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Snapshots and tips to improve board meetings
Bob Harris and Deb Neuman Association ManagementAssociations and chambers are led by volunteers asked to share their time and talents as a board to advance a mission, purpose or cause. One thing a chief staff person or executive director does not want to do is waste the time of the board. There are simple methods to enhance board engagement. One method is the board snapshot, a visual image of a situation. It transforms a lengthy report into a graphic depicting the important details. Most snapshots allow for the comparison of information from meeting to meeting.
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Building the right audience for your LinkedIn content
Sheilamary Koch MarketingDecision-makers look for high-quality content on LinkedIn. Recent data analysis by LinkedIn demonstrates that key audiences — the C-suite, executives, small- to midsize-business owners, and IT leaders — hunger for good content. In ranking the top-followed companies, LinkedIn found that reputable publications like Forbes and TED Talks were second only to big tech companies. This study makes clear that if you’re a professional, LinkedIn is the place to be recognized for your expert content. But to make the most powerful impact, the right people must see your posts. Here’s how to build that audience.
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CFOs reveal their employees’ most outrageous expense report submissions
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIf it's your job to monitor and approve expense report submissions, you may have noticed an uptick in employees trying to submit inappropriate requests. According to a recent survey by Robert Half Management Resources, 56% of chief financial officers have observed an increase in unsuitable expense report submissions during the last three years. There are at least two factors contributing to the rise in inappropriate expense report submissions.
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3 takeaways from the recent Business Roundtable statement
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWhy should small businesses care about the recent statement from the Business Roundtable? After all, the lobbying group represents some of the largest and most powerful companies in America and thus is not necessarily representative of the thoughts, feelings and challenges of our country's smaller organizations. However, before moving on to the next headline, business and HR leaders should consider these three takeaways.
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Can you recession-proof your job?
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWhether you believe that Big Macs or RV sales predict recessions, it seems at least that the continued talk of a recession is certainly on the horizon. Yet, with more of us gainfully employed and the job market so seeker-friendly, should we care? Yes; just like how it is easier to find a job when we already have one, it is easier to plan for a recession when we are not in one. Here are a few things to consider when trying to recession-proof your job.
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What makes a good speaker? The buy-in
LeRon L. Barton Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIn business, the presentation matters. How an idea is conveyed, communicated, and relayed is important. For example, there could be a scheduled department meeting focusing on the most mundane concept, and it can become captivating. As I have learned and believe in — it is all in the delivery. Corporations, universities, and organizations often hire speakers to present a new idea, facilitate workshops, and entertain audiences. With speakers becoming ubiquitous in corporate culture, the question becomes: What makes a good speaker? As a writer who is an up-and-coming speaker, I wanted to find the answer.
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7 ways new managers can shine
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk Management"Psssttt…Can you keep a secret? I’ve just been made a manager and I haven’t a clue what to do!" This was exactly what went through my head over 20 years ago when I found myself suddenly in charge. My focus should have been on what I could do to shine from day one. But instead, I worried that it would only be a matter of time before my secret was out. It's no secret that those who find themselves tossed into management with little more than a hope and a prayer aren't ready to fully engage in all that is required of more experienced managers. But there is certainly something about you that indicated you were right for this job.
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The road to organizational excellence
Bob Harris and Desiree Bennyhoff Association Management"Organizational Excellence" is a class taught at the Institute for Organization Management (IOM), sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The class starts by asserting, "Organizational excellence starts with a commitment. To be the best you must have a hunger." Reaching excellence will distinguish the organization from mediocre ones. An inward evaluation is an important part of the process. Do not let identified weaknesses be roadblocks.
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The folly of ‘they’re going to buy from someone; it may as well…
Anne Rose RetailWhen I was first starting out in sales many years ago, I was advised to regard every person I encountered as a viable sales prospect. It was just a matter of me persuasively demonstrating the benefits of what I had to sell that would convert them from looking to buying. Don’t discount anyone was the wisdom; they’re going to buy something from someone, so let it be you. Terrible advice. First of all, not everyone who is looking is really going to buy! Some people, and I know quite a few, just enjoy window shopping. They have no intention of buying anything from anyone.
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Infographic: The future of work
Brian Wallace Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementOffice culture has grown and evolved over the years. Today, employees look for workplaces that value work-life balance, support their health and well-being, and offer flexibility and perks. Furthermore, a majority of employers plan to implement workplace culture initiatives to boost employees’ engagement in health. Check out the infographic in this article, which dives into the psychology of productivity, how workplace culture impacts your business, and how to attract and retain the best talent.
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