Business Magazine - December 2019

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BUSINESS

VOL. XXXII NO. 12 | DECEMBER 2019

MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT Q&A:

PENN STATE ECONOMIST DISCUSSES 2020 OUTLOOK

A TRUE ERIE SUCCESS STORY

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FEATURE STORY | WHAT’S INSIDE

What’s Ahead?

WHY 2020 MAY BE ANOTHER YEAR OF CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM You don’t need a crystal ball to see it, but America’s economy has been expanding at modest annual rates since the last recession ended in mid-2009. Yet experts say the modest recovery doesn’t highlight the strong labor market, which has created 2 million-plus jobs per year since 2010. Is the glass half full or half empty for the year ahead?

Experts are weighing in.

According to research conducted by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE), economic growth will continue in 2020, but the rate of growth will slow to below 2 percent.

“NABE Outlook Survey panelists believe the U.S. economy will continue to expand into 2020, but they anticipate GDP growth will fall below 2 percent next year for the first time since 2016,” said NABE President Constance Hunter, chief economist at KPMG. “The consensus forecast calls for real GDP growth to slow from 2.9 percent in 2018 to 2.3 percent in 2019, and then to 1.8 percent in 2020.”

“The rise in protectionism, pervasive trade policy uncertainty and slower global growth are considered key downside risks to U.S. economic activity,” added Survey Chair Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist, Oxford Economics.

Odds of a recession remain generally low for the next 12 months, but increase in late 2020, according to the report.

In fact, additional research shows that owners and executives of small and midsize businesses have high levels of confidence about the economy and do not expect a recession before the end of this year, though they’re a little less upbeat about what 2020 might bring, according

to a survey from PNC Financial Services Group Inc. In a summary of its PNC Economic Outlook survey, the Pittsburgh-based company reported that 55 percent of respondents describe their outlook for their own business as optimistic, up from 51 percent in the survey in fall 2018. The latest figure is near the spring 2018 record high of 58 percent for the survey, which PNC has conducted for 16 years.

Additionally, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of small and midsize business owners and executives said they expect their own company’s sales to increase, about the same as fall 2018 (64 percent), but down from 69 percent in spring 2018. Slightly more than half (52 percent) said they expect their profits to increase; in fall 2018, that figure was 59 percent.

Among other survey findings: Thirty-three percent of small and midsize business leaders “plan to increase the number of fulltime employees within the next six months, tying the survey record high from spring 2005, while those expecting to reduce the number of full-time employees remains at 3 percent, near the survey low (2 percent

spring and fall 2018),” PNC reported. Nearly half (47 percent) — a record high for the survey — “say it’s harder to find qualified employees than it was six months to a year ago, with 54 percent reporting increased wages/salaries, up from 44 percent in fall 2018,” according to PNC. In this edition of the Business Magazine, we’ll hear from Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) as he takes a closer look at the economic outlook for the U.S. and regional economies. We’ll also showcase companies, such as HBKS Wealth Advisors, which are experiencing growth within their industries as they look forward to 2020 and beyond.

Also, be sure to get a jump-start on your professional development plans with the MBA’s new Training Catalog included in this month’s edition. Here, at the MBA, we wish you all the best for a happy and healthy holiday season!

FOCUS ON THE FUTURE! mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2019

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COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE

HBKS Wealth Advisors’ professionals are experts in personal financial planning and investment advice. Shown here are members of the firm’s leadership team (front row, from left): Joe Kloecker, Dean Piccirillo, Chris Sorce, Greg Sorce and Chris Allegretti. Back row, from left, are: Chris Zehner, Quinto Ambrosetti, Brittany Taylor, Scott Cross and Steven Rinn.

A TRUE ERIE SUCCESS STORY HBKS® Wealth Advisors is in the complex yet very personal business of helping people manage their wealth. For some HBKS clients, that means planning for retirement or funding their children’s education. For others, it could simply be the peace of mind of knowing they are financially secure.

“We’re shepherding people through some of the most challenging events they’re going to go through — whether that’s transitioning from work to retirement, selling a business, or the death of a loved one,” explains Managing Principal and Chief Executive Officer Chris Allegretti, CPA. “When something’s going on in our clients’ lives, we’re usually one of the first to hear about it because we’re involved, engaged.”

A Strong Foundation

HBKS Wealth Advisors began as The Sorce Financial Group in January 1995. In 2001, the Sorce brothers, Greg and Chris, merged with the now 70-year-old accounting firm HBK CPAs & Consultants (then Hill, Barth & King, LLC).

The merger spurred HBKS’ growth to what today is the ninth largest CPA affiliated wealth management firm in the United States. HBK is more than 600 professionals serving an estimated 10,000 personal, corporate and institutional clients from 19 offices located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Florida. HBKS manages approximately $4 billion in investment assets and employs nearly 100 of HBK’s professionals.

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DECEMBER 2019 • mbabizmag.com

“We’re pioneers,” says HBKS Principal Dean Piccirillo, CFP®, CRPS®, AIFA®, “and relative to the independent investment adviser space, we’re huge.”

It all began when Chris and Greg Sorce took a leap of faith 25 years ago to go out on their own. The brothers had worked at IDS Financial Services and American Express Financial Services with their father Joseph, a respected financial planner in the Erie region for more than 50 years. In 1994, the Sorces purchased the historic 19th century Ross Pier Wright house on Sixth Street in Erie and, in January 1995, formed The Sorce Financial Group. Piccirillo joined the brothers as chief operating officer and chief compliance officer.

The historic Wright house was the first home of The Sorce Financial Group, which would later become HBKS Wealth Advisors. Today, the firm has offices across Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Florida.

“We’re a true Erie success story,” Piccirillo explains of the firm’s evolution. “When we started, it was the three of us and a couple of administrative assistants.”

As opposed to what most institutional firms and brokers were doing — that is, charging commissions for buying and selling stocks — the Sorces’ approach was to charge an annual fee, a small percentage of the client’s portfolio. As such, their clients’ success and theirs was interlinked. The better their clients did, the better the firm did — and both did very well.

The industry took notice as many CPA firms at the time were looking to add wealth management to their menu of services. The Sorces became the merger target of several organizations, and eventually, through mutual industry associates, found themselves in negotiations with Hill, Barth & King.

The deal between the two firms has proven an undisputed win-win. HBK Sorce Financial expanded beyond Erie into Ohio and Florida and Western Pennsylvania. The firm also added licensed financial professionals in a wide range of disciplines, giving it a greater depth of resources and expertise. In January 2012, the firm’s name was changed to HBKS Wealth Advisors to more accurately describe the breadth of services the company offers to individuals and families, business owners and entrepreneurs.

Working Together With Employers

HBKS Wealth Advisors is a valuable resource for employers.

The firm provides investment advice and counsel on company-sponsored, qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, as well as municipality sponsored 457(b)s and nonprofit 403(b)s. The firm’s Retirement Plan Services Unit works with well over 100 corporate clients on their qualified retirement plans.

“We work with businesses with the same independent, unbiased, fee-based approach we take with personal clients,” says Piccirillo, “and we’re willing to talk with anyone who’s serious about their long-term goals and putting a quality plan in place that’s going to give their employees the best chance at a comfortable retirement.”

By working closely with their CPA counterparts, HBKS’ financial advisors offer their clients a remarkably wide array of financial services under one roof, from tax work to managing money to comprehensive financial planning.

“Consider our corporate finance division,” Piccirillo points out.

“We provide investment banking services essential to smaller and mid-size closely held business, like manufacturing companies. They aren’t going to get that kind of attention from the Goldman Sachs of the world.”

And it’s not just services that HBK and HBKS offer those small and mid-size businesses owners, it’s the personal attention they want and need.

“Many of our clients were their companies’ founders,” states Allegretti. “They’ve worked in their businesses for 25 or 30 years; it’s like their child. We’d rather be proactive in having discussions about estate planning or selling a business so the client understands their options and is in a position to maximize the value of what they’ve built. We have those conversations as early in their history as we can, well before the day they will be confronted with selling or naming a successor.”

Greg and Chris Sorce are founding principals of the firm. The brothers have worked together for more than 30 years and previously worked together with their father, Joseph, a respected financial planner in the Erie area.

HBKS Wealth Advisors is the wealth management division of HBK, one of the nation’s most resourceful providers of comprehensive financial services, working locally from offices in Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Florida.

Pennsylvania Locations: Erie – Wright House: 235 West 6th Street Erie, PA 16507 Phone: (814) 459-1116 Toll Free: 1-800-823-0617 Erie — Zuck Road Zuck Road Office Park 5121 Zuck Road Erie, PA 16506 Phone: (814) 836-5776 Toll Free: 1-866-536-5776 Philadelphia 1760 Market Street, Suite 904 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: (215) 735-9530 Toll Free: 1-844-571-4863 Pittsburgh 200 Pinewood Lane, Suite 204 Warrendale, PA 15086 Phone: (724) 934-8200 Toll Free: 1-866-649-8201

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2019

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Making an Impact

Invested in the Future

HBKS Wealth Advisors has consistently earned a coveted spot on the Financial Times’ 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers. The firm also has been ranked by Accounting Today among CPA firms with an investment advisory affiliate as the ninth largest in the United States based on assets under management.

One of the firm’s recent acquisitions, now named HBK High Performance, works with clients to train and develop their talent in sales, marketing and personal skills. “If it’s something that affects our clients’ financial lives, we’re looking at ways that we can help them,” says Piccirillo.

HBKS Wealth Advisors and HBK CPAs & Consultants have been strategic in their vision and growth. The principals have aggressively built the HBK and HBKS brands across 1,300 miles between Florida and Northern New Jersey while creating an exceptional talent pipeline.

HBKS Wealth Advisors continues to grow its presence in Erie, as well as other communities in which it operates. HBKS has actively recruited top talent from around the country and through its back office support function based in Erie.

“Compliance, qualified retirement plans, asset management, firm operations — we’ve built a structure here in Erie that supports a national practice,” adds Piccirillo. As well, the firm recently moved its Youngtown, Ohio, office into a 40,000 square foot space, and took on expanded office space in Warrendale, Pennsylvania.

The Sorces’ commitment to Erie extends to their endowment of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) program at Mercyhurst University’s business school. “The university’s job is to make sure their graduates get jobs, and we need people that have the skill sets we’re looking for, so it’s a good match,” notes Chris Sorce, CFP®. One of the firm’s rising stars and principals, Brittany Taylor, CFP®, was recruited through the program and has been with the firm for 18 years.

“There’s a whole new generation of talent here,” adds Greg Sorce, CFP®, MSFS. “We’ve worked really hard to make sure we’re re-investing in young professionals on a continuous basis.”

The brothers believe there is real value of investing in Erie and the region.

“We’re from Erie, and we’re committed to Erie and the Erie region,” Greg Sorce offers. “In fact, we think it’s incredibly important to be involved in all our markets.”

HBKS Wealth Advisors has recruited top talent from across the nation and locally. Principal®and Senior Financial Advisor Brittany Taylor, CFP , was recruited by HBKS from Mercyhurst University ’s CFP ®program.

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DECEMBER 2019 • mbabizmag.com

Training and technology have opened new doors of opportunity for HBKS and its clients. According to the firm’s principals, it’s not unusual for employees to undergo customer service training by Ritz Carlton or to be inspired by disruptive innovation expert Daniel Burris to help them deliver the best client experience possible.

The firm is also ahead of the curve by investing in cybersecurity and staying abreast of new service-enhancing technology.

“Financial planning used to be stagnant. Now we have the technology to update a client’s plan every time we meet, so they can see how they are doing,” says Chris Sorce. “What artificial intelligence is going to bring into the industry and to the world is going to be mind-boggling. We need to make sure we keep pace with it.”

HBKS Wealth Advisors’ principals view growth as key to the firm’s future. “Look for us to grow more horizontally, not just vertically,” says Allegretti. “I think you’re going to see our organization attract people with different skills that you might not associate with financial services, because that will be what our clients need.”

The Best is Yet to Come

“For all these years, Greg and I have been working together and building this together and working with Dean and Chris Allegretti and a host of brilliant professionals who have joined our team along the way,” Chris Sorce recalls. “And it’s not over.

The best is yet to come.”

As the partners explain, the firm is already positioned for the future, including second and third generation clients turning to HBKS Wealth Advisors for their financial planning and investment advice.

“We want thank our clients, particularly the people in this community who trusted us a long time ago when we were starting out,” says Picirillo. “We’re honored to have had the opportunity to serve such great people.”

And, at HBKS Wealth Advisors, that’s the true measure of success.

For more information, visit www.hbkswealth.com.

Chief Operating Officer Scott Cross, CFA, and CEO Chris Allegretti, CPA, have been instrumental in creating an advisory team that has developed highly customized experiences and services for HBKS’ client base.

What does the economic forecast look like for 2020? What are the real facts and figures behind global, national and local economic trends, and what is the nature and scope of the new Shell ethane cracker plant in Beaver County, as well as its broad economic impact on our region?

Join us as local economist Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and associate professor of Economics at Penn State Behrend, and Amy Bridger, senior director of Corporate Strategy & External Engagement at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, provide an indepth look at these timely topics and more, during this dynamic luncheon presentation.

PRESENTED BY:

REGISTER TODAY AT MBAUSA.ORG

SPOTLIGHT Q&A| VIEWPOINT

Penn State Economist Discusses Outlook for 2020 It’s hard to make predictions, especially when it comes to the economy. However, by examining statistics and trends, economists can get a better idea of the economic outlook for the region and the country. Here, Ken Louie, Ph.D., director of the Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE) and associate professor of economics at the Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, shares some insights ahead of his Economic Forecast IMPACT Luncheon presentation on December 12 at the MBA Conference Center in Erie.

Some economists are saying that we should expect slower economic growth, possibly even a recession, for the U.S. economy and global economy in 2020. What does your research show?

By some measures, U.S. macroeconomic performance is still strong.

For example, in September, the unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent, the lowest level in half a century.

Inflation has also remained low, with the Consumer Price Index increasing by a modest 1.7 percent in September compared to a year ago. The fact that the economy has been operating at “full employment” without generating higher inflation is a positive sign, indicating that further economic growth is possible in 2020.

At the same time, however, there are some signs that economic growth may be slowing. Recent statistics from the Federal Reserve indicate that U.S. industrial production was 0.1-percent lower in September compared to a year ago. Industrial capacity utilization also decreased 0.4 percentage point in September to 77.5 percent, which is 2.3 percentage points below its longrun (1972–2018) average. Growth in

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DECEMBER 2019 • mbabizmag.com

U.S. real GDP has already slowed to 2 percent in the second quarter, down from 3.1 percent in the first quarter.

The Fed’s most recent projections indicate that U.S. growth will remain at 2 percent in 2020, but fall to 1.9 percent in 2021 and to 1.8 percent in 2022. In this context, the Fed pushed interest rates lower for the second time this year in September.

There are also signs of potential weakness in the global economy. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently lowered its forecasts for global growth in 2019 to 3 percent, the lowest rate since the 2008-2009 financial crisis. While the IMF expects global growth to rebound to 3.4 percent in 2020, this represents a 0.2 percentage point downward revision compared with earlier forecasts made in April.

It’s too early to tell if these are all signals of an impending recession.

Whether the U.S. economy and the global economy will enter into recession will depend on many factors that are yet to be played out fully, including the likelihood of renewed trade tensions between the United

States and China, the repercussions emanating from a final Brexit agreement, changing consumer and business sentiment both in the United States and abroad, and government policies around the world. Even the “inverted yield curve,” which has been a reliable predictor of U.S. recessions in the post WWII period, has been giving mixed signals. After inverting earlier in the year, the yield curve has reverted back to “normal” in October.

What about regional economic outlook? How does it compare with the state and nation?

Unfortunately, the Erie regional economy experienced a reduction in real (inflation-adjusted) output by 0.8 percent between 2016 and 2017, the most recent year for which data are available. During the same period, real output grew by 1.7 percent in Pennsylvania and by 2.2 percent in the nation as a whole.

The good news is that, on a seasonally-adjusted basis, nonfarm employment in Erie has increased over the past year, albeit at a very modest pace of 0.5 percent (700 jobs).

During the same period, nonfarm

employment grew by 0.6 percent in Pennsylvania and by 1.4 percent in the United States as a whole.

Which sectors are showing the most growth heading into 2020 and why?

The Erie sectors showing the most employment growth over the past year include Education and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality, Local and Federal Government, Transportation and Utilities, and Wholesale Trade. The growth in these sectors reflects Erie’s continuing evolution towards being more of a service-providing economy.

You are marking the ninth anniversary of the ERIE Leading Index this year. Are there any surprises that we should note from your most recent findings?

Unfortunately, the Erie Leading Index (ELI) has registered another

slight decline, reflecting decreases in Erie manufacturing employment as well as PA Average Weekly Hours in Manufacturing. A decrease in U.S. Building Permits also contributed to the decline in ELI. The silver lining is that employment is slowly expanding in other parts of the local economy.

What key areas/current issues should we be keeping our eyes on when it comes to the economic forecast for 2020?

Locally, key areas to keep our eyes on include the job situation at Wabtec.

In addition, the acquisition of LORD Corporation by Parker Hannifin Corporation may have some local economic effects. Also worthy of attention are the new investment projects in the region, including the recently announced plans to expand the Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) to Erie and create

a new biomedical research lab at Penn State Behrend’s Knowledge Park. These are among the notable events that will affect the structure of the local economy, as well as the level of employment. Of course, it will also be important to keep track of national and global events such as shifts in economic policy and possibly intensified trade conflicts.

To learn more about the 2020 Economic Outlook, register for the MBA’s upcoming IMPACT Luncheon on December 12 in Erie at www.mbausa.org.

‘Tis the season for giving.

With your help we can help make the holidays a little brighter for the women and children we serve.

Holiday Wish List: Disney on Ice tickets

(Erie Insurance Arena 12/12, 12/14, 12/15)

Brunch with Santa

(ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum 12/8)

Splash Lagoon tickets House Needs: Twin bed sheets/quilts Gently used or new women’s clothing (especially sizes 2X and 3X) New body wash/lotion Towels/wash cloths Cleaning supplies/bleach

Children’s Needs: Diapers: sizes newborn and 4-6 Pull-ups: sizes 2T-4T Gloves, hats, boots, and coats Baby wipes

Three ways to give: mcwerie.org/ways-to-give 814.455.4577 jhagerty@mcwerie.org 1039 East 27th Street | Erie, PA 16504 | mcwerie.org Mercy Center for Women is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy and is committed to enhancing the dignity of each person we serve through healing of body, mind and spirit. We provide safe and supportive transitional housing, education and counseling for homeless women with or without children. mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2019

9

TRAINING @ THE MBA LEARN IT TODAY . . .

APPLY IT TOMORROW!

Harness the true potential of your workforce with professional training @ the mba!

JANUARY



FEBRUARY



MARCH 2020

MANUFAC

2020

CLASS LOCATIONS All courses are held at the MBA Conference Center in Erie, unless otherwise noted.

Corry

Corry Higher Ed Council 221 North Center Street

Cranberry Twp. SMC Business Councils

600 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 190 Erie

MBA Conference Center 2171 West 38th Street

St. Marys

Community Education Council 4 Erie Avenue, Suite 200

* Handicap access and parking available at all sites.

JANUARY

LEADERSHIP

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I 1/15 and 1/22 Course I (St. Marys) 1/29 and 1/30 Course III 1/7 and 1/14 Course III (Cranberry Township) 1/8 and 1/9 Course IV 1/16 and 1/23 Course IV (Cranberry Township) 1/29 and 1/30 Course V 1/15 and 1/22 LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course III

1/14

WORKPLACE CIVILITY (a.m. only) 1/21 GET ORGANIZED & EFFICIENT (a.m. only) 1/15

ONSITE TRAINING CONVENIENCE: Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it.

CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS: From full-day to halfday programs, we will tailor any program to fit your specific needs.

FOCUSED INTERACTION: Group training discussions focus on the key topic areas specific to your company’s environment.

REGISTER TODAY! VISIT: MBAUSA.ORG CALL: 814/833-3200  800/815-2660 EMAIL: MLESNIEWSKI@MBAUSA.ORG

BUILDING TEAMS (a.m. only) 1/22 WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

1/31

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPING WEBSITE CONTENT (a.m. only) 1/8 CREATING & MAXIMIZING E-NEWSLETTERS (p.m. only)

1/8

PRESENTATION SKILLS (a.m. only) 1/24 and 1/31

SAFETY ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

1/20

FORK TRUCK – TRAIN THE TRAINER (a.m. only)

1/15

HUMAN RESOURCES

HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES – LEVEL I Interviewing & Hiring (a.m. only) Terminations (1 to 5 p.m.)

1/16 1/16

HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES – ADVANCED FMLA & ADA (a.m. only)

1/23 Job Descriptions & Reasonable

Accommodations (1 to 5 p.m.)

1/23

COMPUTER TRAINING Learn the coolest tips and tricks to the latest computer applications available today. Classes can be taken individually or as part of a certificate series. * A.M. classes run 8 a.m. to noon, and P.M. classes run 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Cancellation/No-Show Policy: If notice is four business days or more, a full refund will be made. If notice is less than four business days, or if you do not show up for the class, no refund will be made. NOTE: You may substitute another individual from your organization at any time and at no cost.

• Access Level I — 2/13 • Excel Basics — 2/20 or 3/5

(Half-day classes only; 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

• Excel Level I — 1/14, 2/4 or 3/3 • Excel Level II — 1/23 or 3/10 • Excel Level III — 1/8, 1/9 or 2/11

CTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

TRAINING SCHEDULE

MARCH

FEBRUARY

LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course IV

LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course I Course V

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I (Corry) 2/26 and 2/27 Course II 2/12 and 2/19 Course II (St. Marys) 2/19 and 2/20 Course IV 2/4 and 2/11 Course V 2/20 and 2/27 Course V (Cranberry Township) 2/12 and 2/13 2/18

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course II (Corry) 3/11 and 3/12 Course III 3/4 and 3/11 Course III (St. Marys) 3/4 and 3/5 Course IV (St. Marys) 3/25 and 3/26 Course V 3/3 and 3/10 3/18 3/10

MOTIVATE YOUR EMPLOYEES (a.m. only) 2/6 WORKPLACE CIVILITY (a.m. only) 3/20 MOTIVATE YOUR EMPLOYEES (a.m. only, Cranberry Township) 2/14 MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS WORKPLACE COMMUNICATION SKILLS WORKPLACE CIVILITY

3/6

(p.m. only, Cranberry Township) 2/14 PR BOOTCAMP (a.m. only) 3/20 CUSTOMER SERVICE (a.m. only) 2/12 MARKETING PLANNING (p.m. only) 3/20 DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS (a.m. only) 2/19 LEADING CHANGE (p.m. only)

2/19

MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS NEW! DIGITAL ANALYTICS FOR YOUR BUSINESS 2/28

QUALITY INTRODUCTION TO PROCESS CAPABILITY (a.m. only)

QUALITY PROCESS FAILURE MODE & EFFECTS ANALYSIS 3/10 LEAN OPERATIONS (Three Days)

3/10, 4/14 and 5/12

SIX SIGMA (Three Days)

3/11, 4/15 and 5/13

SAFETY ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION (Cranberry Township)

3/2

SAFETY

ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

3/16

ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION

OSHA 10-HOUR CERTIFICATION

2/18

2/17

NEW HIRE SAFETY TRAINING (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) 2/12

SUPERVISOR SAFETY AWARENESS

HUMAN RESOURCES

HUMAN RESOURCES

HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES – LEVEL II Harassment & Discrimination (a.m. only) 2/13 Employment Law (1 to 5 p.m.)

2/13 HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES – ADVANCED Handbooks (a.m. only) 2/20 Understanding FLSA (1 to 5 p.m.)

2/20

3/19 and 3/20

SUPERVISOR SAFETY BEST PRACTICES

HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES – LEVEL I Retention & Benefits (a.m. only) Unemployment & Workers’ Compensation (1 to 5 p.m.)

3/4 3/18

3/12 3/12

HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES – ADVANCED Onboarding & Form I-9 (a.m. only) 3/19 Pre-Employment Screening (1 to 5 p.m.)

3/19 HR FOR NON-HR PROFESSIONALS (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) 3/4

CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS TRAINING 25 YEARS 10,000 GRADUATES THROUGH THE MBA Thank You... for selecting the Manufacturer & Business Association as your preferred training provider! Our Certified Supervisory Skills series is considered one of the premier employee leadership programs in the region for businesses of every size and type.

COMING SOON TO A TRAINING FACILITY NEAR YOU!

To request this program in your area or to schedule a class onsite at your facility, please contact Patty Welther at 800/815-2660, 814/833-3200 or Pwelther@mbausa.org. Visit mbausa.org to view upcoming public offerings.

BUSINESS BUZZ | WHAT’S NEW MAXPRO TECHNOLOGIES BREAKS GROUND ON EXPANSION

Maxpro Technologies, located at 7728 Klier Drive South in Fairview, Pennsylvania, recently broke ground on a new, 5,900-square-foot addition to its office, shop and warehouse space. This is the fourth expansion to the building since it opened in 2002. When completed, the facility will house a total of 21,940 square feet.

Founded in December 1995 by Paul Bowser, Maxpro Technologies, began with three, full-time employees in a rented building. Since the company’s inception, Maxpro has grown to 23 full-time employees who serve a worldwide customer base.

The company, which specializes in high pressure products, including valves, fittings, tubing, liquid pumps, air amplifiers, gas boosters and custom pumping systems, also offers a safe and easy to use Coning & Threading Machine.

To learn more, visit www.maxprotech.com.

PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE NAMES PLASTIKOS A ‘TOP SHOP’ FOR 2019

Plastikos recently made Plastics Technology magazine’s 2019 “Top Shops” list, with only 27 injection molding companies earning the distinction globally (two Canadian molders and one molder from China made the cut). The company also was the only PA injection molder on PT’s “Top Shops” list. The company also was ranked No. 5 among all of the global respondents.

Top Shops is Plastics Technology’s annual benchmarking survey intended to identify best practices in injection molding and those molders that are, well, practicing them. The survey is a retooled iteration of the former World Class Processors study, last conducted in 2016. The main difference between the two is that Top Shops is focused on injection molding.

The survey is conducted by Gardner Intelligence (gardnerintelligence.com), a division of Gardner Business Media, the Cincinnati-based publisher and parent company of the magazine and other businessto-business publications that focus on discrete part manufacturing.

Plastikos Inc. is a precision injection molder of medical devices and components headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Maxpro Technologies recently embarked on a major expansion at its Fairview, Pennsylvania facility.

DOL AWARDS $2.5 MILLION WORKFORCE GRANT TO GREATER OH-PENN REGION

an industry-led group of manufacturers in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana Counties working with their partners in education and workforce development to increase awareness of manufacturing career pathways and address common strategies and opportunities to meet the workforce needs of today and tomorrow.

The Oh-Penn partnership was one of 18 awarded through the grant initiative for the Appalachian and Delta Regions. The project will focus on Replicating, Scaling, and Sustaining Sector-Driven Successes in the Greater Oh-Penn Region.

PARKER HANNIFIN COMPLETES LORD CORPORATION ACQUISITION

The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded a $2.5 million Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) grant to the West Central Job Partnership (WCJP) and Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition (MVMC).

Sector Partnerships, including MVMC and the Erie Regional Manufacturer Partnership, will scale promising practices to strengthen talent pipelines and advancement strategies in manufacturing, then health care.

WCJP and MVMC have a strong history, including managing two other large-scale regional projects funding by the USDOL — the Workforce Innovation Fund and American Apprenticeship Initiative. For purposes of this grant, the Greater Oh-Penn Region includes Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties in Ohio and Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren Counties in Pennsylvania.

The West Central Job Partnership is a nonprofit organization established in 1986 to serve the communities of Lawrence and Mercer Counties through the Blood donors administration and operation saved this of job training and workforce boy's life. development programs. WCJP provides staff to the Workforce Share Life, Give Blood. Development Board led by private-sector employers to Community Blood Bank deliver strategic leadership relies on local donors to save toward workforce initiatives in local lives.

Visit fourhearts.org to find a its service area and as part of a blood drive near you. larger regional strategy.

To learn more, visit www.plastikoserie.com.

The Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition is

10

DECEMBER 2019 • mbabizmag.com

To learn more, visit www.industryneedsyou.com.

Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE:PH), a global leader in motion and control technologies, recently completed its acquisition of LORD Corporation — a leading manufacturer of advanced adhesives and coatings, as well as vibration and motion control technologies — for approximately $3.675 billion in cash. The strategic transaction creates a combined organization with strong materials science capabilities, electrification and aerospace product offerings that are highly complementary.

The transaction is expected to drive significant value for shareholders through increased organic growth, higher EBITDA margins, stronger cash flow and add to Parker’s earnings per share, excluding one-time costs and deal related amortization. LORD is expected to strengthen Parker’s portfolio of attractive margin and high growth businesses, and significantly expand Parker’s materials science capabilities with complementary products, better positioning Parker to serve customers in growth industries and capitalize on emerging trends such as electrification and lightweighting.

“We are excited about the opportunity to strengthen our technology portfolio by significantly bolstering our position in engineered materials,” said Tom Williams, chairman and chief executive officer of Parker. “Acquiring LORD is expected to improve operating margins and its organic growth rate will help improve the resiliency of the Parker portfolio, strengthening our ability to achieve top quartile financial performance.”

For more information, visit www.parker.com.

12 KNOX LAW ATTORNEYS NAMED TO 2020 BEST LAWYERS LIST

R. Perrin Baker, Bryan G. Baumann, Neal R. Devlin, Michael A. Fetzner, Guy C. Fustine, Thomas C. Hoffman, II, Mark J. Kuhar, Carl N. Moore, Richard W. Perhacs, Thomas A. Tupitza, Jerome C. Wegley and Timothy M. Zieziula, shareholders at Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C., were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2020 Best Lawyers in America® list.

The practice areas for which each attorney was selected is as follows.

Bryan G. Baumann and Timothy M. Zieziula are new to this year’s list: R. Perrin Baker: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Bryan G. Baumann: Litigation – Construction (New to the 2020 list) Neal R. Devlin: Commercial Litigation Michael A. Fetzner: Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers Guy C. Fustine: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation – Bankruptcy Thomas C. Hoffman, II: Trusts and Estates Mark J. Kuhar: Employment Law – Management Carl N. Moore: Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers Richard W. Perhacs: Employment Law – Management and Labor Law – Management Thomas A. Tupitza: Health Care Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Public Finance Law, and Real Estate Law Jerome C. Wegley: Trusts and Estates Timothy M. Zieziula: Real Estate Law Best Lawyers in America®, first published in 1983, is the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession.

MCGILL, POWER, BELL & ASSOCIATES SUPERVISORS RECOGNIZED AS PICPA’S YOUNG LEADERS

Scott Herzing and Ashley Mocker of McGill, Power, Bell & Associates, LLP (MPB) were honored as recipients of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (PICPA) 2019 Young Leader Awards.

Each year, PICPA recognizes individuals under 40 who demonstrate a commitment and passion toward the accounting profession.

Herzing is a supervisor at MPB in Erie and serves on the PICPA Erie Chapter Executive Committee. At MPB, he specializes in corporate and individual taxation with a focus on the manufacturing sector. He is a key member of the firm’s Research and Experimentation (R&E) Tax Credit team.

Mocker is a supervisor at MPB in Grove City. She also serves on the PICPA Northwestern Chapter as the Secretary/Treasurer. Mocker has more than nine years of experience in the accounting/ auditing field. At MPB, she specializes in providing accounting and auditing services to governmental and nonprofit organizations, including the preparation of nonprofit information returns.

McGill, Power, Bell & Associates, LLP is a regional certified public accounting firm in Western Pennsylvania, with offices in Erie, Franklin, Grove City, Meadville and Titusville.

PEOPLE BUZZ | AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS KNOX LAW WELCOMES NEW ASSOCIATE TO FIRM

Knox Law recently welcomed Kenzie P. Ryback as its newest associate.

Ryback will focus her practice on estate planning, trust planning, estate administration, and business & tax matters.

She is a summa cum laude graduate of both Gannon University and The Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Law, from which she graduated in the top 1 percent of her class.

Her legal experience includes summer associate positions at Knox Law during law school. She also served as a certified legal intern at the Rural Economic Development Clinic in State College, creating LLCs, drafting and revising documents and contracts, and conducting legal research.

Ryback joins a team of nearly 40 attorneys who have been providing quality legal services to businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, insurance companies, financial institutions, individuals and families for over 60 years.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NWPA CELEBRATES TWO LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS

Junior Achievement of Northwest Pennsylvania. recently held its annual Celebrating Success event on November 6 at the Erie Art Museum.

The event celebrated honorees Kristen Santiago, owner of Ivy + Atlas and president of Erie Clayspace, and John Meighan, president of Lake Erie Rubber and founder of One Leg Up Pet Products.

At the event, attendees also learned how Junior Achievement teaches students how to manage money, build businesses that create jobs and prepare for their career. JA of Western Pennsylvania’s volunteer-delivered, kindergarten-12th grade programs foster workforce development, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, and use experiential learning to inspire students to reach their potential.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2019

11

A Not So Happy Hour for Traveling Employees

LEGAL BRIEF | LIABILITY

Scope, Course of Employment Key to Whether Accidents Are Compensable departure from his employment by driving past his home and attending the event. The judge denied the Claim Petition, concluding the employee failed to meet his burden of proving he was in the course and scope of his employment at the time of the accident. The Appeal Board affirmed and, in July 2019, the Commonwealth Court also affirmed the denial.

John Draskovic is a senior partner with MacDonald, Illig Attorneys, a member of the firm’s Litigation and Labor Departments, and chairman of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Group.

For an injury to be compensable under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act, it must occur within the course and scope of employment. What constitutes the course and scope of employment is broader for traveling employees than for stationary employees. When determining whether a worker is a traveling employee, consideration is given to whether the employee’s job involved travel, whether the employee works on the employer’s premises or whether the employee has no fixed place of work.

Traveling employees are presumed to be in the course and scope of employment when traveling to or from work. To rebut this presumption, the employer must show

the employee’s actions at the time of the injury were so foreign to and removed from usual employment that it constituted abandonment of employment.

Recently, the Commonwealth Court drew a very fine, but important, distinction in determining whether a traveling employee was in the course and scope of employment.

Peters v. WCAB (Cintas Corp.), 214 A.2d 738 (Pa. Commw. 7/18/19).

In Cintas, the employee was required to work at the company’s office in Allentown during a portion of the week and spend the remainder of the week calling on customers.

On the day of his injury, the employee finished his last appointment and drove back to Allentown to attend a company sponsored celebration at a local restaurant.

The employee drove past the exit for his home and continued toward the restaurant.

After leaving the restaurant and while driving home, he was involved in an accident.

The employee claimed the accident occurred while in the course and scope of his employment as a traveling employee on his way home from a work-sponsored event.

The employer argued the employee made a

The Court distinguished the Cintas case from the many similar prior cases awarding benefits to traveling employees by seizing upon the single fact that the employee had traveled past the exit for his home and traveled on to the social event. The Court held that the employee’s homeward trip “ended” before he attended the nonmandatory social event. Thus, he was outside the course and scope of his employment when the injury occurred. Moreover, the employee was not furthering the interests of his employer by attending the social event.

Therefore, travel from the event to home was not within the course and scope of employment.

This fine distinction drawn by the Court is not typical nor in keeping with the requirement that the Act should be liberally interpreted in favor of an injured employee.

Nonetheless, the Cintas case should be considered when interpreting future claims involving traveling employees.

The Cintas case highlights the critical importance of gathering and preserving all facts surrounding work injuries. The outcome would have been quite different if the employee’s specific route of travel was not determined and documented at the time of the injury. If the location of the social event was within an alternative route to the claimant’s home vicinity, benefits likely would have been awarded. Traveling employees present a variety of issues for employers, and specific rules regarding conduct and documentation of travel details can be critical for work-related injuries, as well as matters of productivity, safety and regulatory compliance.

For more information, contact John Draskovic at 814/870-7653 or jdraskovic@mijb.com.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2019

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SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO THE FREE DIGITAL EDITION! It truly is the BEST time of the year! Register as a new, FREE digital subscriber to the MBA Business Magazine to be entered into our Happy Holidays Raffle Drawing! Three lucky winners will receive a festive popcorn tin and holiday movie, PLUS $75 worth of MBA gift certificates to be used toward professional development, HR services and advertising! Winning tickets will be drawn at the MBA IMPACT Luncheon on December 12. Subscribers need not be present to win.

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ON THE HILL | FEEDBACK

MBA Members Vocal on Top Issues in Annual Government Affairs Survey Jezree Friend is the Manufacturer & Business Association’s senior government relations representative and is responsible for developing legislative priorities and strategies; encouraging membership grassroots activities; and lobbying on behalf of a pro-growth, pro-business agenda.

Contact him at jfriend@mbausa.org.

The Manufacturer & Business Association is your voice on local, state and federal issues. From taxes to health care and workforce development, our Government Affairs Department monitors what’s happening in Washington, D.C. and Harrisburg, alerts members to pending legislation and provides a powerful, unified voice for business.

However, we would not be effective if not for your participation to prioritize our efforts. Legislators regard us as experts on the issues facing our business community thanks to your input. Our 2019 Government Affairs Survey establishes direction on the issues that matter most. To those members who participated in this year’s survey, thank you!

This year’s respondents were almost evenly split between manufacturers and nonmanufacturers. Here are the highlights:

The top three issues for our members in order of significance are: 1) health insurance costs, 2) finding qualified workers, and 3) a potential minimum wage increase. The first two areas really jump out with 92 percent of members citing the cost of health insurance and 83 percent citing finding qualified workers as key issues.

These results are consistent with the feedback we received at our recent “What Keeps You Up at Night?” Business Issues Forum in Pittsburgh, as well.

At a time when many political figures have grouped employers together as task masters with a disregard for the wellbeing of their employees, the results of our survey prove nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, many employers have found themselves competing for qualified workers and have increased their compensation and/or benefits packages to retain good employees and attract new ones. For example, according to our survey, if group health insurance costs decreased, respondents were tied in indicating they would invest the savings back into the company and give raises/bonuses. Not far behind, at No. 3, was hiring more employees. However, our results indicated that 75 percent of those surveyed cited lack of soft skills as the largest barrier to hiring new employees.

At the MBA, we view that workforce development and the high costs of health insurance are intrinsically linked.

As legislators attempt to solve workforce development issues, an effective avenue would be to help alleviate the growing

burden of rising health insurance costs on small employers. I would suggest the approach currently used by 30 other states and allow small business to band together to purchase health insurance through an association health plan. More on that soon.

For those of us who live in the real world and disregard political talking points, our survey found that not only did the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefit employers, many employees benefited as a direct result of this pro-growth legislation. Almost evenly distributed, our survey indicated employers used their savings to grow operations, purchase new or needed equipment upgrades and gave raises/ bonuses to their employees.

To the pundits who told the middle class this policy only helped the rich, they failed to see how employers passed savings along to their employees. The U.S. Department of the Treasury reported 90 percent of wage earners experienced an increase in their take home pay; our survey proves this fact, as many workers received pay increases directly from their employers and benefited from newly purchased equipment to improve their efficiency The MBA’s 2019 Government Affairs Survey qualifies the effects of public policy on our membership and serves as one of our most useful tools to develop policy positions. Our Government Affairs team plans to use this information to increase our effectiveness to support pro-business policies.

To learn more, visit the Government Affairs page on www.mbausa.org or contact us at 814/833-3200. mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2019

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DECEMBER 2019 • mbabizmag.com

11/13/19 1:35 PM

HR CONNECTION | WORKPLACE TRENDS PNC SMALL BUSINESS SURVEY POINTS TO CONTINUED EXPANSION

Despite pricing pressures and tariff concerns, measures of optimism in the fall of 2019 were approaching the record-setting highs measured in spring 2018, according to the latest PNC semiannual survey of small and mid-size business owners and executives.

Stay Vigilant With Tooth Care In Teenage Years To Help Prevent Unexpected Costs Dental decay is the most common chronic disease in youth between ages 5 and 17, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In September’s column, we highlighted the importance of instilling good oral health habits with kids early on, including seeing a dentist every six months. As kids head into their teens and start to become more independent, there are other dental health considerations that your employees and their families should be aware of: Tackling sports — Since more than 200,000 injuries to the mouth and jaw happen annually, it’s a good idea to wear a mouthguard during play. Get a mouthguard customfitted by a dentist or buy one off the shelf. Mouthguard care includes frequent rinsing and storage in a ventilated container.

Discouraging oral piercings — Chipped teeth are a common risk from oral piercing.

If the fracture from the chip is limited to the tooth enamel, a filling could be required. A deeper fracture could require a root canal or tooth extraction.

Keeping tabs on teeth whitening — Teens are a sizable part of the $600 million teeth whitening market. Teens should consult a dentist before trying teeth whitening, as recommended by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). The AGD advises that teens wait to whiten their teeth until at least age 14, when the tooth’s pulp is fully formed.

Then, there will be less sensitivity from the procedure.

Maintaining healthy habits on the go — Busy teens should have nutritious snacks, like apples, carrot sticks or cheese, and low or no-sugar drinks like water, organic tea and coconut water. Having a toothbrush and toothpaste handy will make it easy for them to brush after every meal and snack.

While your teens might feel grownup, it’s helpful to stay vigilant about their dental care.

Visit deltadentalins.com/oral_health for more guidance on dental health and wellness.

Lisa Wagner, DMD, MPH, is a dental director for Delta Dental of California’s enterprise, which includes Delta Dental of Pennsylvania and its affiliated companies. These companies are members, or affiliates of members, of the Delta Dental Plans Association, a network of 39 Delta Dental companies that together provide dental coverage to 78 million people around the country.

Optimism among business leaders about their own company was particularly strong at 55 percent compared to one year ago (51 percent) and near the spring 2018 record high for this 16-year survey (58 percent).

Thirty-nine percent of respondents described their outlook for the national economy as highly optimistic. Those pessimistic about the national economy hit a survey record low of 7 percent.

Those expecting an increase in the need for financing (8 percent), employee health-care costs (35 percent), and personal compensation and retirement (22 percent and 25 percent, respectively) all declined from a year ago. U.S. economic fundamentals remain solid, despite slower economic growth and the ongoing trade war between the United States and China.

Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of small and midsize business leaders expect their company’s sales to increase, little changed from fall 2018 (64 percent).

NAM TO SPEND $10 MILLION ON 2020 ‘CREATORS WANTED’ CAMPAIGN

Ahead of its 125th anniversary and the 2020 elections, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has launched a memberdriven campaign to raise at least $10 million for the newly established “Creators Wanted Fund” to inspire and drive more Americans to pursue careers in modern manufacturing.

The fund aims to achieve two goals: first, to fund a sustained investment in The Manufacturing Institute, to grow programs like “Heroes MAKE America” and the “STEP Women’s Initiative,” and second, to keep the spotlight on manufacturing and change perceptions of manufacturing careers during a critical presidential election year.

In 2020, the NAM will bring a “Creators Wanted” mobile tour of modern manufacturing to parents and students in 20 to 25 states over 18 weeks, unveil a year-long nationwide digital campaign to recruit new talent to the industry, and host a “Making America” Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. The September 2020 festival will convene manufacturers from across the country and feature interactive exhibits, leadership forums, and entertainment that will showcase the future of modern manufacturing in America.

The Manufacturer & Business Association also will be hosting its seventh annual MFG Day celebration at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pennsylvania on October 14.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2019

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HR Q&A | GET ANSWERS HOW MUCH JOB-PROTECTED LEAVE IS AN EMPLOYER REQUIRED TO PROVIDE? CAN AN EMPLOYER REPLACE AN EMPLOYEE IF HE OR SHE HAS BEEN OUT OF THE OFFICE SICK FOR A MONTH? The amount of job-protected leave an employer must provide to an employee depends on a number of factors under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The first is whether or not the employer is covered by the FMLA; then details about the employee and the reason for the leave must be considered.

The FMLA applies to private employers that have 50 or more employees, public agencies and local education agencies. It allows covered employees to take certain extended or intermittent periods of leave for the reasons noted below. In order for an employee to be covered by the FMLA, he or she must have: • Been employed by a company for at least one year; and • Worked at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months.

Covered employees may take up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave in a 12-month period (26 weeks for leaves involving the injury or illness of a family member in the military). FMLA leave is job-protected, so the employee must be returned to his or her original position, or an equivalent position with equal pay and benefits, after his or her leave has ended.

WHY MIGHT AN EMPLOYER CONDUCT A WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION? WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION? There are various reasons an employer might want to initiate a workplace investigation.

Reasons may include: • Attitude problems • Suspected substance use • Complaints of discrimination, harassment or threats • Violations of work rules • Theft An employer must be prepared to respond to an employee’s complaints. Conducting a prompt and thorough investigation not only fosters a positive work environment, but also supports the employer in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigation or court action.

Hold on to Talent With Stay Conversations Some people think employment is all about the money, but they’re wrong. For many, it’s about the opportunities.

In fact, the American analytics and advisory company Gallup cites “lack of development and career growth” as the No. 1 reason employees leave their workplace.

Employees expect some development opportunities, so ignoring this outright can quickly lead to an exodus.

How can you ensure you’re offering suitable opportunities to keep your employees happy? “Stay conversations” are a good way to start.

What They Are Stay conversations are ongoing, informal meetings between employees and their supervisors. They are intended to provide the employee time to discuss their motivations and attitudes toward their job.

In other words, you’re checking in with employees to make sure they feel fulfilled and working together to find growth opportunities.

Questions you’d ask in a stay conversation might include: What about your work is most exciting? What aspect of your job are you most passionate about? Do you feel like you are getting the recognition you deserve? What are some of your career goals?

Planning for Them Stay conversations should be informal, but they should also be scheduled in advance, so as to not startle the employee. They should also be ongoing to show that you truly care about employee growth.

Don’t wait until employees are halfway out the door. Start having these conversations right away!

Stacey Bruce, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the director of HR Services at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or sbruce@mbausa.org.

18

DECEMBER 2019 • mbabizmag.com

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DECEMBER 2019 • mbabizmag.com

Human resource professionals from around the region came EVENTS & EXTRAS | NETWORKING & MORE together for a full day of thought-provoking presentations and networking opportunities during the Manufacturer & Business Association’s (MBA) sold-out 2019 Human Resources & Employment Law Conference on October 23 at the Association’s Conference Center in Erie. The event was presented by the MBA and sponsored by Aflac, ECCA Payroll, Erie Times-News/GoErie.com, HRCI, Northwestern PA Regional College, Waddell & Reed, Widget, UPMC WorkPartners and VBA. To view photos of the event, visit www.mbausa.org.

Approximately 120 participants registered for this year’s conference, enjoying informative discussions and learning more from vendors about the latest resources available for HR professionals.

®

HR professionals were welcomed to this year’s seventh annual HR & Employment Law Conference held on October 23.

Next year’s conference is sched uled for October 28, 2020.

Attorneys Dan Miller and Jamie Schumacher from MacDonald Illig Attorneys share d some updates on employment law.

author, Keynote speaker Jason Barger, nted on speaker and consultant, prese ostat his highly acclaimed book Therm re in Cultures: Growing an Engaged Cultu the Founders Room.

MBA training specialist Lisa DeFilippo discussed “Mulitasking and Other Time Management Myths” in the Forum.

Meghan Duda, MBA contract instructor, talked about “Difficult Conversations and Managing Emotion” in the Auditorium.

Attendees enjoyed a delicious taco bar for lunch, sponsored by Widget Financial.

Attorney Julia Herzing of Knox Law spoke about “Emerging Law in LGBTQ Rights in the Workplace and Other Updates.”

Kem Hasbrouck from Maplevale

Farms won the grand prize raffle

basket.

mbabizmag.com • DECEMBER 2019

21

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