State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Riding Shotgun

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Fuente del artículo: State House News Service

Author: Matt Murphy

 

FEB. 12, 2021…..Grandma never had so many friends.

Kids, grandkids, neighbors. Strangers online. Suddenly everyone this week was craving a little quality time with the older and wiser among us, looking to get out of the house and go for a drive … maybe to Gillette Stadium, or the Eastfield Mall.

The sudden popularity of the so-called Silent Generation had to do with Gov. Charlie Baker’s new policy on vaccinating the 75-and-older cohort. Beginning Thursday, Baker said that anyone who accompanied an eligible senior citizen to a state-run vaccination site could get the shot as well, regardless of their age or health.

The new policy was Baker’s latest attempt to turn around his administration’s much-critiqued COVID-19 vaccine program and get more shots in the arms of the most vulnerable residents. The companion policy was packaged with the announcement of new mass vaccination sites opening this month at the Natick Mall and former Circuit City in Dartmouth as Baker spent a good part of the week touring vaccination clinics.

Later in the week, the administration announced improved features on the state’s appointment website and the expansion of call center hours to include evenings and weekends.

Joan Hatem-Roy, CEO of Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore, said the companion policy would be a “game changer,” making elderly citizens more likely to reach out for help and be willing to go somewhere like Fenway Park, which may seem like an overwhelming proposition otherwise.

But Baker and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders had no sooner articulated the details of the new policy than the criticism came pouring in. There were, of course, the family members who had just brought their loved ones in for a shot and felt they missed their chance at getting vaccinated themselves (they can still get a first dose when the 75+ person gets their second).

There were also people who felt making the young and healthy eligible before, say, teachers or people aged 65 to 74, was a major miscalculation. And others still thought the policy, while well-intentioned, would exacerbate an equity problem that already exists in the distribution of vaccines, favoring the elderly who have children or family that can take time off of work and have access to a car.

The scammers on Craigsllist didn’t help, either.

The Department of Public Health reported Thursday that 232,900 shots were administered over the previous seven days, but the new supply of about 108,000 doses a week is still not enough to meet demand.

Long lines at mass vaccination sites in Springfield and Danvers led to the deployment of small teams of National Guard to handle logistics, and people were reportedly hanging around for leftover shots at the end of the day.

The administration also said it was slowing distribution to hospitals in favor of “high throughput locations, like mass vaccination sites, retail pharmacy sites, and community health centers until more vaccines are made available by the federal government.”

“All patients and hospital staff with existing appointments will get their first and second shots, and the administration is hopeful more vaccines will arrive soon for more providers, including hospital systems,” a COVID-19 Command Center spokeswoman said.

Everyone’s got an opinion on Baker’s vaccine rollout these days, and most of them concern his management of the effort or personal belief systems about what is the fairest way to go about the massive project. Former state Sen. Benjamin Downing had his own thoughts.

The 39-year-old East Boston transplant from Pittsfield announced Monday that he would be running for governor, starting early ahead of what could be a crowded 2022 Democratic primary after eight years of Baker.

“I think the vaccine rollout has been fumbled pretty badly, and I think there are surprisingly simple solutions to the position that we’ve found ourselves in, and you see that in other states, you see that in some of our own communities,” Downing told the News Service in an interview announcing his campaign.

Even though Baker hasn’t said whether he’ll seek a third term, if he doesn’t run surely Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will, and she’ll have to do so on this administration’s record. Which means the 2022 campaign is on.

And by the time voters go to the polls, mail-in balloting and same-day voter registration may be a permanent part of the election landscape in Massachusetts. Secretary of State William Galvin said he would be filing a bill to do just that, and Sen. Cynthia Creem and Rep. John Lawn filed separate bills that were similar to Galvin’s proposal.

Sen. Becca Rausch also wants to see vote-by-mail and same-day registration enshrined in law, but she went further than anyone, proposing to make Election Day a holiday and push the relatively late September primary up to June.

The contest to become the next speaker of the House is also on. Speaker Ron Mariano said so himself the day he succeeded DeLeo in the top post.

Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka rolled out their leadership teams and committee assignments Friday. Spilka’s top advisors are unchanged, with Majority Leader Creem holding down the number two slot.

The same is not true in the House where a change at the top trickled down through the ranks. As had been rumored, Mariano tapped Rep. Claire Cronin for majority leader after the Easton Democrat guided the House through debates on policing accountability and abortion access last year as Judiciary Committee chair.

Mariano has also surrounded himself with Rep. Kate Hogan, who takes over as speaker pro tempore, Assistant Majority Leader Michael Moran and Second Assistant Majority Leaders Joseph Wagner and Sarah Peake.

Mariano, 74, has already made clear he won’t be around for as long as former Speaker Robert DeLeo, who occupied the speaker’s office for 12 years, and the next speaker could come from among that group, or returning Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz.

Undersecretary for Climate Change David Ismay won’t be returning at all. The former Conservation Law Foundation attorney resigned after the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance released a video of him telling the Vermont Climate Council that there were no more big polluters to “turn the screws on” in Massachusetts, therefore it would be the consumers whose “will” would need to be broken.

Few even tried to argue that what Ismay said was wrong, but his clumsy choice of wording left him with few defenders. He carried the metaphor too far, and not even Gov. Baker stuck up for him. So he quit.

And speaking of quitting, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh got a little closer to the day he will resign to become U.S. secretary of labor after a Senate committee voted 18-4 to send his nomination to the full Senate for confirmation.

In anticipation of that moment, Rep. Chynah Tyler filed the home rule petition approved by the City Council and signed by Walsh to call off the special election that would be triggered if the mayor resigns before March 5.

The Boston delegation had a Zoom call Monday to discuss, and were in agreement that they would recommend it to the speaker. Now the question is how quickly can the House, and Senate, act. It doesn’t hurt that Rep. Dan Ryan, a Charlestown resident, is the new chair of the Committee on Election Laws.

The week started with Congressman Richard Neal at the State House joining Gov. Baker to talk up their shared desire for another federal stimulus package.

With the Senate engaged in its impeachment trial, Neal’s Ways and Means Committee is working to turn President’s Biden $1.9 trillion stimulus package into legislation that he said Congress could pass by mid-March, before enhanced unemployment benefits for millions of Americans expire.

But it’s not just the unemployed who need the help, Baker said.

“The feds can play a huge role with respect to vaccinations, testing, school reopenings for both K through 12 and higher education, food insecurity, housing, rental, energy and water assistance, small business support, and support for states, local governments and territorial governments…..,” the governor said.

Baker welcomed Neal to the State House a day after Tom Brady won another Super Bowl ring, only this one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sunday, it turned out, was also the day Baker would return the climate bill to the Legislature with a slew of amendments, hoping lawmakers feel like being team players.

The Weekly Download: 5 Management Keys for Effective Virtual Leadership

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Managers and leaders have been forced to adapt to the rapid changes unraveling at the workplace. As the world races to stop the spread of Coronavirus, many companies have been left to rely on remote workers and flexible positions that combine in-person days with work from home schedules. For managers, the challenge is to find effective ways to motivate and lead their teams remotely in what is referred to as virtual leadership. The Chamber has put together these five management keys for effective virtual leadership:

Use Challenging Objectives

Leaders can often spot talent in their employees. The challenge is to find effective ways to nature and develop these skills, especially in a virtual workspace where traditional approaches are obsolete. However, thanks to modern technology, managers can develop strategies to ensure each employee gets their share of challenging objectives that propels them to the next level. The challenges should also focus on developing individual talents while fulfilling daily scoreboard expectations.

Constant Feedback and Virtual Meetings

Communication is vital for productivity and collaborations, which is why open office plans, shared time and breakrooms were workspace highlights pre-COVID. In the new virtual world, leaders must ensure adequate communication frameworks that allow for constant feedback and meetings. The continuous back-and-forth communications help to cultivate a direct approach where issues are aired and resolved quicker. Feedback also allows managers to clear confusions and rally the team towards common goals.

Attack Problems as They Emerge

Watching from afar is no longer an option in virtual workspaces. With no direct contact and analysis, leaders have found it harder to predict employee issues as we shift from a time of random crisis to long-term crises with varying impacts. For leaders, this means problems should be identified and resolved as soon as they emerge, and several issues may arise. Emotions, communication problems, breaking company culture and codes, poor judgment and wrong decisions must all be tackled early so the team can grow.

Personal and Professional Harmony

Leaders in the virtual world are facing a test to ensure personal and professional lives are in congruence. Employees working from home have no supervision present, which opens a window for distractions. Managers are responsible for leading by example, ensuring professional dress codes during virtual meetings and encouraging home setups that promote better focus. Balancing personal and professional life is the ultimate milestone of managing remote workers.

Encourage Self-Knowledge and Self-Motivation

Self-knowledge and self-motivation are vital for career success. During these COVID times, employees are expected to acquire more soft skills to perform better. Leaders must encourage employers to continue learning new skills, building confidence and shaping their careers. The leader should be outright decisive, respectful, kind, inclusive and reliable as employees can pick up on these traits for their motivation.

As a leadership organization, ourselves, we agree that the task at hand isn’t an easy one for leaders in the virtual environment. However, there are various changes and tools available for managers. Here at the Chamber, our goal is to be a catalyst for positive change, convene leaders and influencers, and be a champion for the community. Virtual leaders must adapt to the needs of their teams and customers while maintaining an increased level of communications for the foreseeable future.

Where to find your next key employee

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If your business were a car, your key employees would be the engine. These are your superstars, the heavy hitters who apply their talents and skill sets in their positions and generate massive results every time.

As most managers already know, however, the reason why key employees are so in-demand is precisely because they don’t grow on trees. If you’re hunting for your next key employee, here is some of our best advice on where to look.

  1. Professional Recruiters

The thing about key employees is that they’re generally either employed or snatched up very quickly during the brief times they’re unemployed and looking for a position.

So who better to help you find your next key employee than someone whose business it is to match companies with excellent clients day in and day out?

Professional recruiters have the relationships, experience, and the avenues needed to find candidates and find them quickly.

  1. Referrals

Although the saying, “It’s not what you know but who you know” gets thrown around at job-seekers a lot, the same logic also applies to employers who are searching for talent.

You may not be immediately aware of anyone who could fill a key position, but perhaps a colleague you met at a seminar or a fellow professional association member might know someone. Or maybe instead of a professional peer it’s a friend of yours who knows a recent college grad or a veteran who would be perfect for your position.

All of this is to say that your professional and personal network is a resource that just might surprise you.

  1. Internally

Do you have any high-flying talent in your organization? Is there an employee who seems to have all the knowledge and personality traits needed to step in and do a fantastic job?

Sometimes your future key employee is standing right in front of you.

A lot of companies get so caught up in internal policy and creating a rigid system for potential advancement that they overlook the talent and potential for growth that’s already there. An added bonus with this approach is that the candidate’s familiarity with you and your company’s culture are a potentially easy way to guarantee a relatively smooth transition.

  1. Online

The Internet has long been used for research, networking, and business. Now, with the help of sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and even Facebook, finding talent is literally just a few clicks away.

As effective as these relatively mainstream sites can be, companies don’t have to resign themselves to these relatively mainstream avenues.

Forums, Twitter, specialized job boards, and Internet hotspots like Reddit are all places where employers can find and discover talent with relative ease. Some locations might have regional jobs boards where you can post your job opening and find the best candidate in your area.

When you’re searching for your next key employee, you don’t want just anybody to take the wheel. You want the best person for the job. However finding that future key employee is often easier said than done. Online sources, tapping into your existing network for possible referrals, promoting internally, and hiring professional recruiters are all options that can make finding your next key employee easier. Try one of these options and see how it works for you.

Legislative Update: More Fed Aid Critical to Rebuilding Economies

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Fuente del artículo: State House News Service

Author: Collin A. Young

GOP Guv Lists Ways $$$ Can “Beat Down the Pandemic”

FEB. 8, 2021…..As Democrats in Washington, D.C. began rolling out the various components of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal Monday, U.S. House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal was in Boston to promote the package alongside Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

Billions of dollars have already flowed during the pandemic from the federal government to Massachusetts and its residents, but Baker said another round of funding is essential as states take on vaccine distribution and economic reopenings while facing many of the economic problems that have lingered for the better part of a year. In Massachusetts, there are about 330,000 fewer jobs compared to a year ago, many businesses are struggling to stay afloat and the state projects it will miss out on about $1 billion in tax revenue this year, compared to pre-pandemic expectations.

“As cities and states ramp up their vaccination recovery efforts, support from D.C. will continue to be a critical part of how we get from here to there. The feds can play a huge role with respect to vaccinations, testing, school reopenings for both K through 12 and higher education, food insecurity, housing, rental, energy and water assistance, small business support, and support for states, local governments and territorial governments … , ” Baker said.

State and local officials, he said, are going to do the “hard work that’s going to be associated with trying to rebuild their economies and especially to deal with the dramatic changes that have taken place with respect to how and where people work since this pandemic began,” He added, “I can’t understate how big a challenge that is going to be for everybody as we move through this pandemic and on into the future.”

Congress is in the early stages of advancing Biden’s massive relief package, which is expected to include billions of dollars for virus testing, vaccinations, stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, and could send as much as $350 billion in federal aid to state and local governments.

Neal, a Springfield Democrat who is playing a key role in the development of Biden’s plan and will help shepherd it through Congress, said his committee will work from Wednesday morning through Friday to write the legislation to enact $941 billion worth of the president’s proposals.

The full package — a blueprint of which will become publicly available at 6 p.m. Monday, Neal said — will include direct payments of up to $1,400 for individuals to “make good on our promise of $2,000 checks” that began with $600 payments last year, provide between $300 and $400 in weekly unemployment insurance supplements, make $130 billion available to help schools reopen, and would establish an enhanced child tax credit that would provide eligible families with $3,600 per child younger than 6 and $3,000 per child up to age 17, split into monthly payments over a year, Neal said.

“We want to make it easier for the unemployed to afford their health insurance through premium subsidies. We’re going to expand opportunities for COBRA. We’re going to provide an enhanced premium tax credit for those receiving forms of unemployment insurance that will reduce their out-of-pocket costs. We plan to assist the most vulnerable, who typically aren’t offered health insurance, through extending opportunities for them as well. The unemployment insurance supplement also will be embraced once again,” Neal said. He added, “We intend to create a national vaccination program and speed up the distribution … We provide expanded testing and contact tracing programs across the country, and $130 billion for schools to be reopening. Everybody sees that as a clear priority.”

Since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold almost a year ago, Massachusetts and its residents have received $52.3 billion from the federal government in the form of loans, direct aid to residents, unemployment assistance and funding for other federal programs, according to the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which has tracked federal distributions to states.

That total includes $5.24 billion in economic impact payments, $14.31 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program, $2.67 billion from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, $1.4 billion through FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, $3.54 billion in emergency injury disaster loans, $3.344 billion in provider relief funds, and a combined $15.075 billion in unemployment compensation, assistance and funding.

Baker, who has long talked about how helpful more federal money would be, last month filed a state budget that would pull $1.6 billion from the state’s cash reserves, but the governor has said he could limit that rainy day fund withdrawal if additional federal dollars come in.

“There are still substantial financial challenges that we face as a commonwealth and that other states across the country are facing as well. And it would be critical from our point of view for Congress to pass significant relief swiftly to help us beat down the pandemic and, just as importantly, help get our economy back on track,” the governor said Monday.

The Ways and Means Committee chairman said the president’s package “is certainly going to pass,” and while he said Democrats remain open to suggestions and new ideas as they roll out their plans, Neal said Biden “is not coming off of $1.9 trillion and I agree with him.”

If Biden and the Democrats plan to stand pat at $1.9 trillion, it could mean passing the package through Congress without support from Republicans, some of whom have taken issue with the package’s price tag or provisions.

“I think it would be very helpful for them to fully participate,” Neal said. “I think when you look at the polling data on our proposal — it’s pretty wild where it comes down — three-quarters of the American people support what we’re about to try to do, what, in fact, we’re going to do.”

The goal, Neal said, is to pass Biden’s package by the second or third week of March to have it in place by the time unemployment benefits would expire for millions of Americans in mid-March.

Online: Full Press Conference

Before you influence, show up

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If you expect to have any kind of influence in your company or in your industry as a whole, the first step is to show up. This means getting involved with your work community and going the extra mile in terms of the effort you give your assignments. The more you can put yourself out there, the more opportunities you will have for the higher-ups and key industry players to recognize you for your efforts. Here’s what you need to do.

Be On Time or Early Every Day

Do your best to be one of the first people in the office every day. Not only does this demonstrate your commitment to your job, but it can also give you a chance to get in some uninterrupted work time before everyone else arrives. Of course, there may be occasions when you are forced to arrive late, but try not to make a habit of it. Embrace punctuality in your personal life as well so that the habit becomes ingrained over time.

Always Be Prepared

If you will be attending an important meeting or giving a presentation, don’t neglect the necessary advance preparations. This can include making note of a few talking points, reviewing your slides, researching your audience, confirming appointments and more. A few extra minutes of preparation could make the difference between a presentation that is successful and one that isn’t. Your colleagues will appreciate that you are prepared as well, as this will ensure you aren’t wasting anyone’s time with an inefficient meeting.

Think Through Your Decisions

Depending on your position within your company, you may be called upon to make important decisions from time to time. It is crucial that you take the time to evaluate all of your options and their possible outcomes before arriving at a decision. Only when you have considered all of the angles can you make a truly informed choice. Be sure to take input from those who will be affected by your decision as well, as their needs and preferences could shape the final results.

Offer Solutions, Not Problems

If you expect to have any sway within your organization, you need to be able to identify potential trouble areas so that they can be addressed before they become major issues. However, it is not enough to simply point out the problem; you also need to be able to provide possible solutions. Otherwise, you’ll be seen merely as a complainer, not as someone who could be a driving force in improving the company. Even if your solutions aren’t fully worked out yet, it is still better to at least have a starting point so that you and your team can work together to come up with an action plan.

Keep Showing Up

Networking is incredibly important when you are trying to build your influence. You never know who might be able to collaborate with you on a new initiative, so don’t be shy about putting yourself out there. Attend networking events, industry-specific trade shows and other events geared towards people in your industry. If you have the time, you may want to get involved with professional organizations that serve your industry, like unions, associations and other entities. Over time, you’ll be able to build your network, which will expand your level of influence in your industry.

The Weekly Download: How Your Local Businesses Can Compete with Amazon

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How Local Businesses Can Compete with Amazon

Amazon is the largest online store and hosts products from some of the biggest brands in the world. They are also known for large inventories and discounts, so competing based on price can be a tall order for local startups. Interestingly, about 50% of the products you encounter at Amazon in the United States are listed by small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) and not Amazon itself. So is Amazon a competitor, or is it a marketplace?

In addition to setting up your business on Amazon, there are several ways a local business can compete and establish its market. Here are five:

Offering Personalized Services

Local businesses have the advantage of offering one-on-one customized services, something that’s not available for Amazon customers. As a small business, you can focus on customer support to learn more about your clients and customize your services to their needs. There are various ways to create an impression of personalized services, from greeting customers by their names and following up on big sales to analyzing each feedback.

Introduce A Loyalty Plan

A loyalty program is designed to reward repeat customers and a perfect way to get repeat business income. If you lack one, you should create a loyalty program that allows regular customers to receive personalized treatment, discounts and better offers. Make sure your customers learn about the loyalty program during their first visit or interaction with your business. Amazon has deals and redeemable points, shipping discounts and other incentives, so make sure your loyalty program is attractive enough to retain customers.

Increase Brand Awareness and Online Presence

To become successful, people need to know about your business, so it is vital to work on the brand. Invest in SEO, set up your website and get on Amazon if your business model can align with the store. Make sure you optimize the business for local customers and take advantage of social media marketing. Increasing brand presence locally will provide the perfect canvas for exploring markets beyond the borders.

Market for Mobile

Most people start their searches online through their mobile phones and modern devices. In recent times, mobile games, operating systems and other applications have become a platform for advertising. Companies like Amazon market for everyone, especially mobile users. However, as a local business, you have the advantage of knowing and understanding your immediate customers. You know the right language to use for marketing and platforms local communities use to access information. Mobile devices also offer a chance to connect offline shopping experiences.

Set Up Your Amazon Business

Amazon boasts the inherent advantages of a global brand and is essentially a marketplace where customers can find any product. As a local business, you can take advantage of the existing logistics frameworks and reputation to list your products on the platform. Local customers that prefer to shop from Amazon will still be able to find your products and business. However, this requires meeting all Amazon requirements and optimizing your business to appear at the top of both Amazon and Google search results.

Amazon relies on small and medium businesses (like yours) in all categories and, in 2019, the number of SMB accounts in the US Amazon store increased by 133% to 1.1 million. For local businesses, the challenge is to create more perks and personalized services while leveraging social media, mobile marketing and local SEO.

Reopening, Temporary Capacity and Gathering Limits Update

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Today at 12:30pm, Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito made an announcement relative to reopening and the temporary capacity and gathering limits:

1. Temporary Capacity Limits Lifted – The 25% temporary capacity limits order will expire on February 8ta at 5:00 AM.

All businesses in the list below, currently limited to 25% capacity, will return to 40% capacity, as previously allowed (industry guidance effective in December 2020 will apply).

·     Arcades and Recreational Businesses

·     Escuelas de conducción y vuelo

·     Gimnasios/Clubes de salud

·     Bibliotecas

·     Museos

·     Minorista

·     Oficinas

·     Lugares de culto

·     Alojamiento (áreas comunes)

·     Golf (indoor areas)

·     Cines (no más de 50 personas por sala)

·     Restaurants will now be limited to 40% of their seated capacity, but as under the 25% capacity rule, employees will not count toward their capacity limit

·     Close Contact Personal Services will now be limited to 40% capacity, but as under the 25% capacity rule, employees will be not count toward their capacity limit

·     A limit of 8 people per 1000 sq. feet applies for smaller businesses without an available fire occupancy capacity limit

 

2. Gatherings Order – Gatherings remain at no more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

3. The Commonwealth remains in Phase 3 Step 1 of Reopening (Order No. 58) – Indoor performance venues and indoor recreation businesses like roller rinks and trampoline parks remain closed

All sector specific guidance will be updated at www.mass.gov/reapertura. 

Teams play follow the leader

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Teamwork is critical for businesses in just about every industry, so it is likely that you will work as part of a team at some point in your career. Depending on your position within your organization, you may be called upon as a team leader as well. Here’s what you need to know to keep your team members in line and ensure they follow your instructions willingly.

Take Command

When you first form your team, you need to establish yourself as the leader right from the start. Make sure that you are well-prepared for your first meeting so you can drive discussions and answer your team’s questions. Let your team know that you are available to help whenever they need. Remember, you are the guiding light for your team members throughout the project, so stay on top of your tasks so that you team can follow you.

Listen as Much as You Talk

Of course, you’ll do plenty of talking as the team leader, but it is just as important that you listen to your team. Because they are the ones who will be doing most of the work as you manage, they can provide unique insight as to how the project is progressing and any trouble areas that might arise. Take your team’s feedback to heart, but always keep your mind on the bigger picture as well. Your team members are each dealing with individual aspects of the project, and it is up to you to keep everyone on track towards your common goal.

Focus on the Business

While you may be able to choose the members of your team, this is not always the case, and you may be required to work with people with whom you don’t necessarily get along as friends. Although it is difficult, do your best to set your personal feelings aside. Keep your focus on the task at hand. Even if you don’t like a team member on a personal level, that doesn’t mean that you can’t still work successfully together.

Be Willing to Take the Blame

Just as the captain goes down with a sinking ship, you are the responsible party as the team leader. While it may be easier to place blame on your team members for any mishaps, at the end of the day, it is you who is responsible for the successful completion of the project. Your team looks to you for direction, so if something goes wrong, you need to take responsibility.

Practice What You Preach

No matter what type of project you are working on, you need to show your team that you are in it with them. No one likes to see their team leader sitting back while they do all the work, so you need to be working just as hard as your team members. At each meeting, review their progress, but also show them your progress. This way, they’ll see that you are working just as hard as they are, encouraging them to work harder for you.

Managing a team is not easy, but with careful planning and preparation, as well as a good dose of respect for your team members, you can give yourself your best chance of delivering your project successfully.

Cult of Personality: Building a more positive workplace culture in 90 days

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Building a positive workplace culture results in happier employees, which in turn, increases your production rates. Basically, a happy workplace is good for everyone. The question is, how can you create a positive, supporting workplace culture quickly. Check out these tips to get started.

Design an Open Floor Plan

Having a large, open floor plan lets your employees communicate with each other easily. This creates stronger team bonds and work friendships — and that alone can make your employees happy. While work shouldn’t be all about socializing, it is an important part of making your employees happy, and happier employees get more work done.

Look for New Hires That Fit In

To create a positive work culture, your employees need to get along. So it’s important for hiring managers to look for qualities in job applicants that would help them fit in at your company. For example, if most of your employees are the more casual, chatty type, you don’t want to hire someone who seems tightly wound. If you did, he or she would have a hard time working with and building relationships with your current employees. It might take you a bit longer to find someone to fill a job that will be a good fit, but finding someone who “gets” your company’s culture is worth the wait.

Be Approachable

You might tell your employees that you have an open-door policy, but do you really make them feel comfortable approaching you? Take a few minutes each day to interact with your employees. Listen to their ideas, and help them solve problems they’re having. When you show genuine interest in your employees, they know that you care about them and appreciate the work they do — and they’ll be a lot more comfortable entering your office to have a chat when needed. Also, say “hi” to people you pass in the hallways and smile frequently — it’s important for the boss to lead the way and small gestures like this show your employees that you’re happy and they should be too.

Have Some Fun

Don’t be afraid to let loose once in awhile. It’s good to have some fun with your employees. It shows them that you’re just a regular person, not someone who’s powerful and scary. Host company-wide events such as a family picnic or an office holiday party. You can also host team-building events for each team. Simply choose fun activities that require team members to work together such as a trip to the nearest escape room facility.

Recognize Accomplishments

Set reachable goals for your employees each month an give recognition awards to employees who meet or exceed their goals. Alternatively, start an Employee of the Month program and let your employees nominate their co-workers for the award. Also, when an employee reaches a small milestone, be sure to let them know that they did a great job.

Creating a positive work environment doesn’t have to be difficult. The key to success is getting your employees to bond and interact with each other and ensure they feel valued and supported.

How often should I give my website a new look?

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Si las analíticas de tu sitio web se han estancado por un tiempo, quizás te estés preguntando qué puedes hacer para aumentar tu tráfico. ¿Es hora de darle un nuevo aspecto a tu sitio web? Creemos en el apoyo a los negocios locales, por lo que hemos reflexionado sobre el asunto. Echa un vistazo a 3 consejos para determinar si es el momento de actualizar la imagen de tu sitio.

  1. Actualizar cuando los clientes muestren signos de desinterés

Observa tu tasa de rebote — Esa es la métrica que mide cuántas personas visitan tu sitio pero se van sin realizar ninguna compra. Quizás tu sitio se ve anticuado o es difícil de navegar, y eso está haciendo que los clientes potenciales se marchen. Presta especial atención a las quejas de los clientes, ya sea por correo electrónico, teléfono o en tus plataformas de redes sociales, de que tu sitio es menos que funcional o que se ve desactualizado.

  1. Actualízate cuando sientas el calor de tu competencia

Actualizar tu sitio web es una señal para tus clientes de que te mantienes a la vanguardia en tu campo. Si estás en una competencia acalorada por clientes, la apariencia de tu sitio web puede enviar un mensaje de que eres la empresa con la que quieren tratar. Imagina visitar un sitio con contenido desactualizado, sin noticias nuevas y una apariencia anticuada. ¿No harías clic y te irías a otro lado? No le des a tus clientes la oportunidad de hacer eso.

  1. Actualizar a Go Mobile

Cada vez más, los clientes acceden a internet a través de sus dispositivos móviles y pueden frustrarse si su sitio web es difícil de navegar porque no ha sido optimizado para móviles. Si es así, necesita agregar un diseño adaptable a su sitio o ajustar su diseño adaptable actual para que se combine con la tecnología actual. Dependiendo de cómo esté codificado su sitio, puede necesitar un rediseño completo, en lugar de simplemente darle una apariencia renovada al material existente.

Te animamos a mantener tu sitio web activo y actualizado para que los clientes de toda nuestra comunidad puedan dirigir sus negocios hacia ti.