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EAPs for substance abuse reduce absenteeism and increase productivity
Joy Burgess Civil & GovernmentStudies have shown that problem drinkers and alcoholics cost American businesses billions of dollars. Studies also show that substance abuse can result in an increase in absenteeism, which reduces overall productivity. Even though the actual substance abuse may take place at home, it still has an impact on both large and small businesses.
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Board culture trumps structure and process
John T. Dinner Association ManagementThe basic fiduciary requirement that directors act in the best interests of the organization and exercise a duty of care is often viewed in legal terms. Similarly, director independence has been defined with respect to the relationship with staff. Both have significant behavioral and board culture implications that trump any legal or structural requirements when it comes to board effectiveness.
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Qualified Mortgage rules doing the opposite of what was intended
Shawn Van Gordon Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe much anticipated Qualified Mortgage (QM) rules are intended to protect the consumer and prevent financial meltdown. However, one of the byproducts of this rule is simply steering the consumer into a poor financial choice.
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Business travel spending up for 2013, eying increase in 2014
Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementThe travel industry has picked up the recession slack quite well, showing healthier figures in 2013. Business travel especially has picked up quickly, which is a testament to an improving economy and better business prospects in all arenas.
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Are you trading efficiency for productivity?
Michael J. Berens Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementOne of the basic principles of a free-market economy is that markets perform better when unhampered by government regulation or oversight. It turns out the same can be said for employees. A number of workplace research studies have shown that employees perform better, have higher levels of satisfaction, take fewer sick days and are more productive when they have a greater sense of control over their work and their work environment.
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Using the ‘Six Value Medals’ to identify and assess risk
Dr. David Hillson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementEdward de Bono is famous for promoting creative thinking, and he has written many books to explain his radical ideas. Perhaps his best-known technique is "Six Thinking Hats," encouraging people to adopt a range of different perspectives when thinking about an issue. One of de Bono’s other thinking tools is the "Six Value Medals." The Six Value Medals have many potential uses, as we seek to create and protect value. But they may also help us to think about risk in a new way.
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6 things managers should not talk about at work
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementManagers have a special role for employers because they are legal agents. What they say, do and know can be attributed to their employer. Depending on the issue, employers can be strictly liable for the conduct of managers. Several laws come into play here, but there are certain things that managers should absolutely not talk about with employees or anyone else at work.
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Notice policy is key to protecting lien rights
Nate Budde Construction & Building MaterialsMaking sure your company complies with all of the various notice requirements is a difficult, time-consuming, frustrating and a seemingly impossible task. This is especially true when projects are located throughout many different states with many different rules.
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101 bad business buzzwords — and why you should avoid them
Joe Latta MarketingToday’s marketing and proposal materials are littered with important-sounding words that have no real value. Seamless, top-notch, world-class, laser-focused, and best of breed. We've all been guilty of using terms like these in place of meaningful descriptors.
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Hourly, frontline employees are expendable
Mel Kleiman RetailUnless your unique selling proposition is exceptional customer service — like Nordstrom, Zappos, Ritz-Carlton and The Container Store — there's no reason to sweat it when you lose frontline employees. Most likely, they were not that good anyway.
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