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How to avoid the perils of rump sessions

Bob Harris and DaVina Lara Association Management

A rump session is described as a meeting before or after the larger meeting. In associations, a rump session might occur in the parking lot after the board meeting; a few directors hanging back to rehash what was decided. At other times it is a call between directors to discuss association business. It could be a meetup at lunch or the bar to talk about the upcoming board agenda. Some associations have adopted a policy: "Rump sessions involving the discussion of business matters are to be avoided."

How to begin navigating your career transition

Hank Boyer Business Management, Services & Risk Management

A career transition occurs when someone changes the nature of their career path. It means this person has already invested substantial time on a particular career path, and now seeks to change to something fundamentally different. Navigating a career transition need not be overwhelming. Here are several questions for successfully navigating a career transition that should be answered before taking the leap.

New drug testing rule targets applicants for unemployment benefits

Grace Ferguson Civil & Government

On Oct. 4, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor published a final rule giving states more freedom to expand the number of people who must pass drug tests in order to qualify for unemployment benefits. Those who fail the test would be disqualified from receiving unemployment assistance. Note that unemployment benefits are paid for by employer — and, in some states, employee — payroll taxes and are generally granted to employees who lose their job through no fault of their own. Before we explore the new rule, let's take a trip down memory lane.

Board meetings: From pipeline to platform

William D. Pawlucy and Robert C. Harris Business Management, Services & Risk Management

We’ve all used the term "pipeline." Most often, we use it when the association board asks, "Do we have enough future leaders in the pipeline to sustain our volunteer structure of board and committees?" The leadership pipeline for volunteers include the processes of identification, assessment, training, election or appointment, role fulfillment and succession. The processes must be taken in order to maximize volunteer impact. The pipeline is somewhat rigid. Often it ends with volunteer burnout or a sense of, "I’m out, I’ve done my civic duty."

What’s trending this time of year? In a word, words

Bob Kowalski Marketing

As a new year starts, you’ve heard about plenty "of-the-years." They must be important. They get so much airtime and are shared ceaselessly on social media, a lot of times by the very brands that are being honored. Besides the newsmakers of the year, a few other off-the-beaten-path declarations make the media rounds. We apparently talk a lot, so much so that we have more than one Word of the Year. Or should that be "words" of the year? At least three dominant sources provide us the Word of the Year, but they don't agree on what it is. For one of them, the Word of the Year is actually "words."

Are business travelers traveling too much?

Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

While it is not news that frequent travel can be bad for your health, studies by global corporate travel management company CWT find that the psychological effects can be just as disconcerting as the physical erosion. Independent research commissioned by CWT has revealed that the concerns most frequent travelers have about their lives and lifestyles should be addressed. The two biggest worries that affect frequent business travelers around the world are home life deterioration and putting pressure on colleagues.

Credit where credit is due

Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk Management

I recently heard an accurate assessment of lazy people: they are always sticking their names on someone else's work. This occurs frequently in numerous situations: the politician's proposed legislation, prominent with his name but written by his unnamed staff. Or, the academic whose name is credited on the front page of the peer-reviewed journals is actually indebted to unnamed underlings who did the bulk of the study. This is really common in work settings where "work" is defined as the result of some committee.

9 practical tips for workplace investigations

D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Many circumstances arise where human resources professionals are required to conduct investigations. These circumstances may include instances of alleged workplace violence or bullying, harassment or discrimination, suspected drug or alcohol abuse, unsafe conditions, or safety violations and the like. This article offers some basic "common denominator" tips for investigating most of these situations. Keep in mind, however, that every situation is different, and a tailored approach is required for the best outcome for the company and to minimize legal liability.

Build your business with confidence

Lloyd Princeton Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Things are looking up. OK, maybe the outlook is not as sunny as it was a few years ago, but it’s not so bad. Growth may be slowing, but there’s still growth. Employment keeps going up. Consumer spending, the engine that drives the economy, is vigorous. The stock market is robust. Concerns that we’re heading toward the next recession appear to be evaporating. On the whole, business owners have lots to feel good about. That said, a lot of factors are in play at the moment that could sway things in one direction or the other.

Firing someone does not have to be negative

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Terminating an employee, even when it will undoubtedly make the workplace a better place, is still one of the most difficult things for any manager to do. The fear of being fired, the guilt of taking away someone’s livelihood (and sometimes even their identity), and the difficulty of delivering the message all combine to make the days leading up to, including and following a termination stressful. As bad as that sounds, though, firing does not have to be negative. Here are some tips to minimize the negativity.

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