Your Company Needs a Privacy Policy
Don’t you want to know how businesses are using the private information they collect from you? Don’t you think your customers want the same thing? Depending on where you live and what you’re doing, having a privacy policy for your customers’ information may actually be required. The Federal Trade Commission, for example, recommends privacy policies […]
Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge: Affecting Change
It only took one session of the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge for Jen Bradley to get hooked. The GMLC is an annual traveling symposium that gathers women in leadership roles from across the state to learn about and discuss critical issues facing their communities, state, and nation. Bradley, who was a “challenger,” as participants are […]
April: Closer Look
Polished Nail Spa and Esthetics Owner, esthetician, makeup artist, and nail technician Ming Hsieh is focused on creating a beautiful and relaxing environment where her customers come first. “I’m working with ladies that absolutely love what they do, really love working with each other, and that truly shows in our disposition and in the quality […]
My Sister's Circus: Always in Style
Only half of all businesses survive beyond five years, and only one-third survive for more than 10 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The percentage continues to shrink as the period of time grows longer. So how did My Sister’s Circus, the small, charming boutique in downtown Columbia celebrating its 40th anniversary this […]
Ask Anne: Attitude Adjustment
Dear Anne, I have problem employees and don’t know if I should try to save them (they do good work) or just fire them all and start over. I’m at wit’s end — help please! Firing people is one of the hardest things to do, especially if you are personally invested in the employee. […]
Randa Rawlins, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Shelter Insurance
Age: Older than I look (hopefully). Job description: Executive responsibility for legal operations, compliance, government relations, customer communications, and claims. Years lived in Columbia/Mid-Missouri: 18. Original hometown: Hale, Missouri, home of the Cardinals. Education: BA in political science from Truman State (go Bulldogs); JD from MU (go Tigers). Favorite volunteer/community activity: My passion is international […]
Briefly in the News: April
Donations for Wildfire Relief At an event hosted by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Agribusiness and Bioscience Committee, Boone County farmers raised more than $2,000 to be donated to relief for wildfires in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Donations were collected at the Chamber’s annual farmer’s recognition banquet, and the check was recognized in a […]
Talking through Discomfort
It’s no secret that we would rather avoid conversations, situations, people, places, and things that make us feel uncomfortable. It’s easier to play the avoidance card than deal with discomfort. It’s human nature. However, when conversations of importance come into play – such as those that deal with basic respect for fellow colleagues, friends and […]
Uncovering Unconscious Bias
In the workplace, our biases — that is, our preconceived opinions about something or someone — affect who we recruit, who we hire, who we promote, who we take advice from, and even who we have lunch with. Biases we’re not aware of, unconscious ones, impact everything we do. These biases can affect our bottom […]
March: Movers and Shakers
Fresh Ideas Fresh Ideas Food Service Management has recently hired two new account managers, David Shanteau and Taylor Strecker. Shanteau will oversee accounts in Arkansas, and Strecker will oversee accounts in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska. Additionally, Maria Scruggs was appointed to controller at the company and will manage financial reports, accounts receivable, accruals, and expenses. […]
PYSK: Margrace Buckler, HR Director, City of Columbia
Job description: I lead and direct all of the City’s human resources and employee benefits programs. So that’s part compliance, part PR, part negotiator, part mediator, part enforcer, part consultant. Years lived in Columbia/Mid-Missouri: Forty-three. I came to Columbia to attend MU and left for only a couple of years before I came back to […]
Don’t Assume Excellent Customer Service – Train It
Each of us has a handful of stories about great customer service experiences. But we probably also have at least that many stories about horrible customer service. Offering excellent customer service is one of the easiest ways for a small business to differentiate itself from larger, better-funded competitors. It’s also a powerful, inexpensive way to […]