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Committee linkage to the strategic plan
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementCommittees seldom initiate their own plan of work. You won’t hear the committee chair ask at the first meeting, "What do you want to do this year?" Committees receive assignments and authority from the board of directors and bylaws. Their efforts should be framed by the organization’s mission and strategic plan. Policies indicate committees don’t have authority to speak for the organization, expend unbudgeted funds, or enter into contracts.
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In times of crisis: 5 strategies that lead to better decisions
Dr. Paul Napper and Dr. Anthony Rao Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our work, how we relate with our families, and our personal sense of safety, security, and health. This crisis, coupled with recent burgeoning social unrest, presents unique challenges to leaders. How can we make better decisions — ones that could make or break our business — when we’re consumed by what’s around us? One answer comes from leaders in the profession that’s at the very center of the COVID crisis: expert medical practitioners, who frequently make life-or-death decisions for the people in front of them. How do they stay focused and keep their decision-making sharp?
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Signs that your business may scream, ‘I’m cheap!’
Anne Rose Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementPeople assume that your public image matches the product or service you’re offering. How else could they gauge your quality if they don’t know you? The visible image should reflect the invisible. If you have a cheap or unprofessional image, the public will assume your product is likewise cheap and unprofessional. That’s not a good scenario if you’re trying to sell high quality. Here are some of the ways your professional business is accidentally screaming, "I’m cheap!" despite your protestations to the contrary.
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Tips for promoting a more civil workplace
D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk Management2020 has been a year of unprecedented challenges for everyone, including employers. Aside from the worst pandemic in a century and an inordinate number of natural disasters, social and political tensions seem to be at all-time high. These tensions flooded the workplace like a tsunami and employers are trying to figure out how to return civility and respect to the workplace. No "secret sauce" or "magic pill" exists for creating and promoting a civil and respectful workplace, so the purpose of this article is to outline a few action items for helping employers get on the right track toward a more civil workplace as soon as possible.
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The right questions to ask at board meetings
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementThe board is convened for the purpose of governance. However, meetings often deteriorate into administrative discussions and committee work. When you think about it, convening leaders can be costly. The average number of directors is 15. Few directors come with governance experience. While they do their best, some find it easier to dwell on tactics, history, and personal business, rather than being visionary leaders. Asking the right questions can go a long way towards meaningful outcomes.
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The smart strategy that’s helping women become CEOs
Gail Short Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementRecently, Fortune Magazine reported that women made the biggest gain ever in capturing CEO positions this year. Thirty-seven chief executive officers on the Fortune 500 list for 2020 are women. However, the number is still puny compared to men. The problem is that public companies tend to hire CEOs with prior CEO experience. That puts many women at a disadvantage since, unlike men, they are less likely to have CEO experience. But in a study published in the Harvard Business Review last year, two researchers reported that for many women, the path to becoming CEO may lie with serving on corporate boards.
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Survey: Workplace rivalries are on the rise
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe pandemic has created separation among work teams, but it has also created an increased level of competitiveness as well. According to a new report by global staffing firm Robert Half, 28% of professionals in the U.S. say that workplace rivalries have increased compared to a year ago. Younger workers were more likely than older workers to say that workplace rivalries have increased, and men were more likely than women to report a rise in competition levels.
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Plan for 2021 looking on the bright side
Lloyd Princeton Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementMostly sunny with intermittent clouds and showers. That’s my forecast for 2021. It may seem overly optimistic at the moment, what with talk of more shutdowns in the weeks ahead and the standoff in Washington. I am confident, however, that this too shall pass, the ship will get righted, and we will enter calmer waters as the new year gets underway. Having gone through so many months of uncertainty and reversals this year, why should I expect the situation will improve in the next? Despite the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases in many countries, we are making progress on preventing and treating the virus as well as on producing an effective and safe vaccine.
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4 AI startups that you should know about
Joseph Zulick Science & TechnologyThere’s a good chance that you’ve heard about how artificial intelligence (AI) will transform the world forever, but you might not be aware that AI startups are already gaining traction. Artificial intelligence will eventually change every aspect of our daily lives, even if some might downplay it as another technological trend that they don’t know much about. Some of these AI startups are focused on improving the healthcare sector, while others might help companies communicate and engage with customers better than ever before. Here are some AI startups that you should know about.
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3 reasons to unplug during a vacation
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityWith all the chaos and uncertainty we've faced this year, we could all use a few days to relax and recharge. Hopefully, you'll be able to take some time off once Christmas services are over (whatever those end up looking like). While it's tempting to stay plugged in to what's going on at the office, there are a few reasons why you should avoid work email while on vacation.
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