MultiBriefs - Your source for industry specific News Briefs

Professionalism in risk management

Dr. David Hillson Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Are you a "risk professional"? How do you know? Do you use the services of "risk professionals"? How can you tell they’re really professional? This article provides 10 criteria that risk practitioners and their clients can use to determine whether the risk services being offered can be described as "professional" or not. Before you start your next risk engagement, as either the provider or receiver of risk services, consider how you would answer these questions.

5 ways to make your marketing images more effective

Lisa Mulcahy Marketing

Are your advertising graphics making the biggest impact possible? If you're focused on other, less effective revenue-building strategies, they might not be. A study from the University of Cologne found that focusing on being a market leader is not as important as building customer relations and building your brand. This includes revamping the images you present in campaigns. If your gut says you could be doing better when it comes to capturing consumer interest with graphics, no worries: more studies have been uncovering ways to change up your approach.

How retailers can still thrive in an Amazon-led world

Linda Popky Retail

The daily news is full of retail stores that are cutting back their operations or closing shop completely. Toys R Us, Sears/Kmart, Gymboree, Abercrombie & Fitch, BCBG, Bon-Ton, Payless, Dollar Tree, and even Victoria’s Secret are on the recent list. Is it Amazon’s fault all these chains are struggling to the point that many have had to declare bankruptcy? Or is there more to it? E-commerce is certainly a major factor. But it’s not the only reason.

The baffling nature of auditory processing disorders

Sheilamary Koch Communications

Unlike many deficits that fall under the umbrella of audiology, auditory processing disorders are not diagnosed during infancy, toddlerhood or even the early school years. In fact, most audiologists wait until age 7 to make a definitive diagnosis. This is due to the child's neural pathways not being sufficiently mature to make a full evaluation prior to this age, explains Tracy Hagan Winn, audiologist at the Northwestern University Center for Audiology, Speech, Language, and Learning in Evanston, Illinois.

Chasing squirrels at the board table

Robert C. Harris Association Management

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it dozens of times at board meetings: "I just have a question." I observed it at a meeting recently. The offending director may or may not have realized what she was causing. Without being recognized by the chair, she said, "I just have a question." She followed her question with what seemed to be a personal opinion. For example, "Have we ever done it this way? I think if we change our approach and use new technology we will get better engagement." Directors have a duty to ask appropriate questions at the right time. But they should not hijack the meeting.

Decoupling and the customer experience

Catherine Iste Retail

It is a great time to be a consumer. On one hand, we can walk into a big-box store, find exactly the product we want, then find the least expensive option on our phone and have it delivered to our door. On the other hand, we do not have to leave the house to grocery shop, get a massage or visit the doctor. Technology has had an undeniable and, in many cases, unexpected impact on consumerism. This disruption of the traditional customer experience provides myriad threats and opportunities for all retail businesses.

5 reasons why you need to market better to millennials

Sam Radbil Marketing

The term "millennial" is probably driving you crazy by now, but this big population group should be an important part of your marketing plan. The consensus is that the millennial generation includes those born between 1981 and 1996, which makes them approximately 23-38 years old today. The important point here is that, while you need to market to all of the age ranges, there are five solid reasons not to neglect millennials.

Data visualization: 3 steps towards success

Josh Jones Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Data visualization means giving numbers a visual context and extends existing concepts, such as business intelligence and analytics. Someone (wisely) decided that the interesting bits (outliers, trends, etc.) are better seen not as black and white numbers on a spreadsheet but as graphics made of colors, lines, and shapes. Have you ever heard the adage, "You first eat with your eyes?" Beautiful food is more appetizing, which is why fancy restaurants spend so much time making their meals more visually appealing. Data is no different. Displaying it visually can do wonders for getting your point across. That’s what data visualization is all about.

Do you have a crisis management plan for the inevitable social media car…

Terri Williams Marketing

It took years to painstakingly build your company’s brand, but it can be destroyed in an instant. One bad online post or conversation is all that it takes. From employees forgetting to switch from company to personal accounts before they start a drunken rant, to having a Twitter account hacked, to laying off employees and forgetting to change passwords, to one irate customer who has not received the expected level of support from customer service, social media is a ticking time bomb for companies of every size and in every industry.

6 tips for a successful telecommuting arrangement

D. Albert Brannen Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Telecommuting takes many forms, including remote workers, virtual employees, multisite employees, or those who are just considered "working from home" — all terms used to describe an employee whose primary work is conducted away from your primary worksite. No matter the form, telecommuting has many benefits for both businesses and employees. Despite the positives, telecommuting creates unique management challenges. Launching your workers away from the home base takes thoughtful preparation, and you can take some simple steps to minimize the legal risks created by telecommuting employees.

Industries