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It’s time for a reset — we need to change the game of business

Jack Stack Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Millions of Americans are out of work as a result of the pandemic. It’s not their fault. A growing number of small business owners have been forced to close their shops through no fault of their own. The combination of the virus, the ongoing social outcries, protectionism, and trade wars have rocked our great entrepreneurial nation’s very foundation. These shockwaves aren’t expected to subside anytime soon. Now is our opportunity for a reset — we need to change the game.

The right marketing strategies for keeping new customers your brand has…

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

Your brand may have picked up some new audience segments during the COVID-19 crisis. Now is the perfect time for you to convince those new consumers that your brand has the features they want for the long term — do it effectively and you can hang on to your "COVID customers" for good. Focus on the following five key areas to impress your new audience now and preserve their loyalty as the pandemic continues — and beyond.

Absenteeism costs employers billions of dollars every year

Grace Ferguson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Absenteeism is a pervasive phenomenon impacting workplaces globally. In the United States, employers — aggregately — rack up billions of dollars in absenteeism costs per year. Before we nail down the numbers, let's review the concept of absenteeism. According to USLegal.com, "Absenteeism is the term generally used to refer to unscheduled employee absence from the workplace." In other words, absenteeism is when an employee fails to report to work as scheduled.

What about our association’s house of delegates?

Robert C. Harris Association Management

"What about our house of delegates?" It can be a sensitive question, especially in the presence of the speaker of the house and delegates. Some leaders support the house as being essential to representing member interests. Others characterize the body as outdated, unnecessary, and costly. This article offers pros and cons for a house of delegates (HOD) and describes strategic alternatives.

Study finds 61% of Americans aren’t comfortable returning to the…

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As the country struggles to return to normal — or adjust to the new normal — navigating the world of work is particularly problematic. Some employees consider working from home an added stressor. On the other hand, other employees actually find solace in work, as it provides a respite from the daily deluge of COVID-related headlines. But there’s one thing these employees agree on. A new study by Qualtrics finds that the majority of employees who have been working from home would prefer to continue that arrangement.

Infographic: The power of mobile messaging

Maggie Kimberl Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Every year, companies invest millions of dollars to better understand and serve their customers. All that investment either succeeds or fails at the moment they interact with a customer. Each interaction is a moment of truth. Mobile communications are growing rapidly, and mobile interactions are becoming the most effective means of real-time interactive communication to deliver that moment of truth. Customers are now dictating where and how businesses communicate with them and not the other way around.

5 ways for B2B companies to reach customers during COVID-19

Jess Dixon Marketing

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an enormous impact on the ways we live and work. For business owners and marketers, it might have meant a dip in revenue or challenges in finding new leads and customers. However, every challenge is also an opportunity. The pandemic doesn’t have to spell disaster for your B2B company. Read on to learn how to continue connecting with new customers in these difficult times.

The hazards of a lifetime warranty: Whose lifetime are we talking about?

Anne Rose Retail

Beware of stamping "lifetime warranty" on your products without considering all the ramifications. It’s a well-intentioned move, perhaps. But it’s also primed for fraud and abuse. You might offer that logo as a proud symbol of your product’s quality — that it can withstand a lifetime of use and, therefore, is worthy of your purchase. Some customers, however, interpret that logo as not worthy of their investment in care or respect because, "No big deal if I break it; I’ll just get a free replacement."

Report: Was there enough oversight for federal virus aid?

Seth Sandronsky Civil & Government

A new report on recipients of federal pandemic aid from the CARES Act asks if there was adequate congressional oversight before tax dollars went out the door as the economy closed to slow the spread of COVID-19 in March. "The revelation that tens of thousands of CARES Act recipients have records of misconduct — including some cases of a criminal nature — raises the question of whether the eligibility criteria for the grant and loan programs were strict enough," according to Philip Mattera, research director at Good Jobs First, a Washington, D.C.-based watchdog group.

Retailer survival: 4 actions to take ASAP

Gail Short Retail

The coronavirus pandemic forced governments around the United States and abroad to temporarily close down their economies to contain the virus, resulting in jobs losses and disruptions to global supply chains. Because of the pandemic, many U.S. retailers had to shut down their brick-and-mortar stores temporarily while other stores that sold products deemed as "essential" remained open. Since reopening, some retailers have struggled financially. Some even filed for bankruptcy this year. But others saw their sales soar.

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