The following was sent to the White House via e-mail a number of weeks ago (I checked the box asking for a reply) and the only thing I received so far was a mailing with President Obama’s name on it asking for a political contribution.
“We as a nation need to publicize what an untapped and extremely valuable resource the unemployed are as they currently are. Rather than defining someone’s worth, “being currently unemployed” should be shown as equivalent to a respected profession. I believe the need to change perceptions is a key imperative especially because of the percentage of unemployed, the length of time they will be employed, and the ages of the unemployed. In my opinion, it is a priority similar to providing benefits and training.
“Governments at all levels should take the lead role in this regard by setting up programs where unemployed individuals apply their skills helping business, not-for-profits, and governments in a limited role for a limited time. In return, those individuals might be able to obtained reference and testimonials regarding their work. I written about one way the media can help in my October 7th entry in my blog entitled, “Might Seem Counterintuitive, But It’s Not at http://howardwolosky.blogspot.com/. Please read it as I couldn’t paste the text down because of the limitations of the White House system.
“G-d bless all including all the readers of the e-mail. Hopefully, the last reader will be President Obama
“Sincerely yours,
“Howard Wolosky”
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
A $7.5 Million Open Letter to Michael Bloomberg and Bill Thompson
October 18th, 2009
Dear Future Mayor of New York City,
Complaint: Since it occurred on both of your watches and you are both running for mayor, I thought I would bring this matter to your attention. It involves the fact that in the adult section of the reconstructed Brooklyn Public Library Kings Highway branch there are no signs on the bookshelves indicating the range of the catalogue numbers for the books. To find the book on travel I was looking for I had to walk among the 14 different sets of multi-tiered bookcases.
As reported in the New York Times on June 11, 2009 “After a four-year, $7.5 million renovation that was held up by extensive construction delays, the Brooklyn Public Library is reopening the Kings Highway branch in Midwood — historically the second-busiest branch of the Brooklyn library system after the central library on Grand Army Plaza — on Thursday morning.”
I complained about this problem repeatedly. The latest being today. Interestingly in the children’s section on the second floor, there were signs (handtyped by a librarian) on each of the bookcases with the catalog number for the books
Suggestion: Go to this library and take out a book, In addition to the problem I spoke of, you will find other problems such it is hard to find the few books on travel in the New York State using the computerized catalog searching system at that branch and I doubt if many of the users know how they can reserve such a book from other branches which might be more useful. Additionally, you will find like it hard to check out a book with the self-checkout system. Adopting this hands-on walking-the-walk approach might ensure that $7.5 million is well spent
Respectfully yours,
Howard Wolosky
Dear Future Mayor of New York City,
Complaint: Since it occurred on both of your watches and you are both running for mayor, I thought I would bring this matter to your attention. It involves the fact that in the adult section of the reconstructed Brooklyn Public Library Kings Highway branch there are no signs on the bookshelves indicating the range of the catalogue numbers for the books. To find the book on travel I was looking for I had to walk among the 14 different sets of multi-tiered bookcases.
As reported in the New York Times on June 11, 2009 “After a four-year, $7.5 million renovation that was held up by extensive construction delays, the Brooklyn Public Library is reopening the Kings Highway branch in Midwood — historically the second-busiest branch of the Brooklyn library system after the central library on Grand Army Plaza — on Thursday morning.”
I complained about this problem repeatedly. The latest being today. Interestingly in the children’s section on the second floor, there were signs (handtyped by a librarian) on each of the bookcases with the catalog number for the books
Suggestion: Go to this library and take out a book, In addition to the problem I spoke of, you will find other problems such it is hard to find the few books on travel in the New York State using the computerized catalog searching system at that branch and I doubt if many of the users know how they can reserve such a book from other branches which might be more useful. Additionally, you will find like it hard to check out a book with the self-checkout system. Adopting this hands-on walking-the-walk approach might ensure that $7.5 million is well spent
Respectfully yours,
Howard Wolosky
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Might Seem Counterintuitive, But It’s Not
Yes magazines are closing down right and left, but here’s an idea for a new one. The working title is “The Unemployed.” The working tagline is “Harnessing Their Untapped Power and Wealth”
It will explore and publicize what an untapped and extremely valuable resource the unemployed are. Rather than defining someone’s worth, “being currently unemployed” could be shown as equivalent to a respected profession at which you can work at becoming better at.
Contributing reporters, copy editors, artwork submitters, and technical support would generally be those who are unemployed. There would be included extensive bios on these individuals. Each issue would have three or four features, departments, and commentaries.
Here are three possible features for the first issue:
“Tales of Charitable Giving” detailing individuals who increase their charitable efforts. E.J., who while searching for his next career opportunity, is delivering Meals On Wheels to the elderly; helping out at Cancer Action, and leading a weekly walking group of seniors.
“Seller’s Guide to Selling Gold” explains that most gold is purchased to be melted down so gem worth isn’t generally considered and offers vary greatly, easily as much as 75% to 100%. When selling, it advises to check with a number of vendors and ask that offer stay open for a stated period of time. It points out items should be grouped and weighted together by their carat type to get best value and applicable state law should be checked.
“Overcoming the Stigmas: Yours and Theirs” deals with the psychological and stereotypical aspects of unemployment from the viewpoints of the unemployed, family friends, former colleagues, etc. There would be a number of personal experience boxes where individuals such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and an out-of- work 58 year old former steelworker describe how they or people they love dealt and deal with unemployment.
Departments could feature reporting on state programs that allow employers to combine reduced work hours for employees with partial unemployment benefits and how industries are combating unemployment such as contractors, landscapers and interior decorators turning to staging and rehabilitation of personal residences. There would be a books to consider section showcasing such books as “No More Mondays: Fire Yourself-and Other Revolutionary Ways to Discover your True Calling At Work” by Dan Miller
The magazine would be print and online and be a paid subscription model with a code of responsibilities and conduct for subscribers, advertisers, and contributors. The annual subscription rate would be from $10 to $250 as determined by the subscriber with a deferral, if desired, by those currently unemployed.
For the purpose of transparency and full disclosure, I am suggesting this publication in part so that I would be considered for the position of editor-in-chief. I was previously editor-in-chief of Practical Accountant, and what particularly qualifies me for consideration was my last column there, which in a sense of poetic justice, was automatically published on the day after I was told it was my last day.
Excerpted Text of WebCPA column
“’New’ Alternatives to Layoffs
(January 13, 2009)
“In these tough economic times, as in others, there are many news items on companies declaring bankruptcies and announcing substantial staff cuts. What is different this time is that I am also reading about a number of cost-cutting strategies that are gaining in popularity and aimed at reducing expenses without disrupting business operations or laying off staff.
“Fortune 500 companies, as well as smaller ones, have stopped their employer matching of employee 401(k) contributions. Factories are being closed down for a specified period of time with the unpaid furloughing of employees. Unpaid holidays are being given. Then there are those businesses that indicated there will be no salary increases in 2009. And I just came across a report that one of the largest accounting firms in Israel is reported to have made across-the-board pay cuts of 5 to 10 percent, except for certain lower-paid staff. We are also seeing the introduction of four-day weeks.
*******
“These creative cost-cutting strategies indicate the economic downturn is impacting more, and they also reflect an expectation that it will continue for some time. On the plus side, in general, they also indicate that companies are developing an arsenal of intermediate moves short of layoffs or a declaration of bankruptcy.
“This aversion to staff reductions can be attributed to a number of factors, including that often operations would be impaired if cuts were made, skilled employees are difficult to replace, and once the economic times get better the company doesn’t want to be understaffed.
“Interestingly, there seems to be understanding and acceptance by many in the workforce who are affected by the end of employer 401(k) contributions, unpaid leaves, etc. It appears to be based on the belief that, ’At least I have my job.’
*******
It will explore and publicize what an untapped and extremely valuable resource the unemployed are. Rather than defining someone’s worth, “being currently unemployed” could be shown as equivalent to a respected profession at which you can work at becoming better at.
Contributing reporters, copy editors, artwork submitters, and technical support would generally be those who are unemployed. There would be included extensive bios on these individuals. Each issue would have three or four features, departments, and commentaries.
Here are three possible features for the first issue:
“Tales of Charitable Giving” detailing individuals who increase their charitable efforts. E.J., who while searching for his next career opportunity, is delivering Meals On Wheels to the elderly; helping out at Cancer Action, and leading a weekly walking group of seniors.
“Seller’s Guide to Selling Gold” explains that most gold is purchased to be melted down so gem worth isn’t generally considered and offers vary greatly, easily as much as 75% to 100%. When selling, it advises to check with a number of vendors and ask that offer stay open for a stated period of time. It points out items should be grouped and weighted together by their carat type to get best value and applicable state law should be checked.
“Overcoming the Stigmas: Yours and Theirs” deals with the psychological and stereotypical aspects of unemployment from the viewpoints of the unemployed, family friends, former colleagues, etc. There would be a number of personal experience boxes where individuals such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, and an out-of- work 58 year old former steelworker describe how they or people they love dealt and deal with unemployment.
Departments could feature reporting on state programs that allow employers to combine reduced work hours for employees with partial unemployment benefits and how industries are combating unemployment such as contractors, landscapers and interior decorators turning to staging and rehabilitation of personal residences. There would be a books to consider section showcasing such books as “No More Mondays: Fire Yourself-and Other Revolutionary Ways to Discover your True Calling At Work” by Dan Miller
The magazine would be print and online and be a paid subscription model with a code of responsibilities and conduct for subscribers, advertisers, and contributors. The annual subscription rate would be from $10 to $250 as determined by the subscriber with a deferral, if desired, by those currently unemployed.
For the purpose of transparency and full disclosure, I am suggesting this publication in part so that I would be considered for the position of editor-in-chief. I was previously editor-in-chief of Practical Accountant, and what particularly qualifies me for consideration was my last column there, which in a sense of poetic justice, was automatically published on the day after I was told it was my last day.
Excerpted Text of WebCPA column
“’New’ Alternatives to Layoffs
(January 13, 2009)
“In these tough economic times, as in others, there are many news items on companies declaring bankruptcies and announcing substantial staff cuts. What is different this time is that I am also reading about a number of cost-cutting strategies that are gaining in popularity and aimed at reducing expenses without disrupting business operations or laying off staff.
“Fortune 500 companies, as well as smaller ones, have stopped their employer matching of employee 401(k) contributions. Factories are being closed down for a specified period of time with the unpaid furloughing of employees. Unpaid holidays are being given. Then there are those businesses that indicated there will be no salary increases in 2009. And I just came across a report that one of the largest accounting firms in Israel is reported to have made across-the-board pay cuts of 5 to 10 percent, except for certain lower-paid staff. We are also seeing the introduction of four-day weeks.
*******
“These creative cost-cutting strategies indicate the economic downturn is impacting more, and they also reflect an expectation that it will continue for some time. On the plus side, in general, they also indicate that companies are developing an arsenal of intermediate moves short of layoffs or a declaration of bankruptcy.
“This aversion to staff reductions can be attributed to a number of factors, including that often operations would be impaired if cuts were made, skilled employees are difficult to replace, and once the economic times get better the company doesn’t want to be understaffed.
“Interestingly, there seems to be understanding and acceptance by many in the workforce who are affected by the end of employer 401(k) contributions, unpaid leaves, etc. It appears to be based on the belief that, ’At least I have my job.’
*******
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Led to Gold
I can be pretty good at what I do and currently I am unemployed. The good thing is that it is the third time so I have experience.
However, many things have changed since the last time. Now a possible question during an interview, is, “Do you have any experience working in a matrix organization? Also, rather than mailing in resumes with targeted cover letters, you end up filling out a questionnaire and submitting your resume into a company’s computer system, probably never to be evaluated by human eyes, but eliminated based on one of your answers. Interestingly, many companies then continually send you e-mails about other similar job openings.
What’s also different is the growth of an industry targeting the unemployed. Job search sites, resume evaluation companies, coaches, and job fairs are examples. I have interacted with a number of them and the greatest benefit that I have received was at a free seminar that John Telep (http://www.smartresumetoday.com) conducted.
It wasn’t the good advice or the fact that he answered every question with great thought and care. The benefit is a book he recommended to the attendees, which included entry-level individuals to the most experienced.
The very deceptive title is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. After reading it, I conclude that alchemists have been given a bad rap. You see we are all alchemists searching to find what will make us happy. In the introduction, Coelho explains the importance of your personal calling. “It is G-d’s blessing, it is the path that G-d chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend.”
The problem is that there are many obstacles and where you end up might not be the treasure that you originally sought. The key to success isn’t just following your heart or your head, but paying attention to what Santiago, the book’s protagonist, discovered. “[T]hat intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there.”
However, many things have changed since the last time. Now a possible question during an interview, is, “Do you have any experience working in a matrix organization? Also, rather than mailing in resumes with targeted cover letters, you end up filling out a questionnaire and submitting your resume into a company’s computer system, probably never to be evaluated by human eyes, but eliminated based on one of your answers. Interestingly, many companies then continually send you e-mails about other similar job openings.
What’s also different is the growth of an industry targeting the unemployed. Job search sites, resume evaluation companies, coaches, and job fairs are examples. I have interacted with a number of them and the greatest benefit that I have received was at a free seminar that John Telep (http://www.smartresumetoday.com) conducted.
It wasn’t the good advice or the fact that he answered every question with great thought and care. The benefit is a book he recommended to the attendees, which included entry-level individuals to the most experienced.
The very deceptive title is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. After reading it, I conclude that alchemists have been given a bad rap. You see we are all alchemists searching to find what will make us happy. In the introduction, Coelho explains the importance of your personal calling. “It is G-d’s blessing, it is the path that G-d chose for you here on Earth. Whenever we do something that fills us with enthusiasm, we are following our legend.”
The problem is that there are many obstacles and where you end up might not be the treasure that you originally sought. The key to success isn’t just following your heart or your head, but paying attention to what Santiago, the book’s protagonist, discovered. “[T]hat intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there.”
Friday, September 18, 2009
An Unemployed Reader: The Best Kind
Each day I go on my computer searching for potential jobs, looking for job fairs, checking my push e-mails, doing a little social networking, making some calls, and perusing the many articles with advice on how I can get a job. This is the third time in my working life that I have been out of work. It is the longest and toughest in some sense because of the current status of industry I worked in and my age. In these tough times, many have similar experiences.
What I find now is that I have more time for reading, and those of you similarly situated probably do also. I recommend that you consider reading the following three books:
“The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life” by Piero Ferrucci is a gentle reminder of how kindness comes and can be given in many forms. Separate chapters are devoted to honesty, warmth, forgiveness, contact, sense of belonging, trust, mindfulness, empathy, humility, patience, generosity, respect, flexibility, memory, loyalty, gratitude, service, and joy. An example he gives is a photographer who goes to an orphanage to take pictures of the children because a fine photograph makes adoption more likely. The author, a follower of Roberto Assagioli, who developed psychosynthesis, believes "K]indness and the goodwill of many is a resource, an energy on par with oil, water, wind, nuclear, and solar energy. It would be immensely useful (this is already happening) to pay more attention to it, find ways of evoking it, and harnessing it, organize training courses for it, teach it in schools, publicize it, use it in ads, turn it into a fashion." I concur.
“Emotional Resilience: Simple Truths for Dealing with the Unfinished Business of Your Past” by David Viscott provides remarkable insight into what makes us and others tick and react the way that we do. I believe, for most, reading this book will help more than going to a therapist. Two concepts, "Emotional Debt" and "Toxic Nostalgia" will provide remarkable clarity and understanding for many for the first time.
Here are two excerpts from the book: "The pleasure of life often falls to the unresolved pain of the past. This is especially true when old characterological attitudes intrude, diminishing joy, spoiling the good, and finding injury where none is intended." –and—
"Being happy comes from accepting the past and taking responsibility for your part. That acceptance allows you to view yourself as a work in progress, so your imperfections do not argue against your worth.”
“Working with Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman illustrates in extraordinary detail the importance of emotional intelligence and makes a compelling case for its preeminent role in the modern and changing workplace.
What I find now is that I have more time for reading, and those of you similarly situated probably do also. I recommend that you consider reading the following three books:
“The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life” by Piero Ferrucci is a gentle reminder of how kindness comes and can be given in many forms. Separate chapters are devoted to honesty, warmth, forgiveness, contact, sense of belonging, trust, mindfulness, empathy, humility, patience, generosity, respect, flexibility, memory, loyalty, gratitude, service, and joy. An example he gives is a photographer who goes to an orphanage to take pictures of the children because a fine photograph makes adoption more likely. The author, a follower of Roberto Assagioli, who developed psychosynthesis, believes "K]indness and the goodwill of many is a resource, an energy on par with oil, water, wind, nuclear, and solar energy. It would be immensely useful (this is already happening) to pay more attention to it, find ways of evoking it, and harnessing it, organize training courses for it, teach it in schools, publicize it, use it in ads, turn it into a fashion." I concur.
“Emotional Resilience: Simple Truths for Dealing with the Unfinished Business of Your Past” by David Viscott provides remarkable insight into what makes us and others tick and react the way that we do. I believe, for most, reading this book will help more than going to a therapist. Two concepts, "Emotional Debt" and "Toxic Nostalgia" will provide remarkable clarity and understanding for many for the first time.
Here are two excerpts from the book: "The pleasure of life often falls to the unresolved pain of the past. This is especially true when old characterological attitudes intrude, diminishing joy, spoiling the good, and finding injury where none is intended." –and—
"Being happy comes from accepting the past and taking responsibility for your part. That acceptance allows you to view yourself as a work in progress, so your imperfections do not argue against your worth.”
“Working with Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman illustrates in extraordinary detail the importance of emotional intelligence and makes a compelling case for its preeminent role in the modern and changing workplace.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Neglected and Underdeveloped Knowledge Management
It’s no surprise that CCH recently announced the release of KnowledgeConnect, a knowledge management system for accounting firms. According to CCH, KnowledgeConnect is “a central, indexed, and easy-to-search knowledge management system that will empower staff to make faster and more informed business decisions, avoid work redundancies and reduce project cycle times. KnowledgeConnect will also allow you to, quickly find the best answers for improved customer service, eliminate work redundancies by documenting special knowledge, and easily identify subject-matter experts.”
I first wrote about knowledge management and accounting firms in my August 16, 2005 WebCPA column “Do You Have a Chief Knowledge Officer?” at http://www.webcpa.com/news/14079-1.html.
Knowledge shouldn't just reside with individuals, but needs to be captured and institutionalized within the firm so that it can be accessed easily by all. I gave the following examples in the column: templates for audit engagements, checklists and established procedures for tax return preparation, a sophisticated client relationship management system, and a knowledge database on the firm's Intranet.
You don’t have to be a large regional accounting firm, a business with hundreds of employees, or buy CCH KnowledgeConnect or a similar software application to take advantage of knowledge management. It doesn’t have to cost much as long as time is spent on developing an understanding of how knowledge management can be applied and training those that will utilize it.
I speak from direct experience. With only two-full-time editors and one part-time editor (including myself) working on Practical Accountant, the quality of our editorial content was directly attributable to our ability to take advantage of knowledge management. We used push technologies to keep informed of developments, blast e-mails to pre-qualify article interviewee volunteers, and an Outlook 1,200-plus contact database searchable by subject matter. Running lists of possible coverage for each department, profiled accounting firms, innovation award winners, and what appeared in recurring sections were also maintained.
In today’s world where accounting firms and businesses of all sizes are focusing on reducing costs and improving efficiency, knowledge management is an invaluable tool. Sophisticated software can be helpful, but that’s not the key. What’s necessary for effective knowledge management to work is getting buy-in and participation.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Savvy Buyers, A Misnomer?
There is an article entitled “Savvy Buyers Use Self-Directed IRA to Buy Homes” at http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/31/BUQI19FAVM.DTL that really scares me.
My discomfort begins with the title which runs counter to my thinking and continues then with portions of the article that give reasons why investing in real estate via an IRA might be ill-advised. As I read the article, I also noticed many of the so-called savvy buyers had simply purchased the property so I would say the jury is still out with regard to how “savvy” they really are. The article also cited those who promote self-directed IRA as support for investment by self- directed IRAs in real estate.
I am sure holders of distressed property would welcome an influx of new “savvy” buyers to take property off their hands. I am also sure that those with self-directed IRA, especially those that went substantially down in value, will be looking for new investments they can believe in.
It’s probably because I am the former editor in chief of Practical Accountant and WebCPA columnist that this article struck such a raw nerve. Luckily, in today’s age even without that platform, I can still publicly express my viewpoint.
My discomfort begins with the title which runs counter to my thinking and continues then with portions of the article that give reasons why investing in real estate via an IRA might be ill-advised. As I read the article, I also noticed many of the so-called savvy buyers had simply purchased the property so I would say the jury is still out with regard to how “savvy” they really are. The article also cited those who promote self-directed IRA as support for investment by self- directed IRAs in real estate.
I am sure holders of distressed property would welcome an influx of new “savvy” buyers to take property off their hands. I am also sure that those with self-directed IRA, especially those that went substantially down in value, will be looking for new investments they can believe in.
It’s probably because I am the former editor in chief of Practical Accountant and WebCPA columnist that this article struck such a raw nerve. Luckily, in today’s age even without that platform, I can still publicly express my viewpoint.
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