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Lazy motions and casual votes

Bob Harris and Sandra Giarde Association Management

The meeting was gaveled to order. After introductions, motions were made to approve the minutes and accept the financial report. Next on the agenda were committee reports. Actions needing board approval were presented with rationale, performance metrics and fiscal impact. When the recommendation had merit, the board chair asked, "Does anybody want to make a motion?" Motions often entail a directive, deadline or have financial consequences. Specificity is key.

Want to use videos to boost your sales? Here’s how

Victor Blasco Marketing

Over the last decade or so, digital marketing has shifted to a more personalized style of reaching audiences. The rise of machine learning algorithms, subscription-based marketing, and user segmentation has allowed brands to customize content to fit each of their target audiences and engage with them in the most effective way possible. As a result, video has become one of the most versatile types of content of the marketing toolbox. You see it everywhere online, from whiteboard videos and live-action tutorials to unboxing videos and customer testimonials.

8 typography design trends for 2021

Kevin Miller Marketing

Typography transforms words from mere text to artful communication. So much can be said by the font and type design — from prominent, bold sans-serif fonts to delicate serifs; from traditional, timeless variations to totally new techniques. While the strong roots were laid early in the 20th century, the explosion of digital graphics mediums and designers themselves has allowed for a wide array of amazing ideas and evolution. Some ideas are simply fads, while others are trends that are here to stay. We’ve highlighted what we see as the top typography trends for 2021.

Good news in your job search: Harry, Larry, and the bear

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

What is North America’s No. 1 domestic issue of most concern to the average person? Politics? Coronavirus? Who will win Super Bowl LV? Nope! The thing that concerns most people is still jobs. Whether you are 18 or 80, you’ve likely never seen it more difficult to find a great job in your field of interest in your lifetime. Lockdowns in various regions of the country, overseas competition, and rapidly changing methods employers use to fill jobs have all made it difficult for good people to find good jobs.

Who should absorb home office costs?

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

If there’s been one bright spot in the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s the ability of employees to work from home. According to a new report by Owl Labs and Global Workplace Analytics, employees love working from home, and 77% of respondents say that even after COVID-19 is over, they would be happier if they could continue working from home. However, the report also reveals that only 20 to 25% of companies pay or share the cost of home office equipment, furniture, internet, etc. And employees believe that companies should be paying more.

COVID-19 is the mother-in-law of invention

Josh Middlebrooks Business Management, Services & Risk Management

For business owners, keeping customers and employees safe has always been a priority. If you are lucky enough to live in a place that does not have a lockdown order, you could go to a local business, and in some dusty corner near an old water fountain, you will see an OSHA poster hanging on the wall letting everyone know that this business cares about safety. For decades, it was business as usual. Then there was COVID-19 and the panic that ensued. Suddenly businesses were scrambling to figure out how to remain open, how to keep their people safe, and maybe even how to stay profitable.

A strategic plan dilemma: Organizational infrastructure

Robert C. Harris Association Management

A strategic plan guides the board, communicates value to members and empowers the staff. Most have three to six goals. The dilemma is whether to include anything about the infrastructure in the plan. Infrastructure is internal, focused on governance and management. It would include technology investment, leadership pipeline, professional staffing, and financial resources. Without infrastructure, the other goals cannot be advanced.

Has company culture improved during the pandemic?

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The list of negative COVID-19-related implications is endless. However, it appears that the pandemic has actually improved company culture. According to a report by CHG Healthcare, 20% of respondents said that the culture actually improved since they’ve been working from home. In addition, 54% stated that their culture remained the same. Among workers who felt that the company culture improved during the pandemic, the top three factors were increased transparency/communication, maintained benefits/salary, and better leadership support.

What ‘business ghosting’ says about your leadership, and why…

Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk Management

One would think that during this time of COVID-19, work from home, and high unemployment that people who have the title of "leader" would make an extra effort to be kind and caring to their employees and other people with whom they come in contact. While I’ve seen some amazing leaders who practice that kindness, caring and respect for others, there is another group of people who have the title of leader but whose actions are just the opposite. For them, they practice what I call "business ghosting."

5 digital marketing strategies to plan as the pandemic begins to shift

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

As we look ahead to 2021, it's time to start proactively planning campaigns, launches and revenue growth — and feel some much-needed optimism. A stat to get you started is that 57% of surveyed small business owners say that they are optimistic or extremely optimistic about the future of their businesses, according to the 2020 Facebook Small Business Report. So, there are customers out there who will be eager to purchase your products and services, and partners waiting to work with you. What steps can you take now to facilitate this as soon as we move into safer times? Try these five clear, concise steps:

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