General Business Education

• Why it matters: In a tight hiring market, top candidates disappear fast... sometimes within days. Small businesses can win by acting quickly and tapping into local networks.

• The advantage: Local employers can decide faster, offer flexibility, and connect with candidates on a personal level.

• How to do it: Post jobs where your community gathers, partner with schools, and reward employee referrals.

• Don’t stop at hiring: Recognize contributions, offer skill growth, and create a workplace people want to stay in.

• The bottom line: Speed + relationships = a strong, loyal team in any labor market.

• Surface-level connections are easy; strategic alliances take intention and trust

• Real growth happens when relationships move beyond business card exchanges to shared outcomes.

• Leaders must invest time and purpose in building alliances that yield mutual value.

• Shift your networking mindset: think long-term, collaborate often, and build with integrity.

• Strategic alliances create doors, not just introductions.

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SUMMARY

• Email marketing remains a crucial tool for businesses due to its direct reach to subscribers, bypassing algorithms of social platforms.
• Businesses should focus on nurturing relationships through emails by providing value-added content, including insider tips, trending news, and solutions to customer problems.
• Pairing email marketing with regular website content updates can increase traffic significantly. 

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Customers expect businesses to prioritize their needs, and those that do see stronger loyalty and growth. A customer-first mindset doesn’t require big budgets—just smart, intentional strategies. Here’s how:

• Personalize Every Interaction – Use simple tools to track preferences and offer relevant experiences.

• Deliver Seamless, Empathetic Service – Make customer support easy, responsive, and thoughtful.

• Engage Proactively – Anticipate needs and check in before issues arise.

• Build Community & Relationships – Go beyond transactions by supporting local causes and fostering connections.

• Listen, Adapt & Improve – Gather feedback and refine offerings, just like top brands do.

Small steps make a big impact. Prioritizing customer experience helps businesses of any size outperform competitors. Ready to strengthen loyalty? Let’s dive in.

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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 AI-powered scheduling tools to save time and resources.

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In today's fast-paced business environment, many leaders know the importance of self-care but often fail to implement it in their daily routines. Why? Because they overlook the necessary mindset shifts that support sustainable self-care practices. ...

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that it will host the next installment of its “Roads to Opportunity” vendor workshop series. Roads to Opportunity is designed to connect small businesses with potential contracting opportunities at PennDOT.

• Foster a growth mindset in high achievers by sharing stories of failure as a learning tool and encouraging them to face hypothetical leadership challenges.
• Develop emotional intelligence in leaders through regular feedback sessions, focusing on understanding their own and others' emotions.
• Expand networks and influence by introducing high achievers to new contacts, encouraging participation in industry events, and employing the “24/7/30 model” for follow-ups to build lasting relationships.
• Use these strategies to mentor top performers effectively, driving innovation and excellence in your business while fostering an environment that promotes growth, resilience, and leadership.

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made an important move to ensure transparency and honesty in online reviews by banning deceptive practices that manipulate consumer opinions. This ban focuses on fake reviews and the use of bots to create false endorsements, requiring businesses to disclose any material connections with the reviewers. As small businesses increasingly use social media for marketing, this regulation will significantly impact their operations.

• Securing top talent is essential for small business growth, facing unique recruitment challenges.
• Innovative hiring strategies, like leveraging social media and advanced technologies, enhance recruitment and provide a competitive edge.
• Over 71% of recruiters use social media for hiring, tapping into a wider talent pool and engaging with candidates in a relaxed environment.
• AI-driven applicant tracking systems improve efficiency in identifying ideal candidates.
• Creating a strong employer brand is crucial for attracting top talent and differentiates company branding.

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We know how important it is for your business to keep a close and constant eye on everyday costs like energy and reduce them whenever they can.  Luckily for Businesses, Municipalities and Townships like yours help is at hand.  

The price of goods and services has soared in recent years, putting enormous strain on businesses of all sizes.  This is particularly the case with utilities like electricity and natural gas: something you can’t manage without, but for which the cost has risen sharply.  The problem is searching for deals, switching providers and overseeing your accounts can be challenging, and takes up lots of time. No wonder so many business managers are simply too busy to do it.

Well, we’re pleased to say help is now at hand with our Chamber partner, World Kinect, a team of trusted specialists with a 35-year track record of helping businesses Source Energy.  One of the key services World Kinect offers is energy brokerage, so we wanted to explain what that is and how it could help save your business significant time and money.

• Enhance workplace influence through effective communication, including engaging storytelling, strategic pauses, and active listening.
• Boost your value and influence by being reliable, taking on challenging tasks, and becoming the go-to expert in your field.
• Build a wide network of authentic relationships across the company to gain support and share diverse viewpoints.
• Maintain a positive and resilient attitude, amplifying others' ideas and collaborating in good faith to inspire and lead.

• HR officers play a crucial, complex role as guardians of corporate values, mediators between employees and employers, and facilitators of discipline and development.
• The role of HR goes beyond enforcing policies; it is critical in shaping company culture, promoting diversity, and managing talent to align the workforce with company goals.
• Successful HR practices balance management's directives with employee needs, enhancing company culture and employee satisfaction, which in turn boosts performance and profits.
• Organizations that underestimate HR’s potential miss out on leveraging a key resource for business success and should invest in strong HR systems and foster collaboration between HR and senior management.
•  By recognizing HR’s role in supporting employee welfare and meeting business objectives, companies can create a more resilient and innovative workplace

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Set clear marketing goals based on what you aim to achieve, such as boosting website traffic, sales, or social media presence. Capitalize on what makes your small business unique, like being family-owned or sourcing locally, to stand out without a ...

• Bernard Marr highlights the importance of acquiring the right skills to stand out in today's competitive job market, focusing on adaptability to meet changing demands.
• The rise of AI presents both significant challenges and opportunities for businesses, requiring investments in technology and ethical considerations while offering potential for innovation and efficiency.
• Project management becomes crucial in the AI era, with a focus on integrating AI solutions while maintaining the valuable human-tech connection for enhanced teamwork and innovation.
• Effective communication skills are increasingly important in a tech-driven work environment, facilitating better team dynamics, technology integration, and adaptation to remote work demands.
• A strong social IQ is now a valuable asset for companies, emphasizing the need for adaptability, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate digital communication platforms.

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Don't miss the latest insights from the Journal of Business Psychology on understanding and managing generational dynamics in your organization. Let's foster inclusivity, improve communication, and drive success together!

Corporate Transparency Act:
What it means: The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which went into effect on January 1, 2024, may require small businesses to report information about ownership to the government. This law aims to combat illicit activity including tax fraud, money laundering, and financing for terrorism by capturing more ownership information for specific U.S. businesses operating in or accessing the country's market. Under the new legislation, businesses that meet certain criteria must submit a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), providing details identifying individuals who are associated with the reporting company. 
Why it matters: The CTA will impact millions of small businesses across the U.S. Knowing the intricacies of this act and its potential impact is essential for small businesses. Otherwise, they may incur minimal or civil penalties for not filing or updating this report. 

SUMMARY Telling personal stories is an effective way to engage customers and humanize your brand. Make sure the story relates to your company's values or mission. Use HubSpot's guide to business storytelling as a resource when crafting ...

Pottsville Area Development Corporation Announces Launch Pottsville 2.0 POTTSVILLE, PA - After the success of the inaugural Launch Pottsville competition in 2022 including the startup of 3 new businesses, The Chopping Block, Rage Parade, and Arrow ...

• Small businesses can benefit from content marketing as a way to attract and engage customers.
• Define your ideal customer's needs, motivations, and behavior patterns to tailor content.
• Create content that provides solutions to problems and helps achieve goals.
• Incorporate a call-to-action into your content, such as lead magnets or promotions.
• Email marketing is an essential component of content marketing; personalize emails, segment subscribers, include CTAs.
• Track key metrics and adjust strategies accordingly for greater success in reaching and engaging customers.

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PA Chamber President & CEO Luke Bernstein stood alongside Gov. Josh Shapiro during a press conference in Harrisburg last Thursday in which the governor delivered an official update on his administration’s efforts to streamline state processes for permitting and licensure, part of an initiative that Shapiro says aims to make Pennsylvania’s state government operate “at the speed of business.”

Unlock your potential with the power of productivity! Most of us never learn about productivity in school, but here's some good news: it's a skill you can learn, not a birthright. And productivity experts agree: it's not about your genes, it's your habits that matter. 

The SBA's Eastern Pennsylvania District Office has started to accept nominations for the 2024 National and District Small Business Week Awards. They are looking for outstanding small businesses that excel in innovation, growth, community ...

In 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reaffirmed and clarified its ruling that websites are places of public accommodation and are subject to the ADA’s requirements of general non-discrimination and effective communication. 

Announcement from the Northeastern PA Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center NEPA is honored to serve as the administrator for the Schuylkill County Nonprofit COVID-19 Response Grant Program. In an effort to effectively respond to the ...

What sets apart good leaders from great ones? The secret lies in the qualities they embody! Successful business owners acquire essential traits over time. 

Key qualities include a clear vision, adaptability, and relationship building. A compelling vision attracts the right talent. Articulating your vision clearly is a game-changer. Pivoting and innovating are valuable traits in a changing business landscape. Building meaningful connections, not just small talk, is crucial for success. 

Every leader has their own style, but with persistence and practice, anyone can become a great leader.

Learn more about these essential traits and how you can acquire them in our new article published on our blog.

SUMMARY

• Introverts bring unique strengths to the workplace, including increased focus, productivity, and deep thinking abilities that stem from their comfort with solitude and their highly active brains, even at rest.
• Despite the perception of extroverts as better leaders due to their assertiveness and social ease, introverts often prove to be superior in leadership roles. Their natural predisposition towards listening, empathy, and forming deep connections is highly valued and, in fact, impressed investors the most in a study involving over 900 CEOs.
• For introverts to thrive in the workplace, an environment that respects their need for solitude and flexible communication styles is crucial. Spaces for quiet reflection, allowing written communication, and providing time for thoughtful responses can help introverts stand out and contribute their best ideas.