“Don’t ever confuse the two, your life and your work. That's what I have to say. The second is only a part of the first.” As I sit here on a Saturday rereading Anna Quindlen’s quote, I wonder why I am not adhering to her advice. I am constantly struggling with that balance between work and life. Work should only be a part of my life, however, today that is not true. I tell myself that putting in the hours now will pay off in the future. But will it? As I talk with other young professionals, I find that they too are finding a similar struggle.

Business as usual is not cutting it for the next generation. That’s why I enjoy the blend of life and work that the Whatcom Young Professionals events offer. No matter what WYPs event I go to, whether it be over coffee at the Morning Buzz to discuss business challenges and marketing ideas, or over a glass of wine at the Evening Social to cut loose and learn more about the lives of other young leaders; going to the WYPs events reminds me that I’m not alone in my struggle with work-life balance, and allows me to glean inspiration from others to further propel my career and my quality of life.

As much as I want to boost my career by putting in dedicated hours, I have realized that having a life outside of work drives me even further by allowing me to come back refreshed with new ideas. Even though WYPs events can be thought of as a part of “work”, for me they are more about “life”. Take advantage of the quality of individuals in our membership, get to know them, become friends with them, and learn from them. Over the last two years of involvement with WYPs, I have found some wonderful friends that have not only improved my life, but have improved my work too.

Again, I look to another quote from Anna Quindlen. “You cannot be really first-rate at your work if your work is all you are.” That’s why I’m getting off my computer to go outside and talk with friends.

I look forward to visiting with you at the next Whatcom Young Professionals event!

 Investing in Human Capital - By Drew Graham
Whatcom County is in dire straits. Heck, America is at risk.  There is a need for a resource that is too often overlooked and under appreciated. A type of commodity most of us have failed to build up and nurture. We may have even forgotten its importance to our business environment. In speaking with local CEO’s and Human Resource specialists, this is the one issue that needs to be addressed, not later but now.  And it’s the same across the country. Is it zoning regulations?  Nope. Tax issues?  Guess again.

It’s a skilled labor pool. A work force that’s ready to work. I’m talking about welders, electricians, operators and machinists, all of which are currently in short supply.  Even beyond that, engineers and scientists are hard to find and even harder to retain. Is there a shortage of MBA’s?  I get my coffee fix from a double degree holding barista.  I’m just sayin…

There is an ever growing need to invest in human capital development.  According to recent Senate testimony by National Association of Manufacturers board member Mary Andringa, “The human performance gap threatens America’s ability to compete in today’s fast-paced and increasingly demanding global economy.  It is emerging as our nation’s most pressing business issue.”

Whatever we do to correct his trend it needs to start with us. We must change the thought process that says you’ve got to have a college degree to earn a good wage.  Not true. A family wage can be had by a qualified skilled employee.  I believe we need to start in our schools.  Perhaps at the elementary level with a reinvigorated focus of “back to the basics” reading, writing and arithmetic. Or the reintroduction of technology and trade education at the middle and high school levels?

Whatcom County needs a skilled work force. Within the next decade, millions of baby boomers are going to hit retirement age and leave their posts.  Not just in the boardroom and from the corner office, but at the docks, in the warehouse and on the production line. Skilled workers are now and will continue to be in high demand.  It’s our responsibility to our communities to encourage and foster the education of a trained labor force ready to get to work.

 Islands of Service - By Travis Huisman
I am sitting here on a typical Washington winter day typing this article while dreaming of other places.  We all know the kind of day I am talking about, everything is a shade of gray, the temperature is hovering somewhere between 36 and 40 degrees, and the rain is coming at you horizontally.  While I enjoy winter, it is not hard after weeks of this weather to start dreaming of white sandy beaches, tropical drinks, and plenty of sunshine.  So, I thought it justifiable to brighten this article with analogies that would help you envision cheery things and warm places.

In a previous iteration of my career I was a business systems consultant.  As un-pleasant and cold as that may seem, it did give me insight into a common planning problem I see today.  The industry jargon included the term “islands of automation,” which literally means myriad of disconnected software programs a business might use.  For example, if you imagine a business as a giant body of water, then your accounting system would be one island, your customer database another, your email system another, and so on.  Eventually, if you were to list all of the software applications you use in your business you would have a body of water that looked something similar to the island chains of the South Pacific.  The challenge begins when we try to get these islands communicating with one another.  However, huge gains are to be had for the effort.

Now, to look at this in a bit of a different direction, much like islands of automation, most business owners are surrounded by islands of service.  One only needs to attend a few networking events before you realize how many professionals our businesses employ.  Most business owners employ accountants, attorneys, insurance agents, personal financial planners, and investment brokers or advisors, at a minimum.  As a professional myself, my point isn’t to highlight the fact that there are many of us, but instead to relate them to the analogy of the islands of automation.  Take a moment to visualize the body of water again, yourself as the “big island” and each service professional you work with as an island floating in the water just off your coast.  Now, ask yourself how well your islands are communicating.

Sticking with the island analogy, business owner’s hope to chart a course to all things Jimmy Buffet which takes the least amount of time, the least amount of money and the fewest run-ins with pirates (think IRS), and sharks (think bad investments) as possible.  While well meaning, if your service professionals aren’t talking with one another, they are bound to steer you off course into dangers uncharted waters.

As testament to this importance I would offer up several examples where business owners have gotten into trouble through lack of communication.  A common example we see during tax time is when investment advisors and tax planners haven’t discussed tax impacts of investment decisions and the business owner is left having to pay a large tax bill which could have been avoided.  Another common example is when insurance products don’t match the business or estate planning needs of the business owners and beneficiaries are surprised at the result upon death of a key member of the team.  My final example is to consider the simple yet huge trouble you can get into when your financial planner, the person responsible for your Jimmy Buffet days, is assuming a much higher valuation for your business than your business planners know you will receive!

1. Pick a navigator to help guide this process and make sure the crew is communicating in your interests.  This can be you, but I recommend you be honest with yourself about your available time and your ability to fill this role.  Alternatively, hire one of your service professionals to fill this role.  Appropriate vision, experience, and personality of the professional you choose are very important as well as clear communication of your expectations to achieve the success you are looking for. 
2. Hold periodic meetings with your key service professionals.  This is your chance to communicate your goals and desires as well as an opportunity for your professionals to exchange planning ideas that will benefit you.  Depending on your planning needs you might meet more or less frequently.  This is something you and your navigator should discuss.

One of the great things about the island and sailing analogy are the rewards you get when you arrive at the destination.  For you, it might be living the nap-in-a-hammock Parrot Head analogy I have suggested, or it might be completely different.  One thing is certain, with a navigator and proper communication among your islands of service your journey will be more successful and your destination more rewarding.

If you would like to find out more about how a navigator might help your planning, Travis Huisman can be reached at travis.huisman@mossadams.com or 360.676.1920.


 Adventures In Success - Early Bird Registration Discounts End Today @ 5pm
Date: Wednesday, May 7th
Time: 3:45 Tour, 5:30 Crab Feed
Cost: Early Registration - Members $18 | Non-Members $36
Cost after 4/15/2008 - Members $25 | Non-Members $50
Details: Tour Alcoa Intalco Works in Ferndale and then enjoy a Crab feed at Totem Terrace.

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