TaxForce Inc.’s Post

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀. 1% of the 1%. Look, as you put in the hours into your craft, DAILY, the distance between you and your peers will become obvious in 2years, extremely obvious in 5years, dangerously obvious in a decade, at that time, it will almost become impossible for them to catch up with you given that you won’t be naive enough to stop doing the exact same rituals that has brought you this far. At this point, your only competition will be yourself. Within a decade of insistent practice , it is possible to rise phenomenally to the top of any field no matter how challenging it is, but there is usually a price to pay to become extremely competitive . Becoming 1% of the 1% is not a gift, it is a reward of consistent deep practice every day over many years. And yes, it doesn’t happen by chance, you need to intentionally work towards being at the top of the chain, you have to be clear why you’re putting in the hours and you must reminding yourself that the goal is to be about 1% of the 1%. Now, this message is not necessarily for everyone. For some people, they just want to be good enough to get a paycheck. For some of us, the ball game is completely different. I’m writing for those people. With faith and determination, BABATUNDE, Ibukun.

I've read recently about one firm's summer bonuses for associates. That's one approach to try and keep associates around. I believe in another. Giving time. Time for family, time for yourself, time for your non-work passions. For example, if any associate I work with his on vacation, I have a strict rule: I will not interrupt the vacation. Time away should be spent reconnecting with those you love and what you love. Even a few minute interruption can materially impact that time. If you let associates truly get away, they come back happier, more refreshed, more appreciative, and more committed to the firm. They come back better people and better lawyers. Oh, by the way, when they do that, they win more and get paid more. So ultimately they win in every way.

To say I could cry from happiness right now is an understatement. At Vedder Price, our Labor & Employment group annually releases a mid-year round up that encapsulates our most-read articles and blog posts, focusing on what is most important to our clients. This year, I had the honor of co-authoring two articles—one with Libby Hall and the other with Michelle Olson. Both of these articles were highlighted as the Top Most Read Articles for 2024! When I opened the digital booklet, I almost fell out of my chair! No words can adequately express how grateful I am and how much joy this recognition brings to my heart. Not too shabby for a First-Generation student who learned English as her second language. From the age of five, I knew I would become an attorney, and every day, my goal is to make that younger version of myself proud. Thank you, Vedder Price and our L&E group for providing me the platform, mentorship, and resources to make this possible! To view the L&E June 2024 L&E Mid-Year Round Up, please click this link: https://lnkd.in/gX35THiR . #VedderPrice #FirstGen #LatinasInLaw #Labor #Employment #Marketing #Attorney

Promoted! As I celebrate my Bar Anniversary, I decided to use the opportunity to celebrate my elevation to the position of an Associate at Perchstone & Graeys LP. Where and how you start your career is very important. It sometimes defines your entire career. I am grateful to have started with Perchstone & Graeys LP. If you have just graduated from Law School and you are waiting for Call to Bar, I congratulate you in advance. When you eventually resume in that firm you have applied to and prayed for, imbibe the following culture: 1. Be punctual: don’t get to the office late. Factor traffic, unnecessary delays, contingencies, etc. 2. Be excellent: when you are given a task do it excellently. If it is something you haven’t done before, ask your colleagues in the office or the Associate that assigned the task to you. Go on YouTube or google and find out how best to deliver that task. 3. Throw yourself at work: don’t pick a preferred area yet. Don’t wait until your seniors assign tasks to you, go and ask them for tasks. 4. Be observant: don’t pick friends and divulge all your strengths and weaknesses immediately you enter any new environment. Observe everyone, treat them with respect and kindness. Befriend your colleagues who know better than you, don’t envy them. 5. Apply wisdom: learn how to work with everyone in the office, from the cleaner or admin staff to the managing partner/CEO. 6. Be polite: this also applies to those in your set, administrative staff, security guards etc., in that office. Don’t look down on them, they might even teach you the ways of the office better than your HR. 7. Be honest: if you are getting overwhelmed with work, talk to the seniors or your HR. Especially when they want to assign another task to you. Be very polite about it. “Sir, when do you need this, can I deliver it by so so time instead, I have a brief I am preparing on Mr. A’s instructions”.  Howbeit, do your best to finish tasks on time. If you are given a deadline of Friday and you know it’s something you can deliver by Tuesday, Just do it and submit so you will have room for other tasks. 9. Feedback: ask for the final copy of documents you prepared and read it side by side the copy you submitted. That’s the only way you can become better. 10. Ignore side talks: a lot of your colleagues will get better offers from other firms. By the time you hear their benefits, don’t neglect where you are and become recalcitrant. Appreciate where you are and become the best there. After your first year, you will need to update your CV and reapply to be retained in your office. All you did as a Trainee/First year Associate will be examined. Even if you were to apply to other firms, they will also consider your experience from where you are coming from. So, don’t take anything for granted. 12. Stay healthy and happy. Share these tips with young lawyers/every NYSC member you know. They will need it. Believe me. Have a wonderful weekend. Shalom!

Have you ever heard about the Two Year Rule? Its a little rule of thumb that Alan often talks about. Our careers are typically ~30 years in length. Within those 30 years, there are 15 two-year "sprint" intervals. Are you making the most of your "Two Year Sprint"? For ambitious professionals, who are looking to grow in title and compensation, it's important not to get stale in a role. Always be seeking change and growth. It could be moving UP via a promotion or gaining more scope Or it could be moving OVER into a function or region of unfamiliarity But if you are not able to move UP or OVER at your current employer, it might be time to get the hell OUT. Remember, that contract you signed: we are all employed at will. And if our current company is not supporting our career growth, then it's a clear signal to exercise our will and pursue greener pastures. PS: If you liked the brief conversation between Dominick and Alan below, join Alan later this week where he and the Kadima Careers will share how to land that new, better job. 🚀https://lnkd.in/e8g_bkbN #internalmobility #promotions #ownyourcareer

Jennifer Wold, managing partner in Virginia, was quoted in a recent article by Virginia Business examining how accounting firms are addressing the persistent workforce shortage. Wold noted that the profession is prestigious yet sometimes misunderstood, especially by young people. She credited the firm's national momentum, stepped-up recruiting efforts, and personal connections on campuses for attracting early career talent—including a record class of interns and new associate hires this spring. Read more. #Accounting #Recruiting

📅 As 2023 comes to a close, Thomas & Company will take a look back on the year in a series of posts, focusing first on our most important asset: our people. Thomas & Company believes that the success of our organization lies in the success and fulfillment of our incredible people. This year has been one of exciting company achievements and growth, marked by external onboarding, internal advancements, and exciting career milestones.   We are thrilled that Thomas & Company was named a Top Workplace in Tennessee for the 3rd year in a row. These awards are especially important as they are awarded by an independent third party and are based on the feedback from our employees. We were also recognized with awards for our work-life balance, purpose and value, professional development. leadership, innovation, employee well-being, and employee appreciation. We know that when our employees feel valued and are happy, they spread that joy to you and your teams.   Our unwavering dedication to our employees is evident as we celebrate milestone anniversaries for more than 20 colleagues. From those who've been with us for half a decade to those marking two decades of service, these individuals exemplify what it means to be dedicated to personal growth, Thomas & Company's success, and the satisfaction of our clients. 5 Years = 13    10 Years = 5    15 Years = 1    20 Years = 2   Throughout the year, we also saw a lot of exciting changes. We have introduced five brand new roles at Thomas & Company: Tax Manager, Client Marketing & Insights Specialist, Internal Training Specialist, Chief Revenue Officer, and Senior Data Architect. We were able to fill these roles with a combination of our unbelievable internal talent and subject matter experts. Moreover, we are thrilled to share we had an additional 30 internal promotions and progressions in addition to welcoming 28 new hires to the company! The growth and recognition we've experienced this year stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to our people at Thomas & Company. It is through their dedication and excellence that we are able to extend our commitment to our valued clients. Together, we continue to set new standards of achievement and service excellence. #thomasandcompany #enablesuccess #peoplefirst #culture #promotions #newhires #anniversaries

Do you remember your first day at work? No I don’t either... But it is time for another Weightmans early careers assessment day. That day when us grown up competent “professional” adults are shown up by the legal stars of the future…. And also the day when they make us line up for awkward photos in reception looking like it’s our first day 📸 Megan Melia Marc Prats Katy Moore Siobhan Jesson Denise Wright #lawyerlife #lawcareers #earlycareers #lawjobs #iveneverlookedsokeen

For 2023 Power of Change honoree A'Shira Nelson, CPA, tax manager & director at Wellspring Financial Advisors, continued learning and taking risks have been significant driving forces in her career. “Every time I have done things that scared me, there were bigger opportunities waiting for me,” she said. Learn more about A’Shira, including her experience with mentorship and how she makes it a priority to help younger colleagues and interns, at the link below. ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gsXdgA73

Laid Offs: It's an Inherit Part of Your Career Yesterday, while standing in line for some paint @ Home Depot, I was pleasantly chatting with two couples. In the midst of our discussion, I discovered in January, after being in business for 78 yrs.; Kelly-Moore Paint had furloughed 700 employees, closed all of their 157 stores, and the manufacturing facility in Hurst, Texas. Purportedly, it was due to asbestos related lawsuits. ‘No wonder when I drove by, the parking lot was completely empty.’ Within my career, I’ve been laid-off twice. Gratefully, on one occasion with UAL/MPI, I was provided with an advanced notice (9 mos.), my sick, vacation, 401K, & final paycheck were paid, along with a generous severance (I was working in the Internal Audit Dept., and we remained until the very end). With regards to the second occasion with Phillips Jr. College, I was provided with an advanced notice (2 mos.), was compensated in the same abovementioned manner, and given a moderate severance. In comparison, based on a few recent articles, I was truly blessed. There’s an old saying, “It’s not what you make, but what you keep.” And that’s absolutely true. Keep in mind, life is considered cyclical, which means you’ll have some good earning years and perhaps, poor ones as well. Moreover, no employer can reasonably provide any employee with a 100% certainty that his/her position will be essential in the future. Therefore, try to live a balanced life, avoid spending beyond your means (limit usage of credit cards), and routinely save for those rainy days. So, if you’re ever laid off, you could depart, and confidently say, “I’m covered.”