Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Scott Downes, founder and principal of Thomas LLC, an independent consulting venture. We hope you enjoy Scott’s wisdom and perspective.

In about 60 days, my buddy Brian and I will be clicking into our pedals for a 6-stage, 240-mile mountain bike race called the Breck Epic. Over those six days, we will be climbing approximately 40,000 vertical feet of singletrack around Breckenridge, Colorado, most of which will be above 10,000 feet in elevation.

You’ve packed the bags and are itching to start your vacation. Before you hit the road or hop on a plane, take a moment to think about your home. It is going to be sitting empty for several days. Have you done all you can to protect it?

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Adam Kronk, Program Director for the Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership. We hope you enjoy Adam’s wisdom and perspective.

My day job is working with scholars and executives to figure out how to foster ethical behavior in business. It’s a fascinating gig, and one of my favorite parts involves interviewing C-suite leaders about their own experiences on the subject. During a recent conversation with the Chairman and CEO of a financial services firm, we came to the topic of performance reviews and promotions. I asked whether and how they incorporated a person’s values and character into the process at his organization.

Employee engagement matters. The connection to the bottom line is clear. Yet studies by Gallup continue to report employee engagement levels at less than one-third.

How do you create a positive workplace culture where employees feel valued and engaged? It varies for every company. To shine light on the topic, we consulted a few of our fellow Best Places To Work in Indiana honorees for their advice - what makes your organization a great place to work? What is your lesson to share with other companies?

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Patrick Frazier, owner and executive coach for The Coaching Authority. We hope you enjoy Patrick's wisdom and perspective.

“…lately coaching in this town seems to have become all the rage.” CEO, South Bend, IN

Coaches, coaches, and more coaches. They are everywhere. There are life coaches, business coaches, health and fitness coaches, fashion coaches, sports coaches. There is a coach to help with just about anything.

Reputation risk consistently finds itself among the top concerns for businesses. Especially with the rise of social media, companies are concerned with how quickly and significantly their reputations can be threatened.

What can you do to protect your company’s brand? Make the most of your social media usage by avoiding these 8 mistakes:

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Jerry Scott. We hope you enjoy Jerry’s wisdom and perspective.

After 28 years of marriage, my wife Janet and I can nearly communicate telepathically. A look can speak volumes and a single gesture can have multiple meanings. One of the most versatile is the eyebrow raise. Close cousin to the eye roll, the eyebrow raise can ask a question. Everything ok? What did that mean? It can express an opinion. Oh please! Can’t believe you did that or said that!

Each year, more than 300 deaths and 4,000 injuries in the workplace are caused by electrical hazards. From falls and burns to electric shock and even electrocution - contact with electrical energy is a serious danger to workers.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), per mile traveled, the number of deaths on motorcycles is over 27 times the number in cars. There is no debate, motorcycles can be dangerous. Before you hit the open road, make sure you and your motorcycle are properly protected.

Health care is expensive and often confusing. No doubt about it. But it is also immensely important. Benefits offerings are a major factor in employee recruitment and retention. So how do your benefits stack up to others in your industry? Are your offerings competitive? Are they the best option for your team? How do you determine if your benefits measure up?