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How company complaints can guide your organization’s growth
Candice Gottlieb-Clark Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementMaybe it's human nature to complain. Don't we all have moments when we gripe or openly voice our frustration? And, if we're being honest, wouldn't we all agree that venting feels good? It's a release of stress, anxiety, frustration, fear, etc. The problem is we also view complaining as counterproductive to progress. Maybe it is. But have you ever considered that there is an upside to complaining? Consider this: When we complain, we are often viewing a situation from the lens of experience.
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When the board wants help
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementNot all board members have knowledge of governance. Some have the benefit of serving on prior boards. Others are novices. Seldom does a board say, "We need help." In theory, the directors all attended board orientation. It may be difficult to recognize if a board feels apprehensive about skills. Therefore, you can conduct a board evaluation to identify insecurities about governance. The board is used to evaluating the budget, and possibly the executive director, but what about their own performance?
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Understanding board governance with near-opposite terms
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementDirectors should understand the terminology of governance. To increase board effectiveness, explain these concepts which are sometimes confusing to volunteer leaders. Each of governance and management; strategy and tactics; and policy and procedures are near opposites. They can be attributed to the distinctive roles of the board and staff.
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Why Agile is outperforming traditional project management models
Beatrix Potter Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWith the business world changing at the rate that it does, creating and running a project that responds to sudden changes and unforeseen developments can be exhausting and at times seemingly impossible. The good news is Agile is here. It is a flexible and responsive model that outperforms traditional project management models on modern tech projects and leads to lasting benefits for the customer and your team. Agile project management is different from traditional models in what it prioritizes and how it deals with changing scope.
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What the SECURE Act means for everyone
Grace Ferguson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementSigned into law on Dec. 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is designed to help thwart America’s growing retirement crisis. Here’s how the Act impacts employers, employees, and everyone else. For example, the SECURE Act changes several rules regarding multiple employer plans (MEPs).
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Cybersecurity attacks aren’t random, and your defense shouldn’t…
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementDid you know that most cybersecurity attacks don't occur randomly? According to Thomas Johnson, chief information security officer at ServerCentral Turing Group, a cloud consultancy, they’re coordinated with important business events, including major product or service updates, periods of restructuring, acquisitions, and new product releases. "And when companies discover the root causes of the attack, they often find their systems have been infiltrated for months, as hackers waited for the right time to strike," Johnson says.
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Ambushed at the board meeting
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThe elected president planned an efficient quarterly board meeting. A month before, he strategized with the officers and staff about what should be on the agenda. Everyone agreed to the issues that had to be addressed. At board orientation he advised that he did not like surprises. Meetings would be designed to achieve maximum results. At the last board meeting, things were going well. Then came the surprise.
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The art and science of speculative job applications
Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementShould you apply for a job you'd really love to have when there are no openings advertised and no visible signs that the employer is hiring? A speculative job application is when a job seeker applies for employment to an employer where there is no known opening for the ideal employment a job seeker desires. The hidden job market is huge. It is estimated that the hidden job market could be at least 50% of all open positions available.
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4 things new team leaders should do first
Daniela McVicker Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementBecoming the new leader of a team is like venturing into unknown territory: no journey is complete without assuming risks and making bold decisions. The first meeting, for example, can be a truly daunting event where your new colleagues expect you to say all the right things. To make those first-time impressions as beneficial as possible, you need to connect with the team and let them know you’re the kind of person they like. How exactly do you do that? Read on for some ideas.
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Visionary vs. manager: Why both are necessary in business
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWe bring our unique personalities into the workplace. Some of us enjoy creating new ideas, thinking about future improvements, and experimenting to improve matters. Others are the polar opposite. These are the people who enjoy taming chaos, managing the status quo, and streamlining processes. As I've mentioned in previous articles, all organizations need both these types of people because the balance is where most progress occurs. When one type of thinking dominates the other in a company, a failed outcome is predictable.
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