Free webinars aimed at helping local businesses with reopening issues

SIU's Small Business Development Center is hosting two virtual workshops this month to help companies with human resource concerns as their businesses adapt and start to reopen.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting businesses, the business climate and unemployment rates and prompting many businesses to adapt and change. The result is companies making decisions involving their workforce and with those changes, come opportunities, workshop organizers say. The free webinars on July 16 and July 29 will have a human resource focus.

John Bishop of Hire to Compete will be the presenter for both sessions. Bishop has more than 20 years of professional consulting and training experience, has started two successful companies, and served as a company sales vice president, leading 300-person teams.

The first webinar, "Make Hiring Your Competitive Advantage," is set for 10 to 11 a.m. on July 16. Bishop will address new hiring methods, the importance of a hiring mission statement, how to reduce employee turnover costs, how to get the work done as efficiently as possible, and numerous other ways employers can increase their competitive advantage.

Registration for the free ZOOM meeting is available in advance. The webinar is open to the public but registration is required and closes when the event starts at 10 a.m. July 16.

The second virtual webinar, "Motivating Scared, Stressed Employees," is from 10 to 11 a.m. July 29, also via ZOOM.

Recent months have brought many stresses and hardships that employees are dealing with, including layoffs, working from home, social distancing, homeschooling and daycare issues and other concerns. Bringing these fears to the workplace can affect the business culture, so it's vital that companies find ways to help lead and motivate employees.

In this webinar, Bishop will cover a variety of topics including: how to reduce employee stress at work and the benefits of doing so; how to motivate employees working remotely, encouraging "we" rather than "me" thinking, increasing team engagement, and other management and human resource issues.

Registration for this free ZOOM meeting is also available in advance. The webinar is open to the public but registration is required and closes when the event starts at 10 a.m. July 29.

There is an individualized bonus for those who sign up for the webinars. Participants will receive a free, one-hour follow-up consultation to discuss their respective business situation.

For more information about either webinar or details about the SBDC and the many services it provides to businesses, visit sbdc.siu.edu, email sbdc@siu.edu or call 618-536-2424.