September 13, 2024

We're happy to say our Leadership Huntingdon County Class of 2025 had their first session on Thursday morning. This session was on diversity presented by Dr. Patricia Shope.

Last evening, we had the honor of holding a Business After Hours at PA CareerLink Huntingdon County to celebrate CareerLink Day! Guests enjoyed a cozy fall theme while delighting in favorable wraps, tomato bisque and a beautiful charcuterie board catered by Cassville Country Store. Our amazing hosts provided a tasty homemade lemonade and coffee bar! Attendees heard about some of the great services provided by CareerLink and learned how they can take advantage of those.

For over ten years, Women in Business has proudly shined a spotlight on women whose tireless work provides the bedrock of a strong community through their Women Making a Difference recognition edition.

They are now seeking nominations for their 2024 Women Making a Difference edition, which will be published in October. Each year, Women in Business reaches out to executives, chambers of commerce, community leaders and their loyal readers, throughout their 23-county readership, to send in nominations for selection.

These nominations are then submitted to the selection committee at the St. Francis University Small Business Development Center, which bases its final selections on nominees who have made a positive impact on the Central Pennsylvania business community by consistently moving their business forward, adapting to major changes in their personal and professional life and giving back to the community.

We encourage you to make a nomination by following this link and filling out the nomination form.

The deadline for submitting nominations is September 27.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Women in Business Editor David Harry at 814-278-1323 or at editor@pabusinesscentral.com.

Every day, exceptional women are making a positive difference in the work place and our community. Help us honor them!

Creating "Cool" Job Perks for Employee Inspiration

Most business owners will agree that maintaining employee happiness is a key factor in working to achieve overall success in their business operations. Although there are many complexities involved in achieving this goal, creating a positive corporate work culture through the offering of unique and desirable job perks has proven successful for many companies. With the proper selection of incentives, individuals within the workforce are more likely to feel part of a larger team and appreciated for their contribution to the common goals of the organization. As a result, human resource personnel will find it easier to both attract and retain necessary talent.

Of course, salary increases and bonuses are welcomed by nearly all employees. But going beyond that to find more unique and impactful benefits or perks targeted to a particular workforce requires benefit planners to understand the demographics and needs of their employees. An easy way to discover the priorities and interests of employees is simply to ask them through one-on-one interviews, group meetings or surveys.

An engaged workforce is a more productive workforce. Perks that create motivation among employees will reduce turnover and help increase productivity. Here are a few ideas for "cool" perks that have been successfully utilized by companies:

• Occasional "free food" or "snack giveaways"
• An elimination of official work hours
• In-Office professional training programs
• Family-focused benefits
• Onsite health services
• Childcare discounts or on-site childcare facilities
• Surprise days off
• Financial wellness programs
• Continuing education programs
• Student loan assistance
• New baby bonuses
• Fertility assistance
• Private Lactation facilities
• Give back programs
• Office parties
• Pet focused benefits
• Personalized appreciation notes
• Work anniversary celebrations
• Welcome packages for new employees

The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at hccc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Craig Pritts at (800) 377-3536.

Interested in advertising in our enews?

Contact MacKenzie at mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com.

The cost is $25.00; $10.00 for 501(3) organizations. Yearly rates are available.

If you are hiring, please send position information to mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com or login to the member section of our website to post your jobs.

Contact Us

MacKenzie Huntsman

President/ CEO

mhuntsman@huntingdonchamber.com

Lorena LaGroue

Program Director

lorena@huntingdonchamber.com

500 Allegheny Street

Huntingdon, PA 16652

Phone: 814-643-1110

Fax: 814-643-1115

www.huntingdonchamber.com