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US payrolls add 638,000 jobs; unemployment rate drops to 6.9%
Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementU.S. employers added 638,000 nonfarm jobs in October, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. October’s rate of unemployment fell to 6.9% from September’s 7.9% and August’s 8.4%. The gradual employment improvement is a result of eased COVID-19 restrictions on social movement and resuming of commerce, though the pandemic remains uncontained and prospects for a vaccine available to the public are unclear. "The number of unemployed persons fell by 1.5 million to 11.1 million," according to the BLS. "Both measures have declined for 6 consecutive months but are nearly twice their February levels."
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Associations and democracy
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementIt seems appropriate this week to highlight the connection between associations and democracy. I am sharing after learning of the death of our colleague, Belarusian association executive Vladimir Karyagin. He died November 2. He was the founder and CEO of the Republican Confederation of Entrepreneurship and the Minsk Capital Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers. His country does not encourage the formation of business associations. Belarus limits the doctrines enjoyed in the U.S., freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to petition government.
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Putting on the best virtual conference — Part 2: Learning to be more…
Linda Popky Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementThe recent virtual annual meeting for my association, the Society for the Advancement of Consulting, was a great success. We had 34 Zoom sessions and more than 50 speakers over a two-day period. More than three times the number of people attended as the previous in-person event. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Not everything was perfect, of course. But the event ran smoothly, even in spite of a few behind-the-scenes glitches. Here are our key learnings — of both what went well and areas for improvement.
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The most powerful weapon in all of selling
Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIt is the most powerful weapon of all and appropriate for any sales situation, any product or service, and any type of customer or prospect. And yet most sales professionals don’t use it enough. It works whether you are selling shoes or real estate, advertising or jet aircraft. It works whether you are selling retail, B2B, B2C, face-to-face, via virtual meeting, or over the phone. It doesn’t matter whether your products or services are priced at a few dollars or a few million dollars. The most powerful weapon in all of selling is this: asking effective questions whenever you speak with a prospect or customer.
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Putting on the best virtual conference — Part 1: A successful pandemic…
Linda Popky Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementApril seems like about a thousand years ago, but even back then, we realized the chances were slim to none that we’d be able to hold the 17th annual meeting of our association, the Society for the Advancement of Consulting, in New York City this fall as planned. We correctly surmised that there would be insurmountable issues, so we pivoted to producing an online meeting instead. We knew we’d miss the engagement and camaraderie of an in-person event, but we also realized we had new opportunities. How do you plan and pull off an outstanding online event? Here’s where to start.
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How to balance board and executive committee duties
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThere should be trust between the board and its executive committee. An executive committee is a subgroup of the board, including the elected officers, immediate past president, and potentially other appointees. Bylaws grant authority for the executive committee to conduct business in between meetings of the board. It’s an efficient method for making decisions without the time and cost of convening the larger board. The bylaws and policies can limit authority of the committee; for example, indicating it cannot approve a budget, expend excess funds, nor address personnel changes.
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Explore membership dues grants as a pandemic alternative for your organization
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementMembers have a long-standing relationship with their organizations. The pandemic has caused businesses and individuals to rethink their expenses. Dues may be on the chopping block. Executive directors are asking how to save members. Send out dues’ renewals now, delay or waive? Ideally, membership is viewed as indispensable. Organizations have had a surge in member calls for assistance in solving problems. Programs and education have increased to meet demand. Advocacy efforts have amplified to address regulatory problems and provide solutions.
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How to keep your business and employees on track no matter who wins the…
Amanda Kowalski Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementFor months, Americans have been counting down to Election Day. Now that it’s within days, it’s time to talk about the day "after" the election. Some of your employees and customers are going to be really happy, and some are not. But you still have a company to run, work to be done and products to sell. You don’t need to deal with gloating, miserable or warring workers. And what happens if there isn’t a decision on Election Day? It could take some time to count all those votes, especially if the results are close. Don't look for either of the candidates to concede, either.
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How to use visual storytelling to grow your business
John Allen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementMany of you will have heard the saying, "Content is king!" And while content is still extremely important, what is really "king" is the ability to grab your audience’s attention, keep it, and engage them with your brand. Marketing is usually the first touchpoint for customer experience, and first impressions are extremely difficult to change. It’s vital that you get this right. Easier said than done, right? Wrong. What you really need to know about is visual storytelling. Studies have shown that blog posts with visuals drive up to 180% more engagement than those without.
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Tax this: California’s Proposition 15
Seth Sandronsky Civil & GovernmentThere is a fiscal-political story heating up in the world's fifth biggest economy this election season. Proposition 15 on the California state ballot Nov. 3 would tax commercial and industrial properties, except commercial agriculture, at their market value. Property taxes on residential properties would continue to be calculated on the purchase price, also known as the split roll valuation. "Upon full implementation," according to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, "the measure’s shift of most commercial and industrial properties to market value assessment would increase annual property taxes paid for these properties by $8 billion to $12.5 billion in most years."
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