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The Success Sequence: Workforce Development Meets Poverty Prevention
The Alabama Legislature recently passed SB289, a bill supporting the teaching of the Success Sequence in all public schools. This three-step model offers a data-driven approach to breaking the cycle of poverty:

Graduate from high school

Obtain full-time employment

Marry before having children

The sequence is simple, but the order is essential. Research from Brad Wilcox and Wendy Wang found that 97% of millennials who followed this sequence were not poor in adulthood, further citing that is also the case for 94% of Millennials who grew up in lower-income families and 95% of those who grew up in non-intact families.

Source: The Power of the Success Sequence for Disadvantaged Young Adults

Education, Employment, and… Marriage?

The relationship between education, employment, and poverty is widely studied (also, remember the Benefits Cliff?). However, marital and parental status is often overlooked, unless the discussion centers around childcare or workforce participation. But the data suggests we need to talk more openly about the order of life events.

Raising children is hard and expensive, regardless of your educational level, job status, or marital situation. But raising children without a high school diploma, without full-time employment, and without a supportive partner makes the challenge exponentially harder. The hurdles compound and make it more difficult to escape poverty.

How the Sequence Supports Workforce Participation

Let’s zoom in on the middle step: employment.

If you lack a high school diploma and have children without support from a spouse or caregiver, holding a job becomes significantly more difficult. You’re more likely to experience job instability, absenteeism, and burnout. For employers, this translates into higher turnover and less workforce reliability.

While the model doesn’t say you must get married or have children, it suggests a strategic order if you do. Marriage before children, backed by education and employment, sets individuals – and their families – up for long-term stability.

Why the Success Sequence Matters for Employers and Communities

Promoting the Success Sequence isn’t just about preventing poverty. It’s also about ensuring a strong, stable workforce. When individuals follow this path, they’re more likely to stay employed, reducing turnover and increasing productivity.

Supporting the sequence, whether through school programs, community education, or policy, could be a smart, proactive investment in both economic mobility and workforce development. The Brookings Institution in D.C. has been talking about the Success Sequence for over a decade. Maybe it’s time we pay attention.

What Are Your Thoughts?

Do you think the Success Sequence is a valuable tool in reducing poverty and improving employment outcomes? Should schools and communities promote it more directly? We honestly want to know. Drop us a line at info@horizonpointconsulting.com or fill out the quick poll below.
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July 1, 2025
The Hidden Power of Place: Why Where You Live, Work, and Play Matters
Join us in welcoming guest blogger Mackenzie Cottles! Mackenzie is on staff at the Shoals Economic Development Authority (Shoals EDA), and this week she’s sharing the story of Remote Shoals and why where you live matters. Now more than ever, we want to highlight opportunities for people to do meaningful, productive work that also allows them to lead full lives for their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Thank you for sharing your insights, Mackenzie!

In today’s fast-paced world, many people prioritize career advancement above all else when making life decisions. While having a fulfilling career is undoubtedly important, where you live plays an equally—if not more—significant role in your overall happiness and well-being. The place you call home influences everything from your daily lifestyle to your financial security and mental health. Thanks to remote work opportunities and shifting cultural norms, individuals now have more flexibility to choose a living environment that best suits their needs.

The Influence of Your Environment on Your Well-Being

Where you live matters. Your surroundings have a profound effect on your mood, productivity, and overall happiness. Living in a place that aligns with your lifestyle preferences—whether that means access to outdoor activities, cultural experiences, or a lower cost of living—can greatly enhance your quality of life. For instance, someone who thrives in nature might feel stifled in a dense urban setting, while others may crave the energy and opportunities that big cities provide.

Beyond personal preference, factors like community engagement, work-life balance, and social support play a crucial role in shaping life satisfaction. Research has shown that individuals who feel connected to their community tend to experience lower stress levels and higher overall happiness. Additionally, factors such as climate, access to healthcare, public transportation, and safety can have a direct impact on your physical and mental well-being.

Career Success vs. Lifestyle Fulfillment

A common misconception is that career success should dictate where you live. Historically, job opportunities have significantly influenced relocation decisions, often prompting professionals to relocate to major metropolitan areas. However, the rise of remote work has fundamentally changed the way people approach their careers and living situations. More than ever, individuals have the freedom to live where they truly want rather than being confined to high-cost urban centers for job opportunities.

This shift has led many people to adopt a lifestyle-centric career planning approach, which emphasizes designing your life around what makes you happy rather than solely chasing professional titles. When choosing where to live, factors such as affordability, climate, recreational activities, and proximity to loved ones should be prioritized. After all, a high salary in an expensive city may not provide the same quality of life as a modest income in a more affordable, community-oriented town.

How Remote Shoals Empowers Remote Workers

The Remote Shoals program is an excellent example of how people can choose a location that aligns with their values and goals. This initiative offers up to $10,000 in incentives for remote workers willing to relocate to The Shoals, a vibrant region in northwest Alabama known for its rich musical heritage, thriving arts scene, and affordable cost of living. This program presents an incredible opportunity for professionals seeking a balance between a fulfilling career and a high quality of life.

To qualify for Remote Shoals, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Earn at least $52,000 annually from a remote position

Self-employed or employed full-time by a company located outside The Shoals that will allow the applicant to reside in The Shoals for the Program Term (proof of employment will be required)

Commit to relocating within six months if accepted

Any additional criteria can be found at remoteshoals.com/program-terms-and-conditions/

By providing financial incentives and a supportive community, Remote Shoals enables individuals to build a fulfilling life in a place that offers both affordability and cultural richness. The program is particularly attractive for remote workers who are looking to escape the high costs of major cities and establish roots in a location that fosters a strong sense of community. Where you live matters! Applications are currently open, but the current round will close on March 31, 2025!
The Benefits of Choosing the Right Place to Live

Beyond financial incentives, relocating to a place that aligns with your values and lifestyle can lead to greater overall happiness. Some of the key benefits include:

Lower Cost of Living – Many smaller towns and mid-sized cities offer more affordable housing, lower taxes, and reduced living expenses compared to major metropolitan areas.

Improved Work-Life Balance – Living in a place with access to nature, recreational activities, and less traffic can create a healthier balance between work and personal life.

Stronger Sense of Community – Smaller towns often offer more opportunities to build genuine relationships and engage with the local community, resulting in increased well-being and social satisfaction.

Less Stress and Better Mental Health – Avoiding the hustle and bustle of big-city life can lead to lower stress levels and improved mental health, ultimately resulting in a better overall quality of life.

Opportunity for Financial Freedom – With lower living costs, individuals can allocate more resources toward savings, travel, or passion projects that enrich their lives beyond work.

Conclusion: Where You Live Matters

Choosing where to live should be about more than just chasing a job title. Your environment plays a significant role in shaping your lifestyle, financial stability, and mental well-being. Programs like Remote Shoals demonstrate how location flexibility can empower individuals to prioritize happiness, community, and a healthy work-life balance. By considering factors beyond just career opportunities, you can make a choice that leads to long-term fulfillment and success in both your professional and personal life.

As companies reevaluate their remote work policies, many employees are being asked to return to the office—whether full-time or in a hybrid capacity. This shift can be particularly challenging for those who have relocated or grown accustomed to the flexibility of working from home. To navigate this transition, it’s essential to stay informed about company policies, maintain open communication with your employer, and proactively plan for your future. Programs like Remote Shoals offer an opportunity to build a supportive community that extends beyond the workplace, providing valuable networking connections and an enhanced quality of life. By establishing strong local ties and prioritizing personal fulfillment, remote workers can better adapt to career shifts while maintaining a sense of stability and well-being.

Ultimately, your career should serve as a tool to enhance your life rather than dictate where you live. With the rise of remote work and relocation programs, you now have the power to craft a life that reflects your values, aspirations, and overall happiness. So, if you’ve been feeling confined by your current location, consider making a change—your ideal lifestyle may be just one move away.

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About Mackenzie

Mackenzie Cottles is the Marketing & Communications Specialist at the Shoals Economic Development Authority, where she manages and coordinates the Remote Shoals program. After working with Remote Shoals participants to ensure their time in the Shoals and in the program is everything they hope for, Mackenzie knows that relationships are an essential part of achieving their goal of bringing life-long citizens to the Shoals community. Mackenzie holds a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a focus in Public Relations and a minor in Marketing from the University of North Alabama.

About Shoals EDA

The Shoals Economic Development Authority (Shoals EDA) is a professional organization dedicated to economic development in Northwest Alabama, including Lauderdale and Colbert Counties. The Shoals EDA aids companies that are planning new or expanded facilities. The Authority serves as a point of contact to the network of private sector and local, state, and federal government entities that support a company relocation or expansion decision. It is organized as a public/private organization funded by local governments and area businesses.
March 25, 2025
March 2025 Leadership Development Carnival

Welcome to the March 2025 Leadership Development Carnival! Horizon Point is excited to host the carnival this month, featuring posts from leadership experts from around the globe on the topics of communication, development, engagement, motivation, productivity, team building, and more.

The Framework for Organizational Excellence by John Spence

Excellence isn’t accidental—it’s built with purpose. My new Organizational Excellence Framework brings together the key elements of success: purpose, culture, strategy, innovation, and simplicity. Read to see how it all comes together.

How To Build a Better Relationship with Your Difficult (Icy) Boss by Karin Hurt

You know the type: the difficult boss barely acknowledges you, keeps conversations strictly transactional, and never lets you see their human side. Frustrating right? Here’s what to do next.

Setting Clear Expectations for You Team by Bernd Geropp

When was the last time you sat down and explicitly communicated your priorities to your team? If you are thinking “They should know”, think twice. Setting clear expectations is often underestimated.

No is a complete sentence. by Lisa Kohn

Lisa Kohn of Thoughtful Leaders™ Blog presents “No is a complete sentence” where she shares that although we learned to say “no” at a very young age, we need to learn to say it again. Not always, not every time, not to everyone – but to use it in a way that builds our leadership, our Thoughtfulness, and our success.

How to Communicate a Merger and Acquisition to Employees in 9 Steps by David Grossman

2025 is shaping up to be the year of strategic, purpose-driven transactions according to a report from PwC. Effective communication during M&As is essential to keep your employees engaged, informed, and focused despite the changes underway. Use this roadmap to help you strategically develop your plan.

Setting Limits: Moving Away From Dancing Around Solutions by Brenda Yoho

The reality is, habits—good or bad—are reinforced by what we allow rather than what we say. If we want a workplace where respect, responsibility, and accountability thrive, we must move away from avoiding difficult conversations and start addressing issues head-on.

Why Didn’t You Tell Me? by Frank Sonnenberg

If you keep your thoughts to yourself, they’re worthless. Here are 23 ways to recognize excellence, express your thanks, and demonstrate that you care.

Coaching vs Mentoring: Do you need both? by Dana Theus

There are many ways to get stuck in your career. When you hit a wall, it’s time to ask for help. But where should you turn? Should you consider coaching vs mentoring? What kinds of coaches and mentors would be a good fit? What other kinds of support might you find to help you out? While coaches and mentors will both offer the most direct advice and support, depending on how and why you’re stuck, you’ll find support and good ideas from a variety of other people. Use them all!

Are You Leading or Just Managing? Let’s Find Out by Mary Ila Ward

The terms manager and leader often get used interchangeably, but should they? “Leading versus managing” is a common search phrase. At HPC, we don’t really think it’s a “versus” situation. You can be a good manager without being a great leader, but you can’t be a great leader without strong management skills.

Love ‘Em, Grow ‘Em, Keep ‘Em by Bev Kaye

AI isn’t just on the horizon—it’s already in our workflows, reshaping industries, and sparking new conversations (and concerns) about the future of work. Here’s the truth: AI isn’t just a technology challenge—it’s a people challenge. And if you want to keep your best people as AI transforms work, you need to double down on what makes leadership human.

Overwhelmed by Employee Development? Try ‘Microdosing’ by Julie Winkle Giulioni

Feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of developing your employees? The good news is, career growth doesn’t have to come in big, time-consuming doses. Just like in medicine, ‘microdosing’ small, intentional career conversations into daily interactions can lead to meaningful growth—without adding to your workload.

The need for moral leadership by S. Chris Edmonds

Moral leadership is grounded in four pillars: Let Purpose Lead, Inspire and Elevate Others, Be Animated by Values and Virtues and Build Moral Muscle. Moral leaders foster higher standards of conduct by inspiring meaningful work grounded in shared values.

Navigating Uncertainty by Ann Van Eron

The winds of change are blowing fiercely in every corner of our world. Everywhere I go, people are talking about the rapid transformations and the looming uncertainty. We, as a community, are experiencing this together. How do we be resilient and navigate the uncertainty?

How to Better Handle Embarrassing Moments by Marcia Reynolds

Trying to never have embarrassing moments at work can stunt your growth. Learn how to rise above, even use embarrassment, to build confidence and enjoy life more.

The Impact of Change by Priscilla Archangel

Leaders must ask all stakeholders to engage with them on a journey where they balance the need to operate differently, while building new and stable networks and processes. Leaders must generate trust along the way.

Fear of the Unknown by Bill Treasurer

Drawing wisdom from Plato’s Republic, this post explores how humans naturally fear what they do not know. By intentionally increasing our exposure to unfamiliar situations or people, we can transform fear into familiarity and move confidently into the unknown.

“Can we all just get along?” Rodney King – Tips for Combatting the Political Divide in the Workplace by Diana Peterson-More

The data are in: 91% of employees have witnessed or experienced political clashes at work; 51% actively avoid colleagues with different political views, while 93% believe leadership’s political bias influences workplace policies and promotions. WOW. It’s time for leaders to turn this around. This post offers proven tips on how to lower the heat, how to facilitate their teams to the win-win, and to ensure productivity does not fall victim to fear and divisiveness.

The futures after capitalism by Marcella Bremer

We can’t create the future we want if we can’t imagine what that would look like. Andy Hines’s book Imagining After Capitalism provides great scenarios – food for thought for organizations, too. Let’s re-kindle our imagination and agency to shape the futures that we want! Recommended reading for all organizations

3 Priorities of Servant Leaders by Randy Conley

Servant leadership is often misunderstood as simply being nice or avoiding micromanagement, but it’s much more than that. In this article, Randy Conley shares 3 priorities that distinguish servant leaders from the crowd.

Kaizen and Continuous Improvement: A CFO’s Perspective on Lean Efficiency by Jon Verbeck

I’m always looking for ways to boost efficiency and streamline processes. Mark DeLuzio frequently talks about Kaizen, the practice of continuous improvement, and how essential it is to examine and refine our processes regularly. Given my deep family ties to Japan, I felt compelled to explore the true meaning and origins of Kaizen.

Two Unexpected Ways to END Your Next Meeting That Engage and Grow Your Team by Sean Glaze

Team meetings can (and SHOULD) be culture-building experiences that inspire action, creativity, and growth. Your team gatherings are a prime opportunity to foster collaboration and engagement, especially if you rethink how they end.

Playbook for AI-Literate Leaders: How CEOs, CIOs & CPOs Can Stay Ahead! by Naomi Caietti

In today’s AI-driven world, CEOs, CIOs, CPOs, and other senior leaders must do more than just embrace AI—they must lead the charge in AI literacy. AI isn’t just an IT initiative; it’s a business transformation tool that impacts everything from talent strategy to competitive advantage.

Reinventing Leadership for the 21st Century: Why and How Leaders Must Evolve to Thrive in Chaos by Julia Felton

In today’s fast-changing, unpredictable world, the leaders who thrive are not those who rely on past successes, rigid structures, or outdated management playbooks. Instead, the 21st century demands adaptive, forward-thinking, and continuously evolving leadership—a model built on reinvention.

Thank you to the Lead Change team at Weaving Influence for continuing the LDC tradition!

March 4, 2025
Nourish: A Bold New Direction for 2025
After a year of “Open the Door” as our 2024 theme, we decided this year as a team that maybe we needed to simplify- our theme and our focus. As I discussed in my speech Taste and See, turning responsibility into obligation to open the door to anyone and anything brought about a state of too much in 2025. Like they say, there can be too much of a good thing.

So in keeping with tasting and seeing what is good and letting that be the only obligation or responsibility to pursue, trusting that good things will flow naturally from there, we felt as though “Nourish” speaks volumes to what we are pursuing this year and aligns with our organizational values.

What Nourish means to us:
- Living with intention
- Nourishing the people closest to us
- Emphasizing abundance instead of scarcity
- Pouring into good things allows the outcomes take care of themselves
- The mindset that capacity doesn’t equal obligation. Margins nourish us to live with intent and pour into the important people and things around us. This helps us see who and what needs to be nourished right in front of us.
- Nourishing creates growth
- Nourishing leads to thriving
Values Alignment

And in true HPC fashion, we put the word into ChatGPT and found that nourish aligns well with our values:
1. Passion: Nourishing reflects a commitment to fueling enthusiasm and energy in all endeavors, encouraging others to pursue their work with heart and dedication.
2. Productivity: Nourishing the mind, skills, and workplace environment enables individuals and teams to perform at their best, driving meaningful outcomes.
3. People First: At its core, “nourish” emphasizes care, growth, and support, putting people at the center by fostering their well-being and development.
4. Continuous Learning and Improvement: Nourishment encompasses providing the resources, opportunities, and encouragement for ongoing growth and enhancement, ensuring a culture of improvement.
5. Give Back: Nourishing others extends to contributing to the greater good, whether through community efforts, mentorship, or empowering others to succeed.
What we will Nourish this year:

Leadership Development and Coaching

We are launching new content in 2025 that includes monthly blog posts and coaching moment videos to help nurture leadership development in companies and communities. These will be practical strategies to implement, not complex theories or vague guidance. A taste of what we will be doing to nourish leadership development in our area includes facilitating the Cummings Research Park Tech to Exec Program and continuing to deliver Encounter Groups to our clients. Our customized programs for organizations will now come with a customized website page(s) to provide nourishment even after the in-person component concludes.

Entrepreneurship

We will be launching new content featuring entrepreneurs across our network to showcase the innovation taking place all around us. We will continue to support Alabama Launchpad and the dozens of entrepreneurs that come through the program each year.

Career and Professional Development

In 2024, we launched online courses and will continue to launch more courses throughout 2025. Taylor is now one of the very few people in the country certified to deliver the National Career Development Association’s brand new School Career Development Advisor (SCDA) training, and she will continue to work with the Alabama State Department of Education to certify hundreds of educators across the state in this and other content and certifications.

Informed Compensation

We continue to do a lot of compensation work. We realize that this core hygiene factor helps people literally nourish themselves and their families. Living wages are important and so is making wise business financial decisions to ensure the longevity of our organizations. These can exist together and be nourished together- remember abundance, not scarcity. We will continue to facilitate the North Alabama Regional Wage and Benefit survey to help companies and communities make informed compensation decisions.

Each Other

We are a family at HPC and each of us needs nourishment from each other. This year, we will be focused on nourishing Taylor as she undergoes surgery and treatment for breast cancer. Emily is nourishing new life, and we will welcome a baby into the HPC family in May! We ask your prayers for Taylor and Emily and their families.

Taylor’s “nourish” basket from the team!
Each of us curated a few items that we knew would bring Taylor a little bit of joy and “nourishment”.

What are you nourishing this year? What do you want to see grow?
January 28, 2025
2024 Book of the Year
Productivity has always been one of our five operating values at Horizon Point. We tie it intimately to our value of passion, which looks something like this: Get stuff done. Get stuff done that is important and that we care about.

We are adamant about protecting the fact that productivity doesn’t dictate how and where and when work’s done, but that it gets done and meets the need.
This mindset hasn’t changed, but throughout 2024 our idea of what it means to be productive has grown and it is captured in our 2024 Book of the Year: Slow Productivity by Cal Newport. Seemingly an oxymoron – How can you be productive and slow? – Newport’s book gets to the heart of what it means to get stuff done that is important through his three premises:

Do fewer things

Work at a natural pace

Obsess over quality.
He points to the fact that, often, we are doing too many things AT ONCE and in an effort to be “productive” we are sabotaging the exact thing we are trying to accomplish. We are also being “pseudo-productive”- acting like being busy is being productive. It is not.

We can actually be more productive if we focus on one thing at a time and hone in on what those things should be – what brings the greatest return? Working at a natural pace helps us maximize our productivity and bring those greater returns, as does obsessing over quality.

If you are like many who think, ha, this is funny, I have zero control over what work I have to do. How can I do fewer things when I’m not in charge of those “things” I have to do? Newport will challenge your thinking on how to reframe your situation. He gives practical solutions on how to execute his three premises.

And if you are leading people and pushing those “things” around to others, Newport’s book may help you rethink your views on productivity and who actually adds and creates the most value on your team. Looking or being busy isn’t productive.

We often overestimate what we can get done in a day, multitasking our way through them, but slow productivity might just be the way we can multiply the underestimation of what we can get done in a year and very well save our sanity in the process.

As always, we are so appreciative of our clients and supporters. We are beyond blessed to do work we can all be productive and passionate about. Thank you for your trust in us and your willingness to innovate the workplace with us.

We hope you enjoy our selection! Happy reading!
December 10, 2024

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