Skip to content

Professional Development

Today’s Job Market- Implications for Small and Midsize Employers

It’s safe to say that the labor market has finally entered its post-pandemic era! As employers navigate this complex new era, the labor market for small and midsize employers continues to be influenced by the uncertainty prevalent in various economic factors.  As of March 2025, the U.S. job market continues its moderate growth trajectory. The Bureau of…

Read More

Women in the Workplace

  The role of women in the workplace has evolved significantly over the past few decades, with more women breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated industries, assuming leadership roles, and shaping the future of work. Despite this progress, challenges persist that hinder full gender equity in professional environments. Understanding these challenges and advocating for solutions is…

Read More

SMART Goal Setting

The Science of Goal Setting  As we pack away our holiday décor and step into a fresh New Year, many of us eagerly open new calendars and planners, inspired by the hope of a clean slate. We jot down ambitious resolutions, convinced that this will finally be the year we achieve them all. Whether we…

Read More

The Current State of the Job Market and Implications for Employers

In the post pandemic era, the labor market has presented many challenges for employers from the Great Resignation to Quiet Quitting. As of April 2024, the current US job market shows a generally positive picture. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported an increase of 175,000 nonfarm payroll jobs, which, although healthy, is below the…

Read More

6 Steps to Developing an Effective Succession Plan

    Owning and operating a business is no easy feat. Many business owners want to see their business thrive long after they retire. To ensure this happens, business owners and leaders need to engage in succession planning. Whether you’re a family-owned enterprise or a large corporation, having a well thought-out succession plan in place…

Read More

Delegating for Success

As the Great Resignation/Great Reshuffle/“Quiet Quitting” trend continues, it is important to look at delegating. It is very common for employees to leave their company due to burnout, or because they feel a lack of ability to contribute. So, where should you start to improve this aspect of the employee experience? The first thing for…

Read More

Creating a Culture of Accountability

A culture of accountability increases productivity, customer service, and job satisfaction. It removes obstacles like pointing fingers and placing blame. To build accountability, reword your questions to focus on action. Start with “what” or “how” instead of “why” – the victim, “when” – procrastination, or “who” – the blame storm. Ramp up coaching with the…

Read More

Becoming an Empowered Leader: An ESC Webinar

The terms “leader” and “manager” are often used interchangeably in the workplace, but the truth is they are actually quite different. Join ESC’s HR Manager, Lauren Kersten, for an interactive discussion about what makes a true leader, how it differs from being a manager, and why it matters when it comes to having a high performing workplace. 

Read More

Hello, My Name is Disengaged!

What Can You Do About Disengaged Employees? By Kristen Wolasz, Team Leader Formal employee evaluations or actively analyzing your organization’s employee engagement makes it easier to recognize when you have disengaged employees. These employees may show up late and leave early, verbally criticize the organization and its management, and spend more time counting down the hours…

Read More

Tough Conversations

They Never Told Me One of the most common mistakes that managers make is failing to let employees know that there is a problem with their behavior or performance.   Or, when the do, they are not clear.  Often, we hope that the employee will improve or end the poor behavior on their own.  Yet,…

Read More