Nov 2023 | 41st EDITION NEWSLETTER

WHAT'S NEW(S)?

How to Battle the Burnout During the Holiday Hustle

HR Today | Essium | October 25, 2023

Let’s face facts: the holiday season is often hectic. On the personal side of the equation, many people spend time buying gifts, planning travel, hosting get-togethers, and caring for children once school breaks begin. On the professional side, wrapping up year-end activities happens right alongside regular duties, putting a lot of people’s plates. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to battle burnout during the holiday hustle. Here are some tips that can help you recharge and reclaim the joy of the season.

Report: Half The Workforce Is Uncomfortable Discussing Their Mental Health at Work

HR Brew | Kristen Parisi | October 31, 2023

Lululemon’s SVP of people and culture says it’s important to talk openly about mental health at work to reduce stigma. With high levels of financial stress, record rates of depression, and a loneliness epidemic in the US, new research indicates that not only are many employees feeling down, it could be impacting work performance.

While there’s no single definition of well-being, it can be determined by several factors, including emotional and physical health, social wellness, financial security, and career. 

Healthcare Is Transforming. Are Your Employee Benefits Ready?

IEC Sponsor Holmes Murphy | Matt Wheeler | October 23, 2023

There are seemingly endless factors creating significant concerns for employers when it comes to healthcare, with each challenge more complex than the last. While I’m grateful for the job security as a professional who helps businesses navigate this ever-changing employee benefits landscape, it’s just as important for business leaders to understand how Medicare and pharmaceutical changes can impact your organization.

"This conference is absolutely game and perspective-changing! The wide variety of sessions to grow and learn from are incredibly engaging, packed with powerful approaches that resonate and dig deep. It is rare to find a conference where you come out feeling entirely energized and ready to try new tactics to what is currently in play. Better yet, for those of us where we've made changes in our careers, we can see the evolution of where things were, and where they could go (or even didn't). Not only can I look back on my prior experiences and apply these newfound thoughts and ideologies, I am able to do the same in the current day and provide a future outlook for where we are and where we want to go. Life is about the journey and learning every step of the way. This conference has been an absolutely amazing experience, and I'm incredibly grateful to share this experience with my company. Just as life changes, so does everything around us. Being open to new approaches and ideas, we then open ourselves up to growth and opportunity. And being able to take this back and share it with others - you gain the great satisfaction of paying it forward. Such a profound and rewarding experience! Thank you for taking the time and dedication to making the most out of this event, and for bringing it to so many to share in the wonders."

IEC Spring 2023 Attendee

5 Ways to Support the Wellness of Remote Workers

HR Exchange Network | Francesca Di Meglio | October 10, 2023

Remote work brings with it a unique set of mental health and wellness concerns. For starters, many may feel isolated, especially if they work from their home for hours on end without other people around them. In addition, they may feel disconnected with their colleagues and those "water cooler" opportunities. Because many of them work from home, they have a hard time turning off and shutting down devices, so they end up working more hours, which can lead to stress or even burnout.

Workplace Boundaries: Examples To Create a Healthier Work Environment

HR Today | Business Management Daily

Beth Braccio Hering | October 25, 2023

Do not equate the act of setting boundaries at work with selfishness. Rather, understand how work boundaries assist with performance and job satisfaction. They allow you to maintain focus and stay on track. They promote better mental health and work-life balance. They offer fellow team members guidelines on what makes you uncomfortable, leading to healthier work relationships.

This Is Employers’ Top Financial Wellness Concern Today

HR Executive | Dawn Kawamoto

October 31, 2023

Thanks to record-high inflation last year, rising interest rates, flat wage growth and other economic factors, employers now say their top concern about employee financial wellness is the high cost of living, according to a recent survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. It’s the first time cost-of-living has landed in the top spot—up from No. 4 last year—on the Financial Wellbeing Employer Survey, bumping retirement preparedness from its six-year run as employers’ greatest concern.

In The Hybrid Era, Are You Overlooking Your ‘Mismatched’ Employees?

HR Executive | Livia Martini | October 30, 2023

Over the last few years, organizations have come to see clearly that workplace wellness is table stakes. But even with the best intentions, many people leaders are struggling to improve the state of wellbeing in their workforce. In a new survey, my team at Gympass has discovered a major, unresolved problem behind this trend.

As the world of work has transformed, making remote and hybrid options far more available, one group of people in particular has been suffering.

7 Keys to Navigating the Big Stay Within Your HR Department

HR Morning | Matt Thomas | October 2, 2023

Navigating The Big Stay — where employees choose to remain at their place of employment longer than before — will continue to be a powerful force in the post-pandemic labor market.

However, we’ve yet to see the trend’s lasting impact on the labor market, and it may provide only temporary relief for talent shortages. Consequently, HR experts caution against becoming too comfortable with improved retention stats.

Take Credit for Innovation – Understanding Federal R&D Tax Incentives and Deadlines

IEC Sponsor TriNet | Monika Diehl | October 6, 2023

The federal government provides a tax credit benefit to businesses that are working to develop or improve new and existing products or technology through the Research and Development (R&D) tax credit. This federal tax credit provides a benefit of up to 10% of qualifying spend on employee wages, contracted research, and supply costs related to new development efforts. Many innovative businesses are eligible to claim this tax credit but miss out because they are not aware that it exists, assume the tax credit does not apply to the work they are doing, or feel like they do not receive a real benefit because they are not profitable. 

"The Ignite Change Iowa Employment Conference was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. I had a difficult time choosing which breakouts to attend because they were all relevant. The information shared by the speakers and applicable concepts I walked away with will be valuable to our organization. I was wowed over and over throughout the day. Thank you for bringing these amazing speakers together to ignite us to be change makers. I am truly grateful."

IEC Fall 2023 Attendee

10 Ways to Prove You’re a Strategic Thinker

Harvard Business Review | Brenda Steinberg and Michael D. Watkins | October 31, 2023

Are you a strategic thinker? Do key people in your organization — such as your boss and senior leadership — think so? To get ahead in your career, it’s critically important to ensure that the people around you perceive you as leadership material. One key to achieving that is communicating in ways that demonstrate your strategic mind. You can’t just think strategically. You need to speak strategically, too. Here are some ways to do it:

5 Types of Stories Leaders Need to Tell

Harvard Business Review | Nick Westergaard | September 22, 2023

The historian Doris Kearns Goodwin was once asked what questions she would put to Abraham Lincoln if given the chance. “I feel like a bad historian,” she answered, “but I’d probably ask him to tell me a story.” As she herself has documented, the 16th U.S. president was not just a great political leader but also a masterful raconteur, who used stories to entertain, educate, and inspire.

Keep Your Team Motivated When a Project Goes Off the Rails

Harvard Business Review | Rebecca Zucker | October 31, 2023

According to a report by TeamStage, 70% of projects globally fail. And big projects, with greater complexity and more moving parts, fail at significant rates. This can be for a variety of reasons, ranging from passive project sponsors and inadequate resources to a shifting organizational context or lack of internal alignment and stakeholder buy-in.

Poorly performing projects not only impact the bottom line, they also, understandably, impact morale and engagement. If one of your projects is going sideways or south, here are some ways to motivate your team to help get things back on track.

"Huge THANK YOU to #iec2023 and Nan Boland for having us speak at the Iowa Employment Conference today! It was so much fun helping folks become self-aware and living by the Platinum Rule!"

IEC Fall 2023 Speaker Milan Batinich

"Thank you for including me. What an inspiring way to start the day!"

IEC Fall 2023 Panelist Emily Abbas

A Long Overdue Update for Retirement Savings Protections

Lisa M. Gomez | October 31, 2023

When you're saving for retirement, there are lots of important decisions you need to make. It can feel overwhelming to think about your financial future and navigate the world of complex financial products. There's an entire industry of investment professionals who advertise themselves as trusted experts who can help you prepare to retire. They offer personalized recommendations, based on your individual interests. These include registered investment advisers, brokers, insurance agents, financial planners, and other investment professionals. 

"I very much enjoyed all of the topics and am happy to say that I used what I learned already in the work field I am in."

"The session was enlightening and educational. It is great to know that different types of career fields are focusing on similar topics to enhance. All of these topics are people focused."

"Very good speakers!"

"I loved the variety of speakers you had from all walks of life and topics."

"I love the topics covered and the people who were on the panel were very insightful!"

IEC Fall 2023 Attendees

Training Requirements and Resources

OSHA provides information on employers' training requirements and offers resources such as free publications, videos, and other assistance to help employers protect workers against injuries and illnesses.

READ MORE

"Great well-rounded panel and moderator!"

"The moderator was very well-prepared, asked excellent questions, and was engaged with the panelists. This made for a more meaningful session."

"I liked having a panel and the variety in the conversation."

"I loved the panel format."

IEC Fall 2023 Attendees

Laws Enforced by EEOC

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"The panelists were inspiring and it was interesting to hear from their different perspectives. I also appreciated the format via moderator guiding the conversation. The moderator did a fantastic job and I appreciated the depth of her questions she was willing to ask rather than go the "safe and superficial" route."

IEC Fall 2023 Attendee

Opening Panel ready to get this party started!

Opening Panelists: Will Keeps, Nola Cartmill, Mickey Shields, Michele Brott & Emily Abbas

IEC Team with panelist, activist & author Will Keeps

Nataliya Stone, Whitney Warne & Emily Abbas

Nan, Ramona Wink & Sue

Renee Schulte & Nan

"Thank you for your work in coordinating this great event Nan Boland. Lisa Walston and I had a wonderful time learning at each session." 

IEC Fall 2023 Attendee Josey Van Weelden 

"It was a wonderful day at the Iowa Employment Conference. I enjoyed getting to meet new people and getting to connect with Nan Boland and M. Ramona Wink today! Thank you for a wonderful day of learning!"

IEC Fall 2023 Speaker Molly Mackey

"Yeeeeeeee love everything about this conference!!! Great conference Nan Boland!!! Thank you for everything!! Loved being a part of this panel!!! The Ignite Change conference was very empowering and I learned a lot!! Thank you, Nan Boland!!! You and your team are amazing!!!"

IEC Fall 2023 Panelist Will Keeps

"Had a great time presenting at the Iowa Employment Conference! Nan Boland, Sarah Towns, Sue Kmet and all the other top-notch folks who make this fantastic conference happen - Thank You for allowing me to partner with you again! I'm already looking forward to the Spring conference!"



IEC Fall 2023 Speaker Ramona Wink

IGNITE CHANGE SPONSORS

"Ready to represent EFR Employee & Family Resources, a proud sponsor of the Iowa Employment Conference."

IEC Fall 2023 Sponsor Renee Neppl

THANK YOU to all 2023 Conference Sponsors!

Sponsor support is integral in continuing the growth, quality & integrity of the continuing education unique to this conference year after year. You are appreciated!

Sponsors waiting patiently for the event to begin and to start networking with Attendees!

"Thanks for the invite to join such an inspiring group of folks for such a great discussion!"

IEC Fall 2023 Panelist Nola Cartmill 

"It was a powerhouse panel! Inspiring and full of great ideas!"

IEC Fall 2023 Panel Moderator Terri Hale

"Buena Vista University's Strategic Partnerships division is honored to help sponsor the 2023 Iowa Employment Conference."

IEC Fall 2023 Sponsor

Serving a diverse Central Iowa community, Polk County is among the nation’s most innovative public institutions. We bring together creative leaders, collaborative organizations and key resources to empower our communities and make life better for all people in Polk County. 

Upcoming Events:

Fall Wagon Rides

Wild Night Life & Hike

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Owls of Iowa

AND MANY MORE!!!!

Wildly Delicious Weeknight Dinners for November

delish.com | Camille Lowder | Oct 2023

November might be known for Thanksgiving, but you've gotta get dinner on the table the rest of the month too! Now that Halloween is over, is it just us, or does it feel like it’s pretty much go-time from now until January? There’s so little time and SO much to do to gear up for a wonderful holiday season, but November is the last month that really feels like fall, so we’re not letting it get away without celebrating all it has to offer. Join us this November as we say goodbye to autumn produce and hello to the winter holiday season (Christmas music has already started playing 😫) through cozy, comforting meals for both weeknights and special occasions. We’ve got 40 recipes to help inspire you to make dinner this November—one for every day of the month, and then some.

Nan, Lisa, Sarah & Sue

Nan, Terri & Pam

Nan & Sue

Every conference takes months and months of meticulous planning. It takes multiple people working behind the scenes to research and secure the expert panelists and speakers to train the attendees on the most relevant topics affecting the workplace. Finding sponsors who support the efforts and provide value to the conference takes thoughtful purpose. Working with the venue to come up with the layout, services offered and estimates for food and beverages is budgeted in a series of several meetings, emails and calls. Daily audits of information, applying for accreditations, organizing and finalizing a specific schedule that maximizes time and efficiency is nothing short of miraculous. Add in the social media marketing, association marketing, managing registrations, website daily / hourly updates as well as making sure the conference is fully staffed on the day of the event... you could say we have a lot on our hands!

Why do we do it? For YOU!! Thank you for showing up to further your career, fulfilling your continuing education aspirations, training with the experts and putting a smile on our faces as you walked into the fall conference last month. YOU make it all worthwhile!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and we will see you this spring,

Nan and the Conference Team