Leveraging New Tools for Business Growth

Times are changing rapidly, and so are the tools used to communicate in the business world, especially on social media. Many of these can be yours for no or low cost. I am blessed to be the COO and owner of a company that has embraced new technology for a decade. Many, however, are just catching up. And what a time it is for small businesses with a little courage and patience! You can build an online community that will become wildly enthusiastic fans of your brand and help you grow for almost no capital investment.
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So what are these tools? Video on a social media platform like Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook. Facebook and Instagram have “Story” features where you can have free commercials like segments and grow an audience. Instagram also has “reels” which is strictly video. You can showcase your business like never before. With all of these free and amazing marketing opportunities, why are so few people taking advantage of them?
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It’s called getting out of your comfort zone. Perhaps fear of how the video will turn out. Do not wait till your hair is perfect, or you have the right outfit. When inspiration comes, just do it. Do not stop and think what people will think of you. Your people will love you for “you”. Do not fret when you start and have zero followers. This is where most people go wrong. Everyone starts at the beginning. Focus on your message and how you can benefit the community you are building, and be persistent!
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Start today. Carve out the time and honor it. There is so much opportunity, especially as technology evolves in the post pandemic era at an even more rapid rate. Be relevant, be yourself, and watch your business GROW!
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For more information on the Putnam County Business Council and its programs, please visit https://putnamcountybusinesscouncil.com/.
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Jennifer Maher 
Founding Chairwoman
Putnam County Business Council
Info@putnambusinesscouncil.com

Labor & HR Committee Update – OSHA Updates COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

On January 29, OSHA issued new guidelines to help employers mitigate the risk of the COVID-19 virus in the workplace. This new guidance is advisory, creates no new legal obligations on employers and is in response to an Executive Order signed by President Biden directing the federal government to reduce the risk of COVID in the workplace. The guidance does not cover healthcare providers and first responders as the CDC has promulgated separate guidance for those organizations.
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OSHA protects worker safety by developing and communicating “standards” with which employers must comply. This is a “guidance” document. The President’s Executive Order, however, directed the Secretary of Labor – if deemed necessary – to release “emergency temporary standards on COVID-19” by March 15, 2021. This guidance document provides some insight as to the type of standard that could be developed.
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Most elements of the new guidance are already required for New York employers as many can be found in the NY Forward reopening guidelines. Every employer should be operating under the requirements of their industry specific guidelines. Familiar aspects of the OSHA guidance include:
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  • Face coverings – provided at no cost by the employer as appropriate for the tasks performed.
  • Review and improvement of building ventilation systems.
  • Notifying and educating employees on the components of the COVID safety guidelines.
  • Implementing policies/practices protecting the most vulnerable workers.
  • Assignment of a workplace coordinator responsible for the COVID safety plan.
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In addition, the new guidance provides information regarding minimizing the negative impact on individuals quarantined by allowing working from home and having non-punitive absentee policies. The new OSHA guidance also urges employers to implement protections from retaliation and to set up an anonymous process for workers to voice concerns about COVID and related hazards.
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Regarding vaccines, the new OSHA guidance encourages employers to provide the vaccine (when available) at no cost to all eligible employees, provide information on the safety of the vaccine, and not to distinguish between those who are vaccinated and those who are not. In addition, the guidance advises that workers who are vaccinated must continue to follow protective measures such as wearing a face covering and continuing to socially distance in the workplace.