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With Hurricane Dorian on the way, it’s imperative to be prepared

Damon Sayles Facilities & Grounds

As it continues toward the southeast coast of the United States, Hurricane Dorian has become national news. And the closer it gets to the Florida coast, the scarier it becomes. According to the National Hurricane Center, Dorian could threaten the Bahamas and then hit Florida during Labor Day weekend. Per forecasting, Dorian is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane. Central Florida could be a major target, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency.

3 takeaways from the recent Business Roundtable statement

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Why should small businesses care about the recent statement from the Business Roundtable? After all, the lobbying group represents some of the largest and most powerful companies in America and thus is not necessarily representative of the thoughts, feelings and challenges of our country's smaller organizations. However, before moving on to the next headline, business and HR leaders should consider these three takeaways.

Housing market revived with more affordability in July

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

It was Christmas in July for the housing market. Mortgage rates fell to near-historic lows following an interest rate reduction by the Federal Reserve. Existing home prices continued to level off. Homebuilders made some headway toward replenishing inventories. As the purchase of a home became somewhat more affordable, buyer sentiment rose and so did sales.

Joint checks: Make sure you follow these guidelines to get paid

Nate Budde Construction & Building Materials

Simply put, a joint check is a check made payable to two or more parties, such that both parties must endorse the check prior to deposit. A joint check agreement, therefore, is a contract through which one party agrees to (or gives permission to) make payment in the form of joint checks. While joint check agreements are just contracts, and can exist in any industry or between any group of parties, they are most common in construction, and used to manage payment on construction projects far more than anywhere else.

Can you recession-proof your job?

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Whether you believe that Big Macs or RV sales predict recessions, it seems at least that the continued talk of a recession is certainly on the horizon. Yet, with more of us gainfully employed and the job market so seeker-friendly, should we care? Yes; just like how it is easier to find a job when we already have one, it is easier to plan for a recession when we are not in one. Here are a few things to consider when trying to recession-proof your job.

3 steps to new employee success

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

The honeymoon period for new employees provides a prime time to set the stage for unlimited success. While some employers unfortunately also call this the introductory period and try to use it as an evaluation window within which to weed out new hires, we should look at it as a litmus test for our own success and a chance to invest in the success of an employee. Employees come in ready to make an impact, optimistic about the opportunity and eager to learn. Here are three steps to take to fan that flame of enthusiasm into a sustainable fire.

Compete on others’ weaknesses, not their strengths

Anne Rose Marketing

When your niche is responsible for your success, why would your company abandon that winning strategy to compete against other companies' strengths? A chain of hardware stores that owes its success to its niche of providing personal customer service, advice, and DIY knowledge has recently considered competing against big online stores to deliver products in one day. Does that make sense to abandon your core competency and spend inordinate money to expand in an area that another has already locked up?

Designing intelligent interactive environments

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Integrating interactive technologies into interior environments is becoming increasingly common. So, too, is the use of interactive robots in nonindustrial settings. What if you could combine the two to create an interior space that is itself an intelligent, interactive agent? That’s the goal of a project being developed at Cornell University’s Architectural Robotics Lab.

Creating a sustainable organization through facilities management

Scott E. Rupp Facilities & Grounds

Sustainability and corporate social responsibility efforts are now significant factors for successful organizations as regulations and consumers drive change. Organizations that don’t take account of their environmental impacts face potential backlash from consumers who are increasingly sustainability minded. While not previously top of mind, environmental and sustainability issues are more central to facilities management than at any point in the past. However, what steps are required to meet these challenges?

Homeowners opting for repairs over remodels

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

By some measures, the home improvement industry is bustling. More homeowners are taking on more projects and spending more on those projects. That has helped to sustain growth in remodeling services this year, but not as much as one might expect. Recent industry reports indicate that a large portion of homeowner spending is being directed toward repairs and routine maintenance rather than remodeling and renovation.

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