Articles

AI for Small Businesses: Practical Steps to Boost Efficiency and Customer Engagement AI tools are revolutionizing small businesses by boosting efficiency, automating repetitive tasks, and enhancing customer engagement. Start by identifying bottlenecks in operations or customer experience, then explore AI tools tailored to your needs. Begin small with solutions like chatbots for customer support or…

Filing Your Pennsylvania Annual Report Your head is probably spinning if you’ve followed the Chamber’s updates regarding the federal government’s Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and the on-again, off-again reporting requirements.  If you’ve only paid attention to this federal rule, however, you may have missed something else entirely, which is the new reporting requirement with the…

Empowering First-Time Leaders: 5 Steps to Build Confidence and Success Clarity is Key: Establish clear goals, roles, and expectations to align the team, reduce ambiguity, and create accountability. Regular check-ins help maintain focus and celebrate progress. Earn Trust: Build trust by being authentic, transparent, and reliable. Actively listen, follow through on commitments, and show your…

5 Work and Business Trends for 2025 Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, CO Author: Emily Heaslip , Contributor It’s never too soon to start thinking about what’s coming next. The way we work has changed radically over the last few years and in ways few could have predicted. Are these changes here to stay, or…

The Power of Upskilling and Professional Development in the Workplace Authored by MyBenefit Advisor In today’s fast-paced and evolving workplace environment, employers face numerous challenges in their efforts to remain competitive and successful. One method of establishing an essential edge is through upskilling. Upskilling is a strategy that involves investing in the development of an…

The Art of Giving Feedback That Inspires Instead of Discourages Delivering constructive feedback is vital for team growth and morale. Effective feedback should be specific, timely, and focused on behaviors rather than personal attributes. Utilizing the “sandwich” approach — starting with positive feedback, addressing areas for improvement, and concluding with encouragement — can enhance receptivity.…

2025 Economic Preview: A Year of Productivity-Driven Growth Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Author: Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist, U.S. Chamber of Commerce   Barring an unforeseeable event, the economy should grow even better in 2025 than it did in 2023 and 2024, which means a growth rate above 3% with the gains being broadly enjoyed. This will…

End of Session Report Highlights State Chamber’s Pro-Business Achievements Source: PA Chamber of Business & Industry With the 2023-24 legislative session at its end, the PA Chamber is taking stock of its member-driven, pro-business accomplishments over the course of the past two years with their latest End of Session Report. The report highlights some of…

Regulations Hold Back Small Businesses Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Author: Thaddeus Swanek, Senior Writer and Editor, Strategic Communications, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Time to read: 8 minutes Small businesses—and all Americans—benefit from strong economic growth. However, new data in the MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index for Q4 2024 gives further…

Creating Value in Employee Benefits In recent years, it has become apparent that the traditional principles pertaining to “value” in workplace benefits have changed. The reality that many employers have begun to embrace is twofold: Employees are not just workers, but real people, and A person’s job is a component of their life, not separate…