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The case for annual board orientation

William D. Pawlucy and Robert C. Harris Association Management

Imagine starting a new job with a gamut of responsibilities, and there is no orientation or manual. Volunteers accept a role but may not understand their duties as trustees and as fiduciaries on behalf of the membership. The best relationship with new directors starts with the statement: "Welcome to the board, here is the leadership manual, which includes everything you’ll need to govern." Yet, some organizations don’t have a manual for the leadership, and many don’t provide board orientation.

9 behaviors of highly promotable people

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

One of the early career lessons every employee learns is that not all people possess the same degree of talent, work ethic, intellect and persistence. People become promotable when they are characterized by the following types of behaviors. This list is not complete because each employer is different. The nine behaviors listed below are a good start. You need to make it your business within your first year with an employer to learn the specific set of behaviors that your employer most values.

7 keys to a successful project start

Deborah Ike Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Starting a new project involves an assortment of details. Developing the plan, completing a project charter, assigning team members, and much more. As you embark on your next project, consider the following to set a solid foundation for the team to build upon. First of all, a project without clearly defined goals is a recipe for disaster. The team needs to know what a win looks like for this project.

Quick tricks to boost your workday memory

Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk Management

You're meeting with a trusted client — and you blank on her name. You can't remember for the life of you where you put your pager. You forgot to return one email — which started a chain reaction of confusion among your colleagues regarding tomorrow's presentation. We've all made a memory-related work mistake or two — it happens when you've got lots on your plate. Here's some good news: there are fast and easy strategies you can employ to effectively jog your memory in the moment, helping you to remember everything you need, no matter how busy your workday is.

How will AI impact your business?

Shawn Smajstrla Science & Technology

Is your business ready for AI? Artificial intelligence has become common conversation in business media as we seem destined to eliminate the fiction part of science fiction. A Deloitte survey of what it calls "aggressive adopters of cognitive technology" revealed three-quarters expect AI to "substantially transform" their organizations within three years. But AI isn’t a one-tech-fits-all solution. It’s an array of systems, processes, tools and algorithms — all still developing rapidly.

The association is not your father’s Oldsmobile

Robert C. Harris Association Management

"It’s not your father’s Oldsmobile" was an advertising slogan from the 1980s. Its purpose was to communicate that the company’s vehicles had improved considerably from their perceived image. I use the statement with volunteer leaders to help them understand the need for boards and associations to evolve. There are external influences that suggest associations should adapt. Yet, many boards think the status quo is OK.

Finding motivation without a raise

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Once upon a time, there were clear career paths. Show up, learn the job, take courses, start managing, take on more complex projects and continue to earn increasing responsibility, with pay raises each step of the way. Yes, sometimes the other guy would get the promotion, but it was clear there was a promotion to get and it was clear what could be done for the next opportunity. Work has changed. Staying at a job for two years is no longer considered job hopping, and staying for more than five years can look like you are stagnating.

Successful strategies to multitask more effectively

Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk Management

You're laser-focused on preparing for tomorrow's presentation — but the phone won't stop ringing. And the emails keep pouring in. Your staff members are popping in, one after another, to report fires you have to put out right this second. Yep, you're distracted. Juggling essential tasks doesn't have to result in chaos, though. Use these easy, science-driven multitasking tips to accomplish everything on your plate, without sacrificing accuracy or quality.

What the Time Well Spent movement means for your business

Emma Fitzpatrick Marketing

Recently, new research found adolescents who spent more time on digital media were more likely to have ADHD symptoms. While that’s the latest, it’s not the first study to detail the negative effects of digital and social media. Many, many others have found startlingly similar results. A handful of those most entrenched in the tech world saw this happening firsthand and strove to do something about it. In 2016, they founded the nonprofit Time Well Spent to combat the digital attention crisis.

How the incredibly high cost of a bad hire affects your job search

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

First impressions are lasting impressions. So, your first few seconds in a new job, meeting a new client, or networking in person may be much more critical than you think. Most interviewers will tell you that they have already made up their mind about a candidate within scant moments of meeting him or her for the first time. Even before a candidate opens his or her mouth, the interviewer has mentally recorded hundreds of impressions of the candidate.

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