Here’s news you can use in a constantly changing business environment including the willingness of older workers to learn new skills, where to hear news important to Michigan’s small business owners, how to retain both employees and customers, and more.

1. Are you overlooking a solution to the labor shortage? – A common misconception is that job candidates between the ages of 40 and 60 years old won’t catch on to technology or will have a difficult time developing new skills. Research by AARP shows that 57% of adults over the age of 50 are willing to learn new skills if requested by their current or a potential employer and 32% have participated in job-related training or education programs in the past two years. Read the full story about how older workers are willing to learn new skills.
2. The voice of small business — Get a weekly update on issues important to small business owners in Michigan with twice-weekly videos of the Small Business Briefing. Recent topics have included education reform, economic trends and inflation.
3. Keep customers happy and retain employees — Job satisfaction correlates with customer satisfaction. Discover how Starbucks empowers employees to address problems proactively and values long-term customers over short-term profits. 

4. Create a unique brand identity on social media — Start with the right platforms for your target market, then curate an authentic social media presence.

5. Don’t check work email on vacation — Since the pandemic, blurred lines between work and life—combined with the use of technology—have created a troubling setting for workers who feel incapable of fully logging out of work. Learn how constant connection is driving burnout.

 

Thank you to our Friday Five sources:  AARP, Small Business Association of Michigan, Inc., Entrepreneur and Employee Benefit News.

Do you have business banking questions? Contact our knowledgeable commercial loan officers online or call 800-991-2221. We’re also available to help in person at your local office.

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