Image Credit: BladeMuch has been made of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impending workplace takeover. 

We’re all familiar with the dystopian nightmare: AI goes rogue, takes control of our jobs, and even predicts who we should date. But AI is more than just saving time or automating processes. Instead, it plays a pivotal role in shaping our work, enabling us to focus on what we do best. As a result, artificial intelligence has rapidly become a fixture in the modern workplace, showing no signs of slowing down.

Years ago, sales representatives would hop from door-to-door with a big grin, hoping to convey their spiel before the door closed; today, the doors and spiels have evolved, and as a result, the art of selling has received a significant facelift. 

Of course, everyone wants to close the deal. But between the AI-powered prospect lists, cold outreach, endless Zoom video demos, and having to pitch multiple high-ranking decision makers over multiple calls—creating a successful sales presentation can be anxiety-inducing and dreaded by many. 

Blogging is not a novel concept. However, despite its humble beginnings in the “blogosphere,” in 2023, it’s an extremely powerful communication and marketing tool for associations and businesses, the world over. The expansive reach of the internet has created more significant opportunities for association marketing professionals to reach their members and target markets. 

Now, in the digital-first era, organizations and associations are starting to see that sharing content on their blogs is a valuable strategy that can no longer be ignored — all you need is a sense of creativity, a commitment to delivering value, and a keyboard!

Image Credit: Planable

The internet is brimming with information and resources on just about every topic you can think of. With an endless array of knowledge at our fingertips, blogs are one of the most utilized forms of communication, marketing, and brand building — you just need to decipher which of these blogs is best worth your time.

Data from QuickBooks shows that nearly 50% of people interested in becoming business owners or entrepreneurs turn to business blogs and websites for advice, resources, and help. In addition, blogs can help a business improve its search engine optimization by providing a regular source of fresh, relevant content that can attract and engage visitors. 

Image Credit: Planable

Technology is paramount to running a successful business in today's digital world. From cloud computing and artificial intelligence to mobile applications and search engine optimization, every organization needs these tools in its arsenal to remain competitive, efficient, and profitable. 

Automation is one of the drivers of productivity and efficiency by reducing the need for manual labor and freeing up time and resources for other activities. Additionally, technology can help businesses to collect, analyze, and utilize data more effectively, enabling them to make more informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Image Credit: Xtreme Xperience

The season of giving is upon us; however, branded hoodies and coffee mugs are not at the top of everyone’s list. When choosing a company gift for a client or rewarding the team with an appreciation treat, the traditional go-to's are lazy, uninspiring, and unsustainable. 

Gifting someone is the perfect opportunity to strengthen relationships, be personable, and obviously, not be misconstrued as a marketing moment. And in recent times, many large corporations have recognized the lack of sustainability in logoed gear. For example, in 2021, Patagonia was one of the first companies to stop adding a logo to its apparel because it only reduces the garment's lifespan and contributes to a buildup of landfill waste. 

It may seem like we’re insinuating that all branded merch needs to go; however, that is not the case. There is a time and place for everything, but in this current corporate climate, the branded swag should be kept at a minimum — and, ideally, in the welcome package. 

Image Credit: Planable

Optimizing your social media tools and strategies will undoubtedly be one of the most powerful agents in your arsenal to build a long-lasting and successful organization. Billions of users are hyperactive on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Pinterest, and Meta; therefore, using these outlets to your advantage is vital to member attraction, engagement, and retention. 

It’s important to distinguish between social media platforms, such as those above, and social media tools and applications. The latter can focus on software for management, design and editing, analytics and data, and planning and scheduling content. These tools are flooding application stores and are widely available for organizations of every kind.

The phrase ‘social responsibility’ comes with some heavy lifting, especially in the corporate world. Often, the C-suite will tack on these obligations to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) team, leaving the assumption that the rest of the company is off the hook. However, there are layers of issues with this narrative. 

Unfortunately, these social initiatives don’t come with a low price tag. As of 2019, the global impact investing market has reached close to $505 billion — considerable, right? But it pales in comparison to the nearly $176 trillion that’s needed to address the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 

Image Credit: The Carlyle

Bleisure: a phenomenon that started trending in 2009 but skyrocketed in the last five years, where travelers combine business commitments and leisure activities in a single trip. While the pandemic derailed the travel industry and caused many to lose their jobs initially, some of its longer-term effects were positive. In a way, it encouraged employees and employers alike to embrace a proper work-life balance and prioritize time off the clock.

Instead of rushing home after a corporate conference, people are extending trips for some alone time or bringing friends and family along for the ride. The appetite for balance and New York City’s larger-than-life personality makes it impossible to just clock out and head home.

Image Credit: Soothe

The term ‘well-being’ is multidimensional, encompassing more than just one’s physical being —  mental and financial health are two crucial components that also impact one's overall well-being. One of the many effects of the pandemic is that overall wellness is near the top of most employees' agenda, and Corporate America is catching on. 

As the world shifts to work-from-home, it’s evident that the workplace has seen the most drastic changes since the pandemic began. However, with this adjustment, the lines between personal and professional life have blurred. Therefore, the new conversation centers on developing healthy boundaries between work, relationships, health, and leisure.