Andrew Schubauer Explains 3 Ways Empathetic Leadership Could Transform Your Employees’ Mindset

NY Weekly Staff on April 21, 2023

In business, the need for efficiency is greater than ever. But too many employers jump straight to the end goal without changing their leadership style. As a result, their team feels uninspired and demoralized, with little passion for the end product.

Andrew Schubauer, the founder of NIS Empowerment Coaching, is flipping the script on leadership and mindset. Today’s climate requires real emotional intelligence in CEOs as more workers pick up where they left off in the office. Coach Schubauer believes promoting empathy, accountability, and intentional action could help employers prevent fragmentation and high employee turnover rates.

Schubauer is unique among corporate coaches in his understanding of psychological and neurobiological techniques. A military background has opened his mind to the shortcomings in conventional ‘top-down’ leadership styles. Here are three methods he believes will be critical in training the next generation of successful business leaders:

1. Empathize and evolve

The military leadership style has some positive attributes, but empathy isn’t one of them. Schubauer believes decisive leaders are missing the ability to really ‘get’ the people they are working with. Getting on their level and understanding what is important to them is the key to helping them evolve within your business.

“People are not their DISC profile,” the founder proclaims. “In the Navy, I found that dysregulated leadership led to disillusionment among servicepeople. It made me realize that understanding your team is critical to evoking their evolution and progress.”

Empathizing doesn’t mean disregarding your position altogether. Coaches like Schubauer encourage the clarity and determination of old-school leadership but with more emotional intelligence. Enlisting an expert in neuro-linguistic programming can help you change your mindset.

2. Dare to dream

Now you understand what motivates your employees, you need to plan their onward journey. Empowerment is that important to Schubauer’s beliefs; it’s in his company name. Making your team feel able to tackle the next big project is the first step to seeing that end product come to life.

“Unlike many leadership coaches, I don’t come from a C-suite background,” Schubauer says. “I know what it takes to motivate and inspire a structure from the middle and bottom of the organization. I believe the challenges a person faces are the key to inspiring more in them.”

Don’t just transform your employees’ mindset. Feeling inspired as a leader is equally crucial for your company’s success. An empowered understanding and awareness can set you on the path to long-term fulfillment in your leadership role.

3. Reverse the ranking

If there’s one thing Schubauer is known for, it’s bottom-up leadership. He wants to create a trend away from outdated structures where one person controls a company’s vision and towards a more inclusive approach. In short, you can’t roll out a strategy if the people implementing it aren’t on board.

Failing to adapt when your efforts repeatedly fall flat could only reinforce negative company culture and waste time. You could even risk losing employees if they don’t feel heard around the table. Filling the gaps in insight and providing growth opportunities is how you shape a prosperous future for your business.

“I have had the opportunity to see fantastic concepts fail at lower levels because of poor implementation,” the coach reveals. “Change your perspective from top-down leadership to a bottom-up mindset. Building leaders at the bottom always results in a better result at the top.”

The world is full of coaches who promise to grow your business. But you can separate the individuals with value to add from the opportunists by their desire to change the world, not just their clients’ bottom lines. 

Andrew Schubauer is passionate about making workplaces more empathetic. As NIS Empowerment launches a new coaching concept to help employees manage challenges without leaving the office, its founder’s positive influence continues to grow. Because, he says, “Nothing is static: we either choose our change or exist at the whim of it.”

Family Founders and AI: How Ouroboros Group is Revolutionizing the Private Equity Industry

NY Weekly Staff on April 21, 2023

When it comes to identifying established businesses to invest in, the Ouroboros Group has two aces up its sleeve— artificial intelligence and a focus on family founder firms. 

Combined, they have the potential to generate a strong industry advantage. 

The team at Ouroboros, a healthcare & consumer focused private equity firm, unlocks the power of machine learning with an AI tool Samantha Ory, the firm’s founder, developed called Carmen. 

Ouroboros Co-Founder and Managing Partner Richard Tannenbaum believes innovation will dominate the day when it comes to finding investment opportunities. 

“Collectively, we’ve seen advanced tech and AI transform Silicon Valley while Wall Street lags behind,” Mr. Tannenbaum said. “We’ve seen that Carmen can revolutionize private-equity and find better companies faster.” 

So Carmen was tasked with finding companies whose CEOs are looking to sell; are approaching retirement; or lack a successor to operate the business. 

“This allows us to tailor our investments to a business owner and solve generational transition issues that arise in many small family owned businesses” said Mr. Tannenbaum, “while maximizing our returns for our investors and family founders. We focus on the right types of investment.”

We see the small to lower middle-market as an attractive asset class that has been largely ignored by large private equity firms and strategic acquirers. According to studies done by Schroders and Cambridge Associates, small buyout firms have generally demonstrated outsized IRR returns on average compared to larger PE funds.Within this segment of the market, there is often less competition from prospective buyers and fewer auctions resulting in favorable supply/demand dynamics, which results in attractive valuations because of the sitting operating partner network and growth prospects Ouroboros can create. Ouroboros’ investment strategy leads to greater opportunities to build value and is another key driver of outsized returns within the ‘small business’ asset class.

Mr. Tannenbaum believes the traditional approach to finding investment opportunities hinders growth by reducing the personalization of the investment and reduces the flexibility to structure an investment that will ultimately benefit the existing owners of the company. “Investing in family businesses requires a bespoke approach that fits an owner individually, it’s the difference between off-the-rack and tailored, CEOs know and  appreciate the difference.” Mr. Tannenbaum wants to build businesses that respect the values of the founders and owners, which goes down to people. Technology has allowed a greater personalization of the approach, Carmen enables disintermediation that allows Ouroboros to get to know a business owner and what makes their organization special. That’s much more difficult to do in a bank process.

But AI can:

  • Analyze the performance data of companies to make predictions on a company’s future.
  • Scan news articles, social media and other information sources to gauge a company’s reputation.
  • Help Ouroboros screen possible opportunities based on criteria such as stage of development, size, industry and location. 

Specifically, Carmen can: 

  • Provide recommendations based on publicly or commercially available financial, non-financial, conventional, and unconventional data.
  • Identify and approach new investment targets on a large scale and in a systematic manner before they are approached by investment banks or intermediaries.
  • Predict trends in valuations within different sectors.

The second ace is that the Ouroboros Group focuses on family founded companies. In fact, Ouroboros likes to say their investment firm is, “for family founders, by family founders, with family founders”

Most successful family founded companies are the result of decades of commitment from existing family members and close associates. Often the products/services delivered are meaningful to existing management;  and potential buyout firms need to establish a strong sense of trust and understanding to forge a lasting partnership. Ouroboros does this early and is an important part of the vetting process.

Both Mr. Tannenbaum and Co-Founder Samantha Ory, Chief Investment Officer and creator of Carmen, have worked closely with their own family businesses. This operational experience has allowed the partners to seamlessly work with CEOs and develop non-predatory growth plans that optimize all outcomes for the entire capital stack.  Ouroboros always prefers to work with existing management post-close, drawing upon their expertise, early in determining the needs of the business. Ms. Ory, “we always ask, what does your baby, the company, need to go to college, that means if you wave a magic wand, what would you do to bring in the next phase of growth.”  This approach has created opportunities for best in class returns. 

This approach, combined with futuristic AI, is bringing the Ouroboros Group towards a successful fund close—quickly.

“We’ve seen phenomenal traction as we’ve begun our raise, with a robust pipeline that we’re excited to deploy capital towards,” said Ms. Ory. “We also have an incredible opportunity to drive ESG initiatives into the fabric of our investment thesis. In our portfolio companies, we’re committed to transforming board governance for racial/gender diversity; and working towards sustainability by reducing supply chain waste and implementing ESG compliant reporting systems.”  

Ouroboros is disrupting the private equity industry by crossing the finish line first

“We are re-developing the private equity process to create a paradigm shift in middle-market investing, focusing on healthcare and consumer sectors,” Mr. Tannenbaum said. “The most important decision an investor can make is which company to invest in. We believe that through technology, we can improve the investment decision process with better information.”

Visit obgfund.com to learn more. 

[Warning: NO OFFER, INVESTMENT ADVICE, OR PERFORMANCE GUARANTEES All written content is for informational purposes only and may not constitute a complete description of available investment services or performance. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed on this Site constitutes an offer by OBG Management Company, LLC to buy or sell any securities or financial instruments, or to provide any investment advice or service. The services, securities and financial instruments described on this article and/or website may not be available to or suitable for you, and not all strategies are appropriate at all times. The value and income of any of the securities or financial instruments mentioned on this article and/or website can fall as well as rise, and an investor may get back less than he or she invested. Nothing on this website should imply that past results are an indication of future performance. Past performance does not guarantee future performance. Independent advice should be sought in all cases.]

Sam Silver’s EP “How I Hear It”: A Must-Listen for Fans of Electronic Music

NY Weekly Staff on April 21, 2023

If you’re a fan of electronic music, you need to check out Sam Silver‘s debut EP, How I Hear It. This rising DJ, producer, and artist from New York is already making waves in the music industry with his unique blend of hip-hop and electronic sounds.

Silver‘s love for music started at a young age, and he credits his mother for exposing him to different sounds and genres. He grew up playing piano and DJing for fun, but it wasn’t until he accidentally landed MTV TRL’s Song of the Year while interning at Practice WorldWide that he realized he wanted to pursue a music career.

However, Silver‘s journey has not been without its challenges. His manager, Gary Salzman, who supported him in his development, passed away from Covid-19. This loss deeply affected Silver as both a person and an artist. Nevertheless, he has continued to push himself creatively and explore new sounds.

Now, let’s talk about How I Hear It. The EP is a journey through the different perspectives in relationships and how people relate to the scenarios we all go through over the course of our lives. The intro sets the tone for the EP, conveying that everything good must eventually come to a natural end.

The first track, featuring A$AP Twelvyy, explores the progression of young love from the early stages of infatuation to eventual heartbreak. It’s a relatable and emotional track that captures the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with falling in love for the first time, making it a perfect song to play at a festival or rave. The second track, “Pacifistic,” is about maintaining independence during a relationship, having a good time, and not letting anything get you down. It’s a fun and upbeat track that moves you on the dance floor.

In the third track, Silver explores the conflicting feelings of seeing a partner spiral out of control. You know they’re making your situation worse, but you still try to support them and make the relationship work. It’s a raw and honest song that tackles a complex topic with sensitivity and grace.

The fourth and final track, “First Date,” is a lighthearted and relatable one about the nervousness of going on a first date. We all know the feeling of hoping the person across the table won’t disappoint us, and Sam captures that sentiment perfectly.

Overall, How I Hear It is a well-crafted and emotionally resonant EP showcasing Silver’s unique musical talent. His blend of hip-hop and electronic music is fresh and exciting, and we can’t wait to see what he does next.

Silver has already DJed top venues, such as the Highline Ballroom in NYC, Virgo, Kind Regards, Gold Bar, and East Berlin, and has even opened up for Common with Brian King Joseph at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. He’s also scored for the Cowboy UFC documentary, showing his versatility as a musician.

As he continues to develop his sound, Sam Silver is poised to make a name for himself in the electronic music scene. We can picture him playing festivals and clubs worldwide, collaborating with other talented artists, and bringing his unique sound to the masses. Silver is an artist to watch, and we can’t wait to see where his career takes him next.

 https://open.spotify.com/album/3IXrAMo3UkoTb1oVmCVINn?si=8KaOMiUVQFakevmij_lDog&dd=1

Credit Card Chargeback Fraud by Consumers and its Consequences for Immigrants: The Dark Side of Credit Card Protections- Case Study of FNU Afrina

NY Weekly Staff on April 21, 2023

The credit card chargeback system was initially designed to protect consumers from fraudulent transactions by providing them with a means to dispute unauthorized charges. However, the system has increasingly become a tool for illegitimate claims of friendly fraud, causing significant financial repercussions for businesses. Friendly or chargeback fraud occurs when a cardholder disputes a legitimate transaction, claiming it to be unauthorized. Unfortunately, this dishonest practice has been on the rise, with some studies estimating that 60-80% of all chargebacks are now ‘Friendly Fraud,’ which is on the rise, and small business owners may bear the brunt of this impact. 

[https://www.cnbc.com/select/friendly-fraud-impact-on-small-businesses/]. A whopping 23% of consumers admitted to disputing purchases as fraud, even though they received the item and were satisfied with the purchase, according to Sift’s Q4 2022 Digital Trust & Safety Index. Cases like FNU Afrina as given below, fall under such fraudulent Friendly Frauds. 

A recent case involving FNU Afrina, an alleged employee of one of the world’s leading internet search engine companies, highlights the impact of friendly credit card chargeback fraud on businesses and raises questions about the values and ethics of professionals seeking EB1A Green Cards, also known as Einstein Visas. FNU Afrina is accused of initiating an unauthorized chargeback with her credit card company after availing herself of the Next League Program offered by Next League Executive Board LLC, a coaching company based in Phoenix, AZ, for over 4 months. The Next League Program helps professionals become the best version of themselves and fulfill the American Dream by guiding them through the application process for EB1A Green Cards, which are reserved for top talented professionals. 

FNU Afrina joined the program in August 2022. In December 2022, after availing of the Coaching Service for over 4 months, FNU Afrina claimed that her employer’s team had reviewed the contract and disapproved of its employees’ continued involvement in the coaching service. However, as per the notice served, Next League has established that FNU Afrina breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing by initiating the chargeback to evade payment for services rendered between August and November 2022. 

By engaging in this fraudulent conduct, Afrina has demonstrated herself to be a big paradox to the EB1A Green Card, which is reserved for top talented professionals who embody American values. This behavior is certainly not expected out of those seeking to become American citizens, and immigrants should be cautious of conducting such behavior as it can certainly hamper their immigration status and Green Card status and impact their citizenship application. This conduct has serious ramifications for professionals and their families, as it could lead to deportation as well.

As per reliable sources, Next League Executive Board LLC has initiated legal proceedings against FNU Afrina for breach of contract, cheating, and theft of services under applicable laws, and it is seeking to recover $7,500 and additional legal expenses. FNU Afrina may also be held liable for fraud, defamation, tortious interference with contract, and tortious interference with business relations due to her actions and negative statements being made about the Company and the Program.

As per our research, FNU Afrina was issued a Demand Notice by the company, requiring her to remit payment of $10,237.50 by 12:00 p.m. MST on January 24, 2023. According to the records, as available with us – FNU Afrina may further be criminally liable for theft pursuant to ARS § 13-1802, which is a class 3 felony because she took the money that is owned by Next League. However, she failed to comply and did not respond to the Legal notice. Paradoxically, there are very positive sentiments FNU Afrina seems to have made about the Next League Program on record externally as well as internally voluntarily, which are highlighted in the Demand Notice issued to her (copy available); and it looks like when she chose not to have the EB1A Green Card, she alleged discomfort after 4-month of active participation. The Next League LLC is prepared to employ all available legal remedies to recover the outstanding amount, attorney fees, and other damages. Should the company secure a judgment against FNU Afrina, it plans to enforce the judgment by garnishing her wages or attaching a lien to her property, which could have serious consequences.

While the Next League Executive Board LLC has reached out to her employer to verify Afrina’s claim on her employment status and the authenticity of the documents she submitted in relation to her employment, it serves as a cautionary tale for businesses and consumers alike about the consequences of friendly credit card chargeback fraud. Businesses must remain vigilant and proactive in preventing and addressing this issue, while consumers should be aware of the potential legal repercussions of engaging in such fraudulent practices. In case her employer advised her to withdraw from the program after four months of availing the services, then the employer would also be held liable, as the means it employed and leveraged the chargeback mechanism to withdraw from the Coaching Program for its employees is not only unethical business practice but also illegal. While the company is free to advise its employees but would it appreciate similar conduct by its customers? The company needs to answer. However, Afrina’s authenticity and claim need to be verified by her employer, as it may be possible that Afrina’s claim of putting the blame on her employer is an attempt to mask her own conduct.

Afrina was not reachable for comments, and her LinkedIn profile is locked, which is ordinarily very rare. Furthermore, Next League Executive Board LLC refused to comment on the case stating that it does not disclose the details of its students and its business transactions to maintain privacy, demonstrating its ethical business practice.

The case of Africa serves as a stark reminder of the implications of friendly credit card chargeback fraud on businesses and the potential consequences for immigrants seeking to build a life in the United States. It demonstrates the importance of adopting proactive measures to prevent and address this growing issue, including maintaining detailed records, promptly addressing customer concerns, and using fraud detection tools. Additionally, businesses can educate their customers about the appropriate use of chargeback facilities and the consequences of friendly fraud.

Under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), cardholders have the right to dispute transactions if they believe there has been a billing error or fraudulent activity. However, some consumers, like Afrina, exploit these protections, wrongfully disputing legitimate charges to avoid paying for goods or services. This abuse of credit card chargeback facilities poses a significant challenge for businesses, as they must refund the disputed amount, pay chargeback fees, and potentially lose the merchandise in question. Moreover, excessive chargebacks can lead to higher processing fees or even the termination of a merchant’s credit card processing account.

In cases like Afrina, which are clear cases of irresponsible behavior, in addition to breach of contract, she is liable to the card issuer for fraud because of intentional misrepresentation being made that one is entitled to a refund of the Fee. In such cases, the credit card issuer should cancel the credit card, and the credit score should be nullified to prevent such fraudulent instances by consumers like Afrina. It is strange that highly educated professionals earning hundreds of thousands of dollars resort to such tactics to evade legitimate payments.

While the company has reached out to her employer to verify Afrina’s claim, employment status and the authenticity of the documents she submitted in relation to her employment, it serves as a cautionary tale for businesses and consumers alike about the consequences of friendly credit card chargeback fraud. Businesses must remain vigilant and proactive in preventing and addressing this issue, while consumers should be aware of the potential legal repercussions of engaging in such fraudulent practices. In case her employer advised her to withdraw from the program, then the company would also be held liable, as the means they employed and leveraged the chargeback mechanism to withdraw from the program is not only unethical business practice but also illegal. While the company is free to advise its employees but would appreciate similar behavior by its customers, the company needs to answer. However, Afrina’s claim needs to be verified by her employer.

It is indeed perplexing that highly educated professionals, part of our society earning substantial incomes, may resort to unethical tactics to avoid making legitimate payments. One of the possible explanations could be Leon Festinger’s Cognitive Dissonance Theory, which suggests that individuals experience discomfort when their actions are inconsistent with their beliefs. In the case of these professionals like Afrina, they may hold the conflicting beliefs that they are successful and responsible individuals while also wanting to avoid paying a legitimate, albeit, debt. To reduce cognitive dissonance, they resort to unethical tactics, such as chargeback fraud, to rationalize their behavior and maintain their self-image as successful and responsible. This behavior is not only contradictory but also harmful to them, and they need to be told the consequences of their actions and to other stakeholders involved in the transactions. Additionally, the following three psychological theories further explain such misconduct:

  • Rationalization Theory (Sigmund Freud): This theory posits that people use rationalizations or justifications to reconcile their unethical actions with their self-concept. These rationalizations enable individuals to maintain their self-image as good and ethical people while still engaging in dishonest behavior. In the case of Afrina, she might justify their misconduct by believing that the amount in question is insignificant compared to the business’s income or that she is entitled to a “discount” due to her professional status.
  • Social Comparison Theory (Leon Festinger): According to this theory, it’s a primitive drive in which individuals evaluate their own behavior by comparing it to others’ behavior. In a competitive environment where high-income professionals may observe others engaging in similar tactics, they may feel that their own misconduct is justified or even necessary to “keep up” with their peers. This can create a normalization of unethical behavior in Afrina’s mind, leading to a slippery slope where such misconduct becomes increasingly acceptable.
  • Moral Disengagement Theory (Albert Bandura): This theory suggests that people may engage in unethical behavior by mentally separating themselves from the consequences of their actions. Through various cognitive mechanisms, such as moral justification, euphemistic labeling, and diffusion of responsibility, individuals can disconnect their actions from their moral standards, allowing them to behave unethically without feeling guilt or shame. For instance, highly educated professionals like Afrina would minimize the consequences of their actions by convincing themselves that the company they are evading payment from can easily absorb the loss.

It is essential to recognize these factors for the lawmakers, law enforcement agencies and judiciary to promote a culture of ethical behavior to counteract these tendencies.

The capitalist US economy is almost over 33.2 million small businesses, which account for 99.9 percent of all US businesses (SBA, 2022) which is driven by small businesses, and 33% of Small Businesses have been severely impacted By Credit Card Fraud by [https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/payment-processing-users-safety/] from consumers like Afrina, who have become hurdles and are pain points for such businesses. The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Financial Consumer Protection Bureau (FCPB) should take the initiative and should discourage financial consumers from engaging in such adventurism, as many people may not be aware of the possible consequences this may lead them into.

In conclusion, the case involving Afrina sheds light on the broader issue of friendly credit card chargeback fraud and its implications for businesses and immigrants seeking to build a life in the United States. It is essential for businesses to take proactive measures to prevent and address friendly fraud, while consumers must be aware of the potential legal consequences of engaging in such dishonest practices. As this case continues to develop, it serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical behavior and American values, particularly for those seeking to secure their status through the several immigration Green Card Programs. 

New Comprehensive Guide Unveiled: Mastering Table Description Techniques in SQL Server

NY Weekly Staff on April 21, 2023

As businesses continue to collect and analyze vast amounts of data, the use of database management systems like SQL Server is becoming increasingly essential. One common requirement for database administrators and developers is understanding the structure of their tables in the SQL Server. A new comprehensive guide on how to describe tables in SQL Server is now available at https://datastorages.org/sql-server/describe-tables-in-sql-server/, offering invaluable insights and practical solutions for database professionals.

The guide provides a detailed explanation of various methods to describe tables in SQL Server, allowing users to explore the schema, columns, data types, and other essential aspects of their tables. This knowledge is crucial for maintaining, optimizing, and troubleshooting databases, ensuring data integrity and efficient performance.

In the world of SQL Server, the ‘describe table’ command commonly used in other database management systems is not directly available. The comprehensive guide addresses this issue by outlining several alternative approaches to achieve the same results. By understanding these methods, database professionals can ensure they have a thorough grasp of their database structure, enabling them to make informed decisions when designing or modifying their database schema.

Some of the methods explored in the guide include:

Using the Information Schema: The guide explains how to query the INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS view to retrieve essential information about a table’s structure. This view provides detailed data about columns, data types, and other attributes, allowing users to describe tables effectively.

Utilizing the sp_help Stored Procedure: The guide delves into using the sp_help system stored procedure to display information about a table, including column names, data types, and constraints. By executing this procedure with the target table as a parameter, users can easily obtain a comprehensive overview of the table structure.

Leveraging the sys.objects and sys.columns System Views: The guide discusses querying the sys.objects and sys.columns system views to gather information about tables and their columns. These views provide a wealth of metadata, enabling users to describe tables accurately and efficiently.

Exploring the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): The guide highlights the features available within SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) for those who prefer a graphical user interface. Users can navigate the Object Explorer to inspect table properties, columns, and other essential information, providing an intuitive method to describe tables in SQL Server.

The comprehensive guide to describing tables in SQL Server is a valuable resource for database administrators, developers, and other professionals working with SQL Server databases. By understanding the various methods available to describe tables, users can ensure they maintain a solid foundation for their database systems, leading to improved performance, data integrity, and overall efficiency.

To access the guide and learn more about describing tables in SQL Server, visit https://datastorages.org/sql-server/describe-tables-in-sql-server/.

Can Diet Beat Cancer?

NY Weekly Staff on April 21, 2023

Image commercially licensed from Unsplash

In a huge recent study, dramatic lifespan benefits – more than ten years – were estimated for even less-than-stellar adherence to excellent nutrition. 

In 2019, the Global Burden of Disease Study, an ongoing epidemiological study that tracks health metrics in 195 countries, estimated that 22% of deaths worldwide are caused by poor diet. Specifically, these poor diets are characterized by an insufficient intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds, and whole grains, with a high intake of sodium. Since then, more evidence has emerged about preventing cancer with food. Researchers writing in PLOS Medicine in February 2022 estimated how life expectancy changes when someone makes a sustained change in their diet, such as an increase in vegetable or fruit intake, a reduction in processed meat intake, or a complete dietary overhaul. The researchers’ rationale is that understanding the health-promoting potential of different foods in a quantifiable way could help people make positive changes in their diets. 

I have reviewed over 10,000 studies on this subject and developed the Nutritarian diet to include those foods with the most dramatic effects on reducing cancer incidence and deaths and making it tasty and doable. The acronym, G-BOMBS, stands for Greens, Beans, Onions, Mushrooms, Berries, and Seeds. Those six foods with the most scientific support to prevent cancer. The side effect is people lose their excess weight pretty easily.  

A Nutritarian diet is also unique in that the fat intake predominantly is sourced from whole seeds and nuts, not animal fats or oils, which is the case with the SAD (Standard American Diet). Eating nuts and seeds regularly is consistently linked to longer life in observational studies. Recently, researchers have been investigating connections between the consumption of nuts and the risk of cancer or death from cancer. Most recently, results from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study suggested that participants with higher than average nut consumption had a 52% lower risk of cancer recurrence, metastasis, or death from breast cancer. 

Vegetables are key. For example, a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables and onions is linked to a dramatic reduced risk of cancers of the lung, ovary, stomach, breast, prostate, and colon in numerous studies. These studies also suggest that life expectancy gains are possible, even if you change your diet at age 60 – or later. Researchers found that adding more legumes and nuts, and eating less red and processed meats demonstrated the greatest estimated longevity gains. Eating beans, lentils, split peas, and other legumes daily is a common behavior observed in many of the longest-lived populations in the world (Blue Zones).

Take action. Don’t underestimate the power of excellent nutrition, and don’t think that it’s too late. My experience and observations of people following the Nutritarian diet demonstrate 15 – 20 years of extended lifespan, and even more years of extended healthful active living. In other words, when we invest wisely earlier in life with healthful foods, it pays a huge dividend down the road, and our golden years can be truly golden.  

Dr. Fuhrman is a Board-Certified Family Physician and seven times NY Times Bestselling Author.  

His latest book is Eat For Life. Visit him at www.DrFuhrman.com. He operates the Eat To Live Retreat in San Diego and hosts online events to support those looking to dramatically improve their health. 

Written by: Joel Fuhrman, M.D. 

https://www.drfuhrman.com/

Shaniah Ashvini Navaratnam is Set To Empower Underprivileged Artists Through Creative And Talent Marketing Agency, Santulan Creative

NY Weekly Staff on April 21, 2023

Shaniah Ashvini Navaratnam is a digital marketer and portrait photographer who has made a name globally with her exceptional work. She has worked for reputed corporations and start-ups, transforming the marketing landscape into a more creative one. Her work has been published in various notable publications, and she has gained attention and recognition for her photography skills too.

Shaniah is a senior digital marketing manager at luxury production company WiB Agency, and subsidiary Noted Collective, where she manages promotions for creative talent working with top-notch brands. Her proficiency in the digital marketing realm has been crucial in the inflow of job opportunities and economic gain of talent under WiB Agency. In addition, Shaniah has built fruitful relationships with the agency’s creatives and distinguished clientele, who have become keenly aware of her knack for innovation in marketing.

However, Shaniah’s desire to do more and make a difference in the creative industry led her to found Santulan Creative. Santulan Creative is a soon-to-be-launched creative and talent marketing agency that aims to give artists of all capacities the space to establish their name, connect with other creatives and businesses of various fields, invigorate their passion away from the perils of career-building, and find harmony through the community.

Noting the lack of access to artistic resources and opportunities in underprivileged areas across the United States, Santulan Creative focuses on using marketing efforts and mentoring programs to uplift these communities of artists. As a result, Santulan Creative is set to be home to over 70+ underprivileged creatives across the United States, who face socioeconomic barriers to acquiring job opportunities and resources to produce creative work, accessing relevant social networks for collaborative purposes, and attaining financial stability in their careers.

Major talent agencies often cast aside underprivileged creatives due to their lack of online presence and economic means. Santulan Creative exists to fill this gap in the talent agency realm, knowing the exceptional artists that have yet to come to light in low-income neighborhoods.

 The agency will serve as a space for these creatives to receive jobs with the esteemed clientele they would have difficult access to otherwise, to connect with other creatives in the network to produce transformative art, to participate in Santulan-led art galleries and community events to bolster their reputation as artists, to contribute to a semi-annual magazine dedicated to increasing their exposure, and to be advocated for via digital marketing means (that which they will also receive training in) to garner more public attention to their work.

The digital marketing training these artists receive comprises new found skills and knowledge on how to use SEO (search engine optimization) tools, curate a personal website, utilize social media, analyze media metrics with data analytic tools, and send out mass email marketing campaigns to targeted clients. This training will be pivotal to getting them noticed by fruitful clientele. Furthermore, it can be further taught virtually via each artist’s social media platforms, assisting additionally vulnerable creative populations in their career paths.

Shaniah Ashvini Navaratnam

Sourced photo

Santulan Creative aims to showcase the art and talent of underprivileged communities of artists, including a fair representation of artists of varying races, gender, and ethnicity. This will combat the lack of parity in major US museums, which primarily boast white artists and men collections. Museum and gallery acquisition is one of the highest marks of an artist, so giving Santulan artists exposure in this light will strengthen their reputability and lead to more job opportunities, among other benefits.

Santulan Creative will also uniquely integrate an arts-mentorship program dedicated to solving the arts education crisis predominant in public school sectors and within larger at-risk youth populations. The talent represented in Santulan who participate as art mentors in the program will teach their craft to at-risk students of low-income districts in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago via leading in-person or virtual workshops and assigning creative projects to assess

More About Shaniah Ashvini Navaratnam

In 2022, Shaniah engaged in a remarkable role as a Social Media Marketer at the brand + marketing agency Farrynheight, founded by Farryn Weiner – an acclaimed marketing professional included in the 2014 Forbes 30 under 30 lists for Marketing & Advertising. Working amongst a group of leading female figures in digital marketing has given Shaniah significant credibility in her work as a brand architect to modern-day clientele. 

Even at such an early point of her career, Shaniah was trusted to handle social media accounts for notable clientele alike to Academy-Award nominated actress Kate Hudson, alcohol corporation King St.Vodka, international wellness brands under the platform Shop Mayple, and W Hotels, among others. Shaniah excelled at performing the daily proactive engagement, curating digital Instagram story content, and managing the entire Mayple Tik Tok which required her to swiftly produce three videos daily to heighten engagement. 

Shaniah scaled the Mayple Tik Tok to 2000 followers, 19.8K and a 48% growth rate with a viral video featuring Bella Hadid for non-alcoholic beverage brand Kin Euphorics that garnered over 537.6K likes. This denotes how Shaniah’s capabilities in digital marketing are extraordinary compared to most, as she garnered effective online exposure, consumer acquisition, and financial outcomes for leading international and U.S. corporations through her marketing efforts. 

She even capitalized on her proficiency in photography to heighten up-scale restaurant chain & client Planta’s reputation in the food industry by capturing images of their new pantry line, which received immense social engagement on Instagram.

Meet Akanksha: Empowering Women and Shaping the Future of Cybersecurity

NY Weekly Staff on April 21, 2023

In the age of the internet and interconnected devices, our lives are increasingly dependent on online activities like banking, shopping, and socializing. We save personal information including photos, videos and documents on our computers and in the cloud. With more aspects of our lives shifting online, the risk of cybercrime increases exponentially. In this digital era, heroes without capes sit behind computer screens to tackle complex modern-day problems, creating a secure and peaceful environment for everyone.

In today’s spotlight, we are going to talk about Akanksha Pathak. With over a decade of experience under her belt, she has risen through the ranks to become one of the most respected and accomplished cybersecurity professionals in the field. Her journey from a small town in India to a cybersecurity expert in the United States is truly inspiring. 

Akanksha started her career in India and slowly progressed into the cybersecurity field. She moved to the United States and joined EY, where she helped many clients improve their security posture. Later, she joined the global payments technology company Visa, where she has been doing great work securing their systems and networks. Her exceptional performance has led to her being invited to judge various international competitions, such as the Globee and Stevie Awards, where she evaluates products related to cybersecurity and information technology, drawing on her knowledge and experience in both technology and security domains. 

Akanksha has also helped cyber communities worldwide, and her book, “A Cybersecurity Book – Beginner’s Guide,” is intended to help anyone starting a career in cybersecurity. Her passion for sharing knowledge within organizations is also evident in her technical papers published on Medium and DZone. In addition to her professional achievements, Akanksha is also a strong advocate for women in cybersecurity. She has mentored numerous women in the field and regularly speaks at industry events to encourage more women to enter the field and break down gender barriers. 

In our discussion with Akanksha, we examined the growth and implications of cyber security in today’s digital world. We also explored the issue of diversity within the field. Furthermore, we talked about the skills and qualifications required to pursue a career in cyber security.

The Connected World and Rise of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has seen a significant surge in demand as individuals, organizations, and governments confront an escalating number of cyber threats. The widespread use of digital devices and the internet has amplified the risk of cyberattacks, making cybersecurity an increasingly vital field.

The cybersecurity industry has responded by developing advanced technologies, methodologies, and practices to counter these threats. This includes the development of cutting-edge encryption algorithms, threat intelligence systems, and advanced intrusion detection and prevention techniques. 

The growth in the cybersecurity industry is also being driven by the increased awareness of the importance of cybersecurity across different sectors, such as finance, healthcare, government, and education. Cybersecurity breaches can have severe consequences, including the loss of sensitive data, financial damage, and reputational harm. 

As a result, organizations are investing heavily in cybersecurity to protect their assets, and this has led to a surge in demand for cybersecurity professionals, including cybersecurity analysts, engineers, and consultants. According to industry reports, the global cybersecurity market is expected to reach over $250 billion by 2026, a clear indication of the industry’s exponential growth. 

Diversity in Cybersecurity 

The current state of diversity in the cybersecurity industry still leaves much room for improvement. According to recent studies, the industry remains largely male-dominated, with women making up only about 20% of the cybersecurity workforce. There are several factors contributing to the lack of diversity in the industry. One is the perception that cybersecurity is a male-dominated field, which can discourage women and other underrepresented groups from pursuing careers in the industry. Additionally, there may be unconscious bias in hiring and promotion processes that favor candidates who fit a certain profile or background. 

Women should participate in the cybersecurity workforce for several reasons. Firstly, the cybersecurity industry is currently facing a shortage of skilled professionals, and increasing the number of women in the field can help address this issue. It’s important to have a diverse workforce with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds to tackle the complex and constantly evolving cybersecurity challenges. 

Secondly, women’s representation in the cybersecurity industry can help to address the gender imbalance in technology-related fields, which has been a long-standing issue. Increasing the number of women in cybersecurity can help to provide role models for young women considering careers in STEM fields and encourage more girls to pursue technology-related education and career paths. 

Finally, the cybersecurity industry offers many opportunities for career advancement, including leadership positions and opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies. Women who participate in the cybersecurity workforce can take advantage of these opportunities to build successful and rewarding careers. 

Building a Career in Cybersecurity 

Pursuing a career in cybersecurity can present its challenges, but the rewards are well worth the effort. To ensure success in this field, consider the following steps:

  1. Obtain a relevant degree or certification: A degree or certification in cybersecurity, computer science, or a related field can provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills required for a career in cybersecurity. Some popular certifications in cybersecurity include CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and many others. 
  2. Gain practical experience: Practical experience is crucial in the field of cybersecurity. You can gain practical experience by interning, volunteering, or working in entry-level positions in cybersecurity. This experience will provide you with hands-on skills and knowledge that are essential for building a successful career in cybersecurity. 
  3. Develop specialized skills: The field of cybersecurity is diverse, and it’s important to develop specialized skills in areas such as penetration testing, incident response, network security, and others. Specializing in a particular area of cybersecurity can help you stand out from the competition and increase your earning potential. 
  4. Stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends: Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity trends, technologies, and best practices. You can do this by attending industry conferences, participating in online forums, and reading industry publications. 
  5. Network with industry professionals: Networking with industry professionals can help you learn about job opportunities, gain insights into the industry, and build professional relationships that can be valuable throughout your career.

The possibilities of cybersecurity are vast and far-reaching, and the industry is constantly evolving to meet new challenges and threats. The growth of cybersecurity has created new job opportunities and career paths for young individuals interested in technology and computer science. As technology continues to evolve, the need for cybersecurity professionals will only increase, providing exciting and rewarding career prospects for those interested in the field.

 

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