By Megan Ford, MSW, LSW, Therapist, Relief Mental Health in Rockford
acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Some people benefit from new approaches like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), SPRAVATO®, or IV ketamine. Relief Mental Health is an outpatient provider of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), psychedelic therapy (SPRAVATO® esketamine), traditional psychiatry services (medication management) and talk therapy for the treatment of depression, OCD, anxiety and other mental health diagnoses. For more information, call 855-205-4764, email info@reliefmh.com or visit www.reliefmh.com.Is your organization interested in submitting a blog post? Members are welcome to submit an informational blog post, 1,000-1,500 words that includes byline, author headshot to editor@rockfordchamber.com for consideration.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.
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 Rockford Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit membership 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 leadership, 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.
AAR Corporation
Advanced Machine & Engineering Co. (AME) - Corporate Table AGHL Law - Corporate Table Alden Debes Alpha Controls & Services LLC - Sponsor Anderson Nissan Inc. Berg Industries, Inc. - Sponsor Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Crosby Starck Real Estate - Sponsor Byron Bank - Corporate Table Byron Forest Preserve/PrairieView Golf Club CEANCI Chartwell Agency - Corporate Table City of Rockford - Corporate Table College of Medicine Rockford Comcast Business - Sponsor CoyleKiley Insurance Crusader Community Health - Corporate Table Embassy Suites Rockford Riverfront Fehr Graham Forest City Gear - Corporate Table FurstStaffing - Corporate Table Gallagher Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois - Corporate Table Grace & Salt Leadership Academy - Sponsor Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP - Sponsor Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rockford- Loves Park Hughes Resources JFS Services Kids Around the World - Sponsor LaMonica Beverages - Sponsor Larson & Darby Group Midwest Packaging and Container - Sponsor Mindy Joy Photography - Sponsor MX3 Business Solutions Nikolas Ritschel Foundation Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association - Corporate Table OrthoIllinois OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center - Presenting Sponsor PNC Bank Prairie Street Brewing Co Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren Relief Mental Health - Sponsor Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau - Corporate Table Rockford Career College Rockford Community Bank, A Wintrust Community Bank - Sponsor Rockford IceHogs - Corporate Table Rockford Public Schools District 205 - Corporate Table Rockford University Rosecrance Health Network - Corporate Table RSM US LLP - Sponsor Stepping Stones of Rockford, Inc. Stillman Bank Studio GWA The Salvation Army The Workforce Connection U.S. Bank UW Health Northern Illinois Region - Sponsor Wesley Willows WilliamsMcCarthy LLP - Sponsor Woodward - Sponsor WREX - TV - Sponsor YMCA of Rock River Valley YWCA Northwestern Illinois - Sponsor SUMMARY
Although productivity is an essential component to work and life, it’s not a subject most people learn in school. At first glance, the ability to stay focused, get organized, and finish tasks on time seems to be a talent bestowed at birth on the lucky. Thankful productivity experts have another view. Your productivity does not manifest from your genes but from your habits. The following productivity hacks will help you take control of your time and transform the way you work. Batch Your Time Time batching is a technique where you set aside specific timeframes for certain tasks. Instead of jumping from one task to another, time batching allows you to group similar tasks together and focus only on them for a specific period. For example, instead of reading emails throughout the day, you schedule a specific time to read and respond. Likewise, you might set aside specific times each day for returning calls or scheduling appointments. Time batching improves concentration and allows you to monotask rather than multitask, which research has shown to be ineffective. We all wish there was more time in a day. By batching your tasks, you'll be able to work more efficiently, save time, and minimize distractions. Eat the Frog American humorist Mark Twain once wrote, “If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.” Productivity experts have latched onto Twain’s metaphor to address the way many people avoid hard tasks. Unfortunately, that avoidance has a cost. Stress, anxiety, and low-energy happen when we put off important work. Much like ripping off a band-aid, ‘eating the frog’ means prioritizing difficult work. Once you've conquered a challenging task, your feeling of accomplishment will carry over into the rest of your day, even your week. Avoiding Distractions Distractions can significantly affect productivity. Edward G. Brown, an efficiency and workflow consultant, argues that our biggest time bandits come from momentum loss, starting over, and do-overs because of errors. Nir Ayal, author of Indistracible: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life, recommends using technology to automate your attention. Simple habits like turning off notifications during work hours, putting your phone on silent, and having clients book appointments through an online scheduler keeps your attention on your most important work and saves you time throughout your day. Power Naps Can sleeping in the daytime really make you more productive? Just ask some of the world’s most successful basketball players like Lebron James or Derrick Rose, who have relied on naps to boost performance. Research shows that it’s not just athletes who benefit from napping. Power naps, defined as a 10-20 minute daytime sleep burst, can help recharge your energy, improve cognitive function, boost your creativity, and improve your work performance. When’s the best time to power nap? Sleep experts recommend before 2pm for most people or as late as 5pm for night owls. When you find yourself reaching for afternoon caffeine, you’ll know it’s time for a quick nap. The Takeaway Incorporating productivity habits like time batching, prioritizing hard tasks, avoiding distractions, and power naps are practical ways to increase productivity and become more efficient. By adopting these habits, you'll be able to work smarter, not harder. Start by trying one or two habits for a few weeks and track how your productivity improves. Remember, productivity is like a muscle you develop, so practice everyday to get stronger. ---
The Rockford Chamber of Commerce is a private non-profit membership 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 leadership, 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. |