Prager Metis CPAs’ Post

Reflecting on Tết: Embracing Renewal and Community at Winford International   As we mark the conclusion of the Tết festivities, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, it offers us a moment to reflect on the profound lessons it brings to our professional and educational communities.   Tết is more than just a celebration; it's a symbol of renewal, resilience, and the importance of community. Over the past several days, our team at Winford International has been immersed in this vibrant cultural experience, taking the time to reconnect with family, celebrate traditions, and most importantly, reflect on the year ahead.   This period of observance has also been a reminder of the incredible diversity and richness within our own community. At Winford, we cherish these moments that allow us to step back, gain perspective, and bring these learnings into our professional lives and the educational experiences we provide.   Cultural Diversity as a Learning Tool   As educators and professionals, the celebration of Tết offers us valuable insights into how cultural diversity can be a powerful tool for learning and growth. It reminds us that every tradition and celebration carries with it lessons on leadership, resilience, community building, and the importance of nurturing relationships.   Invitation to Share and Learn   We invite our professional network to share how cultural celebrations within your own communities influence your professional practices, leadership approaches, and educational strategies. How do you integrate these rich cultural insights to foster an environment of growth, learning, and inclusivity?   Looking Forward   As we move forward, let's take the spirit of Tết with us—embracing renewal, fostering deeper connections, and continuing to build a community that is enriched by its diversity and united in its goals.   Here's to a year of growth, innovation, and strengthened community bonds at Winford International and beyond.   #Leadership #CulturalDiversity #EducationInnovation #CommunityBuilding #NewBeginnings

🌟 Honoring Juneteenth: Empowering Through Hospitality and Travel 🌟 Today, we pause to honor Juneteenth, a landmark in our history that symbolizes freedom and the end of slavery in the United States. This day is a powerful reminder of resilience, courage, and the ongoing journey towards equality. At the heart of our industry—the hospitality and travel sector—we hold a unique opportunity to drive social empowerment and make a lasting impact. Here's how we can lead the way: 🏨 Championing Inclusivity and Representation: Diversity isn't just a buzzword; it's the essence of a vibrant, innovative industry. By embracing inclusive hiring practices and cultivating environments where everyone feels welcomed and respected, we enrich not only our businesses but also the lives of our employees and guests. Representation matters, and it starts with us. ✈️ Fostering Cultural Exchange and Education: Travel is a bridge to understanding. When we promote and respect cultural heritage, especially the rich histories of African American communities, we foster a world of empathy and appreciation. Let’s use our platforms to educate and inspire, turning every journey into a story of connection, learning and respect. 🌍 Driving Economic Opportunities: Our support for Black-owned businesses and local enterprises can spark significant economic growth in underrepresented communities. By highlighting and partnering with these businesses, we can channel resources and attention their way, paving the path for sustainable development and prosperity. 🤝 Engaging with Our Communities: True impact starts at the grassroots. By participating in local initiatives, forming strategic partnerships, and organizing community events, we strengthen our bonds and support meaningful causes. Let’s make our establishments hubs of dialogue, unity, progress and endless opportunities. As we celebrate Juneteenth, let’s commit to leveraging the power of hospitality and travel to foster a more inclusive and equitable world. Together, we can champion change and empower future generations. #Juneteenth #SocialEmpowerment #DiversityAndInclusion #HospitalityIndustry #TravelIndustry #EconomicEmpowerment #CulturalExchange #CommunityEngagement #BlackExcellence #Unity

G'day mates! As Australia Day approaches on the 26th, I thought this week would be a good opportunity to reflect on how our modern Australian values drive business success. 🐨🌏 I believe that Australia Day reminds us to acknowledge our shared history (the good and the bad), which builds unity. But it’s also important to embrace the diversity within our nation (and teams in the workplace) as it drives innovation and resilience. Celebrating the diversity embedded in our society is also about recognising the wide range of strengths within our businesses. Just as our multiculturalism defines us, diverse skill sets and perspectives within organisations drive success.  A key feature of our modern Australian values encourages respectful dialogue, a principle that’s crucial in the business world. Building open communication channels and actively listening to others within our organisations enhances our ability to adapt and thrive.  Finally, it’s important to mention that positive change and business objectives need not be at odds with each other. Whether it's supporting local entrepreneurs and homegrown innovation, proactively engaging in sustainable practices, or contributing to social justice causes, I believe businesses play a vital role in shaping a better future. Let’s focus on moving forward together and bringing about positive change.  How will you be celebrating what it means to be Australian this year? 🇦🇺🥂 #AustraliaDay #BusinessValues #Diversity #Unity #Dialogue

ACCSC Guiding Statement “Culture Is The Heart And Soul Of Canada's Most Livable Community.” We define culture as: Creative artistic activity and the goods and services produced by it, and the preservation of heritage. We are the leaders and collaborative flag bearers of the message that “Culture is the heart and soul of Canada's most livable community.” We move forward with conviction, with passion and in a carefully considered manner to turn our vision into a reality. We are driven by the belief that without culture we are not a livable community, but merely a place to live. We are motivators, advocates, teachers, guides, collaborators, a catalyst and hub for all things cultural in our community and we engage with like-minded individuals and organizations to enable us to better achieve our vision. We promote, influence and inform our community to change the way they think, act and feel about all aspects of arts, culture and heritage thereby enriching the quality of life for our community. We research, identify and engage with all individuals and groups in the cultural community to form aligned relationships and to inform and inspire them so they in turn, may inform and inspire others. We see and embrace a future propelled and defined by a new energy and of shifting mindsets. We use our collaborative energy and resources to fuel that change. We are relevant in all we do - and importantly, we are perceived or seen to be relevant by stakeholders and our communities. We promote and foster the understanding of culture as being an influential economic driver. We advocate for, and strive to achieve, the presence of a Community Campus. An inclusive and accessible Campus, one in which cultural disciplines of all natures can be learned, skills honed, practiced, displayed, and heritage celebrated. A Cultural Campus that becomes the physical heart of Culture in the County.

Are you a Canadian corporate leader with a passion for seeing the next generation thrive? #Applynow to join World Vision Canada's Corporate Engagement Advisory Council (CEAC) and make a difference in the lives of children around the world.   CEAC Chair, Tracy Chong, explains why she joined the Council:   “My family comes from unfortunate circumstances in a third-world country. The stories of their hardship were ingrained in me from birth—something all immigrant kids can relate to. I was taught to finish my meal because there were "starving kids in Africa" and that I was lucky not to be "living back home." From the age of six, the only show I was allowed to stay up late for was Nightline with Ted Koppel. I learned about atrocities all over the world and was desperate to help. I imagined those families as my own if they hadn’t been able to leave. That naïve perspective hasn’t changed with age.   When I agreed to chair World Vision’s CEAC, it was because I wanted to help a single organization that was benefiting the widest swath of people in countries with some of the greatest needs. Those same countries I learned about years ago are still facing many of the same issues, or situations have worsened. Regardless of anyone’s background, I believe it is our responsibility as tenants of the planet to think about everyone’s well-being. This means helping lift the most invisible, marginalized people out of the most inhumane survival conditions. World Vision is my pathway to achieving this.”   Ready to join us on this inspiring journey? Apply here: https://bit.ly/49U7o6S Application Deadline: May 31, 2024 #WorldVisionCanada #CorporateOpportunities #MakeADifference #CorporateImpact

Empowerment in leadership is crucial because it fosters a culture of trust, encourages innovation, and enhances employee engagement. Empowered teams are more likely to take initiative, feel valued, and contribute to the organization's success. It aligns with inclusive leadership practices that leverage diverse talents and perspectives, ultimately driving better business outcomes. Register below to learn more about Empowerment and how to impact your organization #GBTA #empowerment #empoweringwomen

🌍 My Journey with Ashoka to become a Change Maker: Driving Social Impact 🌍 I am honoured and proud to be part of the Kersia Changemaker network, a global community of individuals committed to creating positive change. We began our journey with the Changemaker programme through Ashoka. This journey has been both inspiring and humbling, teaching me the power of empathy, collaboration, and innovation in driving real-world solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. From supporting education in the community to wellbeing in the workplace, I’ve witnessed firsthand how meaningful change can start with a small spark and grow into a movement when fueled by purpose and collective action. Being part of this programme has strengthened my belief that everyone can be a change maker, no matter how big or small their contributions. Together, we can shape a more just, equitable, and sustainable future. 🔗 Let’s connect, collaborate, and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. #Ashoka #Changemaker #SocialImpact #Leadership #Innovation #Purpose

When I attend professional conferences it is reasonable for me to expect the speakers, panels and attendees to reflect the diversity of the multicultural and Indigenous communities we work with in Australia. Yet time and time again I do not find this, it is the exception rather than the standard. There is a dominance of whiteness and what troubles me most is how it leaves the people of colour in those spaces often feeling culturally unsafe and excluded. That the allyship that is spoken of is performative. The lack is representation is not because of the lack of talent, there are countless brilliant Indigenous and people of colour leaders and experts, it’s a lack of intention and effort. We must do better than this. How can the non for profit movement champion equity, inclusion, systemic change, social justice, cultural safety and allyship if we only give it lip service. It takes intention. It takes work. And it’s ok that everyone is at a different stage of that journey as long as we have all begun it. Take that first step, no matter how small. You will make mistakes (I have made many), that’s ok, it is the only way we learn, mature and grow. I grow from my mistakes and I still have much more work to do myself as a leader, there is no finish line. It’s not a one off event or action, it is a transformative way of working and leading to keep pace with a profoundly unequal society. And its not about doing it from a place of shame or guilt but because it’s the smart and right thing to do. It will make us better. Our movement stronger. Our organisations more effective. Our impact more meaningful. Our communities more safer, fairer, inclusive and cohesive. Which is what we all ultimately want.

I wanted to share an opportunity for learning more about Canada's Indigenous history through the work of a good friend Chastity Davis-Alphonse, her company Deyen and their signature course "Canadian History Through An Indigenous Women's Lens". "Deyen,"(pronounced Dee-yen) is the Tsilhqot'in word for their medicine people, and Chastity shared today that it symbolises an open invitation for everyone to transform. It beckons us to bring our hearts into every aspect of our lives, including the often impersonal realms of business and leadership. I would encourage anyone to join this course, and share it with everyone in your world. It is a deeply impactful experience and goes beyond the typical self-paced online learning courses by incorporating experiential music, art, video and storytelling by a diverse group of Canadian Indigenous women, as well as 2 live sessions to integrate the learnings. You can find more information and register at Deyen.ca At the launch event today, hosted by Tamara Taggart, we were privileged to hear from the very wise teacher Janis Brooks and I deeply resonated with everything she shared. She has deep and loving knowledge and it shone through in the truths she shared with us. Just a few of the learnings I took from this gathering (and this is highly condensed!): - The most powerful person in the room is actually the most loving, and truly understanding that will change everything about how we show up in the world. -  Communication energetically is always happening whether we realise it or not, and we might want to regularly ask ourselves “What is my energetic contribution?” - The process of decolonization is a chance to bring softness and femininity back to business. When you work from a place of love that is decolonizing. - Authentic connection and a true feeling of belonging is the antidote to disengagement and isolation, and this truth is supported by loads of research, polls and statistics. Only 1 in 5 employees in Canada report being highly engaged in their work, due to lack of connection with their leaders. - Developing heart centred leadership starts with self awareness and curiosity - becoming aware of our own position, power, privilege and bias. Those questions are not to be feared, but create opportunity to mitigate or leverage the conditions that your position, power, privilege and bias creates. - Understand the difference between intent and impact. Being a heart centred leader is living by the platinum rule - treating others how they want to be treated, not how you would like to be treated. - What might happen if you focus first on how you want to be, before what you have to do? How do I want to be today? Loving, kind, creative, connected, present etc.. “When people go to work they shouldn’t have to leave their hearts at home.” Betty Bender There is more information about both Janis and Chastity at their websites as well: Chastitydavis.com Salishansolutions.com

🌟 𝗬𝗻𝘆𝘀 𝗠ô𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀, 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🌟 At Ynys Môn Business Cooperative, we recognise the hurdles our community faces and are committed to overcoming them: 🔹 Planning & Politics – Addressing barriers that prevent local business growth and investment. 🔹 Employment – Creating opportunities for our young people to thrive right here at home. 🔹 Community Resilience – Combating the pressures of an ageing and declining population. 🔹 Cultural Preservation – Protecting and celebrating our unique Welsh heritage. We must look after Anglesey and its future much better than the way it is now. We acknowledge the long-established connections North Wales has with North West England, through family, trade, leisure, and sports. Brexit poses significant challenges, and while we respect diverse opinions from independence to immigration, our focus must be on creating opportunities for our young people first. Major planning failures have let local businesses and people down. We need to prioritise retaining our youth over focusing on language impact over ivestment and employment. If we can't create opportunities for local businesses and people, there won't be the communities, culture and Welsh language that we value. The challenges are real, but so is our resolve. Together, we can create a brighter future for Ynys Môn. #YnysMonBusiness #CommunityChallenges #SupportLocal #EmploymentOpportunities #CulturalPreservation #EconomicDevelopment 🌍 Address the issues. Invest in our youth. Preserve our culture. 🚀