In the business world, there is a bar that individuals must meet or exceed in terms of customer service. No matter how difficult the customer may be, claiming yourself as a professional implies that you hold yourself to a gold standard in the workplace. This article discusses some of the best ways to ensure great customer experiences.
To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.
This article highlights the work of Professor John Davis, who has been studying family enterprises and how they work since the 1970s. For example, he mentions how family businesses have natural strengths such as passion and persistence. However, he also discusses how fear of failure and change can be the downfall of these same businesses.
To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.
The Memphis accounting and consulting firm Reynolds, Bone & Griesbeck (RBG) is pleased to announce the addition of Skylar Bursi, Joseph Katool, Jerome Lindsey, Jamison Payne, and Parker Sewell to their professional team.
All five young professionals join the RBG team as interns for the 2020 tax season. Their primary focus will be on assisting with completing tax returns and experiencing tax season as part of a team of accounting professionals.
“I love welcoming interns to the team—it is always a very exciting time for the firm,” said Skeet Haag, CPA, managing partner of RBG. “Their eagerness to learn and willingness to serve really invigorate the whole office. As we gear up for the 2020 tax season, I am thrilled to have Skylar, Joe, Jerome, Jamie, and Parker joining us.”
Bursi is currently in pursuit of a Bachelor of Business Administration degree at the University of Memphis. She expects to graduate in December of this year. She is a member of Beta Alpha Psi, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and the Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA). Bursi is a native of Memphis.
A student at the University of Mississippi, Katool expects to graduate with a Bachelor of Accountancy this May. He is a recipient of the 2019 Undergraduate Scholarship from the Mississippi Society of CPAs and is one of 25 seniors at his school to receive the Distinguished Senior Scholarship. Katool was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi.
Lindsey expects to graduate from the University of Memphis this summer with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is currently affiliated with the AICPA, the TSCPA, Lambda Alpha International, and the Fogelman Finance Club. He is a candidate for Beta Alpha Pi. Raised in Chattanooga, he currently lives in Memphis.
A graduate of Northwest Mississippi Community College, Payne holds an Associate of Art in accounting. She is currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi and expects to graduate in May 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She next intends to pursue a master’s degree in accounting. She currently lives in Courtland, Mississippi.
Sewell holds an associate degree in accounting from Itawamba Community College. He is currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi and expects to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting this year. He currently lives in his hometown, Pontotoc, Mississippi. 
Have you ever felt like a bundle of nerves at the start of a new job? You are not alone. Most people feel some level of anxiety as they prepare to work somewhere new. While it is okay to be anxious, it is also good to make some effort to calm your nerves. Read on for some tips for dealing with new-job anxiety.
Relax 
Step one is to simply remember that new job stress is normal and okay. It can even be helpful because it causes you to remain focused and engaged. When you are feeling particularly anxious about your new job, simply stop and remind yourself of this, and try to relax.
Talk Yourself Through It
As you feel stress creeping in, take a few minutes to try to talk yourself down. Remind yourself why you are there—that of all the candidates who applied and interviewed for the job, you were the one they chose. Think about the things that make you excited about your new job. Focusing on the positive can do wonders in relieving your anxiety.
Pay Attention to Your Physiology
Fear and stress often manifest physically. Knowing this, you can learn to recognize when this is happening, and even control it to some extent. When you feel your stress impacting you physically, try doing some deep breathing exercises in order to control and reduce your anxiety.
Establish New Routines
Oftentimes, one of the big sources of anxiety is deviating from your normal routines. One good way to counter this is to focus on creating and implementing new routines. Think about what you liked most about your old routines, then consider how you can incorporate those aspects into your new daily life. Keep in mind that establishing new routines is hard. Try setting short-term goals, such as sticking to your new routine for a week or ten days, to try to set yourself on the road to success.
Personalize Your Workspace
To make yourself feel at home more quickly, try to do something to make your new workspace feel more comfortable. Bring a picture or two from home, choose a desktop background that you are used to, or liven things up with a plant or scented candle.
Make a Connection
Try to walk away from your first day at the new job having made a connection with one of your new colleagues. Don’t feel like you need to have become best friends with someone. The goal is to find someone that can act as an anchor of sorts in the first few days or weeks at your new workplace.
—
Like we said, if you are feeling anxious about a new job, that is completely normal. You are feeling stressed because you are in a stressful situation. Remember, though, to keep in mind that this is not a forever feeling. As you spend more time on the job, and if you follow the suggestions outlined above, you will start to feel more at ease in your new environment.
Reynolds, Bone & Griesbeck (RBG) is pleased to announce the addition of Mary Apple to their professional team. 
Apple joins the RBG team as the Human Resources Manager. She brings with her professional experience in various leadership roles, the last being Director of Professional Recruitment and Operations at an AmLaw 100 law firm.
“Mary is a fantastic addition to our team,” said Skeet Haag, CPA, managing partner of RBG. “She is incredibly experienced. Her professionalism and know-how will quickly make her a big boost to the firm.”
Apple attended the University of Memphis, earned an Executive Leadership certificate from Rhodes College, and received yoga teacher training certificates in vinyasa and aerial yoga.  She is currently affiliated with the Society of Human Resources Professionals (SHRM). Apple lives in Memphis, Tennessee with her dog Bailey. 
Although intended for small business owners, this article discusses accounting mistakes that can hinder growth in your business no matter the size. First and foremost, failing to hire the right CPA can immediately put a cap on the amount your business can grow. Additionally, topics such as mixing personal and business finances and ineffective billing management can also lead to slowed and even no growth inside of your company. 
To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.
This article discusses 30 family business truths that may be hard to swallow but can change the way your business operates on a day to day basis. For example, a high trust culture can be imperative when dealing with sticky situations in the workplace. In addition, focusing on what different members of the family have in common can build a positive work environment and create more efficiency.
To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.
This article offers seven different tips that small business owners should be aware of as we enter the new year. From using data to shape your strategies to playing around with different content, these insights could be the difference between you and your competition. Little things can go a long way, and this small business is no exception.
To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.
This article discusses how family business owners have to decide whether to sell their business or hand it down when they want to retire. Both sides have their advantages such as retirement funding and ensuring family well-being for a specific amount of time. However, there is no doubt this is a hard decision for many folks to make. 
To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.
The passionate people at RBG have always impressed Skeet Haag. Having a good group of people to work with was what drew him to become part of the firm. In fact, he has worked at RBG his entire career; he knows what it’s like to work your way up from an associate position. A driven worker, Skeet’s persistence, work ethic, proactiveness, and passion for helping people have been the keys to his success. A success that allowed him to become the new Managing Partner of RBG at the beginning of the firm’s second century of existence.
As the new Managing Partner in a brand new decade, Skeet answered some questions regarding his new role.
Q: At the beginning of your career, what inspired you to choose accounting?
A: Accounting just clicked with me. I liked math, but accounting seemed much more logical. Also, both of my brothers had gone into accounting to start their business careers.
Q: Looking back at your career, knowing what you know now, is there anything that you would do differently?
A: Accounting is just one aspect of the CPA profession. In school, you are not taught that communication and people skills are just as, or even more, important to be extremely successful in this profession. Looking back, I would have taken many more writing and speech classes in college, as well as putting more focus on developing these skill sets earlier in my career.
Q: What do you consider the biggest challenge that RBG faces in the future, and how do you intend to confront it?
A: No doubt, attracting and retaining good people are the biggest challenges. While we’ve been very successful at recruiting interns from college campuses, we continually search for experienced staff who fit with our culture. 
Q: What are you most excited for, as you step into the role of Managing Partner?
A: We’ve had so many great RBG team members over the years, but I don’t remember RBG being so well positioned for the future with the talent level we have now. That’s very exciting. John [Griesbeck] has really teed it quite nicely for me going into RBG’s second century and I cannot thank him enough.
Q: What are your big-picture goals for your time at the helm of RBG?
A: People and quality growth. I have witnessed firsthand that getting the right people in the right seats working for a common goal builds a great culture; then quality growth naturally occurs. We have developed definitive people and growth goals through 2025 and processes by which to achieve those goals. RBG’s partners are true entrepreneurs committed to remaining independent – getting the right people in the right seats will ensure that destiny.
Q: How would you describe your leadership style?
A: I’d use the words teamwork and collaborative. Teamwork is a core value by which everyone at RBG is judged, and it starts with our partner group – it is non-negotiable. Much can be accomplished with everyone working together towards one goal. As John C. Maxwell said, “The truth is that teamwork is the heart of great achievement”.
The firm is excited to watch what will unfold with Skeet at the helm. John Griesbeck remains a partner at the firm, focusing on building great client relationships.
