Business I career coach Learning From Your Dog I recently reconnected with a business coach I had not seen in some time. She was excited about her latest fam- ily member — a new mixed breed puppy she adopted from a local animal shelter. It had been 30 years since my friend had a pet in her home; and she couldn't wait to tell me how training the dog, whom she named Oscar, had transformed her life in a way few other things or experiences have done for her. She assured me that owning and caring for a dog was good training for running a business. I was skeptical at first. How can a dog teach me or anyone else about busi- ness success? There is an old adage I had not con- sidered: A dog at play has the mind of a wise martial arts master, a mind capable of perfect focus. It makes sense. Oscar sits patiently near my friend while she eats at her table. His eyes remain glued to her and his nose pointed up toward the table. He wiggles a little closer to her with each bite but he never oversteps his you don't finish assignments at boundary. If he thinks she can- the end of each work day? not see him, he gently nudges It's time to stand up, stretch, her leg with his nose. take a moment to breathe Oscar's job is sitting and stay- and get right back on task. ing put during mealtime. He Concentrate on your job, your has perfect focus. When he eats, company, the bottom line. Stay Oscar concentrates on his meal disciplined and you won't feel — with perfect focus. When he fl overwhelmed. Don't dwell on goes out for a walk, he follows Rob ert Sher what went wrong or how you her lead — again, with perfect Col umnist lost your focus. Instead, con- focus. When he plays fetch, he centrate on what you can do focuses on catching the ball. He can stay next to achieve your potential instead of focused for hours. on your limitations. Perhaps you should start thinking like a Try turning your back on the computer dog at play: Focus. Focus. Focus. Dogs can — and not the people in your office help you understand how to lead, how to — when you are in a meeting. Make eye manage and how to stay focused on the job. contact. Put the cell phones on vibrate How many times a day do you get dis- and out of harm's way. Do not text mes- tracted by the beeping reminder of an sage during the meeting. Be fully present. incoming e-mail message or a text mes- Listen. Respond. You don't want to get sages on your cell phone? Do you read so distracted that you have no idea what the news on your Blackberry during staff transpired during the meeting. meetings? Are you so busy multi-tasking, Most dogs are always fully present. When S-1 1! "4%.-- f :' trained, they stay on task. They generally don't stray too far from home. They cer- tainly don't pick up cell phones while being trained and they pay attention when their leaders give instructions like walk, sit, go to your crate. They aim to please and so they practice tasks until they perfect them. You need to be fully present to stay focused and the only way to stay focused is to practice it. If you concentrate completely on your company and employees, they will respond positively and will focus on the jobs you hired them to do. Likewise, you will find your way to business success. ❑ Robert Sher, CPA, is a certified executive coach. He formerly was CFO and partner for Schostak Brothers & Company. He has been a delegate from the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants to the National Future Forum, working on the CPA "Vision" Project. He serves on the boards of charitable and professional organizations. His e-mail address is: info@bobshercom. DO YOU HAVE BUSINESS OR PERSONAL TAX PROBLEMS? Levy & Associates can help? We stop and resolve the situation before going to court, and lawyers are needed. We let you focus on your personal and professional life. SPECIALIZING IN: • Offer in Compromise • Abatement of Penalties • IRS Collection Issues • Installment Agreements • Release of Wage Garnishments • Currently Non-Collectible Status • Release of Bank Levies • Innocent Spouse Claims • Unfiled Tax Returns • State Tax Collection Issues We are a Michigan based corporation. We have successfully represented thousands of corporations and individuals throughout the State of Michigan. Associates • Charles M. Inman, III, C.P.A.+ • Lisa Fort, C.P.A. + • Glenn Sturm, C.P.A. • Julie Morley* • Richard A. Erickson, Regional Manager ++ • Jeff Otis, Regional Manager ++ • Jose Gomez, Esq. ■ • Allen Reback, Regional Manager ++ -,American Society of Tax Problem Solvers • *American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ■ Member State Bar of District of Columbia ♦ Member State Bar of California • \ EN% Wok • Lti'f • Eton Ft_ Lauderdale • est Pa! ,n Bc-ach • Tampa • Orlando • Dallas • Fort lAorth • Indianapolis • Chicag,o • Memphis • San Diego /—∎A /-\1 \I • Marilyn Gray, E.A. • • Tim Halcomb, Regional Manager ++ • Steve Cushion, Regional Manager ++ Former IRS Revenue Officer We have resolved MILLIONS in tax liabilities in the last year alone! • Kenneth Winston, E.A. • ÷ Member Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants • EVY • Thomas L. Cohen, Esq.• • Dale L. Gudenau, Esq.** • Michelle C. Levy, Esq.** • Rewaq Najor, Esq.** •• Member Michigan Bar Association • Member National Society of Accountants YOUR OPTIONS: Payment plans Reduction or elimination of penalties Settlement for less than the amount demanded OFFICE LOCATIONS • Phoenix Lawrence B. Levy Member National Society of Accountants & American Society of Tax Problem Solvers • San Francisco • &II:1 , n 28400 Southfield Rd • Southfield, MI 48075 248.557.4048 • Fax 248.443.1642 Toll Free 877.666.1evy (5389) www.levygroupinc.com November 13 • 2008 A43