Update from Kelly Fuller, Sr. VP of The Columbus Chamber Foundation
On the Positive Side/Why Assuming Good Intentions is Important

Working alongside others, we are destined to have moments when things go awry, and we are left grappling with the aftermath. Whether a defective product or a poor customer review, we have all experienced those “oh no” moments produced by an error. At our lowest, in moments of self-preservation, we sometimes assume the worst about others and absolve ourselves of any responsibility.
Workforce & Workplace Hot Topics
Top 3 Workforce & Workplace Topics from March 2024

During March 2024, our top 3 topics were D&I Emerging talent requested or referred, D&I, and Hiring and onboarding.

What workforce & workplace issues are impacting your business? This valuable data drives the resources and solutions to address our members’ top concerns. Share your priorities with Kelly Fuller at KellyFuller@columbus.org.
Community Needs & Resources
Cultivating Workplace Culture: Nurturing Engagement and Excellence

HR Leaders & Business Owners: Is Your Company Culture Helping You Thrive? Join us for a webinar designed to equip you with the tools and strategies to cultivate a thriving workplace culture. A strong company culture is essential for attracting and retaining top talent, boosting employee engagement, and driving overall business excellence. In this session, you will learn:
  • What exactly is company culture, and why does it matter?
  • How to identify and evaluate your current culture.
  • Practical recommendations for nurturing a positive and productive work environment.
  • The powerful connection between company culture and employee engagement.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and strategies for cultivating a workplace culture that fosters engagement, excellence, and success! Register today!

Registration: FREE
Solutions
The Ohio Business Development Center (OBDC) is proud to introduce the CertifyOhio training series this April, aimed at small and minority-owned businesses interested in harnessing certifications for growth. This initiative offers a strategic opportunity to understand the certification landscape, effectively navigate the application process, and use certifications to enhance business potential.
 
Participants will gain insights into state and private sector certifications, receive detailed guidance on the certification application process, and learn strategies to maximize the benefits of their certification. The series features sessions led by industry experts with successful certification experience and provides networking opportunities to connect with peers and build a supportive business network.
 
The CertifyOhio series is designed to demystify the process of obtaining business certifications, showcasing them as a valuable tool for accessing new markets, securing government contracts, and participating in networking events designed to elevate business profiles.
 
For registration details and more information, please visit our website at OHBDC.org. Enhance your business’s competitive edge through the power of certification.
A conversation with Chelsea Elliott:
 
Tell us about Somocom Lab and how it came into existence.
 
In the middle of the pandemic, our story began quite by accident at the kitchen table. I was pregnant, juggling the needs of my three-year-old, while both my husband and I were trying to keep up with our full-time jobs. It was a lot, but something clicked during that chaos. I realized we were all going through something huge, something that would inevitably hit our mental health hard, especially for kids around the world. Having been through my own traumas and lack of emotional support as a kid, I was determined not to let history repeat itself with my own little ones.
Non Profit Spotlight
Adaptability. Communication. Compassion. Resilience. Collaboration. Time management. These are skills employers say they want, but how do you find employees who have them? A handful of Central Ohio businesses have partnered with Families Flourish, a relatively new nonprofit organization that serves low-income families with a combination of coaching, programs, and rent support.
 
The mission of Families Flourish is to create a more equitable community for families by empowering them to achieve and succeed through a holistic support initiative. Park National Bank and Columbus State Community College are two examples of employers who have seen the outcomes of Families Flourish coaching and identified it as a key creator of those employee qualities.
 
“Families Flourish participants are good workforce partners for several reasons,” said Park’s Chris Hiner. “Those going through the program are focused on improving their life and that transitions to wanting to be successful in their career. They are hungry to prove themselves and have the wrap-around support of many to help ensure success. Their desire for a career and to provide a stable environment for their family translates well to the workforce.”

If you’d like to learn more about Families Flourish, visit www.familiesflourish.org or contact Shiloh Todorov at shiloh.todorov@familiesflourish.org or 614-787-7129.
Thought Leadership Library
Visit our Thought Leadership Library for information and better practices on topics including training, hiring, internships, culture, mental health, and more!

Read our latest Careers to Classrooms/Educator Workforce Boot Camp: Although students in k-12 spend most of their time with their friends and parents/guardians, equally present and influential, are their educators. As we invest time, resources, and energy into helping families gain knowledge of career pathways for their children, it is equally important that we instruct our educators so that they can better connect a student’s gifts, abilities, and interests to a career.
Upcoming Meetings and Events