What’s in your professional development toolbox—and what’s missing? In our latest blog post, we explore how inviting your team into the “why” behind training can transform required learning into meaningful growth. Whether you’re leading educators, engineers, or healthcare teams, the tools may differ, but the framework for success stays the same. Discover how to align development efforts with organizational goals, equip your people with the right resources, and foster a culture of continuous learning. Ready to build a better PD strategy? Start here.
Why are fewer men working—and what can we do about it? The decline in male workforce participation has been decades in the making, but solutions exist. In our latest blog, we explore policy-level ideas from sociologist Brad Wilcox, including promoting the Success Sequence and redirecting funding toward vocational education. We also dive into the importance of positive male role models and early exposure to career pathways. It’s a complex issue, but with thoughtful action, we can begin to reverse the trend.
What if there were a simple, proven path to reduce poverty and build a stronger workforce? Alabama thinks there is—and they’ve just passed legislation to support it. It’s called the Success Sequence: graduate high school, get a full-time job, and marry before having children. Research shows that 97% of millennials who followed this order avoided poverty. But this isn’t just an anti-poverty tool—it’s a workforce development strategy. Read more about how this three-step model could be a game-changer for individuals, employers, and communities.
The 2025 North Alabama Wage and Benefit Survey, conducted by Horizon Point Consulting and hosted by NAIDA, North AlabamaWorks!, NARCOG, NACOLG, and seven participating counties, gives employers in our region valuable insight into compensation, workforce practices, and benefits. With input from 152 participating organizations—including 81 manufacturers and 50 government contractors—this year’s report shows how pay and perk strategies are evolving across North Alabama. Who Took the Survey? Employers across diverse sectors contributed: Hard-to-Fill Jobs Respondents identified persistent hiring challenges in: Pay Practices and Compensation Trends Wage comparisons reveal moderate increases: Some employers are adopting skills-based pay programs, offering: Emerging Scheduling
What can a trip to the dentist teach us about leadership? A lot, it turns out. In this blog post, we explore how creating psychological safety—just like a great pediatric dental team does—can boost motivation, trust, and performance at work. Learn why safety and healthy conflict go hand-in-hand, and how vulnerability and structure help teams align (even when they disagree). If you’re ready to build a culture where people feel energized, engaged, and empowered to speak up, this one’s for you.