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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Chamber Partners with the Business Ethics Alliance
Workforce Development
In 2020, the Council Bluffs Area Chamber of Commerce launched new workforce development initiatives starting with a collaboration of human resources managers conducting focus groups to determine the top workforce challenges of the community. High employee turnover was identified as one of our workforce development priorities.
With this in mind, the CB Chamber partnered with Business Ethics Alliance (BEA) to develop professional development opportunities for local leaders.
The Value-Based Leader is a focused on being an ethical leader, building exceptional teams, setting visions and goals for teams, and maximizing productivity.
Next Level Leadership focuses on the tenants of the 5-Levels of Leadership. Participants work to: • Understand the different levels of leadership and influence • Identify what their influence may be with each person they lead • How to increase their individual influence
During this workshop, leaders are provided an opportunity to create an actual leadership development plan for their organization.
Since 2020, the CB Chamber has successfully conducted five professional development workshops with BEA, each with an average attendance of 30 community leaders. After each workshop a brief survey is delivered with the following two questions: 1. Has the workshop better prepared you to be a better leader? 2. Do you believe others within your organization would benefit from the workshop experience?
These surveys each had an astonishing 100% response rate of YES!
Casey Putney, VP of Leadership Development at Business Ethics Alliance added, “We are honored to work with the CB Chamber as we partner to serve the local business community. It’s inspiring to work with leaders that care about creating organizational cultures that allow people to reach their potential.”
The CB Chamber is excited to expand its professional development opportunities to include a third workshop focusing on teams. During this future workshop, we will dive into how to lead teams that include five generations of workers, as well as looking at the new values employees have internally. More details of this opportunity will be available soon.
The primary goal of these workshops is to develop strong local leadership focused on creating work cultures that help employees feel valued, respected, appreciated, and heard. We are confident that through continued and intentional growth leaders will be prepared to lead from a higher level of awareness and find the desired retention that their organizations are seeking.
These workshops are available to our metro community at an affordable rate thanks to sponsorships provided by CB Chamber members.
More details about these professional development workshops can be found at: https://www.councilbluffsiowa.com/professional-developmentworkshops.
SAVE THESE dates:
JULY 12: COFFEE & CONTACTS
Great opportunity to network!
JULY 13: WORKFORCE LUNCH & LEARN
Network with HR professionals!
JULY 15: IMPACT CB FOODIE FRIDAY
Network with area young professionals!
JULY 19: BENEFITS & BEVERAGES
Learn about benefits of chamber membership!
JULY 21: CHAMBER MIXER
Network Opportunity!
JULY 27: IMPACT CB OLLIE THE TROLLEY TOUR
Young professionals public art tour!
JULY 28: WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN
Connect with Inspiring Women in our Community!
LEGISLATURE SESSION
The Iowa Legislature adjourned early the morning of Wednesday, May 25th.
It was a successful Session with many achievements to celebrate. Key among them was the overhaul of Iowa’s income tax system. With the reforms signed into law March 1st, Iowa’s corporate rate will incrementally drop to 5.5% and personal income tax will incrementally decrease in subsequent years until it reaches 3.9% in TY2026. This magnitude of corporate and individual income tax reduction makes Iowa one of the most competitive states in the nation and site selectors, businesses, and neighboring states have taken note.
The Legislature also passed an aircraft parts and maintenance sales tax exemption, that when paired with our existing property tax benefits for housing of aircraft, will make the Council Bluffs Airport and Iowa Western Community College’s aircraft maintenance training facility even more attractive.
They also passed a workforce omnibus bill that will positively impact teachers and healthcare workers across the state and made reforms to the state’s unemployment benefits system.
The Legislature was unable to pass some priority pieces of legislation for the CB Chamber, including: port authorities and medical malpractice reform to make us more competitive with Nebraska.
The Legislature also eliminated the open enrollment deadline of March 1st and the 90-day transfer waiting period for athletes. Both will create budgetary and staffing uncertainty for school districts.
The Governor also used her executive authority to provide ARPA funds for housing, broadband, placemaking, and childcare.
As we look ahead to 2023, talent attraction and retention will remain the biggest issue. The state needs to identify a consistent source of placemaking funding and will need to address port authorities and medical malpractice.
We also welcome the opportunity to discuss improvements to the state’s property tax system while maintaining local economic development tools.
Address: 149 West Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Contact Us: (712) 325-1000 | drew@councilbluffsiowa.com
Website: www.councilbluffsiowa.com
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