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Overwhelmed and overworked: 8 out of 10 employees struggle to keep up

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Millions of Americans are currently out of work, so those who still have jobs are feeling grateful just to be employed. However, these workers also report feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work they're doing. A new study by VitalSmarts reveals over half struggle to say "no" when they've hit their project threshold, only about a third successfully negotiate their workload as needed, and fewer than 30% successfully manage urgent requests so their to-do list won't be wrecked.

Creating a successful virtual fundraising event

Joanne Brooks Association Management

As nonprofits scramble to reimagine their fundraising goals, many have chosen to cancel in-person events altogether. But without annual galas and luncheons scheduled for 2020, organizations risk missing an important opportunity to receive much-needed funding. Creating a compelling virtual fundraising event might feel like an uphill battle. But with a little creativity, an online fundraiser can deliver many of the perks of an in-person event.

It’s fix it time: Making downtime work for associations

Linda Popky Marketing

What do you do when an ongoing pandemic forces you to temporarily shut down your operation? For a lot of businesses, you use this time to make needed repairs and modifications — to do things you've been meaning to attack for a long time but never seemed to be able to get done. But what should you fix, repair, or upgrade during this period as an association? Here are a few things on your marketing "fix it" list you can now take the time to check off.

Down on the farm: 6 of the US’ best agricultural museums

Dave G. Houser Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

If you've ever tended a backyard garden or tried to raise a few chickens, you know that farming is hard, dirty work. Keeping America's kitchens supplied during the coronavirus pandemic has made things even harder for farmers — earning these most essential of essential workers the respect and appreciation of an entire nation. For those interested in learning more about American farms and ranches, there are a number of farming and agricultural museums around the country. Here are six of them.

Strategies to combat racism: Considerations for teachers

Brian Stack Education

In case you hadn’t noticed, our nation is divided, and I’m not talking about politics here. I am talking about one of the most fundamental ideals that our country was founded on: That all were created equal. As debates surge around the nation on how we as a society can finally put an end to racism, we need to be mindful that many of our children are set to return to their schools this fall and need our guidance as adults to help them make sense of this very important issue that we are all facing.

Offset trauma for students by promoting positive experiences

Sheilamary Koch Education

When Christina Bethell was little, she lived in a low-income housing complex where her neighbor, a quiet lady the kids called Mrs. Raccoon, always had her door open for neighborhood kids. Every Saturday she threw a tea party with candy to celebrate any child with a birthday that week. Bethell fondly remembers the woman's kindness as source of comfort during her challenging childhood. Dr. Bethell, now a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, shared this story on the release day of her study on the long-term effects of Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) on mental health.

Measuring technical debt to manage it

Michael C. Fillios Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Years of experience working in finance and technology with small enterprises has shown that business leaders face real challenges managing the technology their companies need to operate effectively and stay competitive. This is especially the case for small and mid-sized businesses. The challenge has grown in recent years as businesses have adopted technologies to meet the changing expectations of their customers and to compete for advantage in the digital world.

Report: Manufacturers and distributors neglect key cybersecurity activities

Jerry Murphy Manufacturing

Less than 40% of respondents in Sikich’s 2020 Manufacturing and Distribution Report said they perform important data breach prevention activities, such as penetration testing, phishing exercises on employees and assessments of vendors’ data security efforts. However, manufacturers and distributors remain vulnerable to breaches. Nearly half of respondents said their companies experienced cyberattacks during the past 12 months.

As federal funds for hospitals continue to be used, talks ongoing for more

Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied Healthcare

If there's going to be additional federal funding that provides protections to consumers and the U.S. economy, the list of hopeful recipients is getting a little long. Healthcare providers across the country are making their voices heard through their lobbying groups, essentially begging the Senate to include as much as $100 billion more in COVID-19 relief packages. The American Hospital Association, American Nurses Association and American Medical Association are specifically pressing legislators for the cash.

Mass adoption of remote work could result in a $700 billion economic benefit