Member News – September 13, 2023
Penn College Launches First-Ever Podcast
Produced on the campus of Pennsylvania College of Technology, the “Tomorrow Makers: A Penn College Podcast” is now available on major listening platforms. Learn more.
Martha Graham Dance Company coming to Weis Center
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome the renowned Martha Graham Dance Company (MGDC) on Thursday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center. Learn more.
Commonwealth University President Hosts Podcast
Dr. Bashar W. Hanna is the host of Common Ground, a higher education podcast that brings leaders from across Pennsylvania together to engage in meaningful conversations. Learn More.
Central Susquehanna Opportunities' Financial Workshops open for September
CSO offers a variety of free workshops to help you develop new skills and achieve your life goals. At our Community Action offices in Shamokin, Sunbury, and Bloomsburg, you can learn about budgeting, getting organized, improving your credit score, and more! See the full schedule here.
Community Giving Foundation welcomes new Director of Philanthropy
The Community Giving Foundation is excited to welcome Alyssa Meyers-Sanonu to the Foundation team as the Director of Philanthropy. Learn more about Alyssa.
Arts is Bloom welcomes Shayna Steele
Powerhouse vocalist Shayna Steele will kick off the 2023-2024 Season of Arts in Bloom at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg. Steele, at home singing soul, jazz, and blues, will perform Friday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall. Learn more.
Drive-Through Flu shot Event
Get your flu shot on Saturday, September 16th, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at one of Geisinger's drive-through events. Find a drive-through location here.
Commonwealth University offering CMA program
The Clinical Medical Assistant certification course from Commonwealth University is designed to prepare students to function as professionals in multiple healthcare settings. See the program flyer.
Ken Pollock Ford Dealership Hosting Benefit Car Show
The annual Car Show to benefit Johns Hopkins Stepping Stones Transplant Patient Fund is being held at the Ken Pollock Ford Dealership in Berwick on Sunday September 17, 2023. Learn More.
Columbia County Placemaking Initiative Meetings Happening September 20th
Gatherings to learn about the new Columbia County Placemaking plan to make our community an even better place to live, work, and play are happening across the county on September 20th. See full list of times and locations.
Glen Brook teaming up for Estate Planning Seminar
Glen Brook Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center is hosting a free seminar on estate planning with Eric Young from Steinbacher, Goodall, and Yurchak on September 19th. Learn More.
Berwick YMCA cuts ribbon on new Gym
Saturday, September 9th saw the ribbon cut on the Berwick YMCA's new gym. Congratulations!
McKonly & Asbury Hosting non Profit Webinar September 21st
Gary Dubas and Jim Shellenberger, partners and leaders of McKonly & Asbury's Nonprofit segment, will participate in a lively discussion with Steve Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of CommunityAid on the topic of continuous improvement. Learn more and register here.
Fromm Electric to Celebrate 100 years
Join Fromm Electric on September 28th from 11-1 pm at Fromm's Bloomsburg branch for an outdoor BBQ featuring a catered lunch and amazing giveaways from suppliers such as Milwaukee, Signify, and Eaton. The event is "rain or shine,". Find more details.
Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble relaunches podcast
Making a comeback after a 3-year break Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble relaunches "Down Center". This is a monthly podcast putting Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble's company, art, people, and town front and (down) center. See all episodes.
United in Recovery announces SCOPE Trainings
SCOPE Trainings provide evidence-based education for first responders, fire, EMS, police, employees, volunteers, and others affiliated with the agency on SUD, especially OUD. See full list of training dates.
NEPA Vascular Celebrates new Treatment room
On September 6th the team at NEPA Vascular celebrated the addition of 2 new hyperbaric chambers at their 1918 W Front St. location. These chambers will aid in treating wounds in our region. Congratulations!
Press Enterprise Commercial Printing Goes Social
Press Enterprise Commercial Printing recently created a Facebook page to bring print to a new platform. Follow them at pressenterpriseprinting to see employee and company news, product and service promotions, and production spotlights. Chamber members who follow the page will be entered into a contest. Learn more about the contest here!
September is National Preparedness Month
National Preparedness Month gives us an entire month to focus Pennsylvanians on being prepared. Learn about more ways to be prepared.
Bloomsburg Fair Starts in 9 days!
The 168th Bloomsburg Fair will begin on September 22 with a preview day from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Get your grandstand, admission, parking, and ride tickets now!
First Columbia Bank Photography back in 2023
CSIU offers a Community Health Worker Training Program
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trained public health professionals who know their community and have the heart for helping others and serving their community. Learn more about the program the CSIU is offering here.
PA CareerLink, Columbia Montour hosting Job Fair Oct. 5th
The 2023 Columbia-Montour Fall Job Fair will be held on Thursday, October 5th at the LCBC Church campus, 2421 Columbia Blvd., Bloomsburg, PA. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. and close at 2:00 p.m. Businesses interested in attending can register here. Space is limited.
SBDC Fall Training Events
In-person and virtual events are happening at SBDC this fall. Check out the full schedule.
Non-Profit Leadership Series Happening October 4th.
Community Giving Foundation, in partnership with the United Way in our region, is excited to invite you to the next session of the 2023-2024 Nonprofit Leadership Series. The Nonprofit Leadership Series provides free professional development opportunities to nonprofit leaders on a variety of topics. Learn more.
Covered Bridge Festival happening October 5 - 8
The 41st Annual Covered Bridge & Arts Festival will have something for everyone! The Festival is one of the largest craft festivals on the East Coast, and four-day annual attendance is typically near 150,000 visitors. Learn more.
Mom and Son Dinosaur Brunch happening on October 8th
The Friends of the Bloomsburg Children's Museum will host its 2nd Annual Mom and Son Dinosaur Brunch on Sunday, October 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy dino-themed games, crafts, bounce houses, face painting, tractor rides, a brunch buffet, and so much more.
NEPIRC Manufacturing Day: October 13
Join NEPIRC on Friday, October 13th to celebrate the many contributions of our region’s manufacturing industry! At Manufacturing Day, you’ll be able to see product demonstrations; learn more about the cool products made right here in our local communities, and more!
Bloomsburg YMCA looking for Trunks
Bloomsburg YMCA is searching for families, businesses, and organizations to participate in Trunk or Treat! See more details.
Luzerne County Community College hosting Fall Career Fair
LCCC will be hosting a fall Trades & Technology Career Fair in November and is looking for businesses to participate. Learn more and register today!
Meet The Members Fall Initiative
One of the guiding principles of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is "We represent employers by engaging with them".
Engaging with you our members is crucial for us to build a supportive ecosystem around our 5 focus areas which are advocacy, benefits program, business connections, employee development, and strengthening our communities.
Active interactions with our members can significantly enhance our overall business community success and in that spirit, your chamber is embarking on the #MeetTheMembers initiative.
Starting today, September 13th through December 14 Chamber President Chris Berleth, Director of Member Engagement Taryn Crayton, and 12 of our chamber ambassadors are coming to you, our members! We are excited to learn more about you, communicate updates on the 5 focus areas mentioned above, and have fun!
Make sure you are following our Facebook page to learn along with us about your member peers.
See you soon!
Why Serving Your Community Can Grow Your Business
SUMMARY
• Engaging in community service builds a positive reputation, encourages staff retention and loyalty, and amplifies core values.
• Serving your community may help you hire and retain employees who are a better culture fit—younger generations of jobseekers want to find fulfillment in their work.
• When picking partners for community engagement, choose those that align with your company’s core values and areas of expertise.
• Businesses should be creative in their approach and enjoy participating in projects that get them excited.
~ 645 words / 3.5 minute read
Running a small business requires dedication and time. But have you ever considered the benefits of community service? It may seem like one more thing to add, but research shows that helping your community can actually support your business goals. Serving your community helps boost your reputation, retain top talent, and create a more positive workplace. Keep reading to discover more about the power of giving back to your community.
Change How the Community Sees Your Business
Business owners start up because they want to solve a problem or fulfill a need in the community. However, once you’re up and running, making a profit often becomes the top priority. When this happens, members of the community may see you as someone who is just there to make a buck.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses and organizations stepped up to serve their community and live out their core values. Entrepreneur magazine reported that during the shutdown, After-School-All-Stars, a national nonprofit that runs after school programs, tuned into the needs of their local communities and started providing meals, distance learning, and mental health support for students and families.
You don’t need an economic crisis to show up for your community. You can demonstrate your company’s values by volunteering as a group or sponsoring an event you believe in. One study found that a whopping 78% of consumers want businesses to take the lead on social issues. In other words, when you invest your time or money into important service opportunities customers take notice. When you give back, people see you as part of the community and are more likely to use your business.
Hire and Retain Employees that Share Your Values
If your business’s number one goal is profit, you will attract employees who feel the same way. Their loyalty will be limited to the next paycheck, and for the most part, they won't go above and beyond when you need it. However, when your company lives its core values within the community, retention rates will be higher, and you will attract skilled people who want to do more than simply show up.
This strategy is especially important if you hire younger employees. Forbes reported that 83% of millennials said they would be more loyal to a company that contributed to social and environmental issues. They also found that Gen Z, the newest group to enter the workforce, expect their employer to have a purpose beyond profit. Gen Z job candidates even showed they are more likely to read mission statements and value documents.
When you have a company culture that includes giving back, you can attract aspirational employees. These workers want to be connected to something bigger than themselves, and when your business gives them that opportunity, they find more than employment–they find fulfillment.
Pick the Right Partners
Of course, when you choose to do community outreach, it needs to fit with your organization's core values and areas of expertise. To find opportunities that are right for you and your business, try some of the strategies listed below.
- What problems exist in my community today? Whether it’s supporting local schools or animal shelters, find a cause that aligns with your values.
- Encourage employees to volunteer during work hours. Maybe it’s just one hour a month, but when employees can give back during work hours they don’t have to choose between serving and time off.
- Create a custom plan for volunteering based on what matters to your employees.
- Share about the time and investment your employees give on social media or your website. People love feel-good stories and this will help boost the perception of your business.
The Bottom Line
Above all, be creative in your approach and choose projects that get you excited. Your enthusiasm will shine through and make your business memorable in the eyes of your community.
---
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers.
Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike.
The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC.
Hyperautomation in Manufacturing
Source: Angie Miller, McKonly & Asbury
In the heart of today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing landscape, a new way of doing things is dawning – one that promises to redefine how industries operate and innovate. Enter hyperautomation. Hyperautomation is a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional siloed automation by integrating various technologies to create a seamless and intelligent automation ecosystem. It involves identifying processes that can be automated, optimizing them using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms, leveraging robotic process automation (RPA) to execute routine tasks, and incorporating data-driven insights for continuous improvement. By combining these technologies, businesses can achieve enhanced operational agility, improved decision-making, and streamlined processes.
At its core, hyperautomation in manufacturing is not just about machines performing tasks—it’s a shift that fosters a culture of innovation. A shift that is reshaping factories, supply chains, and entire business ecosystems.
Hyperautomation can manage both routine and complex tasks, freeing up human resources. When employees are freed up from repetitive tasks, human expertise is redirected towards strategic thinking and innovation. Employees are empowered to reimagine processes, explore new technologies, and pioneer alternative solutions. This leads to increased productivity and better resource utilization.
Supply chains, often intricate webs, become tightly woven systems that respond in real-time to market fluctuations. Hyperautomation’ s use of real-time data collection and analysis enable faster and more informed decision-making, allowing manufacturers to respond quickly to market changes and production issues. By automating processes across the supply chain, manufacturers can achieve better coordination, reduce lead times, and enhance inventory management.
Quality control takes on a new dimension. With the precision of AI and the vigilance of automation, manufacturers can intercept defects or deviations in real time before they make the final product, thereby reducing the likelihood of faulty products reaching customers and increasing customer satisfaction and overall brand reputation.
Cost savings find fresh avenues through hyperautomation. Automation can lead to reduced reliance on manual labor and diligent waste management, which contribute to leaner operations, resulting in a healthier bottom line.
As with any change, challenges are bound to surface. Integrating different technologies, coordinating their performance, and ensuring seamless operations require careful planning and expertise. Data security and privacy concerns also arise, underscoring the need for robust safeguards.
In this process, collaboration emerges as a key ally. Manufacturers, technologists, and domain experts must collaborate to navigate this complex landscape and steer hyperautomation towards its fullest potential. The path forward demands not just technical skill but also a visionary outlook—an understanding that hyperautomation is not an endpoint but an ongoing evolution.
In summary, hyperautomation in the manufacturing industry offers a comprehensive approach to process optimization, resource utilization, and innovation. By integrating various automation technologies, manufacturers can achieve significant operational improvements and gain a competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic business landscape.
For more information regarding our manufacturing experience, be sure to visit our Manufacturing Services page and don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our manufacturing team.
New Member Highlight – Dr. Brown’s Eye Care
Located at 660 W Main St # 1 in Bloomsburg, Dr. Brown's Eye Care has decades of experience treating patient's eyes. Call them at (570) 389-1445 if you are in need of a vision check-up!
PA Senate Sends code bills Back to House
Source: PA Chamber of Business and Industry
The Pennsylvania Senate passed a pair of budget-related bills last week, sending fiscal code legislation back to the House of Representatives where their fate remains uncertain as lawmakers continue to negotiate key components of the state budget.
Although Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Pennsylvania’s main budget last month, disagreements between the administration, Republican-controlled Senate, and Democrat-controlled House have stalled progress on code legislation needed to direct more than $1.1 billion in state spending and other policy priorities.
One of the Senate-passed fiscal code bills, House Bill 1300, includes several important provisions: it authorizes funding for increased reimbursement rates for first responders; provides regular allocations for hospitals and judicial fees; and formally approves already in-progress expenditures related to community colleges, public libraries, and school breakfast programs. The bill also provides a tuition freeze for state system schools.
Some Senate Democrats criticized H.B. 1300 for not including other measures, such as funding for the Whole Home Repairs program or a stipend for student teachers. Amendments seeking to secure funds for these programs were defeated earlier on Wednesday. The bill ultimately passed in a bipartisan vote of 29-18, with Sens. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh) and Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) voting for it with Senate Republicans.
Separately, Senate Bill 757 addresses other areas of the original budget deal reportedly brokered between Senate Republicans and Gov. Shapiro, including the creation of the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) scholarship program and $150 million in new funding for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. This legislation passed by a vote of 28-19.
In a joint statement, Senate GOP leaders characterized the passage of these bills as another step in the negotiation process.
“With today’s action by the Senate, it is imperative that the House return quickly to session to complete the work of the people they represent, even if to provide a counteroffer to what has been passed,” Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) said.
The state House of Representatives is currently scheduled to reconvene in late September, though a spokesperson for House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery) has previously indicated the lower chamber may return sooner “if an agreement is reached.”
###
Founded in 1916, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is the state's largest broad-based business association, with its membership comprising businesses of all sizes and across all industry sectors. The PA Chamber is The Statewide Voice of BusinessTM.
US Department of Labor Proposed Overtime Rule
Source: PA Chamber of Business & Industry
The U.S. Department of Labor announced last week that it intends to increase the minimum salary level necessary for an employee to potentially be classified as an executive, administrative, or professional employee and therefore exempt from the Fair Labor Standard Act’s overtime requirements.
The salary threshold was last increased four years ago to its current level of $684 per week or $35,568 annually. USDOL is proposing an increase to $1,059 per week or $55,068 annually, with automatic increases every three years thereafter.
The PA Chamber is carefully reviewing this proposal as similar increases in the past have triggered concerns among nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, small businesses, and employees who may be forced to transition from salaried to hourly. Read more.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is monitoring the salary threshold issue very closely. For a deeper dive, read this recommended additional reading from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Member News – September 6, 2023
DRIVE Executive Director Appointed to Workforce Development Board
Jennifer Wakeman, Executive Director of DRIVE has been appointed to Governor Josh Shapiro's revamped Workforce Development Board. Learn more.
Millville Mutual President Elected to State Board
Eric Raski, President of Millville Mutual Insurance Company was recently elected to the Pennsylvania Association of Mutual Insurance Companies Board of Directors. Learn more.
Ken Pollock Ford Dealership Hosting Benefit Car Show
The annual Car Show to benefit Johns Hopkins Stepping Stones Transplant Patient Fund is being held at the Ken Pollock Ford Dealership in Berwick on Sunday September 17, 2023. Learn More.
Arconic Foundation Announces 2023 Scholarships
Arconic Foundation recently announced the winners of the 2023 Scholarship Program. The program awards grants of $5,000 to children of Arconic employees to recognize their outstanding achievements and provide financial assistance to help pursue further educational opportunities. Learn about this year's winners.
Fromm Electric to Celebrate 100 years
Join Fromm Electric on September 28th from 11-1 pm at Fromm's Bloomsburg branch for an outdoor BBQ featuring a catered lunch and amazing giveaways from suppliers such as Milwaukee, Signify, and Eaton. The event is "rain or shine,". Find more details.
Martha Graham Dance Company coming to Weis Center
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will welcome the renowned Martha Graham Dance Company (MGDC) on Thursday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Weis Center. Learn more.
United in Recovery announces SCOPE Trainings
SCOPE Trainings provide evidence-based education for first responders, fire, EMS, police, employees, volunteers, and others affiliated with the agency on SUD, especially OUD. See full list of training dates.
Press Enterprise Commercial Printing Goes Social
Press Enterprise Commercial Printing recently created a Facebook page to bring print to a new platform. Follow them at pressenterpriseprinting to see employee and company news, product and service promotions, and production spotlights. Chamber members who follow the page will be entered into a contest. Learn more about the contest here!
CSIU offers a Community Health Worker Training Program
Community Health Workers (CHWs) are trained public health professionals who know their community and have the heart for helping others and serving their community. Learn more about the program the CSIU is offering here.
Arts is Bloom welcomes Shayna Steele
Powerhouse vocalist Shayna Steele will kick off the 2023-2024 Season of Arts in Bloom at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg. Steele, at home singing soul, jazz, and blues, will perform Friday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in Haas Center for the Arts, Mitrani Hall. Learn more.
PA CareerLink, Columbia Montour hosting Job Fair Oct. 5th
The 2023 Columbia-Montour Fall Job Fair will be held on Thursday, October 5th at the LCBC Church campus, 2421 Columbia Blvd., Bloomsburg, PA. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m. and close at 2:00 p.m. Businesses interested in attending can register here. Space is limited.
Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak Opens New Office in Wilkes-Barre; Welcomes Attorney Stacey Acri
Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak, an elder law firm with current locations in State College, Williamsport, Wyalusing and Wysox, Pa., is pleased to announce the opening of its fifth office, located at 273 East Northampton St. in Wilkes-Barre. Additionally, SGY welcomes Attorney Stacey Acri to its staff as an associate attorney. Learn more.
First Columbia Bank Photography back in 2023
SBDC Fall Training Events
In-person and virtual events are happening at SBDC this fall. Check out the full schedule.
Covered Bridge Festival happening October 5 - 8
The 41st Annual Covered Bridge & Arts Festival will have something for everyone! The Festival is one of the largest craft festivals on the East Coast, and four-day annual attendance is typically near 150,000 visitors. Learn more.
Bloomsburg Community Luau
Bloomsburg Community Luau, Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the Bloomsburg Town Park starting at 6PM. Enjoy live music and entertainment, great food, fun tropical activities, enter the Tiki Lounge decorating contest, and see Elvis on the outdoor big screen in the classic film Blue Hawaii. Bring a chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the entertainment at the corner of Market Street and Fort McClure Blvd.
Geisinger Environmental Service Department receives National Recognition
The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) announced recently that the Environmental Services (EVS) Department at Geisinger Medical Center has been honored as Environmental Services Department of the Year among U.S. teams operating in facilities of similar size. Learn More.
Central Susquehanna Opportunities' Financial Workshops open for September
CSO offers a variety of free workshops to help you develop new skills and achieve your life goals. At our Community Action offices in Shamokin, Sunbury, and Bloomsburg, you can learn about budgeting, getting organized, improving your credit score, and more! See the full schedule here.
BTE To Offer Matinees and Workshops for
Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ in September
BTE’s production of William Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ features special school matinees and workshops for middle and high school students in several regional venues. See venues here.
Glen Brook teaming up for Estate Planning Seminar
Glen Brook Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center is hosting a free seminar on estate planning with Eric Young from Steinbacher, Goodall, and Yurchak on September 19th. Learn More.
Bloomsburg Fair September 22 - 30th
The 168th Bloomsburg Fair will begin on September 22 with a preview day from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Grandstand, admission, parking, and ride tickets are all on sale now! And don't forget to get your exhibits entered. Learn more about the Bloomsburg Fair.
Camp Victory Community Open House Happening September 10th
Check out all the things planned for Camp Victory's 30th Anniversary Open house.
NEPIRC Manufacturing Day: October 13
Join NEPIRC on Friday, October 13th to celebrate the many contributions of our region’s manufacturing industry! At Manufacturing Day, you’ll be able to see product demonstrations; learn more about the cool products made right here in our local communities, and more!
Press Enterprise Commercial Printing Gets Social
Press Enterprise Commercial Printing recently created a Facebook page to bring print to a new platform. The social media presence will allow them to communicate with businesses, employees, and the public in a whole new way. Follow them at pressenterpriseprinting to see employee and company news, product and service promotions, and production spotlights. Follow them on Facebook and they will follow your business as well.
The Press Enterprise encourages their fellow Chamber members to follow their Facebook page and would like to give each member a chance to win a FREE AD (Valued at $500) in the Daily Newspaper. For your chance to win, FOLLOW their page, SHARE and TAG them in one of their recent posts, and send a DM to say you are a member of the Chamber.
The contest ends September 15th. The winner will be announced on September 20th in the E-Biz Newsletter and contacted about the ad details and information.
In addition to their new social media presence, they recently updated their website, www.pecommercialprinting.com and welcome you to check it out to learn more about how they can provide print solutions and services for your business.
Embracing AI: What Leaders Must Know for Successful Adoption
Source: McKonly & Asbury
Dale Carnegie isn’t new to AI. We’ve been writing about it for years, looking to help leaders better implement it for success. With the advent of technologies like ChatGPT, there’s been a lot more buzz surrounding AI and there’s a lot leaders should know about it. Luckily, we’ve already got you covered.
Here are 8 resources with important truths about AI that can help prepare leaders for using it successfully.
- Change management is critical for successful AI implementation. AI is transformational to businesses. But successful implementation takes a solid change management plan to ensure leaders are communicating, building trusting relationships, and encouraging employees in their training and use of AI.
- AI significantly impacts employee engagement. You can’t take people out of the equation when it comes to AI, meaning maintaining person-to-person interactions is critical. When it comes to the employee-manager relationship, leaders need to inspire trust in AI and teach employees to utilize it to the best of their abilities.
- Employee attitudes will make or break your AI strategy. Employees are the ones pressing the buttons to make AI work, so they had better have a healthy attitude toward it. Trusting in leadership, having transparency surrounding the programs, and earning confidence in their skills are all ways employees can take a more positive attitude toward changes involving AI.
- Employees need to be confident about using AI. A Dale Carnegie survey found that 65% of employees are concerned that AI will take their job. The best way to inspire employee confidence in AI is to train them not just to use it, but also train them in soft skills that only a human can master.
- Senior leaders must inspire employee confidence. Directors have strong confidence in senior leaders, but this decreases as we travel down the chain of command. Managers have about half as much trust as directors. And employees have about half the trust that managers do. Senior leaders must inspire trust and confidence to successfully implement AI.
- Preparation for human and machine partnerships is key. As the Girl Scout motto goes, be prepared. Employees and companies better adopt AI when there is proper preparation (we all know what that prevents). This includes readying employee mindsets to work with AI, modifying job descriptions or task lists, and much more.
- Don’t overlook the details when using AI. AI will affect everything from employee workload to end-user experience. So, as leaders embark on “The AI Revolution,” they need to think of every angle and every detail. In the end, AI is only useful and successful when integrated with your workforce properly.
- Generative AI is making big waves. With generative and predictive AI (like ChatGPT), it’s more crucial than ever that leaders help employees remain agile, be resilient, and positively work with AI to enhance their success.
If you want to set yourself and your company up successfully when using AI, then view our latest panel talk — Leading Change: AI and the Future of Organizational Culture. Hear from experts who discuss the impact AI has on employees, how leaders can ensure productivity, the steps necessary to adopt AI practices, and much more.
###
As an owner of the Dale Carnegie Mid-Atlantic franchise, McKonly & Asbury is able to offer an extension of services to our clients and friends of the firm, expanding our expertise in the areas of leadership, team building, and people development as Dale Carnegie offers programs in leadership, management development, customer engagement, service, sales, communication, and more.
Dale Carnegie’s Professional Training Courses offer endless options and unlimited opportunity. You can use their event finder to explore the right fit for you and your organization or take a look at some upcoming classes on our website by clicking here.