MultiBriefs - Your source for industry specific News Briefs

The right message for the board

Robert C. Harris Association Management

What messages do volunteers receive as they consider board service? The responsibilities of volunteer leadership should be clearly communicated. The worst message is offered by nominating committees, "You won’t have to do anything when you get on the board." Other directors are "voluntold." The technique taps a person who misses a meeting or steps out for a moment, only to return to hear, "We decided you would be good for this responsibility."

Employment grows by 201,000 in August; jobless rate stays at 3.9 percent

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Nonfarm payroll jobs increased 201,100 in August vs. 157,000 in July, as the unemployment rate remained at 3.9 percent for the second straight month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. With a labor force of over 150 million, job gains occurred in professional and business services, healthcare, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, and mining. In August, the number of jobless workers, 6.2 million, was little changed. For major groups of workers, unemployment rates showed scant movement between August and July.

The life cycle of a project risk

Dr. David Hillson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As we manage individual project risks, they pass through a life cycle that can be described using a set of status values. These can help us to understand where each risk is in its life cycle, so that we can determine what we should do next. The following set of standard status values in this article might be useful. Using these status values, we can describe the life cycle of a typical individual project risk.

Hope is not a talent strategy

Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Are you one of the countless companies sitting around hoping applicants will walk in the door because you post a hiring notice? Employers in all industries are reporting difficulties in finding qualified candidates, and the shrinking labor market will not be expanding anytime soon. So, if you're sitting there hoping to wait this one out, you’ll be waiting by yourself for a long time. Here's how to move from hope to action.

Why ephemeral content is here to stay

Mashaal Ryan Marketing

One of the newest driving forces in future marketing strategies involves a type of content known as "ephemeral," which is a fancy word for "temporary." This technology was first introduced to the social media world with Snapchat. You can use this type of tool for your marketing campaigns to make them both relevant and useful. For example, brands can give their audience a brief glimpse into their "behind the scenes" work, such as how products are created, shared or promoted.

Why every organization should hire general counsel

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Even the smallest organizations can benefit from legal advice via a trusted advisor invested in the business. From personnel policies to intellectual property, general counsel who understands the organization can provide invaluable advice on a variety of items. Here are a few reasons to consider adding an attorney to your team.

Serving up logistics: How QSRs and supply chains are working together

Delany Martinez Food & Beverage

Call it a hunger for fast, convenient food: the quick service restaurant (QSR) industry in the U.S. is projected to surpass $223 billion in the next two years. Part of that success is driven — in most cases, quite literally — by robust logistical networks that tie far-flung franchises to their distributors through ever-evolving methods. With large chains like Wendy's and Chipotle touting their fresh, never-frozen fare, cold chain technology and accountability are more important than ever.

Quick and easy tricks to sharpen your focus

Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Concentration — it's the key element you need in order to do your very best work for your organization. Yet, even the most dedicated managers can get distracted from time to time. Between those emails you think you must answer right this second, the unexpected fire on a project you needed to put out an hour ago, or responding to pressing questions from your staff, your attention is being pulled in many directions. Want to reboot your focus immediately, so you can do an amazing job on that important report or presentation that's waiting on your desk?

Beware of the slippery job candidate

Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Anyone trying to hire in today’s architecture and design community knows how challenging it can be to find good employees. As the pool of high-quality candidates shrinks, some less than desirable ones are making the rounds, hoping the odds will be in their favor. Employers need to be extra vigilant to ensure they make a good hire. Lately, in our firm, we have seen a proliferation in certain types of unsuitable candidates.

The real reasons you can’t fill jobs, and how to change them

Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

I've been sitting back watching as leaders continue to fill up LinkedIn threads with "We’re Hiring!" posts. The same leaders do this day in and day out, which tells me this strategy isn’t working. Would you continue to solicit for new clients and customers the same way if you discovered what you were doing was not resulting in new prospects? Of course not! Yet, here we are. Let me share with you why you can't fill jobs and what you can do to change this.

Industries