but I am afraid to do so because people might not pay on time. That would upset me because it's a chore I dislike and the electric bills have gone so high - I would be more than upset!

I think I'll stick to writing!

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Procrastination & Me

Procrastination is a killer. I am guilty of leaving things on the back burner for too long and I am sure many others are. However, I leave personal things on the back burner but try not to do that with work. Event planning and even regular mundane tasks have to be organized.

Basically, I can't pay my bills unless I deposit funds in the bank account. If I lag on making the deposit then I really can't make any payments.

Sometimes there are tasks that I hate to do - like ironing. However, I run into that head-first and get it done one time. Plus I'm too cheap to iron one piece of clothing every day - fuel costs are way too high on the electric bill in the BVI.

Sometimes I don't feel like cooking and I procrastinate on it but I force myself and do it because if I really want to save money, I have to make hard decisions.

What I find that I've been procrastinating on is writing my articles for the site I write for. This is for more reasons than simple procrastination. I aim to write at least one before I return to work on Tuesday. I am going to take this Monday holiday, Whit Monday, and do one article along with all my ironing. I'll stay home and enjoy Matlock and other sitcoms, dramas and talk shows! I will not procrastinate and miss those for sure but I'll keep busy by doing my chores at the same time.

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