Strike Shutters Half of U.S. Ports: What It Means for You

October 2, 2024

Strike Shutters Half of U.S. Ports: What It Means for You

Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

As of midnight on Oct. 1, tens of thousands of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) members went on strike at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts.

Ahead of the strike, on Sept. 30, the U.S. Chamber called on President Biden to intervene in the contract negotiations between the ILA union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) by invoking Taft-Hartley to avoid a work stopagge that would shutter those ports.

Poll: A Majority of American Voters Support Government Intervention to Stop a Strike

According to a new national poll from the U.S. Chamber, a majority of American voters (57%) support the Biden Administration taking action to keep the ports open and operating while negotiations continue, while roughly 20% of those surveyed said they were opposed to federal intervention.

The national poll surveyed 1,467American voters in September 2024. Margin of error is ~2.8%.

The Impacts of a Strike

America’s seaports are critical gateways for goods entering and leaving the United States. A strike by the ILA would have a devastating economic impact, crippling major supply chains and cutting off the flow numerous goods American consumers and businesses rely on every day.

These ports collectively handle more than 68% of all containerized exports and 56% of imports for the nation, with a daily trade value exceeding $2.1 billion. The National Retail Federation recently noted that economists believe a similar disruption in 2002 cost the economy $1 billion per day and it took six months for the economy to recover.

Port Congestion and Supply Chain Disruptions

Congestion caused by a port strike would force shippers to use longer ocean routes and longer inland routes to move commodities to U.S. and international markets. Ports predict that for every day of a strike, it will take approximately 5 to 7 days to clear. A one-week strike in October could therefore cause slowdowns well into November, creating further headaches for the holiday shopping season.

The impact of a strike will be felt well beyond the coastal areas. A significant portion of cargo handled at East and Gulf Coast ports is either destined for or originates from inland states. For example, manufacturers in Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois depend on these ports to import essential components and export finished products. Similarly, the agricultural sector in the Midwest relies heavily on the efficient functioning of these ports to access global markets. Therefore, any disruptions could have a cascading effect on supply chains nationwide, affecting businesses and consumers across all states.

By the Numbers

A high-level analysis of economic impacts by MITRE Corporation found that an ILA strike lasting 30 days would have an economic impact of:

$640 million per day at the New York/New Jersey ports.
$600 million per day at Virginia ports.
$51 million per day in exports at Houston ports.
$41.5 million per day in imports at Houston ports.

Small Business Fallout

Small businesses would face the brunt of the economic fallout from a strike as they are already operating within smaller margins, a tighter labor market, and higher costs from inflation. Delays in shipments of necessary products or materials can quickly grind their operations to a halt – impacting workers and communities that rely on these businesses.

Most Important Issues Under Negotiation

The two most important issues in this negotiation are the same as previous negotiations: worker pay and automation. However, the ILA is making outrageous demands on both.

Media reports indicate the ILA is demanding a 77% pay increase over six years. This eclipses the 32% wage increase that the union representing West Coast port workers won last year for a contract of similar length. Port operators want to provide workers with a fair pay increase, but the ILA has reportedly rejected an offer to increase wages by 40%.

The ILA is also demanding that the ports freeze implementation of technology that improves productivity, including measures that speed up the process of loading and unloading ships. Ports argue that these improvements are critical to America’s long-term competitiveness. A high level of productivity means containers and goods move quickly through ports, helping keep transportation costs low and getting products to store shelves quickly. These updates are badly need, because today U.S. ports rank as some of the least productive in the world. According to The World Bank Group and IHS Markit, no U.S. port ranked in the top 50 for productivity in the world.

With many U.S. ports already at capacity and trade volumes expected to climb, the lack of automation technology and continued inefficiencies at these ports will come at a cost to American global competitiveness. These improvements, however, can only be made through an agreement with the port workers.

What Happens Next?
With myriad challenges – including the ongoing Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea – already plaguing maritime supply chains, a strike at the East and Gulf Coast ports in the U.S. would deal another significant blow to workers, businesses, and communities across the nation.

This summer, the U.S. Chamber joined dozens of organizations in calling on the Administration to take action to ensure an agreement is reached. The U.S. Chamber continues to encourage the Administration, Congress, and all relevant parties to pursue negotiations until a deal is reached and to avoid any possible disruptions in operations.

How Higher Corporate Taxes Would Affect Your Local Economy
Author - Neil Bradley is executive vice president, chief policy officer, and head of strategic advocacy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He has spent two decades working directly with congressional committee chairpersons and other high-ranking policymakers to achieve solutions.

A Look Ahead in the Legislature

October 2, 2024

A Look Ahead in the Legislature

House and Senate lawmakers are back in Harrisburg this week and, as always, the PA Chamber is currently monitoring several pieces of legislation with the potential to impact the state’s business community. Here is some of the legislation that employers should look out for in the week ahead.

PA Board of Finance and Revenue Appeals Reform (S.B. 1051 and H.B. 1994)

Senate Bill 1051 and House Bill 1994 are both expected to receive a vote in the House Finance Committee this week.

These proposals would allow the Board of Finance and Revenue (BF&R) to consider late-filed tax appeals from the Department of Revenue (DOR) if the taxpayer shows good cause. The bills also establish a settlement process at the BF&R as an alternative to the formal and lengthy court appeals process.

Taxpayers who disagree with a final decision made by DOR currently have 60 days to appeal the decision to the BF&R. Without the ability to accept late-filed appeals, cases are dismissed on a technicality rather than on their merits. The ability to settle disputes at the BF&R will provide for a quicker and fairer resolution to tax disputes, particularly for smaller businesses that do not have the resources for a drawn-out appeals process or litigation in the Commonwealth Court.

Regulating Recurring Subscriptions (H.B. 116 and H.B. 2557)

House Bill 116 and House Bill 2557 are each expected to receive a vote in the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee this week.

House Bill 116 would amend the Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Act (UTPCPA) to require notification to consumers for automatic renewal subscriptions and allow consumers to cancel their subscriptions over the internet. Separately, H.B. 2557 would amend the UTPCPA to require notification of automatic renewals and automatic enrollment provisions in promotional offers.

This legislation would subject businesses to new private rights of action, which is an excessive enforcement mechanism. Enforcement of consumer contracts should rest solely with the Attorney General, to ensure a consistent approach to marketplace regulation. This legislation could also impede businesses’ ability to provide consumers with convenient, easy-to-use, and hassle-free options to continue services they value.

Right to Repair (H.B. 2535)

House Bill 2535 is expected to receive a vote in the House Commerce Committee this week.

This legislation would require original equipment manufacturers of electronics and appliances that contain embedded software, such as cellphones, washers, dryers, refrigerators, televisions, and laptops, to make available to consumers and independent repair shops the information and parts needed to repair those devices and fully disclose any contract provision preventing third party repair.

We oppose right-to-repair legislation because it undermines intellectual property rights, compromises product safety, and can lead to unauthorized modifications that jeopardize both consumer safety and the integrity of the original manufacturer’s standards.

Paid Leave Expansion (H.B. 2548)

House Bill 2548 is expected to receive a vote in the House Labor & Industry Committee this week.

This legislation would require all Pennsylvania employers to implement and fund paid leave.

The bill would force employers of all sizes to adopt a one-size-fits-all mandatory policy related to time off regardless of a company’s size, industry, etc.; and prohibit employers from developing customized leave policies that benefit their employees while still accommodating their own unique staffing requirements.

Workers’ Compensation Expansion (H.B. 1632)

House Bill 1632 is expected to receive a vote in the Senate Labor & Industry Committee this week.

This legislation would significantly expand eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for various categories of employees diagnosed with mental health conditions. Under current law, mental health conditions are generally compensable for workers’ compensation medical and wage-loss benefits if they are related to a physical injury or the result of an incident outside of the normal scope of employment. Otherwise, mental healthcare costs are generally covered by regular health insurance.

The bill would also trigger WC benefit eligibility for certain categories of public employees for mental health conditions that result from normal work conditions, a paradigm shift that will significantly expand the program and could set a precedent to apply to the private sector

Prevailing Wage Expansion (H.B. 2153)

House Bill 2153 is also expected to receive a vote in the Senate Labor & Industry Committee this week.

This legislation would expand the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act to include custom fabrication.

The PA Prevailing Wage Act requires pre-determined wages to be paid on public construction projects and can substantially increase project costs. This bill would expand this requirement to custom fabrication work, which will increase costs and create administrative challenges for employers, potentially divert projects to out-of-state competitors, and raise costs for taxpayers.

PRESS Energy Plan (H.B. 2277)

House Bill 2277 is expected to receive a vote in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week.

This legislation amends the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS) to create the Pennsylvania Reliable Energy Sustainability Standards Act (PRESS). The bill designates various energy sources as PRESS energy sources and mandates that a portion of electricity sold in Pennsylvania be generated from PRESS sources.

Any change to AEPS requires thoughtful discussion amongst all involved stakeholders. This bill, as currently drafted, fails to incorporate this input and takes an approach that could negatively impact Pennsylvania’s economy, increase energy costs, and compromise grid reliability. As such, the PA Chamber will continue to engage lawmakers, encourage robust discussion, and urge the incorporation of relevant stakeholder feedback.

Greenwashing (H.B. 2525)

House Bill 2525 is expected to receive a vote in the House Judiciary Committee this week.

This legislation would amend the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act (UTPCPA) to create a private right of action against employers for making deceptive environmental marketing claims, otherwise known as “greenwashing.”

Private rights of action lead to an increase in litigation, burdening the legal system and resulting in higher costs for both individuals and businesses. This can strain court resources and slow down the resolution of cases. They can also lead to frivolous litigation.

Restricting PFAS Chemicals (S.B. 144)

Senate Bill 114 is expected to receive a vote in the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee this week.

This legislation would establish new statewide requirements restricting the use of Class B foams containing added PFAS chemistries in firefighting applications

The PA Chamber supports the safe management of chemicals, including AFFF Class-B Firefighting Foam, however, we do not support a pending committee amendment that broadens the scope of this legislation.

Food Processing Residuals (H.B. 2393)

House Bill 2393 is expected to receive a vote in the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee this week.

This legislation would amend the Solid Waste Management Act, making several changes to the way that Pennsylvania handles food processing residue (FPR).

Employers from agriculture and the food industry worked with lawmakers to address several issues regarding the underlying bill. We expect these concerns to be resolved through an amendment that clarifies procedural requirements including classification, land use, and disclosure requirements.

###

Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of BusinessTM.

How to Choose Small Business Insurance

October 2, 2024

How to Choose Small Business Insurance

Choosing the best small business insurance coverage protects your livelihood against the unexpected. It must meet federal, state, and local requirements while addressing industry risks. Many factors impact coverage and costs, making insuring a business a complex task.

But how do you determine the coverage, limits, and kind of insurance needed for small business owners? This guide explores these topics and discusses the average costs and limits for optional and required business insurance. It also covers advisory options for entrepreneurs needing assistance understanding regulations and choosing insurance products.

How to choose business insurance in 5 steps

Whether you work from home, rent an office building, or meet clients off-site, certain regulations may apply to your company, necessitating small business insurance coverage. Before discussing the types and costs in detail, let's review the basics that small- and midsized businesses should consider.

To choose the right business insurance, owners should:

Review laws to determine your small business insurance requirements. Federal regulations require employers to have unemployment, workers' compensation, and disability insurance. States may impose additional rules.
Assess your risks, liabilities, and assets. Insurance covers losses you can't pay out of pocket, which vary by company. Evaluate value and costs related to property, inventory, accidents, and professional errors.
Consider fund availability to put toward deductibles. Insurance costs add up quickly, but cash on hand to cover higher deductibles can reduce monthly or annual fees. Choose a reasonable amount that doesn’t overextend your account.
Decide which small business insurance types are most important. To stick to a budget, prioritize coverage based on your risk analysis. You can add or remove policies as your needs change.
Determine how to find the best small business insurance. Comparing coverage limitations, insurance terms, and policy comparisons can be challenging. Insurance agents, brokers, and professional employer organizations (PEOs) can help.

What are the different types of small business insurance?

Small business insurance providers offer commercial coverage for most risks that companies face. Many carriers provide several insurance options, allowing companies to bundle policies for additional savings.

Home-based businesses may prefer a BOP, whereas high-risk and medium-sized companies might select a commercial package policy. Both solutions bundle multiple policies for cost savings.

While choosing the right amount of coverage is vital, there's no point in buying insurance you don't need. When in doubt, an impartial, third-party adviser can help your company sort through your choices.

Here are the most common types of insurance for small businesses:

Commercial liability insurance: This general business coverage pays for bodily harm, property damage, or advertising injury claims.
Errors and omissions insurance: E&O coverage or professional liability insurance covers claims that your services or advice caused financial harm because of actual or alleged errors or a failure to complete a service.
Commercial property insurance: Like home insurance, this plan protects financial losses to physical assets from natural disasters, fires, vandalism, and theft.
Cyber liability insurance: Business cyber policies cover liabilities from claims due to a data breach involving sensitive customer data.
Business owner's policy: A BOP is a bundled solution that combines commercial and property liability insurance into one plan. Some also include business interruption and continuation coverage. Options and eligibility vary by provider.
Commercial auto insurance: Small businesses that use trucks, vans, and cars can get coverage to meet state requirements and endorsements for extra services.

To narrow your list of insurers, ask for recommendations from your professional network, check out customer reviews, and read guides on the best small business insurance providers.

The Columbia Montour Chamber's business insurance program with Penn National has paid members over $300,000, based on the group’s collective loss experience. Contact a member insurance agent to see if the program is the right fit for your business.

Excerpts taken from CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce written by Jessica Elliott , Contributor. To get the full article click here.

Preventing Ethical Burnout: Protecting Your Team’s Integrity Under Pressure

October 2, 2024

Preventing Ethical Burnout: Protecting Your Team’s Integrity Under Pressure

Ethical burnout can occur when workplace stress affects employees' ability to uphold their values, making it crucial for leaders to recognize and address this issue.
Rising commercial pressures can lead to ethical lapses; leaders should set realistic goals and promote open communication to prevent this.
Creating a culture of psychological safety helps combat "survival mode" thinking, allowing employees to focus on integrity rather than self-preservation.
Decision fatigue in high-pressure environments can weaken ethical decision-making; leaders should encourage thoughtful consideration and provide decision-making frameworks.
Fostering a collaborative culture that celebrates team achievements over individual ambition can enhance ethical behavior and strengthen team cohesion.

680 words ~3.5 min. read

In today's fast-paced business world, workplace stress is nearly unavoidable. If this pressure isn't managed, it can lead to a serious issue: ethical burnout. This happens when ongoing stress affects an employee's ability to stick to their values, making it hard to maintain integrity in tough situations. As leaders, it's important to spot the signs of ethical burnout and take proactive steps to safeguard your team's ethical standards. Harvard Business Review outlined four ways employees may feel pressured to override their good judgment. Read on to learn how to identify these four pitfalls and how to implement success strategies to create a culture where integrity thrives, even under pressure.

Managing Increased Commercial Pressures

One of the first signs of possible ethical burnout is rising commercial pressure. When employees are pushed to hit ambitious targets without enough support, they might feel pressured to take risks that could compromise their integrity. This can result in ethical lapses as individuals focus on short-term gains over long-term principles.

To combat this, leaders should set realistic and achievable goals that motivate their team instead of draining them. Open communication is key—create an environment where employees feel safe discussing concerns about overwhelming targets. Leaders should also coach their teams to break larger goals into manageable steps, ensuring that success is sustainable. Establishing trust and transparency helps prevent ethical compromises, even in high-pressure situations.

Combatting "Survival Mode" Thinking

When job security is at risk, employees might enter "survival mode," focusing on self-preservation rather than ethical standards. This can quickly lead to ethical fatigue, where employees feel they must protect themselves at all costs, which can harm their integrity.

To avoid this mindset, it's important to create a culture of psychological safety. Start by openly discussing stress and recognizing the pressures employees face. Leaders should consider introducing "ethics ambassadors"—trusted colleagues who can provide guidance and support during ethical dilemmas. These ambassadors serve as role models and confidants, emphasizing the importance of integrity in challenging situations. Additionally, forming peer support networks fosters collaboration and shared responsibility, which helps strengthen the team's ethical foundation.

Reducing Decision-Making Overload

Decision fatigue is a real issue in high-pressure settings where quick actions are often needed. This rush can lead to shortcuts and weaken ethical decision-making. When speed takes precedence, the quality of decisions can drop, which may result in ethical missteps.

Leaders can address this by fostering a culture that values thoughtful decision-making. Encourage employees to take their time and think carefully when faced with complex choices. This approach isn’t about slowing down efficiency; it’s about ensuring that integrity remains a core part of the decision-making process. Leaders should stress that taking time to evaluate decisions is a commitment to the organization’s values, not a sign of inefficiency. Offering decision-making frameworks with ethical checkpoints can help teams handle tough situations while staying true to their principles.

Reducing the Culture of Envy and Competition

While a competitive workplace can drive results, it can become problematic when personal ambition overshadows collective success. A culture filled with envy and cutthroat competition can harm team cohesion and lead to unethical behavior as individuals compete for recognition and rewards.

To foster a more ethical environment, it's important to celebrate and reward team achievements, not just individual ones. By prioritizing team wins and promoting collaboration, leaders can keep high performers grounded and aligned with the organization's values. Publicly recognizing contributions that support teamwork and integrity sends a clear message that the company values ethical behavior over personal ambition. Regular team-building activities and cross-functional projects can also help break down barriers and create a more inclusive, integrity-focused culture.

The Takeaway

Ethical burnout is a subtle yet serious threat that can undermine a team's integrity. As business leaders, it's crucial to spot early warning signs and take steps to prevent ethical fatigue. By encouraging open communication, ethical discussions, psychological safety, and celebrating team successes, leaders can help their teams cope with workplace pressures without compromising their values. Remember, protecting your team's ethics is not just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic advantage that builds trust, resilience, and long-term success.

---

The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike.

Member News ~ September 26, 2024

September 26, 2024

Member News ~ September 26, 2024

2024 Small Business Advantage Grant Open

The 2024-2025 Small Business Advantage Grant Program is now open for applications. The grant provides reimbursement grants ranging from 50% to 80% of eligible project costs to Pennsylvania small businesses to improve energy efficiency or reduce pollution or waste by: upgrading or replacing equipment or supplies; improving processes; or reducing runoff into affected waterways. New program documents for 2024-2025 can be found here.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra to Perform Works by Mozart, Brahms, and Billy Childs at the Weis Center

The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome acclaimed classical ensemble Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, featuring pianist Garrick Ohlsson, on TONIGHT at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center. Learn more.

Senator Culver and Representative Stender holding License Plate Replacement event in Danville

Has your license plate lost its reflectivity or is it peeling, discolored or unreadable from 50 feet away? Then join state Rep. Michael Stender and Senator Culver at their damaged license plate replacement event on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 2-4 p.m. on the 200 block of Iron Street, Danville.
Please register to attend this event by visiting Rep. Stender’s website.

Camp Victory to host 5K Run & Walk

Camp Victory will host a 5K Run & Walk on October 6, 2024. The race
will take place in and around Camp Victory’s campus – taking in the wonders of Camp Victory’s beautiful scenery. Get more details here.

Bucknell SBDC staff Awards at Conference

Congratulations to Pennsylvania 2024 State Star, Ray Haden! State Stars chosen by their SBDC networks, are among the best of the best. Ray served businesses as a consultant at the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center and currently, Ray serves as a business consultant at Bucknell University SBDC.

Halloween Happenings

Garvey's Flooring America is Celebrating 35 Anniversary

Tom Garvey founded Garvey's Flooring America in 1989. Garvey's has grown to have two retail locations, one in Northumberland and a second in Bloomsburg. Congratulations to Garvey's Flooring America!

Halloween and Fall Foliage Train Rides Happening October 12th in Bloomsburg

These rides are brought to you by Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. and the Bloomsburg Public Library in partnership with the North Shore Railroad, Penn Valley Railroad, LLC, and the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority. There are three train rides on Saturday, October 12 - 10 am, 12 noon and 2 pm. Get more info here.

Geisinger to host appreciation Dinners to Honor local Military Veterans

To thank local military veterans for their service, Geisinger will host drive-through veteran appreciation dinners at 11 locations across the health system’s service area from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7. The dinners for U.S. military veterans and a guest are offered at no cost to participants. Get a list of all locations and register by November 1st here.

McKonly & Asbury hosting Advanced Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Issues Seminar

McKonly & Asbury’s Affordable Housing Seminar will be held in-person on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 9:30am – 3:30pm. Learn more.

BIDA Conducting Semi-Annual Wage Survey

The results of this survey are available to employers, to see the comparison of wages in our immediate region and to assist our educational and training institutions with understanding needs. The individual results will remain confidential, and an aggregate report will be published and shared with all. Fill out survey here.

Bloomsburg Library looking for Volunteers

Bloomsburg Library has benefited greatly from community volunteers and still needs more if anyone wants to help check out books at the service desk, do some light cleaning and landscaping, or shelve books. Contact Ammon Young, at ammon@bloomsburgpl.org or 570-490-0522 if you can offer a few hours per week or be on a list to help as needed.

Hess Recreation Area Road Construction Notice

The Montour Area Recreation Commission is pleased to report the construction activity along the Hess Recreation Area access road has been completed ahead of schedule and the road has been reopened to use. MARC advises park visitors that MARC staff will be on site during the week of September 30 - October 4 to install the final remaining drainage features along the roadway. Temporary delays may occur during construction, but the roadway is expected to remain open to use.

Learning to Live Beloved Ministries hosting Pancake Breakfast November 2nd

Please join Learning to Live Beloved Ministries for breakfast to help raise the remaining funds for their Well House Renovation project. The Well House is to be used for emergency housing for adult females exiting human sex trafficking in our local region. Learn more.

2024 Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program Opens

The Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant program aims to support the advancement of regional outdoor recreation, conservation, trail projects and programs within the Susquehanna Greenway which includes Columbia and Montour counties. Proposals for projects that take place outside of the Susquehanna Greenway will not be considered. The application window will close at 4:59 PM on October 25, 2024. To learn more and apply for grants you can go to susquehannagreenway.org/mini-grant-program.

SEDA-COG MPO Launches Public Survey to Identify Long Term Transportation Needs

SEDA-Council of Governments Metropolitan Planning Organization (SEDA-COG MPO) invites the public to take an online survey to share regional transportation needs and priorities. The feedback received will help to inform the organization’s 2050 Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The survey is open from August 28–September 30, 2024 and can be accessed at https://bit.ly/3XavBlo

PPL Electric Utilities Offers Emergency Insight

T-Ross Brothers hosting Scavenger Hunt

Back by popular demand! Starting November 1st The Susquehanna Valley Scavenger Hunt, presented by T-Ross Brothers Construction, is in the works! Participants will navigate a gauntlet of puzzles, decode cryptic clues, and complete fun challenges throughout our community! If your business or organization would like to be apart of this event contact robertt@trossbrothers.com.

IMC Partnering to Offer Electrical Safety Training

The Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC), Inc. is excited to announce its continued partnership with The Manufacturers' Association to support training in electrical safety in central and southcentral Pennsylvania through December 2024. Open enrollment opportunities scheduled for October 8 – State College. Learn more.

The Women's Center of Columbia and Montour Counties Hosting 50th Anniversary Celebration

The Women’s Center, Inc. is thrilled to invite you to their 50th Anniversary Celebration happening November 16th at the Barn at Frosty Valley. Learn more about the celebration here.

Servpro of Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties offering CE classes

5 CE classes will be offered by Servpro of Columbia, Montour & Sullivan Counties. Get the full schedule.

Community Giving Foundation partnering on a regional nonprofit Conference in October

Community Giving Foundation and First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP) are thrilled to partner together to create Elevate2, a new regional nonprofit conference. The inaugural conference will be held on October 14-15, 2024, at Bucknell University in Lewisburg. More information is available online at elevate2.org

Look Up: You Might have Access to Working Capital

September 25, 2024

Look Up: You Might have Access to Working Capital

Business owners, it’s so easy to keep your head down and your nose to the grindstone, isn’t it? At the Chamber, we see it all the time. Members get so laser-focused on the work that they’re doing to grow or sustain their businesses that they can miss opportunities outside of their normal sphere of influence. The worst part is when businesses leave money on the table when they’ve been impacted by something outside of their control. So, bear with me for a few more lines, and find out if you’re eligible for access to working capital that you might not have otherwise realized through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan for Tropical Storm Debby

On August 9 & 10, 2024, Tropical Storm Debby smashed into our region. Following the storm, a Presidential disaster declaration was issued. When that declaration was issued, an entire arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration that we might not normally encounter mobilized to begin offering relief. To offer that relief, the disaster declaration extends into concentric circles outside of the nucleus of the impacted area with varying degrees of support.

How does this effect your business? If you experienced economic injury as a result of Tropical Storm Debby, you may be eligible for access to working capital for needs caused by the disaster through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). If you have a business in Columbia or Montour Counties, you may be eligible because of economic injury – meaning that it’s not just about physical property damage. If you liquidated savings, replaced inventory, or are seeing a decline in your business as a result, you may have sufficient economic repercussions from the storm to make you eligible, and the terms are worth considering. Interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 3.25% for nonprofit organizations could be a game changer, and interest does not begin to accrue and monthly payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement.

Resources For SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan for Tropical Storm Debby:

Informational Flyer
Fact Sheet
News Release
Apply
Questions? Call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

Chamber Low-Interest Loan Program

Two weeks ago, a Chamber member business owner took a day off to run errands, and stopped into the Chamber. We helped him with his errand, and took five minutes to find out how he’s doing. He shared about all of the wonderful things he’s doing, and the improvements he’s trying to make to his business, sharing how liquidity and working capital is always an issue during his slower season. We took a moment and asked, would the Chamber’s Low-Interest Loan Program help? He had forgotten all about it, so we referred him to the application, and recommended he talk to some financial advisors. A week later, the Chamber cut a check.

In this case, the stars aligned, and the member had recently had a financial analysis done by his financial institution, the Chamber’s volunteer loan committee and executive committee were already scheduled to meet three days after the loan paperwork was submitted, and all of the ‘I’s’ were dotted and ‘t’s’ crossed without rushing the effort. That doesn’t always happen – but we’re happy to brag about it when it does.

Resources for Low-Interest Loan Program:

FAQ
Application
Questions about the Low-Interest Loan Program? Email Chamber President Chris Berleth at cberleth@columbiamontourchamber.com.

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts: Creative Entrepreneur Accelerator Program

The Community Giving Foundation is a Champion for the PA Council on the Arts, and serves as the application administrator for a grant program that helps creators/makers with grants up to $2,000.00. If you’re a creative entrepreneur over the age of 18, manage a business with gross revenue of less than $200,000, and reside in PA, three steps get you into a very small pool of grant applicants: 1. Consult with the SBDC for a referral 2. Submit client information form to the Community Giving Foundation (CGF), and 3. Complete the application and submit to the CGF. It’s that simple. Check out more information here.

If you’re in Montour County, be sure to consult with the Bucknell SBDC for assistance. In Columbia County, contact the Wilkes SBDC.

Of all of the challenges facing the business community in Columbia and Montour Counties, access to capital is a barrier we can overcome. Programs like these, as well as a long list of excellent local financial institutions make this barrier easier and less complicated than we might think.

So don’t be intimidated, and don’t forget to look up! It might not be raining cash, but you might be surprised that it doesn’t need to be as hard as we tend to make it.

How to Develop Leadership Skills in the Workplace

September 25, 2024

How to Develop Leadership Skills in the Workplace

Source: McKonly & Asbury

Whether it’s someone in a position of power or simply a de facto head of a group, good leadership makes an impact on an organization’s results. According to Dale Carnegie’s research, when it comes to leadership, there is certainly room for improvement.

Only 28% of respondents in our recent global study into organizational health said they are very satisfied with their immediate leader. So, let’s look at some examples of leadership skills, ways to develop yourself as a leader, and the importance of leaders in the workplace.

What Makes a Good Leader?

The terms “leader” and “manager” are often used interchangeably, but there are some important distinctions to point out.

A manager is generally appointed to a position of power and responsibility. Managers provide order and consistency, coordinating activities to get tasks done. They are charged with supporting the business’s bottom line. A leader can be anyone, even a person without official authority. Leaders are more likely to enact change and movement through their influence and set the tone around the work being done.

Warren Bennis, a man who significantly influenced contemporary thinking on leadership and organizational development, wrote in his book On Becoming a Leader: “Managers are people who do things right, and leaders are people who do the right thing.” Often, this has to do with a person’s innate or developed leadership qualities and their leadership approach.

For example, Hubert Joly, former CEO and chair of Best Buy, is a leader of the people. When Best Buy was falling prey to online retailers, Joly was pressured to start downsizing the company. Instead, he went to the front lines, donning the blue shirt and khakis of his employees and with a name badge that read “CEO in Training.” Joly says, “They had all of the answers, and our job was easy… it was empathetic listening to the front liners and to the customers.” Instead of managing the situation, Joly led from the front with empathy and supported his people first.

Or take Alan Mulally, former CEO of Boeing and Ford, a man who believes that “it is an honor to serve.” On the Dale Carnegie Take Command podcast, Alan discusses how How to Win Friends and Influence People sparked a dedication to lifelong learning and brought out the best in him. There are plenty of renowned leaders in today’s business world who have visited our podcast, and they can teach how to be a good leader. But no matter who one listens to, they’ll still have to put in the work to gain the skills of a leader.

Steps to Developing Leadership Skills

Before learning how to be a leader, one must first ask, what are leadership skills? Some good leadership qualities include the ability to communicate effectively and listen, when necessary, to drive change through support, not force, and to be honest and transparent in all that one does. Here’s what the process might look like when considering how to develop leadership skills.

Self-Assess

Don’t leave it solely up to others to identify potential areas for growth and development specific to oneself. Use self-assessments to understand strengths and weaknesses as an individual when developing leadership skills. Seek out feedback from colleagues, use personality tests, or draw on what’s been learned through personal development courses. It’s important to have a clear and honest understanding of who one is because identifying one’s strengths and weaknesses as an individual will help identify areas for greatest success as a leader.

Set Clear Goals

Establish personal goals and visions that stretch beyond mere corporate advancement. Make sure these goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). This also means keeping the goal within one’s control. Instead of thinking “I will get a promotion” – something one doesn’t have control over – consider thinking “I will do [insert specific actions] over a period of [insert specific time] to demonstrate that I deserve that promotion.” And don’t forget to share these goals with others, as this lends an additional level of accountability.

Seek Mentorship

Mentorship is not a new concept in any industry, and it becomes even more critical to get feedback from experienced persons when aiming to be a true leader. Mentors can help self-evaluate, give actionable steps to improve, and be there when guidance is needed. When choosing a mentor, one should consider who they admire, particularly for their leadership skills, then ask them directly and kindly to be a mentor. There’s also nothing to say one can only have one mentor or that they have to mentor the individual directly. Consider a combination of mentors who can provide a challenge in different areas.

Embrace Continuous Learning

Leaders never stop learning – about their industry, about other people, and about themselves. Ongoing education for hard and soft skills is critical to advancing in the workplace. Between the availability of books to read, courses to take, or seminars and webinars to listen to, there’s no shortage of opportunity. In many industries, the speed of change is fast, and one won’t be able to rely solely on what’s been learned in the past to propel them to success in the future. One must be a continuous learner.

Practice Effective Communication

When it comes to good leadership skills, there’s nothing more important than effective communication. Effective communication means being clear in ideas and locution, truly listening to feedback (active listening), and continuing the cycle of communication with additional discourse. This may or may not be supported by a company communications strategy.

Lead by Example

If one expects hard work and honesty from those they lead, then that leader had better provide that first. Always lead with integrity and authenticity. If one says it, do it! If one doesn’t, this will impact how much trust others put, or the organization puts, in that leader. If one’s looking for opportunities to begin aligning their actions and words relating to leadership skills, examples of areas to focus on include empathy, active listening, adaptability to change, innovative thinking, and more.

Encourage Feedback

Although the first step to developing leadership qualities is to self-evaluate, one cannot know if they are on the right path without feedback from others. Feedback is crucial for growth because people are often unaware of the impact they make or how they are perceived by others. While one might have thought they were being clear and kind, someone else might have walked away feeling muddled and reprimanded. Ask those being interacted with to provide oral, written, or other feedback, allowing them to share their thoughts in a format comfortable to them. One should be specific with what is wanted from others to evaluate them on and remain open to areas that the individual being evaluated may not have thought of. More than anything, ensure feedback is not met with negative emotions, resistance, or especially repercussions, which can discourage open feedback in the future.

Why Leadership Skills Are Important

Why work on developing leadership skills? Having strong leaders in the workplace (and especially having those leaders be in positions of influence or authority), has many positive repercussions on a business.

First, leadership directly impacts team dynamics. Effective leadership fosters a positive work environment and ensures team cohesion. In a Dale Carnegie research study, only 30% of team members were extremely satisfied with their team leader, a number corresponding to the 30% of participants reporting having exceeded team goals over the past year. It’s clear that those on high-performing teams were directly impacted by the level of leadership present.

Strong team leaders directly drive success in achieving business goals and producing innovation, which is enhanced by consistency, honesty, emotional intelligence, integrity, good communication, and high levels of trust. Not only will developing these skills help in the traditional sense of improving the workplace, but these skills are also interpersonal skills that comprise a large component of one’s success in interacting in all facets of life.

Unleash Your Leadership Qualities

Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role for the first time or a worker looking to gain influence in guiding others, it’s critical to organize and prioritize your continuing education in leadership training. Dale Carnegie is here to help. Our professional development courses cover topics from leading with influence to communicating with diplomacy to modeling a respectful workplace. Explore how Dale Carnegie can help you become a great leader.

As an owner of the Dale Carnegie Mid-Atlantic franchise, McKonly & Asbury is able to offer an extension of services to our clients and friends of the firm, expanding our expertise in the areas of leadership, team building, and people development as Dale Carnegie offers programs in leadership, management development, customer engagement, service, sales, communication, and more.

Navigating the Uncertainty of New Ideas: Building Consensus in the Workplace

September 25, 2024

Navigating the Uncertainty of New Ideas: Building Consensus in the Workplace

Innovation is crucial for competitive advantage, but new ideas often face resistance due to differing perceptions and a lack of shared evaluation standards among decision-makers.
Research shows that novel ideas encounter increased perceived risk when team members have varying opinions on their value, leading to reduced support.
Establishing shared criteria for evaluating new ideas can reduce subjectivity, facilitate constructive discussions, and align teams toward common goals.
Clear evaluation frameworks help manage diverse perspectives without chaos, promoting an environment where innovative ideas can thrive.
Practical steps for leaders include holding pre-evaluation sessions to agree on criteria, understanding team perspectives, and implementing a scoring system for objective assessments.

670 words ~ 3.5 min. read

Innovation is often viewed as essential for gaining a competitive edge, but new ideas frequently face pushback within organizations. Research indicates that the uniqueness of an idea can lead to rejection because of perceived risks. Recently, it's become clear that there's a bigger issue: decision-makers often lack shared standards for assessing the value of an innovation. This disconnect causes differing views on the potential success of new ideas, which ultimately stifles innovation efforts. It’s important to address this disconnect, as bringing decision-makers together on standards can create a more supportive environment for innovation, driving progress and helping maintain a competitive edge.

Diverging Perceptions Make Innovation Feel Risky

A recent study shows that the more novel an idea is, the more opinions differ about its potential value, which can become a risk factor. When team members perceive the same idea very differently, the perceived risk associated with the innovation increases. As a result, people are less likely to support it—not because the idea is flawed, but due to a lack of shared understanding of its benefits or drawbacks.

Researchers found that differing views on an idea's potential create a psychological barrier to support, especially without a common framework for discussion. In these cases, decision-makers may rely on personal biases or past experiences, leading to the rejection of potentially groundbreaking ideas. This underscores the need for open dialogue and a shared understanding within teams so that innovative ideas receive the evaluation they deserve, rather than being dismissed too early.

The Importance of Shared Criteria for Evaluating Ideas

One main point from this research is the need for shared criteria when assessing new ideas. Without a common framework, discussions about innovation can become scattered and unproductive. When team members view an idea from different perspectives, it can lead to debates that focus more on defending personal opinions instead of objectively evaluating the idea.

To address this issue, leaders and teams should create clear and agreed-upon criteria for evaluating new ideas, which brings several benefits:

Reduces Subjectivity: With a standardized set of criteria, teams are less likely to let personal biases or gut feelings influence evaluations. Discussions focus on measurable and relevant factors like market potential, feasibility, alignment with strategic goals, and the idea's ability to solve problems.
Facilitates Constructive Discussions: Clear criteria allow discussions to center on how well an idea meets specific standards instead of arguing about the idea's validity. This approach fosters more productive conversations that can help improve an idea rather than dismissing it too soon.
Encourages Diverse Input Without Chaos: Different perspectives are essential for innovation, but they must be managed effectively. Using clear evaluation criteria can help organize diverse ideas within a team by providing a common language and framework for discussion, reducing confusion and encouraging constructive feedback.
Aligns Teams Around a Common Goal: When everyone understands what makes a "good idea" based on shared goals and criteria, it's easier to support new concepts. This alignment is essential for creating an innovative culture where new ideas are not only generated but also actively promoted and effectively implemented.

Practical Steps to Build Consensus on Innovation Evaluation

To create a more unified approach to evaluating new ideas, implement the following strategies:

Hold Pre-Evaluation Sessions: Bring the team together to agree on evaluation criteria aligned with strategic objectives and innovation goals.
Use a Scoring System: Implement a scoring system to objectively rate each idea based on the agreed criteria, making comparisons easier.
Emphasize Psychological Safety: Foster an environment where team members feel safe to share diverse opinions, allowing for fair assessment of ideas.

Bottom Line

The journey from coming up with ideas to putting them into action can be uncertain, especially with new concepts. However, teams can manage this uncertainty better by setting up a common framework to evaluate new ideas. By agreeing on clear criteria, organizations can reduce perceived risks and foster a more inclusive and dynamic culture of innovation. The key to overcoming fear of the unknown is building consensus and trust, allowing teams to confidently embrace new ideas with clear strategies.

---

New Member Highlight – Learning to Live Beloved Ministries

September 19, 2024

New Member Highlight – Learning to Live Beloved Ministries

Learning to Live Beloved Ministries is a 501c3 nonprofit providing hope, healing and restoration to local female victims of human sex trafficking and exploitation. While Learning to Live Beloved Ministries provides awareness on human sex trafficking and many other services to the community, their main focus is in after care. Right now they are working on renovating a home for women to stay in upon exiting the industry and beginning their journey towards healing. They plan to open the doors of this home, The Well House, in 2025.

Learn more about Learning to Live Beloved Ministries here.

Member News ~ September 19, 2024

September 19, 2024

Member News ~ September 19, 2024

Bloomsburg Fair Happenings

September 25th - Veteran Day and Expo
Rabbit Transit $2 trips to the Fair
Ronald McDonald Day - September 24th - $1 of every regularly priced admission will go to the Ronald McDonald House of Danville

First Keystone Community Bank to Celebrate 160 Anniversary

First Keystone Community Bank is planning celebrations at all of its 19 branches on Friday, September 20th during normal business hours. The Main Branch, located at 111 W. Front St. Berwick, will hold a brief program at 11 a.m. Learn more about their 160th Anniversary and RSVP to the program here.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra to Perform Works by Mozart, Brahms, and Billy Childs at the Weis Center

The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome acclaimed classical ensemble Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, featuring pianist Garrick Ohlsson, on Thursday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center. Learn more.