Something To Say

  By Greg DeShields The Class of 2024 is about toa transition from academic life to the professional world, and leadership is more critical than ever. After four years of dealing with the challenges of COVID-19, this year's graduates are entering the workforce. Traditional leadership models are being reevaluated in a world of uncertainty, rapid change, and complex challenges. Welcoming this class will require Compassionate Leadership , a leadership skill that combines empathy. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "To manage yourself, use your head; to manage others, use your heart." Compassionate leaders lead and manage with both their head and their heart.   In these changing times, Compassionate Leadership has the potential to inspire and motivate the Class of 2024. High hopes and expectations for employees can only work if they are based on trust and authentic care for your team, both inside and outside of work. For new graduates, embracing this leadership style is not ju...

  Supply Chains are involved in almost every industry and everything we do, from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. As business professionals and supply chain managers, we can unlock significant competitive advantages by simplifying supply chain operations and integrating procurement efficiency. But it's not just about efficiency- it's also about the crucial role of empowering supplier diversity in our operations. This adds value and fosters a sense of inclusivity and empowerment in our business relationships. According to Meredith Flora, Content Marketing Specialist at ShipBob, every business has its measurements for tracking supply chain performance. However, the five most common measures are perfect order rate, supply chain costs, order fill rate, cash-to-cash cycle time, and inventory turnover. Managing a supply chain can seem like navigating a maze in today's fast-paced and highly interconnected business world. Complex networks of suppliers, stringent procurement...

  The work environment will change as we enter the fourth quarter of the business cycle, return from vacation, and head back to school. Workforce development will be a top priority, offering activities and initiatives to enhance individuals' skills, knowledge, and abilities, making them more employable and empowering them to make significant contributions to the workforce. Northwest University sees it this way: These programs and services are designed to support job seekers, employees, and employers in meeting the demands of the labor market, thereby opening up new career opportunities and personal growth prospects. For individuals, workforce development offers the chance to enhance their skills, increase their employability, and achieve personal and professional growth. The top 5 Important components of workforce development include: ·          Training and Education: This involves providing skills training, vocational education, and profe...

  By Greg DeShields Unlocking the Power of Your Strategic Plan: Making Implementation Work As some fiscal years come to a close and other mid-year budgets are evaluated, the pivotal role of Implementation Strategy aligned with organizational goals and optimizing resource allocation for continued success becomes evident. This understanding empowers and instills confidence in business leaders, enabling them to make informed decisions about their strategic plans. According to a 2022 Cascade app blog post, 40% of companies say they are good or excellent at using lessons from successful strategy implementation to inform future strategy development. However, other statistics suggest that many organizations fail to execute their strategies effectively. For example, a 2023 LinkedIn article states that 95% of strategic plans fail, while a 2022 Harvard Business Review article says that 67% of well-formulated strategies fail due to poor execution. Generally speaking, Strategy Implementation c...

  Civic Duty: Responsibility toward the society or place in which you live.   As my third and final blog installment third and final blog installment about Civic Duty and volunteering for the Board of Elections, the primaries took place last week in my home state of New Jersey.   Across the state, a diverse group of volunteers were put into action, united by a common purpose. Our duties transcended political affiliations and party lines. We were tasked with upholding the integrity of our democratic process, ensuring that every vote is counted and every voice is heard. In the heat of partisan politics, it's easy to forget that we are all united by a common purpose: to serve our communities and uphold the principles of democracy.   My recent 15-hour volunteer experience for the Board of Elections was not just a duty but a profound journey of personal growth and understanding. Working alongside fellow volunteers from the Republican and Democratic parties, I was stru...

I am committed to fulfilling my Civic Duty by acting upon my priority to make a difference. Civic Duty is a cornerstone of democratic societies, ensuring people's voices are heard and respected. Volunteering for a board of elections is a significant and impactful choice among the many ways, as a citizen, I can contribute to my community. This act not only strengthens the democratic process but also enhances community engagement and trust in the electoral system. Volunteering for a board of elections is crucial in the smooth and fair conduct of elections. As a volunteer, you learn the responsibilities associated with registering voters, verifying the accuracy of voter lists, setting up polling stations, assisting voters on Election Day, and counting votes. Your contribution is not just meaningful; it's vital to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. What you do is integral to making the process fair and transparent, creating a truly impactful and meaningful influence o...