Big Words start conversations and open doors to new places.
Author: anwaryusef
Anwar Y. Dunbar is a Regulatory Scientist. Being a naturally curious person, he is also a student of all things. He earned his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Michigan and his Bachelor’s Degree in General Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Prior to starting the Big Words Blog Site, Anwar published and contributed to numerous research articles in competitive scientific journals reporting on his research from graduate school and postdoctoral years. After falling in love with writing, he contributed to the now defunct Examiner.com, and the Edvocate where he regularly wrote about: Education-related stories/topics, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Financial Literacy; as well as conducted interviews with notable individuals such as actor and author Hill Harper. Having many influences, one of his most notable heroes is author, intellectual and speaker, Malcolm Gladwell, author of books including Outliers and David and Goliath.
Anwar has his hands in many, many activities. In addition to writing, Anwar actively mentors youth, works to spread awareness of STEM careers, serves on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the David M. Brown Arlington Planetarium, serves as Treasurer for the JCSU Washington, DC Alumni Chapter, and is active in the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church. He also tutors in the subjects of biology, chemistry and physics.
Along with his multi-talented older brother Amahl Dunbar (designer of the Big Words logos, inventor and a plethora of other things), Anwar is a “Fanboy” and really enjoys Science-Fiction and Superhero movies including but not restricted to Captain America Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Prometheus. He is a proud native of Buffalo, NY.
A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. A key aspect of your financial health is managing and navigating taxes. The tax code is ‘mammoth’ in terms of size and is continuously evolving. It’s thus difficult for the lay person to keep up with it depending on your personal financial circumstances. When appropriate, it’s thus wise to hire a professional. The following sponsored post is entitled, Organize Your Taxes with a Professional.
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No one in their right mind looks forward to the tax-preparation season. If you are like many people, you probably put it off as long as possible, often well past New Years Day in any given tax-preparation cycle. And as time goes on, the number of complexities seem to ever increase. It can be difficult to plan and be organized.
One way to stay ahead of the process is to take a look at your financial and tax situation well ahead of time. By doing this, you can systematically unveil some opportunities to save on your tax bill. Heck, you may even get money back that you didn’t think you have coming.
Just a Few of the Tax Items to Keep Track of
The US Congress and the Internal Revenue Service are the proud creators of a gigantic, labyrinth-like tax code. Embedded in this monumental set of laws are numerous potential tax-saving possibilities. The key is that you need to know about them in order to take advantage of them.
Here are a few of the things you may need to understand and keep abreast of:
• Tax-loss harvesting • Charitable giving • Deferring income • Deferring capital gains • Medical expenses • Extra mortgage payments
These are but a few of so many to be aware of.
Perhaps it’s Time to Work with a Professional
The federal government is the proud creator of an immense, labyrinth-like tax code. It can drive you bonkers. Perhaps its time to partner with a professional tax organizer Glen Burnie MD. Here are just a few of the benefits of hiring a competent and knowledgeable professional:
• Pay the least amount of taxes • Professional, up-to-date monitoring of the tax code • Recommendations of tax-savings you never thought about • Representation if ever needed
So, consider making tax preparation season less of a hassle and claim every deduction you are entitled to!
Two of the focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Current Events. Because Covid-19 it’s it’s not possible to watch sports live right now. At some point though, we will get back to a point where we can flock to arenas and venues to see our favorite athletes and teams compete. Which is better? Watching sports live or on TV? The following contributed post is entitled, The Top 5 Pros and Cons of Watching Sporting Events Live.
Because of Covid-19, the thought of watching a sporting event live might feel like a lifetime away. But it will return in the near future, when it’s safe to do so. And because of this, there’s no reason why you can’t get excited ahead of time for whatever event you’re planning on attending.
So many people love to attend sporting events, whether it be an NBA game, a tennis match or the MLB. Which is why it’s no surprise that the global sports market is sitting at over $400 billion. So what are some of the pros and cons of watching these sporting events live?
The pros…
There are so many plus points of watching a sports event live. Enjoyable no matter what your age, it’s an experience that you’ll remember forever. Immersed into the atmosphere
When you attend a sporting event live, you’ll be quickly immersed into the atmosphere around you. From the moment you walk through those stadium doors, you’ll be met with a crowd of loyal sports fans, the smell of hot dogs and popcorn and the excitement of seeing your favorite players live.
When you walk into the court itself and find your way to your seats, the energy of the crowd will start to rub off on you, getting you excited for what’s to come. Unlike watching it through live streaming on the TV, you’ll be in the heart of the action instantly. Part of the game
Following on from the above, instead of being a spectator through a screen, you’ll be part of the game seeing it unfold as you take in the sights and sounds. Whether it’s a college game or a national event, it’s the ultimate experience for any sports fan – and one that you’ll want to experience again and again.
Seeing your favorite players in real life
Seeing your favorite players in real life is incomparable. Only a few feet (or a few hundred feet depending on where you’re sitting) in front of you, you can admire their physicality and sporting skills in person rather than through a screen.
The cons…
There are, however, certain cons that come with watching sports events live. And while these aren’t terrible for everyone, they are important to consider before you look for tickets to the next planned event in the calendar.
The cost
It’s not cheap to go and see sporting events live – especially if they are a big match that’s notoriously popular. Therefore, it simply might not be feasible for everyone. On top of the cost of the match/event itself, you’ll also have to factor in the cost of food and refreshments and whether you will wager on it.
For the latter, even though it can be a quick way of earning money online and there are many sites to choose from (see the best NFL betting sites here), you could end up losing a significant amount of money.
The seats
Not only does the cost of the tickets affect where you can sit in the stadium, but the popularity of the event itself. If you attend a game and find out that you’re sitting right at the back of the stadium, you might not have the same experience that you would have closer to the players. Not only will you have a struggle seeing each detail, but the atmosphere might not be as electrifying.
Improving Your Experience: What You Need To Know
Whether it’s horse races, Formula 1, or NBA matches, if you are looking to watch your favorite sports live or have decided to place a bet, you’ll need to learn more about what’s about to happen – before you take your seat! To do so, find reliable resources online that allows you to keep up with the latest stats and news, and make you feel more confident in watching a live sports event. For example, if you are planning on betting on a horse, find websites that offer all the data you need to have at hand. Let’s say that you are looking for verified Freddie Vasquez Equestrian reviews: the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) should be your first port of call!
Final Thoughts
Those are just some of the pros and cons associated with watching sporting events live. At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether you opt to see it in person or in the comfort of your home/a local bar. But no matter how you watch the event, it’s bound to be an incredible experience.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Many people want to establish small businesses domestically, but what about internationally? In some instances this can work but there are some considerations. The following contributed post is entitled, Can Small Businesses Work Internationally.
Expanding and growing your business is always an important part of its lifecycle. The larger you can make your venture, the more money you will be able to make, and this is an aim that most companies share. Of course, though, many businesses find themselves struggling when they restrict themselves to a single country. Working internationally can solve this issue, though there will always be some challenges that come with this approach. To help you out, this post will be exploring some of these issues, giving you the chance to overcome them before you even start.
The Law
The law can be a tricky customer for small businesses, and working in another country will only make this harder. Not only do you have to follow the rules in your own country, but you will also have to follow any rules that come from the places you’re selling to. This can create problems if these laws contradict one another. Getting the help of a lawyer that understands international law will be a good way to approach this.
The Language
Next up, it’s time to think about the languages spoken in the countries you work in. You can’t expect your customers to deal with communication barriers like this, and you need to find ways to be able to talk to them. A bilingual answering service can often be the best tool to use when you’re trying to solve problems like this, and you can find other services out there that will make it easy to handle affordable translations. This can cost a small fortune if you hire someone for the job.
The Culture
The culture of a country can make a big difference in the way that you market your products. This can be seen when you compare adverts in countries like China to those found in the USA, with elements of each culture shining through in their marketing efforts. This shouldn’t be too hard to nail down, but you may need to start posting to more social media accounts, ensuring that you can reach out to all of the places you’re trying to sell to.
The Competition
Finally, as the last area to consider, it’s time to think about competition. You will always have to compete to sell your services, though this can be much harder when you’re having to deal with local companies in different countries. Hiring a dedicated marketing company can help with this, taking the pressure off of your shoulders while ensuring that all of the work that is done will have a positive impact on your company.
Selling products in different countries will always be a challenge. No matter how hard you work, you will always come across issues that make the whole thing harder, and you need to be prepared to take them on before you get started. This will be a trial, but the results could be well worth it for your business.
A key focus of my blog is Financial Literacy/Money. Many would argue that a car is a liability and not an asset. A vintage car though if maintained could be a valuable item for resale at some point if you maintain it properly. The following contributed post is entitled, The Best Advice To Keep Your Vintage Car In Tip-Top Shop.
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While some people prefer a brand new set of wheels every couple of years, others have a different attitude – why fix something when it’s not broken? You may feel nostalgic about a certain car, and want to keep it going as long as possible. Or perhaps you prefer the look of older cars. Maybe you’ve got a classic car or antique beauty you still want to take for a spin! Older cars can be great assets if they are well kept. Taking care of your vintage car means much more than simply keeping it looking aesthetically pleasing and today, we’re going to give you the best advice on how to keep your vintage car in tip-top shape!
All cars need servicing at least once a year, but with your vintage car you’ll have to do this much more often. Many of the internal mechanisms on your car will be very old – perhaps even older than you – and will need regular check ups to ensure it continues running for as long as possible. Speak to your mechanic about the possibility of using arc spray to aid the prevention of wear and tear, and generally to help keep your car together for longer.
Lots of waxing and buffing
The paintwork on your vintage car is going to be more susceptible to damage, so you’ll need to take extra care of the paintwork. Waxing and buffing the paintwork on your car will help protect it from general damage when driving it around.
Use your car!
One mistake that many vintage car owners make, is leaving it in their garage or on their driveways for too long. They then struggle when trying to take it out for a spin. Taking your car out for regular drives will help keep all of the components working to the best of their ability.
Source car parts wisely
Vintage cars are going to be harder to source parts for, especially if the manufacturer doesn’t make parts anymore or worse, isn’t in business. Shop around for car parts to find the best quality parts for your car. Many vintage car owners have purchased parts for their car that actually depletes the value in the long run! Speak to a professional before buying parts to avoid this happening to you.
Tuck it in at night
If you don’t have a garage at home, it’s advisable to tuck your car in under a protective cover to help prevent weather damage ruining the paintwork. You can find car covers easily online and fairly priced too.
Keep an emergency fund for repairs
Finally, you should consider keeping an emergency fund for repairs on your vintage car. As mentioned earlier, it’s harder to source parts which could mean repairs will be much more expensive. Your mechanic may need to charge more than a ‘modern’ car for repairs and part sourcing too, so it’s always useful to have some spare money to ensure your car is back on the road in no time!
Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Whether you’re the business owner or the investor, a lot of money can be made from start companies also known as “startups”. The truth however is that these ventures in all likelihood won’t started generating significant cashflow early on. The following contributed post is entitled, The Raw Truth: Making Big Bucks From Startups Takes Time.
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A few companies start generating profit immediately. But almost always, the most financially rewarding enterprises make practically nothing for the first five years of operation. There’s a long ramp between setting up the firm and actually getting a return for all that hard work.
Take Square, for instance, a company heavily involved in payment systems. The firm, operated by Jack Dorsey of Twitter fame, was lambasted by investors in 2013 for failing to make any money. That year it lost nearly $100 million after taxes and depreciation, and many thought it would fail. Furthermore, the company had already been operational for four years, meaning that such losses were even more difficult to bear. Investors wanted to see a return, but they weren’t getting it.
Just a couple of years later, though, all the doom and gloom disappeared. The company turned things around. And now, it is part of practically every investor’s stock portfolio. You can’t afford to leave it out.
What happened? Essentially, Square spent the first five years of its existence looking for long-term profit opportunities. It didn’t try to satisfy investors by the quarter. Instead, it made decisions that were costly but would set it up for market dominance in the future. These bold decisions then attracted more investors who kept the enterprise afloat until it started making money.
It’s not the only example, either.
Amazon
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994. The company increased its sales to around $150 million by 1997 and over a billion in 1999. Unfortunately, it wasn’t making any money over this period. In 2000, the company borrowed billions from investors but had less than $350 million in cash on hand at one point.
It took the firm until 2003 to turn a profit, but it was a weak result. Many people believed that Amazon would never make any serious money.
Bezos, however, had a plan. He decided to invest all additional revenue into the firm to develop its technologies and systems. Eventually, it became the market leader, able to do things other eCommerce brands couldn’t. Ultimately, it came to dominate the market, even managing to beat out rivals like eBay.
Something similar is happening with Tesla motors. The company began in 2003 and yet it didn’t manage to turn its first profit until 2013. After that, it continued to make losses, only making serious money towards the tail end of 2019. That’s a long time to wait!
According to fintech industry experts, something similar is happening in their sector. The InsurTech Accelerator, for instance, provides security for firms with a long ramp. The hope is that the sector will see success stories similar to those of Amazon and Tesla.
Making big bucks, therefore, takes a long time. When you reinvest profits in a firm, you’re essentially compounding your advantage (as you might with a stock portfolio). The longer you leave it to take money out of the company, the more it’ll eventually make (so long as you make smart business decisions).
A key focus of my blog is Current Events. We are living in unprecedented times with unprecedented challenges. If you haven’t thought about what you would do should things break down into a larger crisis, now is the time. The following contributed post is entitled, Are You Prepared for When All Hell Breaks Loose?
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The world is in a state of unrest and most of us don’t even realize. Media companies can no longer be trusted, countries are fighting invisible wars and riots are breaking out in many different parts of the world. In America alone, protests and riots are gripping the country and causing a divide between two distinct political stances. Shootings and crime rates have risen drastically, and we also have to deal with a deadly virus that claims the lives of thousands every day.
But how prepared are you for when all hell breaks loose? Are you prepared to defend yourself when there’s civil unrest? Do you have enough supplies to weather the storm?
You either run or you bunker down–there are no other options.
If there’s civil unrest and you’re prepared to defend you and your family, bunkering in place can be one of the safer options assuming you have enough supplies for at least a week. For some, this can include keeping clean water and food supplies in the basement. For others, this could mean a personal shelter for their family.
The other option is to grab your most important belongings and go. This is known as a bug out bag, go bag or emergency survival kit. It usually contains essentials such as clean water, hygiene items, spare clothing, vital documents and self-defense items. The idea is that you simply grab the bag when there’s trouble and you leave immediately. You can think about your destination later.
Regardless of what you pick, it’s important to have a way to communicate with your friends and family members to stay in touch and potentially assist them should they need help.
Be prepared to defend yourself
Depending on the situation, you may be required to eventually defend yourself. Nobody wants to fight with another human being if it can be avoided, but riots are unpredictable and you may need to defend your business or property at some point. This is where tactical training can come in handy. Self-defense lessons may also give you peace of mind and, in some cases, you may want to consider owning a weapon or firearm depending on your stance on violence. Again, nobody wants to fight if it can be avoided, but having something for self-defence can offer you safety and comfort.
If you find yourself having to defend your business, then it might be worth having a plan to board up your windows and take important possessions before things get dangerous. For instance, having a safe with important belongings and business-related documents could be the difference between saving and losing your business.
When things get bad, there’s nobody you can rely on but yourself. We’ve even seen some instances where police are too demotivated or physically unable to help with crime. It’s a nightmare scenario that could lead to the total collapse of society, but it’s a very real possibility that we all need to be ready for.
Three key focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness, Organizational and Management Discussions, and Workplace Discussions. A key consideration in the discussion regarding restarting the economy following Covid-19 is workplace hygiene and making it safe for workers. If workers feel safe about the workplace, they may be more likely to return. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Tips For Companies To Improve Workplace Hygiene.
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The recent pandemic means that hygiene in the workplace is now front-page news. Everyone wants to make sure that they’re providing a sanitary environment for workers to keep people safe.
Workplace hygiene, however, has long been a priority for management. Leaders know that if they can improve cleanliness, they can reap the business benefits. Hygienic firms are profitable firms, especially in hospitality and medicine.
Are you worried about staying safe and mitigating the spread of COVID-19? Check out these tips.
Limit Food To Entitled Areas
A lot of workers like to stuff their faces with sandwiches at their desks over the lunch hour. It’s a time-saving device that helps them get more done during the day so that they can go home on time.
It turns out, though, that eating and drinking at a regular desk is a hygiene risk, especially if your company operates hotdesking. Food going into the mouth can be a carrier of infection, potentially putting the person at risk.
Limiting food consumption to permitted areas can make a considerable difference to the risk of transmission. It is much easier to clean canteens than it is to go around, ensuring the keyboards and mice are germ-free.
If you operate a canteen, ensure that you keep workers at least one meter apart.
Install Sanitary Equipment
Mopping floors and wiping desks is easy. But cleaning equipment to ensure that it is hygienic is much more challenging. Machinery tends to have a bunch of nooks and crannies where nasty germs can hideout.
Sanitary tubing goes some way to alleviating this problem. You can open it up and easily clean it, preventing the buildup of bacteria you get with conventional systems. You can also buy plant and equipment from vendors committed to exceptional hygiene. Make sure that things like filters are easy to replace.
Keep Air Moving
Researchers now believe that coronavirus may spread via the air in the form of an aerosol. Keeping air moving in the workplace, therefore, is essential. The more draft you can generate, the less likely any virus in the air will come into contact with people. Enclosed indoor spaces tend to be the most dangerous.
Business is booming for professional cleaning services, and it is not hard to see why. Companies want professional outfits that know what they’re doing when it comes to reducing the threat of COVID-19. Managers see them as a way to convince staff that their premises are “COVID secure.”
Most cleaning companies see the coronavirus pandemic as a business opportunity. For that reason, they’ve been investing heavily in training, giving their staff specific skills to combat viruses. In addition, they’ve been updating their equipment too. Many now use electrostatic cleaning tools to thoroughly coat surfaces using ionization to make sure all germs die.
Provide Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is now a staple in shops, pubs, and restaurants. Using it helps to prevent the spread of infection by killing any virus that might be on the skin. Place it strategically around your workplace.
Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Successful businesses must understand when it’s time to grow and expand operations. In some instances that involves leveraging the skill sets of other via outsourcing. The following sponsored post is entitled, Outsourcing Tips for Startup Business.
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One of the biggest problems small companies have is employing enough people with the skillsets needed to accomplish all the daily business operations. With limited funds during the startup period, more in-house services are being outsourced to save valuable financial resources. Here are just three of the many ways a small business can save money by outsourcing.
Marketing
If you want your company to grow amidst the online noise of thousands of other business ventures, you will need to stand out. Outsourcing social media interaction with consumers, ad strategy, and international content can allow you and your business to make a better product, advance your local consumer base, and grow your company.
Web Design
Even if you know someone that can design a web program for your business, consider outsourcing the design and management to a qualified technical team. Web developers are just the first component of a long-term partnership of resources your company will require as it grows. From online purchases to website blogging, your business will need a skilled individual to manage its requirements.
Accounting
Every business needs an accounting, payroll, and billing system to keep the money flowing through the company and out to valuable employees. Rather than take the time necessary to train personnel on accounting procedures and compliance processes, many startup businesses are starting to outsource most, or all their accounting needs to companies such as bookkeeping services Des Plaines IL. Placing financial operations into the hands of trained individuals saves money and makes the process efficient.
Outsourcing was once considered available only to large companies with expansive available finances. Just the opposite is true today. So, if you are creating a startup business and you have big dreams about growing the company, consider outsourcing some of your critical business operations. You may find it works well enough to continue the partnership even after your business expands.
Two focuses of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and Home and Living Discussions. Each of us has to change addresses and move at some point in our lives. Moving can be a gargantuan task if not properly prepared for. The following sponsored post is entitled, 4 Ways To Prepare For The Big Moving Day.
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Moving into a new residence can be an exciting adventure, but it can be daunting as well. If you want to be prepared and keep the associated stress levels down to a minimum, use these four moving day tips.
1. Clean Deep
Before you pack even the first box, start your adventure with a deep clean of all the rooms in your home or apartment. Move misplaced items back to where they belong and take a long look at what you own. Imagine the objects in your new home as you deep clean to decided if they will fit. You may be surprised at all the long-lost stuff you find as you deep clean.
2. Discard the Old
If you can not imagine the objects in your new home, discard them or give them to a thrift store. As you go through closets, be critical of worn-out attire you use to wear, clothing your children have outgrown, and the t-shirts with holes. Being realistic about the last time you used an object or wore a piece of clothing can keep you from packing something you will probably discard a few months after you move.
3. Pack Early
Don’t wait until the last month to begin packing your possessions. Locate some moving supplies Kansas City Mo and pack away items that you don’t regularly use. Dedicate a space for the boxes and crates as you pack objects away to keep from tripping over the cartons.
4. Clean Continually
Stay organized by cleaning continually in what would otherwise become a disorganized home. Making sure items are in their places will make it much easier to pack in an organized manner. Being orderly will also allow you to know where items are that you regularly use.
Organizing your household before you begin moving can make a difference in how stressed your moving day becomes. Also, remember to discard items you no longer need and give yourself an excuse to get new things once you are settled in your new home or apartment.
Two key focuses of my blog are Organizational and Management Discussions. If you’re running a construction site and working on projects, a challenge is keeping the job on schedule. As such you have to consider efficiencies that will optimize time and resources. The following contributed post is entitled, Four Tips To Improve Worksite Efficiency.
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When it comes to worksites, it’s important to be on point for deadlines that you have to meet and ensuring everything is going to plan with the timeline given. With that being said, there are definitely some things that are worth doing in order to help improve the efficiency of it. Here are four tips to improve worksite efficiency.
Delegating is part of the issue you can have when it comes to any site managers that are working on-site throughout the day. They might have their own duties to attend to, but it’s essential that there are daily meetings with workers to ensure everyone knows what they’re doing and when the progress should be done by. In order to keep to deadlines and to stop people from doing what they shouldn’t be doing, make sure you delegate. Otherwise, you’re going to have a lack of productivity in parts and also workers who are standing around doing nothing. It’s important to utilize every single member of the team and delegating is essential to making it work successfully for all those involved.
Use The Right Equipment
Equipment is essential for your worksite and the workers involved. If you’ve not got the right equipment on hand, then how do you expect those working to do their jobs and to do it safely. From Thompson Rock pugmills to any safety equipment that’s needed in order to protect your work staff effectively. By purchasing the right equipment and having it ready on-site or delivered when needed can ensure everything goes accordingly and that there are no delays caused due to lack of equipment.
Communicate Properly
Communication is important because otherwise, it can be very easy for wires to get crossed. That’s not something you want when you’re running along with tight deadlines, and unexpected events can occur that throw you off a few days. Make sure that you have a proper line of communication set up so that you can inform your staff on-site when needed and to also have effective communications between those on-site and those at the head office. By having these lines of communication, you will often run into fewer problems as a result.
Hold The Workers Slacking Accountable
Workers who sit around and do very little are something you don’t want to see, let alone be it in a public place where it’s causing disruption to commuters and the public in general. It’s important that any breaks are taken but out of sight and that you hold workers accountable when they slack off. It’s important to set examples within the workplace, otherwise, everyone else is going to take liberties too. Try to enforce workplace rules so that everyone is working hard to meet the site’s deadline to be finished.
Operating a worksite isn’t easy, so make sure you follow these tips to help make it as efficient as possible. Keep up with the right communication, hold your workforce accountable for slacking, and always delegate to your workers.
