Mention heutagogy, and there will be blank stares. It’s an approach that celebrates self-directed lifelong learning skills and is a good fit for workplaces. The term was coined some two decades ago. It’s not necessarily a solo activity, either. Learning hooks into social and emotional domains and is a skill one needs to keep sharp and finesse. The World Bank has been on … [More]
Big Data Principles Help Brands Understand Market Position
A recent article in The Guardian discussed how big data can track the COVID economic slump; similar to what this shows of how economists are looking at new economic markers thanks to big data, there are signals that brands should be looking at to make strategic decisions for long-term planning. Some of the signals may seem obvious but, for many brands, figuring out what is … [More]
Truckers: The Hidden Heroes of COVID-19
When the country was ordered to shut down to slow the spread of COVID-19, a roaring economy screeched to a halt and millions became unemployed overnight. Many of us did our part, sheltering in place to protect each other and the most vulnerable among us. The first responders led the way in fighting the pandemic, putting their lives at risk in order to protect and serve us. … [More]
The Arizona Lottery, Fostering Change for Kids in Need
If a worldwide pandemic has taught our society anything, it is the value of access. Access to everything from tissue paper and masks to food or even to bicycles. Items we’ve become accustomed to having easy access to have more recently become quite the commodity. While providing freedom, fun and an activity is at a premium these days, simple pleasures such as riding a bicycle … [More]
Maximizing Value: How to Negotiate Executive Compensation in Turbulent Times
For many executives, cash is king when negotiating a compensation package. But amid challenging economic times such as the current pandemic, companies may hesitate to commit to large base salaries when cashflow is tight and the business climate remains uncertain. In such unpredictable circumstances, companies prefer to tie executive compensation to future success. This means … [More]
Coronavirus Offers Businesses a Chance to Reset, Recharge and Rise Up
Today, you can hardly go an hour without hearing news about the impact of COVID-19 on organizations. From hospitals and schools to businesses and nonprofits, no sector of the economy has remained untouched. As many navigate through the unknown, now is a critical time to chart a course for future growth and prosperity. While it may sound counterintuitive, the timing lends … [More]
Keeping Small Business Up and Running
Even in these unprecedented times, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s lending programs continue to help our economy. The pace of SBA loan-making is always a healthy sign for a good economy because the credit market is one of the foundations for ensuring the availability of financing for small businesses trying to establish themselves, grow and create new jobs throughout … [More]
Navigating a New Normal: Focusing on Mental Health in the Time of Pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic continues on, the toll on Arizona’s and our nation’s mental health intensifies. Whether someone is learning to adjust to working at home, struggling with home-schooling, coping with a family member who is suffering with COVID-19 or dealing with a job loss, the difficulty and uncertainty of living through this time can cause tremendous anxiety, … [More]
Hardening in the Insurance Market
With the recent surge in coronavirus cases across Arizona and other parts of the country, COVID-19 remains a significant challenge for businesses, creating additional uncertainty and potential risks for their people and operations. Though a return to pre-COVID normalcy is unlikely anytime soon, businesses nevertheless must carefully and thoughtfully assess their unique risks as … [More]
Bankruptcy in a Distressed Post-COVID-19 World
Bankruptcy is a forum and an arena for resolving distressed business situations in a post COVID-19 world. Bankruptcy is not a solution for every business, but it is one of several alternatives to consider. In a chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, a business can find the time and the breathing room to choose and implement the right solution to save the business and jobs, and … [More]
Pandemic Presents Learning Opportunities for Employers
In Charleston, S.C., a restaurant was sued by a former server who says he was fired after he left work to get tested for COVID-19. A large automaker was also recently sued for wrongful termination after firing an employee within hours of the employee’s complaint about safety concerns, even after the employee had been assured that he could stay home without penalty … [More]
The Shifting Landscape of Marketing
When it comes to marketing in the current climate, all businesses should be focusing on what we call “the three S’s”: Safety, Sensitivity and (new) Sales channels. We are also seeing a big shift in marketing dollars toward all manner of digital marketing, including increased spends for content marketing and social media, website improvement projects, e-commerce integrations and … [More]
Improving and Expanding ‘Personal’ Virtual Connections
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a unique environment for everyone in both their personal and professional lives. It has disrupted how we interact with friends and family and has thrown a wrench in every aspect of the way business gets done. One of the biggest disruptions at our jobs has been the way we collaborate, network and sell. We’re no longer side by side with our … [More]
Our Experts’ Recommended Resources
Businesses’ first reaction to COVID-19-related disruption was to retrench and protect — actions that were, essentially, reactive. While that may have been the wisest move in the short-term, it is no way to sustain a business over the long-term. Even businesses that were proactive in their response must adjust to new realities in the economy and the business community going … [More]
Lessons in Managing a Remote Workforce
In March, the COVID-19 crisis forced companies across the U.S. to make significant adjustments, many requiring onsite employees to work from home (WFH). While stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders were lifted in most states in May, companies extended the WFH status of employees. Some companies are even opting to make WFH a permanent option for employees. As companies … [More]
Tackling Overload
The last few months have likely been crazy for you and your employees. But many professionals and managers were feeling exhausted and burned out even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Overload is the sense that there is too much asked of you and your team, given limited resources. This is a classic definition of stress: too many demands, coupled with too few resources (such as time … [More]
At Work, Healthcare Starts with Testing
Healthcare is arguably the most popular of employee benefits. COVID-19 has made this an even higher priority — while at the same time adding to businesses’ challenges in providing it. And addressing the need to keep the workplace and the workforce healthy has put COVID-19 testing front and center in business operations even while information changes on a nearly daily … [More]
Armored Leadership vs Daring Leadership
Leadership is about risk. For me, it began when I took a giant first step into the business ownership arena, full of hopes and dreams with no real idea what I was actually in for. How I faced the risks and challenges in the arena was what mattered. Getting up when I fell, dusting myself off and taking what I learned right back into the arena the following day. Dr. Brené … [More]
