Diversity, inclusion and belonging are no longer just something your politically correct friend talks about, they have become increasingly important in today’s workplace. Turns out that diversity in belief systems, sexual orientation, gender expression, race, and ethnicity translate into diversity in thought, skills, and approach providing a competitive advantage Numerous studies have proven that organizations with a more diverse workforce …
Achieving Business Continuity Amidst Coronavirus
A message from our Chamber CEO and President, Julie Coons Dear Chamber Members, These days we’re all experiencing an onslaught of news and change surrounding the COVID-19 / Coronavirus as positive cases have now been confirmed in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. I’d like to take this moment to reassure you that your Chamber is concerned with your safety and is …
Emotional Intelligence In the Workplace
In today’s business climate, leaders are constantly thinking about two areas: new strategies to help propel growth and how to hire and retain the best people. What I’ve found as an HR professional is that there is one widely effective skill that can be a huge differentiator and set companies apart, and you might be surprised to learn it’s a …
All You Need Is (Business) Love…
I’m a fan of Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages. It is actually my standard gift for newly engaged couples and I’ve come to find it highly applicable to business settings as well. If you haven’t read it, I recommend it, as it will help you understand how important the expression of love is regardless of the relationship. According …
Small Business How-To For Protecting Customer Data
Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. Their happiness will make or break your bottom line, and there are a lot of factors that add up to a satisfied customer. How they are treated by you and your employees, the quality of your product or service, the ease with which they can accomplish their business with you, all of these …
Five Tips For Turning Your Passion Into a Successful Small Business
Do you feel like you have more to offer than what you’re currently doing in your nine-to-five job? Do you have a passion you’d like to share with the world? Are you looking for ways to create additional revenue streams? Then perhaps now is the time to take a chance and dip your feet into the gig economy. Today, more …
The US and China: New Vocabulary For a New Relationship
Two rounds of trade negotiations between US and China government officials, but no agreement just yet. We learned after the most recent round in Beijing that the form of the agreement, which must be approved by President Trump and President Xi, may be a memo of understanding. However, the deadline to significantly increase tariffs on Chinese imports has just been …
Trade Documentation: the Shift From Papers to Digits Is On
One of the biggest costs of and impediments to more cross-border trade is the paperwork needs of the freight forward and customs broker industry. One problem is a lot of shipments are big and heavy. Then there’s the paperwork. A Netherlands shipping company said sending a container of avocados from India to Antwerp requires 200 communications involving 30 separate parties. …
Increase Your Cyber Security IQ
In a previous post, we discussed the importance for small and midsized business engaged in cross-border trade to have in place strong cyber security policies and procedures. This is important because 58 percent of companies subject to data breaches worldwide are small businesses. Many of these companies do very little to protect themselves, largely because the topic itself is …
Three Ways To Teach Millenials How to ‘Agree to Disagree’
Each generation in the workplace has its own nuanced way of communicating – while Boomers can have a “My Way or the Highway” attitude and Gen X is the “Just Do It” generation – Millennials are a little bit different. Older, First-Wave Millennials grew up with “The Get Along Gang” on television, and Second-Wave Millennials are even more inclined …
