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Is it time for your company to go to a 4-day workweek?

D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The world of work may never be the same after the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. One casualty of the pandemic could be the structured five-day, in-the-office workweek. According to a survey conducted before the pandemic, over 40% of organizations offer some form of telecommuting and an even greater 57% offer some form of flexible work hours arrangement. This article examines some of the advantages of going to four-day or flexible workweek, along with some of the disadvantages and challenges to implementing a shortened or compressed schedule.

5 mistakes to avoid in marketing campaigns as the pandemic continues

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

As a marketer seeking recovery for your brand as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the nation, it's essential to adopt the right mindset. It's perfectly logical that you want to come out strong with digital communication right out of the gate and ensure the start of a robust profit recovery. Slow your roll, though — the last thing you want to do right now is read the tea leaves wrong and alienate your existing customer base and potential clientele.

Infographic: How technology can help the economy recover

Brian Wallace Science & Technology

Technology, both as a tool and as an economic sector, has kept the economy going during the pandemic, and it will also figure heavily into the economic recovery. This infographic outlines the state of the economy as well as how technology has aided in economic recoveries in the past.

When do you need a board whisperer?

Robert C. Harris Association Management

The term "whisperer" was popularized by the movie "The Horse Whisperer." A horse whisperer is a person who can calm and work with difficult horses. It is said the talent takes years of practice to develop the sense. It is also said that nobody can teach a horse by "whispering." There is no secret process to have horses instantly understand the intention and desired behaviors. The same can be said for calming and training a board of directors. There is no one formula.

Small businesses rush for technological answers, advances during pandemic

Kevin Reynolds Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The coronavirus has upended the way small businesses operate for months. One of the longest-lasting impacts of the virus, though, will be how fast and how many small businesses have been forced into investing into technology. With contactless pickup, new payment methods, and cleaning services all far more important than they were at the start of the year, a common denominator in every industry is the need for innovation.

Executive involvement in project risk management

Alfonso Bucero Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Senior managers and executives usually know that they are responsible for overseeing the company's approach to managing risk. This involves the board considering risk oversight policies and procedures, as well as regularly assessing corporate risk. They need to understand the expectations of regulatory bodies and ensure that the company’s approach reflects risk management best practices. The annual report should communicate risk-related lessons learned from past successes and failures.

Warehouse technologies: 3 trends to watch

Gail Short Distribution & Warehousing

These days, many warehouses and distribution centers are under the gun to boost efficiency and productivity and ship products and materials faster than ever. In the e-commerce industry alone, a recent survey by the global consulting firm Capgemini Research Foundation reported that 55% of consumers polled said they would choose a brand or retailer over its competitor if it offered a faster delivery service. That said, a white paper titled "Warehouses of the Future," published by the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University (ASU), says warehouses are becoming places "not just to store stuff," but places integrated into supply chain processes.

New advocacy group launches to help America’s small businesses

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Policymakers, beware. Small Business for America’s Future (SBAF) is a new advocacy group, evolved from Businesses for Responsible Tax Reform. Why? Look no further than the performance of Congress and the White House as the COVID-19 pandemic hammered mom-and-pop shops with a crash in consumer demand across the U.S. SBAF surveyed 1,200 small business owners whose responses show the damage as Capitol Hill dithered. For instance, 53% of small business owners have increased debt during the pandemic.

A crisis shatters your complacency — and that’s good

Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Almost everyone has experienced some sort of personal crisis in life, some more cataclysmic than others. Some of us have endured divorce, job loss, death, estrangement, and broken relationships. No one can escape a crisis of some kind because it’s the human condition. But recently, we have collectively undergone several public crises in health, societal fabric, trust in our institutions, and morality. And that’s shattered our complacency that life is good, life is predictable, life is fair, and life is secure.

The metrics guiding nonprofit recovery

William D. Pawlucy Association Management

What are the signs or metrics for recovery, and how do we take this information and make good business decisions? Business Insider recently published an article with five charts showing a potential economic recovery. What do various factors mean for a nonprofit organization’s recovery, and how can it take action? I think there are several areas to concentrate on.

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