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Grooming women leaders in retail

Catherine Iste Retail

Retail is often a first and safe stop for women entering or returning to the workforce because there is normally a low barrier to entry, flexible hours and, in some cases, a discount or service benefit for employees in addition to salary. The problem is that advancement within the space can be challenging for a variety of reasons. Here are some ways to overcome those challenges and help more women grow into leaders.

Wellness experts think Twitter CEO’s wellness habits can be harmful,…

Terri Williams Medical & Allied Healthcare

On a recent podcast, billionaire Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter and Square, shared several of his wellness habits, including how he only eats one meal per weekday, fasts all weekend, and alternates between saunas and ice baths several times each day. However, wellness experts Addie Greco-Sanchez and Lynne Everatt, co-authors of "The 5-Minute Recharge," believe that some of Dorsey’s habits may be harmful and isolating.

The one factor that holds leaders back

Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

I do a lot of executive coaching, and when I ask clients to tell me about their core strengths, they’ll say things like, "I have solid communication skills." Or, "My team enjoys working with me." I’ll then ask their direct reports the same question about my clients. Their responses are usually a stark contrast to what the leader has told me. I’m often left wondering if we’re talking about the same person here! Here’s the reality. No matter how good (or bad) someone is, all that matters is perception.

Is your logo sending the right message?

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

Your company probably created a logo years ago and kept it ever since, believing that familiarity breeds brand loyalty. That can indeed be true if a logo truly serves its products' purpose. But is your logo sending the right message about your brand's specific attributes and benefits? Does it target your audience as effectively as possible? If not, a tweak or complete redesign could be in order to boost your visibility and sales. How can you analyze your logo's messaging strengths and weaknesses? Use these science-based strategies.

Volunteering can help you accelerate your career

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

One evening, 24-year-old Mary Hernandez was speaking with David, her career services advisor at Center Community College, about how she could transition into a medical records position. Because she was working full-time at Platt and attending classes a few evenings a week, it was not practical for her to serve an internship. David suggested that she consider volunteering at a healthcare facility on Saturdays. "Volunteering is a terrific way to gain experience, to give back to the community, and to build an effective network," he explained.

EPA’s Energy Star program gets updates, new building certifications

Scott E. Rupp Facilities & Grounds

There have been several updates to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program, including changes to the Star score. The score ranges from one to 100, which is the current national benchmark for energy performance. Per program guidance, facility managers and users enter information about their buildings into Portfolio Manager, the EPA’s online resource management tool that is used to assess the status of the application submitted. Then, using this information, which includes key operational details and actual energy use, Portfolio Manager calculates a score that compares a building’s energy performance to similar buildings nationwide.

Pace of remodeling stays brisk, spending softens

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Remodeling activity in the first three months of this year exceeded that of the previous quarter, continuing an upward growth trend. Industry projections and homeowner surveys indicate demand for services should remain steady throughout the remainder of the year. However, annual growth is expected to be more modest than in recent years, and homeowners plan to cut back spending on some projects. For the 28th quarter in a row, MetroStudy’s Residential Remodeling Index (RRI) posted positive growth in the first quarter of 2019, up 0.7% from the previous quarter and 4.1% over the first quarter of 2018.

How to recognize employees when summer Fridays aren’t practical

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Summer Fridays refer to the practice that employees get to leave early or work remotely on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. While this can be a fantastic benefit for office workers, it can be extremely impractical to implement outside of standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. offices and cost-prohibitive to offer to nonexempt employees. This does not mean our hands are tied as leaders when it comes to giving employees a break during the summer months. Here are some other options to consider when summer Fridays are not practical.

What is your employee value proposition?

Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Along with attracting the right talented people, holding onto them is one of the biggest challenges businesses face today. With unemployment at the lowest level in 50 years and employees with proven ability in high demand, promising workers a position and a modicum of job security is no longer enough to gain their loyalty. In today’s highly competitive environment, employers expect a lot from their staff. Now, employees are asking for more in return. And if they aren’t satisfied, they will look for better conditions and opportunities elsewhere.

5 mobile content tips backed by statistics

Vince Nero Marketing

Mobile trumps desktop. Content marketers must understand the parameters of different smartphones, social media platforms, and email applications in order to effectively reach their audience in today’s mobile environment. Here is a list of five content marketing tips we believe will elevate your mobile marketing campaigns. This resource is, of course, mobile-friendly and can help you identify marketing opportunities for your company.

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