Perspectives

Navigating the new Department of Labor overtime rule

Keeping up with changes to governmental regulations is just one of the challenges faced by businesses that do a lot of hiring. The Department of Labor issued a new final rule on overtime pay that takes effect July 1, 2024. This rule comes on the heels of another DOL change – this one regarding classification of workers – that rolled out in March 2024. Knowing these rules and clearly understanding how to navigate them is critical for business owners.... Read More

A healthier heartland

Indiana's mix of urban and rural communities provides a good opportunity to understand how interconnected our state’s health care landscape really is. No community is an island, and the ups and downs of one have more of an impact elsewhere than we may initially think. Accordingly, working collaboratively to promote preventative care and increase access in one area can help create healthier communities everywhere.... Read More

The power of legacy: Building values-driven organizations

Looking back at Father's Day, many of us reflect on the legacies that have shaped our lives and careers. For business leaders, this reflection offers a valuable opportunity to consider how the lessons of the past can inform and inspire our efforts to build organizations rooted in strong values.... Read More

Health disparities persist, but solutions exist

Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is celebrated annually to commemorate the ending of slavery on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War. Despite the progress we’ve made since then, disparities stubbornly persist for Black Americans and people of color–nowhere more readily apparent than in health.... Read More

It’s time to make period products affordable in Indiana

Every woman has felt the panic of getting their period and realizing they don’t have any products on hand. It’s that sinking feeling when you check your backpack at school and find you forgot to bring a pad, or open your purse at a restaurant and remember you left your tampons in another bag. ... Read More

Sending your child off to college? Don’t forget these important documents

My daughter is heading off to college this fall for the first time and the list of tasks to complete before she even steps on the quad is daunting and exciting.  The university has provided to-do items, friends and family have offered tips and tricks, and I just added estate planning to the list.  That’s right, before my 18-year-old daughter leaves our home, she will have executed her financial power of attorney, HIPAA release, healthcare power of attorney, living will, and last will and testament.... Read More

When familiarity breeds brand confusion

Have you ever been mistaken for someone else who happened to share your name? Perhaps you answered a call that confused you until you figured out that’s what was happening. You both laughed and hung up with no damage done.... Read More

A nonprofit development culture in four steps

What’s the status of your organization’s development culture? I ask that question when working with a new organization that wants to focus on solidifying its sustainability. The answers are across the board, with larger organizations generally more prepared. ... Read More

The jobs of the future are here. Indiana is getting the workforce ready.

During my nearly 30 years in the automotive industry, there was one thing that was constant: Change. When I first started on the production floor 32 years ago, automotive component welding was done by hand; today robots are programmed to weld those same components. With new technology comes the need to upskill and reskill our workforce.... Read More

The talent pipeline is worse than you think

For those already affected by the shortage of manpower in almost every industry and geographic area, or if you fret over 5-10-15-year workforce forecasts, you may want to take a seat. It is very likely that many such projections overstate the future supply of manpower.... Read More

Is China a reliable investment market?

There are many risks associated with investing in China. Like all investing decisions, it comes down to whether the potential gains outweigh the risks. Understanding the risk/reward profile is an important first step.... Read More

Indiana should not hitch its wagon to renewables

Hoosiers pay far too much for their electricity. With renewables on the rise, it’s only going to get worse. It’s becoming more difficult to produce the energy necessary to keep prices down and strengthen grid reliability in Indiana. ... Read More

Business growth: Convert expenses to revenue

While the thought of converting expenses to revenue seems counter intuitive, it is more than possible in the business climate of today. Many well known companies have already done it and more are in the process. Firms are turning expenses into revenue streams, irrespective of whether they are in manufacturing, services, or distribution.... Read More

Supporting autism in the workforce

Individuals with autism can and do live fulfilling lives as vibrant members of a community. According to the CDC, about 1 in 36 children living in the United States has autism. Children with autism become adults with autism. Adults with autism enter the workforce regularly and make significant contributions to the mission and goals of an employer.... Read More

Navigating a new workplace with grace

Starting a job at a new workplace is exciting. Yet, it can also be nerve-wracking. Whether you are right out of college, transitioning from another role, or adapting to a new workplace environment, the experience can feel like navigating in uncharted waters. With the right mindset, though, you can not only survive this change, but thrive in your new landscape.... Read More