Break out the packets, slideshows, and enrollment forms - renewal and open enrollment season for January 1^st is fast approaching! In the coming weeks, CFOs and human resources professionals will be meeting with their trusted consultants to make final decisions on their employee benefits packages for the upcoming plan year. As the numbers are finalized and decisions are communicated with the respective carriers, you can hear an audible sigh of relief that another year of renewals has come and gone. But it’s not over yet. One of the most important parts of the renewal process has just begun – open enrollment!

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Robert Lee, Dean and Assistant Professor of Accounting at University of Saint Francis. We hope you enjoy Bob’s wisdom and perspective.

Earlier this year I attended an event where the University of Saint Francis President Sister M. Elise Kriss, OSF received Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s 2015 Legend of Leadership Award. It was a fitting award for a remarkable carrier of leadership. We at USF are fortunate to learn from her example.

Crises come in all different shapes and sizes - from an action by an employee that damages your brand to a natural disaster threatening your ability to stay in business.

There are numerous steps needed to prepare for a crisis, no matter the magnitude. One critical element to becoming disaster ready is creating a comprehensive crisis communications plan.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Kinetic IT, an Information Technology Managed Service Provider based in South Bend, IN. We hope you enjoy Kinetic’s insight and wisdom!

Data safety is a critical component of any successful organization. Whether you’re dealing with client information, proprietary technologies, or internal communications, it’s vital you take the necessary steps to ensure your data is as secure as possible. When working to protect data, an organization must look at every possible avenue for a breach including internal security lapses, social engineering, lax safety standards, and more.

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

One day this week while Janet and I were taking our evening walk around the lake, I was struck in a moment of clarity how ironic and absurd something was that happened at work that day. Not that I wasn’t listening to her, but like some slightly deranged person I suddenly belly laughed out loud in the middle of the sidewalk. It earned me an eyebrow.

Pollution liability should not be overlooked. Claims, and the costs associated with those claims, can be expensive. They can test the financial stability of even the best of companies.

Social media is everywhere. It’s become an integral part of the way we communicate, as well as how businesses market and provide customer service. And it is starting earlier than ever. By the age of 10, 59% of children have already used a social network. Wow.

This summer I was able to see U2 perform live at the United Center in Chicago. At first I was a little disappointed to know that the iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour would be indoors since I was really in the mood for an outdoor summer stadium show.

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

Crawl spaces, sewers, boilers, manholes. Individuals working in confined spaces such as these are exposed to life-threatening physical and atmospheric hazards.