The reality is, we are an anxious and stressed-out society. However, anxiety is far more than just uncomfortable — it can be debilitating. Over 40 million Americans suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder, making anxiety disorders the most common form of mental illness in the US. And we’re feeling the impacts. It’s estimated that anxiety-related physical and mental health challenges result in more than $42 billion in healthcare costs each year. But the impacts go far beyond these expenditures. In the workplace, anxiety is also strongly linked to lost productivity, decreased performance, and increased absenteeism and attrition. A mounting body of research suggests that some demographic groups are at greater risk both of developing anxiety disorders and of suffering significant effects from them. Click HERE to learn more.

It’s time to get back to the office, which makes for an excellent opportunity to brush up on some office etiquette skills. According to a recent survey conducted by Olivet Nazarene University, when it comes to irritating office habits and behaviors, everyone has had their share of annoying coworker experiences. Their survey found out of 2,000 Americans, 100 percent of respondents reported being irritated by their peers on the job. Click HERE to learn more about the most common offenses.

Virginia Title Center is thrilled to announce that we are growing once again! Elizabeth Francis joined Virginia Title Center in April. She serves the team through a variety of administrative support functions to include answering the phone, opening Title Only files and saving Final Documentation for policies, as well as supporting the team in any way she can. She is a graduate of Hollins University (BA, 2015) where she studied Dance with a minor in Communications. Elizabeth teaches dance for a local dance studio and is passionate about community arts. In her free time, Elizabeth loves travelling and cooking with her husband, Dylan. Click HERE to welcome Elizabeth to the #vtcdreamteam. And visit our website to check out the rest of the team.

Being humble may not seem like an obvious CEO trait. It is true that you’d be hard-pressed to find a leader who lacked self-esteem or had a sense of unworthiness. In the real world, the CEO does not have all the answers, but does have all the questions and the confidence to ask them. The best leaders have a realistic appreciation of their strengths and weaknesses. They are secure in knowing that they don’t know everything, and they have no problem asking for help, learning from others and even apologizing for their mistakes. So what does humility look like in leadership? Click HERE to learn more.

Leaders who see themselves as superior to their teams won't receive ideas or initiative from them. Instead, develop a culture that fosters autonomy, safety and growth. Work at using your behavior to influence the behavior and performance of others. If you want to lead like a human being instead of a superhero, click HERE to read about some things to think about.

The Answer: No, a Notary may not certify a Note. There are two reasons why. First, the statement in the Note describes an act that is not authorized under the laws of Virginia. Second, the act on the Virginia Note requires the exercise of legal qualifications and skill that a non-attorney Notary does not possess, and thus would engage in the unauthorized practice of law. Click HERE to learn more.

The post-pandemic world will be an altogether different place than the world preceding it, which means that brands across all industries need to be prepared for what comes next, especially when it comes to customer experience (CX). There are several things that retail banks can do today to help ensure that they remain viable and attractive financial service providers. First, banks should pay close attention to how their clients behaved during the pandemic—what transactions or account activities occurred more or less during this crisis? What surprises cropped up, and was your brand able to meet the challenge? Click HERE to read on.

Technology glitches, overwhelmed staff and systems, contradictory dictates, and an over-arching pressure to make things happen fast all contributed to a rushed, somewhat confusing environment with the first round of PPP. But now, with a second round of PPP currently under way, bankers and others involved in the process are much older and wiser—and applying their lessons learned last year to this recent round of funding.The key has been to understand their borrowers’ needs, and how to satisfy and accommodate each eligible borrower regardless of size... click HERE to read on.

Every Office Needs an Emotional Support Dog, Right?

Meet Basco! He joined the Virginia Title Center team part-time in February. He is an old soul who provides unconditional love to the entire VTC team. Basco is a six year old Fox Red Labradore Retriever. When not providing moral support or alerting us to new visitors, Basco attends doggie daycare, loves to play fetch with tennis balls, nap, and most of all he enjoys to eat. Virginia Title Center is dog friendly, we have a water bowl and treats awaiting other furry friend visitors. Come meet Basco at the Roanoke office, and bring your fur babies too. Visit our website to check out the rest of the team.