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Infographic: It’s 2020, is your business AI-ready?

Brian Wallace Science & Technology

One in three business leaders believe AI will have the greatest impact on their business in the next year, but few are acting on this knowledge. So, how can your enterprise get ahead of the competition with artificial intelligence? Find out more with this infographic.

Where are your prospects going after deleting Facebook?

Linchi Kwok Marketing

Not long ago, Facebook was the most visited website in the world and the most popular social media platform for business-to-consumer communications among various types of organizations. In recent years, however, Facebook has faced backlash regarding the platform's data privacy practices and its CEO. Many even participated in the #DeleteFacebook movement. I also noticed a shift in my teenage students' interest in Facebook, even before the #DeleteFacebook backlash. So, if Facebook is no longer the place where everyone is, which social media platforms can we use to communicate with our prospective consumers?

Healthcare mergers and acquisitions: Navigating the landscape

Tory Barringer Healthcare Administration

The past few years have seen a marked increase in hospital mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with deals closing at an average pace of about 100 annually, according to an estimate from the Los Angeles Times. In many cases, these mergers are a net positive for the communities they impact. Yet, healthcare observers and researchers argue that takeovers have the downside of eliminating competition and driving up prices, to say nothing of the risk to patient safety. Regardless of the debate surrounding M&A, activity is likely to continue at a brisk pace unless regulators step in or the healthcare landscape changes enough to force another shift. With that in mind, hospitals are advised to keep a few pointers in mind when it comes to a successful merger.

Putting organizational values to work

Robert C. Harris Association Management

Many associations identify and adopt guiding principles or values. They serve as a decision-making framework for board and staff. Do not confuse organizational values with a code of conduct for members. Values reflect the organization’s culture, dating back to its founders. (Sometimes founders are reluctant to transition for fear their values will be lost.) As volunteers transition annually, the values help new leaders make decisions. For instance, if transparency is a value, it would be expected that most work is done candidly.

Study: Why wood pallets are better for the environment than plastic

Scott E. Rupp Distribution & Warehousing

If you've ever wondered whether wood or plastic shipping pallets are more eco-friendly, the fight is over, and a winner has been declared. Wood is better for the environment. This is according to Penn State researchers, who, after conducting a series of detailed comparisons, say that the shipping pallets made of wood are slightly more environmentally friendly and sustainable than those made of plastic. "Few people realize the significance of this issue — there are about 700 million pallets produced and recycled each year in the United States alone," said Chuck Ray, associate professor of ecosystem science and management.

2020 job search trends: What employers like and dislike

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

You may be the most qualified person for a particular job, but you shouldn't forget that presentation is everything. Using certain tactics can significantly hurt your chances of landing an interview. Fortunately, most of these faux pas can be avoided. A new survey by Accountemps reveals some of the most important job search trends for 2020, including what hiring managers want to see and what turns them off.

Infographic: The renaissance of email — how responsiveness builds trust

Brian Wallace Communications

While media outlets have been calling email dead for over a decade now, 90% of Americans still use email. Also, 58% of people check their email first thing in the morning — before social media, news sites, or Google. This infographic outlines the importance of email responsiveness, especially when it comes to customer interactions.

US employers add 225,000 jobs; unemployment ticks up to 3.6%

Seth Sandronsky Business Management, Services & Risk Management

In January, U.S. nonfarm payrolls grew by a total of 225,000 after December's gain of 145,000, while the rate of unemployment rose to 3.6% from 3.5% the previous month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2019, the average monthly gain of jobs was 175,000. The total number of unemployed persons rose to 5.9 million in January from 5.8 million in December. January's data showed that unemployment among major worker groups experienced little or no change versus December's numbers.

Can Instagram work for B2B marketers?

Suzanne Mason Marketing

Author and digital marketing pioneer Seth Godin once said, “Marketing is no longer about the stuff you make, but the stories you tell.” As we start a new year and a new decade, B2B marketing continues its ongoing evolution thanks to an ever-evolving customer base.

Is cryptocurrency payroll legal?

Grace Ferguson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Paying employees in cryptocurrencies could be an emerging trend. But it’s not without controversy or implications. U.S. employers should tread carefully. A key area of consideration is the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which says that employers must pay employees "prescribed wages, including overtime compensation, in cash or negotiable instrument payable at par." "Negotiable instrument payable at par" is interpreted to mean either cash or something that can be immediately converted into cash, such as direct deposit or paper check.

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