RBG Accelerate Leadership Conference 2019

On May 14 and 15th, RBG hosted 19 students from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, University of Memphis, Arkansas State and UT Martin. This was our 4th annual summer leadership conference, and the best by far.

The conference began with a scavenger hunt that sent the teams all over Memphis to grab photos at Memphis-centric landmarks after solving clues about where to go. This part of the conference tested the students’ skills in building a team from people they just met and working towards bragging rights and prizes. The teams ended the scavenger hunt at Railgarten where they enjoyed an evening event getting to know many of our staff and learning more about RBG.

The next morning begin with THE EVENT, which provided the students with an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of working at RBG and the culture of the firm.  Members of our Young Professionals Group (YPG) each presented a 5-minute talk on topics of interest to the students including benefits of our Allinial Global accounting association, Dress for Your Day, work flexibility, CPA exam incentives and how our YPG group provides a voice to senior management.

Following THE EVENT, a breakfast mixer in our Conference Centre provided an opportunity for the group to meet even more of our firm from staff to partners.  The day ended with interviews for 2020 internships and a final Q&A session with our YPG.

With the addition of THE EVENT and an expanded scavenger hunt, feedback from the students has been very positive.  We are excited to be able to reach so many students from the various colleges where we recruit, and our 2020 internship recruiting efforts are off to a great start.

Business Growth Through Social Media

Business Growth Through Social Media

The business world is relying on the Internet for exposure, and without a digital presence and a social media strategy, businesses are unlikely to reach their full potential.

This article discusses the importance of an updated website, social media strategies, and an increased digital presence.

To view this article, click HERE to access the original content.

5 Ways to Position Yourself for a Promotion

You’ve been in your current position for a few years and the question starts to become “What’s next?” You may be at a point in your career where you are ready to climb the ladder to the next level within your organization. So, how do you do it? This blog covers five prime ways to position yourself for a promotion.

1. Get on the radar.
No one can give you a promotion if no one sees you outside of your cubicle. Introduce yourself to senior managers and partners. Ask how you can be involved in more projects. Go to networking events and office after-hours get-togethers. You want to become a face that people in the office recognize and a name that your colleagues and managers know they can trust.

2. Work harder AND smarter.
Working hard is important, but it isn’t going to get you that promotion. You also have to learn to work smarter. The key is to work effectively and efficiently. Focus your time and efforts strategically and don’t fill your day with busy work that ultimately won’t get recognized or help the firm achieve its goals.

3. Be drama-free.
Now, there’s a fine line between being drama-free and having no personality. You don’t want to be a robot, but you also don’t want to be the person in the office everyone remembers for that embarrassing moment they had at the office Christmas party. Think carefully about your actions, before you do them and if you think there will be repercussions, or that your actions may cause turmoil, reconsider what you are about to do.

4. Keep learning.
In order to position yourself as a thought leader in the industry, you’ll have to stay on top of trends and industry changes. Make sure you’re subscribing to industry publications and reading at least one article daily. Take advantage of ongoing education that the firm offers so that you are continuously honing your technical (and soft) skill set. Your eagerness to learn will set you apart from the crowd.

5. Ask for it.
At the end of the day, no one is going to know you want to move up if you don’t express interest. If you feel that you are an invaluable team member who is ready for the next phase of his or her career, it’s time to ask how you can make that happen. Schedule a meeting with your manager or mentor to discuss what steps you need to take in order to take your career to the next level.

With these five valuable actions in mind, you can start to develop a road-map for your future. What do you need to do to get noticed, prove your success, and make it to the next phase of your career? A promotion doesn’t happen overnight, but with smart planning, you’ll position yourself for greatness.

Rebecca Jacobs Appointed to TSCPA Committee

Reynolds, Bone & Griesbeck, PLC (RBG) is pleased to announce that Rebecca Jacobs, CPA was recently named to the Federal Tax Committee of the Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA).

Jacobs established her career with RBG in 2009 and currently serves as a tax senior manager. In this role, she performs tax work for a variety of clients, including high net worth individuals, partnerships, real estate investments and diverse family organizations. She also acts as an advisor to fellow tax staff, in both formal and informal capacities, and works closely with firm interns and new hires.

“I consider it a great honor to be appointed to serve on the TSCPA’s Federal Tax Committee,” said Jacobs. “Federal tax policy is constantly shifting these days, and it’s important that tax professionals remain abreast of all current laws and updates. I’m glad to be allowed the opportunity to contribute to the TSCPA’s efforts on this front.”

A graduate of Christian Brothers University, Jacobs earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2010. She went on to attend the University of Memphis, graduating with a Master of Science in Accounting with a Concentration in Taxation in 2011. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the TSCPA. Within the TSCPA, she serves on the Memphis Chapter Scholarship Committee; she previously served on the Tennessee State Scholarship & Awards Committee. Jacobs also sits on the board of a local nonprofit animal rescue group, Cat Atrium. She currently lives in Bartlett, Tennessee, her hometown, with her husband, Seth, and their daughter, Vivian.

Cracking Productivity Using the Ivy Lee Method

Cracking Productivity Using the Ivy Lee Method

Ivy Lee was a businessman and productivity consultant working in America in the early 20th century. He developed a powerful method for increasing productivity. In a recent article, author James Clear examines the Ivy Lee Method and breaks down why it is so effective. 

What is the Ivy Lee Method? 

Ivy Lee’s method requires a simple daily routine. At the end of each workday, record six important tasks you need to accomplish the next day, prioritizing them by importance. Upon getting to work the next day, start in on the first item on your list. Complete it, and move on to the next task; then the next. If you don’t finish your tasks, simply move the unfinished items onto the next day’s list. Repeat daily.

 Why is the Ivy Lee Method so Effective? 

This straightforward method yields fantastic results. Why? 

  • Because it is simple. It allows you to focus and stay on track. Yes, it‚Äôs true that sometimes exigent situations develop, but with the Ivy Lee Method as your default, it‚Äôs easy to return to your work after dealing with unforeseen circumstances.
  • Because it requires decision-making. Rather than reorienting yourself every time you switch tasks, with the Ivy Lee Method, you always know where to start and what‚Äôs next.
  • Because it makes getting started easy. Since you make the decision about what to work on the day before, you can dive right in at the beginning of each workday.
  • Because it avoids multi-tasking. Though many glorify multi-tasking, studies show that greater focus results in better work. The Ivy Lee Method promotes this single-minded approach to work.¬†

For more details, read the article in full at James Clear.

Reining In Your Smartphone-Induced Anxiety

Reining In Your Smartphone-Induced Anxiety

How much time do you spend staring at your phone each day? More and more studies reveal the detrimental effects of smartphone usage on the human brain. In a recent article published by The New York Times, author Catherine Price takes a look at how extended use of a smartphone impacts the brain on a chemical level. 

Studies reveal that smartphone usage results in an increase in cortisol, the body’s primary fight-or-flight hormone. With the average American spending four hours on their smartphone each day, these cortisol spikes are becoming more and more frequent. Researchers have found that even just having your phone nearby, or imagining that you hear a notification, can lead to a stress response. Smartphone users feel “a constant sense of obligation, generating unintended personal stress.” 

The detrimental effects of cortisol increases stemming from smartphone usage include: 

  • -Increased anxiety, presenting physiologically as elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar (reactions that are helpful in the event of a physical threat, but not in every-day life)
  • -Increased risk of major health problems, including depression, obesity, dementia, and more
  • -Exacerbation of existing chronic diseases
  • -A negative impact on the prefrontal cortex‚Äîthe decision-making center of the brain‚Äîleading to decreased self-control
  • -Insufficient sleep, and the health conditions to which it contributes¬†

So what can you do to counter and alleviate the damage of smartphone usage? The key is to break the cycle, to retrain our brains. Price offers the following tips: 

  1. Disable all unnecessary notifications
  2. Pay attention to which apps contribute to your anxiety, and consider hiding or deleting them
  3. Try to notice if particular apps impact you detrimentally on a physical level, and consider hiding or deleting them
  4. Take regular breaks from your smartphone—consider implementing a periodic “digital detox”
  5. Identify when you are feeling a craving for your phone, and learn not to give in to it immediately 

For more details, read the article in full at The New York Times.