A Guide to Ending Conversations Strategically
Every so often, we might encounter people who continuously talk without allowing the other person any input. If you encounter this during a busy workday where you're struggling to meet your work quota, dealing with this can be mentally exhausting and time-consuming.
When everything was in person and people mostly worked at the office, we could end a conversation by edging closer to the exit. This would non-verbally indicate to the other person that you intended to leave. With so many of our meetings occurring virtually now, non-verbal communication has become a less viable option. For this reason, we need to find creative new ways to ensure that we don't end up being locked-in conversations for longer than we can afford.
How to End a Conversation
Of course, the question is not simply how to end a conversation but rather how to do so politely and without having to hurt anybody's feelings. Especially important in professional situations — nobody wants to jeopardize their opportunities by stopping a conversation. The art of concise communication can be an effective and professional tool to enlist.
Set a Time Limit from the Get-go
Something that can be extremely helpful is to be clear about how long you can afford for the meeting from the beginning. You can do this politely by saying, "I wanted to make you aware I'm on a strict schedule today. My next meeting is in 30 minutes. Would you like to get us started?" It establishes boundaries for you and your time, but it shows that you are communicating with them about why it's important to you to get down to business. By offering to let them take the lead, you show you still respect the time and attention you give them in this meeting. You are cutting out unnecessary and unclear assumptions about the intent of cutting a meeting off and set intentions for both parties.
Intercept and Take Control
If the other person is taking the conversation off its path and taking it down irrelevant alleyways, try to find a moment to intercept and take over. Saying, "I just wanted to bring your attention back to . . ." or "Considering the time, I think it might be a good idea to discuss . . ." statements such as these reaffirm your boundaries and keep lines of communication clear and focused. It can also be helpful to signal to the other meeting participants when the meeting is nearing the end of its allotted time. Usually, whoever is talking will take it as a cue or realize that they've been going off track.
Make the Most Out of Gestures
While online meetings don't offer much room for non-verbal or body language communication, there are still some things that you can do. If you feel it would be inappropriate to cut in midway through the person's monologue, you might consider using the icons to signal that you've got something to say silently. You can also gesture with your actual hands, perhaps gesturing a "T" shape to signal your concern about the time.
End by Planning a Follow-up
When you need to leave and the person you're speaking with shows no signs of stopping talking, it can be helpful to end by planning a follow-up. Actively listening and making sure the other person feels heard is paramount to building solid professional relationships. You might consider ending by letting the person know that you value what they're saying and would like to follow up later.
Bottom Line
We encounter highly extroverted people who love to talk from time to time. Learning how to end conversations tactfully is essential to maintaining healthy business relationships. Remaining clear on our purpose and boundaries allows communication to stay clear, effective, and satisfying for all involved.
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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.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Anti-Employer Non-Compete Rule
Source: PA Chamber of Business and Industry
Last week, a federal judge in Texas barred a U.S. Federal Trade Commission rule from taking effect that would have banned more forms of noncompete agreements from employment contracts nationwide with retroactive effect.
In her decision, U.S. District Judge Ada Brown in Dallas said the FTC does not have the authority to ban practices it deems unfair methods of competition by adopting broad rules. She had temporarily blocked the rule in July while she considered a petition by the U.S. Chamber and a tax entity to strike the ruling down for the major negative implications the ruling would have had on the nation’s business community. Notably, the FTC’s proposed rule came under fire for the challenges it would present for businesses’ ability to safeguard trade secrets and other confidential information. The rule was set to take effect Sept. 4.
When the FTC initially voted on the ruling in April, it became the subject of a PA Chamber member-sponsored webinar in May. During the event, attorneys from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney laid out the implications for businesses and explained what they could do to protect themselves. The PA Chamber also signed on to a national coalition letter in May requesting a stay and delay of implementation of the rule, which made the case that the lack of guidance on the rule created a lack of certainty for employers.
Following Judge Brown’s decision, U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark called the ruling a “significant win in the Chamber’s fight against government micromanagement of business decisions.” Read the U.S. Chamber’s press release praising the decision here.
The Columbia Montour Chamber joined with over 260 business groups including the PA Chamber of Business and Industry in sending a letter to Congress opposing the FTC's proposal.
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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.
Passion for the Mission with Accountability
Source: Gary Dubas, McKonly & Asbury
Executives join a nonprofit organization for numerous reasons including quality of life, professional growth, proximity to home residence, and service to community. Possibly the strongest reason from a personal perspective is passion for the mission of the organization. No doubt, a passionate group of staff, volunteers, and board members can produce remarkably impressive results to the benefit of clients, patients, members, or the community at large. For example, charity: water is a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by a former nightclub promoter that went on an international journey, in which he saw firsthand the effects of dirty drinking water. By the end of 2022, this organization, through installations of water wells, has brought clean water to over 16.8 million people according to its 2022 annual report.
Passion for the mission may be the juice that creates energy and excitement within the organization, but without some accountability baked in, “mission impossible” may be a more fitting description of what the results could be.
Measurements for Management
A familiar saying in the business world is, “what gets measured gets done.” It is attributed to management guru Peter Drucker, who more accurately said “what gets measured gets managed.” We accountants wholeheartedly agree! I can tell you that when our firm decided several years ago to concentrate and measure a particular metric, the subsequent results were dramatic and motivating.
Does your organization’s executive management team know their numbers, and are they accountable for them? Are organizational goals widely established, and are they quantifiable and measured regularly?
For example, take an organization that serves clients through individual and group counseling sessions, and the manager is responsible for client counseling services. Do they have specific goals set, such as optimum number of hourly individual counseling sessions for each counselor per week? Also, is there a goal regarding average ratings on client surveys? In this simplistic example, the goals would address quantity of counseling sessions and the quality of those sessions. Each counselor would be held accountable for their number of sessions and the perceived quality. This then facilitates the goals of the manager of client counseling services, which would be the overall average results of all counselors that report to that manager. This alignment of measured goals can produce impressive results. Measured goals also provide consistent information to make effective decisions on staff compensation and promotion, training, and utilization of technology. Furthermore, it can create real momentum and energy within the organization when goals are met and celebrated.
Implementing a Measurement for Management Plan
If managing by numbers is a new concept to an organization, a well-thought-out implementation plan can increase the chances of accelerated results. Team members should be involved in determining the goals to be measured, if possible, and should certainly have a thorough understanding of why the specific goals have been established through consistent and often repeated communication. There should then be systems in place to gather the necessary information to timely and accurately report results for each goal.
"What gets measured gets managed."
Donors, grantor agencies, and other stakeholders increasingly expect transparency and accountability from nonprofit organizations. When nonprofits can consistently deliver and effectively communicate the value being provided to its clients, members, or the community at large, it can in turn lead to more opportunities for higher levels of donations and funding from those that are observing from afar or who are directly impacted by that organization’s services.
The FTC Ban on Fake Reviews and the Use of Bots: Implications for Small Businesses
- The FTC has banned fake reviews and the use of bots to ensure transparency in online reviews, requiring businesses to disclose any material connections with reviewers.
- New guidelines prohibit businesses from posting false or misleading reviews and mandate that incentivized reviews must be clearly disclosed to consumers.
- These regulations aim to protect consumers from fraud and foster a fairer digital marketplace, benefiting both consumers and honest businesses.
- Small businesses can thrive by focusing on genuine customer feedback, engaging with their audience, and sharing authentic customer-generated content to build trust and credibility.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made an important move to ensure transparency and honesty in online reviews by banning deceptive practices that manipulate consumer opinions. This ban focuses on fake reviews and the use of bots to create false endorsements, requiring businesses to disclose any material connections with the reviewers. As small businesses increasingly use social media for marketing, this regulation will significantly impact their operations.
The FTC has banned fake reviews and the use of bots to tackle concerns about consumer deception and the loss of trust in online marketplaces. As e-commerce and digital marketing grow, misleading reviews can skew consumer perceptions and lead to poor purchasing decisions. This regulation aims to protect consumers from fraud that can hurt their interests and damage the reputation of honest businesses. The ultimate goal is to create a fairer and more transparent digital marketplace, where genuine feedback and honest endorsements can flourish, benefiting consumers and reputable businesses alike.
What the Rules Entail
Under the new FTC guidelines, businesses can't post reviews or testimonials they know are false or misleading. If they hire third parties to generate reviews, those reviews must also follow FTC standards. If a review is incentivized—like when someone is paid or given free products—the business must clearly disclose this to consumers. Not following these rules can result in hefty penalties, including fines and damage to reputation.
All five FTC commissioners unanimously approved the final rule, which will go into effect 60 days after it's published in the Federal Register, the official government source for rules and notifications. Generally, these rules are published shortly after approval, so consumers should expect the FTC's fake-review ban to start in mid-October.
Impact on Small Businesses Using Social Media
The new FTC regulations help small business owners by encouraging honest competition, which allows them to build credibility and attract customers more effectively on social media. With the ban on fake reviews, businesses should focus on getting genuine customer feedback and creating a loyal community around their brand. This transparency can boost trust and credibility, helping to draw in more customers in the competitive digital landscape. Adjusting marketing strategies to follow these regulations will enable small businesses to succeed authentically instead of relying on misleading practices.
Three Ways to Build an Honest Following
- Encourage Real Customer Testimonials: Small businesses should ask happy customers to share their experiences on social media and review sites. Reviews listed on your Google Business Profile are one of the most reliable and powerful places to send your loyal fans. This can be done through follow-up emails after a purchase, prompting customers to leave feedback. Highlighting these genuine testimonials boosts credibility and shows a commitment to customer satisfaction, which can attract future customers.
- Engage with Customers Quickly: It's important for small businesses to actively engage with customers on social media to build loyalty. They should respond promptly to comments, messages, and reviews, whether they are positive or negative. By acknowledging feedback and showing a willingness to address concerns, businesses can create a sense of community and trust. This interaction signals to potential customers that the business values their opinions and is committed to providing a good experience.
- Share Customer-Generated Content: Encouraging customers to share their own content, like photos and stories featuring the brand's products, adds authenticity and helps to grow an engaged following. Small businesses can create unique hashtags and run campaigns to motivate users to post their content. By sharing this customer-generated content on their own channels, businesses can showcase real customers enjoying their products and strengthen the sense of community among followers.
The Takeaway
The recent FTC regulations are a vital step toward fostering a more honest and transparent online marketplace. By promoting genuine customer feedback and discouraging misleading practices, these guidelines protect consumers and support small businesses in a digital world that values authenticity. As entrepreneurs adapt their marketing strategies to comply with these new rules, they can strengthen customer connections, enhance their reputations, and contribute to a fairer online environment built on trust. Embracing this change will enable businesses to thrive by focusing on real relationships and delivering genuine value to their communities.
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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.
New Member Highlight- Lily’s House
Lily’s House is Berwick and the surrounding areas, finest pet grooming facility. Lily’s House delivers outstanding service to pet owners and provides impeccable care for their pets. Their team is always mindful of your pet while using gentle and patient techniques to provide a calm, positive, and safe experience.
In addition to grooming services, Lily’s provides training classes and recommends at-home care tips and the best practices to keep your pets healthy and happy. Enrichment daycare will be offered in the near future.
Their beautiful “Pawtique” offers all the necessary pet products from premium foods and treats to collars, leashes, toys, bandanas, and grooming supplies, Lily’s has everything!
Member News ~ August 26, 2024
46th Annual Fall Arts & Craft Festival happening as part of Danville Heritage Festival
Held the first Saturday after Labor Day in September, 46th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts Festival is a celebration of the foods, shopping, and sounds that make it a special place. More than 125 vendors, activities for the kids, and bands rocking the Canal Park stage. Learn more.
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.
Bloomsburg Chevrolet hosting 17th Annual Car Show
The 17th Annual Car Show will be happening September 7th 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Call 570-784-2720 or check out their Facebook page for more info.
Women's Giving Circle "Lucky Last One" Fundraiser Happening October 3rd
October 3rd at 6:30pm at the Pine Barn Inn (Danville). Join the Women's Giving Circle for a casual evening of fun and a chance to win $3,000 on the lottery board. Proceeds from the event support their future grantmaking. Learn more.
Ready PA Newsletter is going back to school
Investing for Success as a Nonprofit Organization webinar happening September 12th
McKonly & Asbury will be hosing a free Investing for Success as a Nonprofit Organization on September 12th. Gain insights on specific ways to improve board of directors’ oversight of organization investment programs, effective strategies to structure investment accounts for long-term success and ideas on asset allocation practices for nonprofit organizations. Register here.
Ken Pollock hosting 5th Annual Car Show
Ken Pollock Ford's 5th Annual Car Show is coming up on September 15th, 2024! Money raised benefits the Stepping Stone Transplant Patients at Johns Hopkins. Come join us and enjoy some great food, music, raffles, and cars! More info.
Commonwealth University offering Fall Workforce Development Courses
Check out the Fall training schedule of workforce development courses include Management and Leadership, Healthcare and more. Get more details about all their programs!
Zartman Construction Celebrates Employee
Zartman Construction announced Ted Zimmerman, is celebrating his 10-year workiversary this month! Congratulations Ted!
PA Careerlink Awareness Day Happening in September
Save the date for PA CareerLink® Awareness Day, 2024! All six PA CareerLink® sites in the Central Region will be holding events on Thursday, September 12th from 11am - 2pm. More details!
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.
Columbia County Traveling Library hosting Verses in the Vineyard
Join CCTL for an evening of wine tastings, small bites, and literary delights. Visit www.travelinglibrary.org/verses to purchase tickets online. The event will be held Saturday, September 14, 6-8 PM at Freas Farm Winery - 30 Twin Church Rd Berwick, PA. Learn more!
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 are September 9 – Lewisburg, and October 8 – State College. Learn more.
Bloomsburg Fair Veterans Ceremony and Expo happening September 25th
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.
Commonwealth University Hosting Fall Employer Summit for Education, Healthcare, Human Service, Government and Nonprofit Employers
Commonwealth University is looking to connect employers with Commonwealth University students for internships and full-time employment opportunities on September 5th. Pre registration is highly recommended. To register and learn more reach out to Darwin Kysor at 570-484-2182 or dkysor@commonwealthu.edu.
Pennsylvania College of Technology offers Workforce Development Courses
Check out PCT's full listing of Workforce Development Courses happening all year long! Courses include Excel Training and Fundamentals of GD & T.
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.
3rd Annual Photo contest hosted by Journey Bank
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
The Risks of Announcing Changes: Why Businesses Should Think Twice
- Constantly announcing minor changes can create confusion; businesses should focus on strategic messaging that highlights value and benefits.
- Effective brand positioning is key to customer loyalty, aligning messaging with brand values fosters trust over time.
- Celebrating milestones, such as anniversaries or achievements, can enhance brand image and engage customers.
- A strong company culture that prioritizes transparency and employee well-being positively impacts external brand perception.
- A proactive communication strategy emphasizes accomplishments and reinforces unique value propositions, building lasting customer relationships.
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In the business world, change is constant—whether it’s operating hours, pricing, or staffing. For some businesses, changes might feel significant, especially if they occur infrequently. For instance, if your restaurant decides to close on Mondays to capitalize on busier weekends, it likely reflects that Mondays are quieter than Sundays. This shift doesn’t require an apology to your customers; rather, it should be seen as a celebration of the thriving Sunday business. Similarly, if your signature menu item is priced at $18 in one franchise while averaging $10 elsewhere, there's no need for you, as a business owner, to comment on this discrepancy. Addressing such outliers isn't a strategic communication approach; it’s a reaction.
Constant communication about every little change in your business can lead to confusion rather than clarity. Businesses should focus on strategic messaging that highlights the value and benefits of their offerings, rather than responding to every shift in operations. Instead of making statements that could be misconstrued or could raise unnecessary concerns among customers, companies should develop a clear communication strategy. This involves prioritizing updates that support a narrative that reinforces brand positioning while maintaining customer loyalty. By highlighting improvements and celebrating milestones—like extending hours during busy periods or updating business hours to better serve your staff—businesses can foster a positive perception without the need for reactionary statements that may dilute their message or brand identity. Read on to learn how you can flip the script on changes to your business and use attention to support your brand reputation and business goals.
Brand Positioning Builds Customer Loyalty
Effective brand positioning is crucial for standing out and building customer loyalty. For instance, a tech company might emphasize its commitment to innovation by showcasing how its latest software update enhances user experience. By consistently aligning messaging with brand values, businesses can create a strong identity that resonates with customers and fosters trust over time.
Celebrating Milestones Fosters a Positive Brand Image
Celebrating milestones is another powerful way to reinforce brand positioning and create a positive image. For example, a restaurant chain could highlight its anniversary by launching a special menu or hosting community events. Sharing these achievements on social media not only engages customers but also cultivates a sense of belonging and loyalty. Recognizing milestones, like reaching a certain number of customers served or launching a new product line, can elevate the brand narrative and show appreciation for the clientele that supported the journey. This approach allows you to say 'thank you' in a fun and tangible way.
Company Culture Wins
Company culture plays a significant role in how a brand is perceived externally. A business that prioritizes transparency and open communication can create a culture that resonates with customers and employees alike. For instance, a retail company might organize regular team-building activities and share behind-the-scenes content that showcases its commitment to employee well-being. This not only strengthens internal morale but also reflects positively on the brand, as customers are often drawn to companies that genuinely care about their staff. By aligning company culture with brand messaging, businesses can cultivate a loyal customer base that identifies with their values.
The Takeaway
Navigating changes within a business requires a thoughtful approach to communication that prioritizes clarity and strategic messaging. Instead of making statements about every operational shift, businesses should focus on the bigger picture, celebrating accomplishments and reinforcing their unique value propositions. By emphasizing brand positioning and aligning internal culture with external messaging, companies can build enduring relationships with customers that foster loyalty and trust. A proactive communication strategy not only enhances public perception but also cultivates a sense of community, ultimately creating a more resilient and adaptable business.
How to Track Your Website Traffic—And Why It Matters
Source: CO by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Author: Jamie Johnson
A strong online presence attracts new customers to your business and keeps your current customers engaged. But how do you know if the effort you’re putting into building an audience is paying off? One way to find out is by measuring your website traffic.
How to measure your website traffic
Tracking your website traffic is important because you can’t improve what you don’t measure. Understanding how users are finding and interacting with your site helps you evaluate the success of your digital marketing strategies.
Monitoring your website analytics shows you who is visiting your site, how they find you, and if these results are improving over time. It also shows you whether you’re building the right audience, which can make or break your business.
Here are four strategies you can use to monitor and improve your website traffic.
Set goals for your website
If your site isn’t attracting new users and converting leads into customers, it’s probably because you haven’t set any goals for your website. Start by setting goals that are specific and align with your business goals. For example, if growing your revenue is your main business goal, your website goals should focus on things like increasing your traffic and conversion rates.
Having well-defined goals also informs the action steps you should be taking. If your goal is to decrease your website’s bounce rate, you can focus on things like improving the page speed, updating your content, and making sure your site is easy to navigate.
Set up Google Analytics
There are many tools you can use to measure your website traffic, but Google Analytics is the best place to start. Google Analytics gives you actionable insights into your website visitors and where they came from. And unlike many SEO tools, the service is completely free to use.
You’ll start by signing up for an account and completing the registration process. From there, you’ll integrate Google Analytics with your website by adding a tracking code snippet to each page on your site. This code collects visitor data and sends it to Google Analytics.
Once you’ve successfully set up the tracking code, Google Analytics will begin collecting data about your website visitors. You’ll monitor this data on the Google Search Console. This is where you’ll see details about user demographics, interests, and behavior.
Know what to look for
Google Analytics provides you with a lot of data, so it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of information you have. Here are some of the most important metrics to track:
- Average time on page: This measures how long users spend on different web pages. This metric can be a good way to evaluate how effective your content is.
- Visitor type: There are two types of visitors coming to your site—new and returning visitors. You want to measure how much time new visitors spend on your site, and if they return. You also want to track how effectively your site is converting returning visitors into customers.
- Bounce rate: The bounce rate measures how much time a user spends on your website before leaving. A high bounce rate could indicate that there’s a problem with your site.
- Conversion rate: The conversion rate is the number of people who visited your site and took a desired action. For most businesses, the conversion rate measures how many website visitors turn into customers.
Continue optimizing your site
Going forward, it’s crucial to continue testing and optimizing your website. Optimizing your site involves making small changes over time to different parts of your site. These changes can have a big impact in terms of your search results, user experience, and conversions.
For example, A/B testing lets you compare two versions of a website page to see which performs better with your audience. This information helps you make data-driven decisions about your site’s layout, content, and calls-to-action (CTAs).
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
CO—is committed to helping you start, run and grow your small business.
The Evolving Workplace: Viewing Changes Positively
The modern work environment is evolving at a remarkable pace. There are countless ways that the workplace today differs from that of just five years ago and it’s unlikely that the pace of change will slow anytime soon. For many people, changes in the workplace can create stress and discomfort as they are pushed to vacate long-held norms and practices and attempt new ways of working and interacting with fellow employees and company leaders.
But change is good, and in fact, it is essential to virtually all aspects of business life. Typically, companies that modify their practices to adapt to change open the doors to creative opportunities and often thrive, while those that fail to adapt to these changes can stagnate or even fail. The stale environment these companies foster stifles creativity and the birth of new and forward-thinking ideas. And many times, it’s these new ideas that lead to better opportunities for overall success through more efficient operations, fresh new products or unique, cutting edge services.
Forces Impacting a Company’s Need for Change
The new look of today’s workplace is due to a variety of factors, each of which may impact individual companies to various degrees. Here are a few forces that may work to pressure company leadership to consider changes to established practices:
- Employee Demographics… For possibly the first time in history, there can be five different generations in the workplace. Each age group comes with a unique perspective on their work responsibilities and have life-style specific needs and interests. For employers, understanding this multigenerational dynamic and its implications is essential for driving innovation and maintaining cohesive and productive work groups.
- Changes in Workplace Structure… The pandemic changed the traditional model of work in an office environment. Today, most people work remotely and although many firms have tried luring workers back to the office, for the most part, they’ve had limited success. Hybrid work models are likely the norm going forward but will pressure the company’s employee culture, engagement and productivity methods and levels.
- Changing Focus on Diversity… The employee population of today has seen shifts in gender roles and includes an ever-widening range of racial groups and ethnic backgrounds. Many of these groups are commanding a greater sphere of influence and power. As a result, employers are offering enhanced health benefits, flexible work-from-home arrangements and racial, gender and pay equity. Employers have recognized that creating an inclusive culture is important to the success of their company and its long-term growth and profitability, since today’s employees are quick to begin searching for new employment if they feel their needs are not being met.
- Changes in Government… Whether on a local or national level, changes in government invariably involves a shift in political agenda, which often times impacts how businesses operate. In obvious terms, this can refer to compliance issues, but employers need to also look carefully for indirect and more subtle impacts as well.
In short, employers should view change as good. Today’s workplace demands constant attention to changing dynamics, but the reward for adaptation to needed changes often means the difference between success and failure.
The Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at cmcc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3536.
President’s Message: A Sucker Punch For Me, an Invitation For You
“We make time for the things that we truly value. We build habits and routines around the things that really matter to us.” – C.J. Mahaney
Don’t you hate when a quote you claim to live by sneaks up behind you and sucker-punches you? In anticipation of a week of professional development training at the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organization Management at the end of July, I meticulously planned out my work schedule for the next three weeks. My return-to-work schedule was packed, and there was no room for changes or additions. I’d even resorted to scheduling high fives with my six-year-old for 6:45 a.m. each morning using the alarm on his Spiderman watch. Yikes.
On the last day before I left, I had one last meeting with a member – LCBC recently welcomed a new campus pastor, and we hadn’t yet met face-to-face. If you’ve met Brad Travelpiece, you know he’s thoughtful, kind, and genuine. We had a lovely conversation centered around leadership and the Chamber’s several leadership programs, and he shared with me his affection for great conversations, small groups, and podcasts. We chatted about opportunities to connect through the Chamber, and then he graciously invited me to pop in and see an event that they had slated for August 8 and 9. I thanked Brad for the offer, and tried not to get his hopes up too much - chances were good he wouldn’t be seeing me.
Training went as expected – long hours and grueling brainwork, and my return was as prophesied. The days and the work blurred together and suddenly it was August 7, and Brad was emailing to ask if I’d given his event any more thought. Even a pop-in. I’d decided that I couldn’t, but I hadn’t emailed him an answer. Something within me was holding out hope. Suddenly, a tiny sliver of hope – a cancellation on Friday morning meant that I could do something else on my to-do list, or I take Brad up on his invite, and C.J. Mahaney’s quote punched me right in the calendar, which seemed to whisper to me, “If you value leadership, Chris, you might want to see what this summit’s about.”
My mind was made up. “Brad, I’ve got an hour, but I’m coming. Thanks again, see you there.”
It was the best decision I’ve made in weeks. The event was the Global Leadership Summit, and if you’ve heard of it, it lives up to the hype. Greeted by an overwhelmingly enthusiastic and welcoming group, I grabbed my seat, and was mesmerized by Dr. Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management, Harvard Business School as she discussed the right kind of wrong – the kind of failure that leads to progress, which she deemed “intelligent failure”. For my hour of invested time, I walked away with two pages of practical tips for improving how the Chamber does business – how we serve members, and how we build better communities. Time well spent, thanks to Brad Travelpiece.
I tell you this story to say this – your Chamber will be hosting an event in November that we’re getting increasingly excited about.
We’re calling the event the “Business Leadership Forum," and our theme is empowering business through storytelling. We won’t have the global reach or the six-figure budget of a nationwide event, but we’re doing something that we think will meet our members’ exact interests:
Hyper-local: We’re hosting the event at the Pine Barn Inn in Danville, and it’ll feature local business leaders who will tell stories about the lessons they’ve learned.
Practical: Practical advice and tips across various facets of business will come from leaders in engaging panels, keynotes and roundtables about topics such as customer experience and marketing.
It’s designed with for-profits in mind: We’re proud to support the work of the Community Giving Foundation’s Elevate2 Conference in October, which is designed for nonprofits. This is not that. This is meant to be one day that you take to hear the empowering stories of leadership from our business community and celebrate all the great things that we have going in Columbia and Montour Counties. Nonprofits are welcome because they’re businesses too, but we’re geared up to hear stories from local industry, and we’re thrilled with our lineup.
The date matters: November 6 will be an interesting day – regardless of the outcome from the day before, we’re hoping to bring a voice of gentleness, leadership, kindness, and hope after a contentious election season. We’ll discuss what leadership means to each of us as we care for customers and employees.
The foundation is already built: You’ve been to our Leadercast events, and our Rise & Thrive Breakfasts. The foundation for this event is already on solid ground. It’s a blend of Leadership Central Penn, Rise & Thrive, and the Holiday Open House – for its content, look, and networking feel. It’s designed to be fun and educational.
It’s about the Chamber getting out of the way, and our members being front-and-center.
I would have missed out on some great programming if I’d not made time to take up Brad Travelpiece’s invitation to attend GLS.
Consider this your invitation to take me up on mine. Join the Chamber on November 6, and hear the stories that unite our region. I promise it’ll be worth it.
Registration for Business Leadership Forum is now open.
Special thanks to Geisinger, the Business Leadership Forum's Founding Sponsor!