Recent Articles
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Conflict is hard. Virtual conflict is harder.
Cathy Bush, Ph.D. Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementConflict between co-workers is a fact of life. If you work with people who care about the mission of the work and who are invested in doing it well, there’s a good chance there will be conflict when each person tries to offer ideas and contribute to group decisions. Even though conflict can come from a good place, it’s definitely a challenging part of work life, and it can lead to the rapid demotivation of your employees. In a virtual setting, poorly managed conflict can push teams to the breaking point.
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The ABCs of cargo insurance
Gail Short Distribution & WarehousingAs COVID-19 swept through Wuhan earlier this year, China fought to contain the spread of the virus by locking down the city and closing the port of Fuzhou from vessels from several foreign countries, including the United States. Subsequently, exports to the United States fell sharply. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping freight has always been a venture full of risk. The potential disasters and mishaps include theft, hurricanes, train derailments, truck collisions and containers jettisoned or lost at sea as well as corruption and political unrest in foreign nations.
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Coronavirus restrictions are easing, but cautionary measures should not
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementPeople are eager to get back to their normal routines. Businesses are preparing for post-pandemic travel. Governments have begun easing coronavirus restrictions. Do you see the light at the end of the tunnel already? Possibly, but the pandemic is not over yet. So, please remain cautious even as stay-at-home restrictions are lifted.
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Innovation, cloud solutions will drive the future of manufacturing
Bambi Majumdar ManufacturingHistorically a conservative industry, the manufacturing sector must now be more agile and innovate at a higher level in the years to come. The industry has been bombarded with new and unprecedented challenges and has had to pivot in record time during the coronavirus pandemic. There have been supply chain disruptions, factory closures due to COVID-19 cases, and delayed launch schedules. Some oversight processes have been stalled and raise quality issues that need to be solved immediately.
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Even the FBI recommends using a VPN, and here’s why
Daniel Markuson Science & TechnologyFree public Wi-Fi is now one of the most prevalent cybersecurity threats. The risks are becoming so common that even the FBI recommends avoiding free internet hotspots. Along with that, it advises using a virtual private network (VPN) as a precautionary measure. In an official video, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) informs about the risks of public internet networks. The main reason is that users can "control the security standards of a public Wi-Fi network." But even the Bureau has to admit that sometimes it’s more than essential to access the web, especially when traveling or working remotely.
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How leaders can help employees feel safe
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementAs recently as February, it was easy to think that what happened in the "outside world" was not relevant to the business world. That's no longer true. Lines between work, home and community are blurred because our homes are our workplaces and our workplaces are in our homes. Even essential workers who work on-site for the most part go home at the end of their shift and stay there. Even as cities and states begin to open up, people will still spend most of their time inside for now.
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What does an executive pastor do?
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityThe role of an Executive Pastor (or XP) can be difficult to define. It's not a new role, but it tends to look different based on the culture and structure of each church. Sometimes, the XP role goes by a different title altogether. Whatever your church decides to call it, this individual usually oversees human resources, facilities, insurance, finances, and making sure everything behind-the-scenes runs smoothly. Since this role varies by church, there are a handful of resources to check out to find a definition that works for your situation.
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Is it time for higher ed to move away from time-based learning?
Brian Stack EducationAs he approaches 15 years of age, my son Brady has now started reminding me regularly that he will be able to drive soon. In the state of New Hampshire, the law will require him to complete 46 hours of driver's education before he can be eligible for a driver's license. For a life or death skill such as driving a car, why do we continue to rely on such an antiquated, one-size-fits-all training and assessment model? The Department of Motor Vehicles, much like our colleges and universities, could learn a thing or two from high schools that have moved away from time-based models.
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Who sets the metrics?
Robert C. Harris Association Management"What's measured improves," said Peter Drucker, management consultant and author. Identifying metrics improves the strategic planning process. Metrics are the expected outcomes, data, timelines and assignments to carry out the mission. "How will we measure success?" should be a frequent question at planning and board meetings. Recommendations without metrics will be difficult to gauge achievements. During strategic planning, ask leaders to consider performance, including measurables, assignments and timelines.
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What we say in healthcare matters
Lisa Cole Medical & Allied HealthcareThe next time I teach a group of healthcare professionals, I think I'm going to sprinkle glitter on them. You know how hard it is to limit its reach — glitter ends up everywhere! This exercise would not be a lesson in germ transmission (although it sure could be). The purpose would be a visible reminder that our impact as providers spreads far and wide. I'd hone in on communication, that what we say matters. To ourselves, our colleagues and in our personal lives.