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
Our family loves March Madness — brackets, buzzer beaters, and a little friendly trash talk. But beyond the fun, this year’s tournament revealed something bigger: talent is global. The game is changing, and it’s not just because of NIL. Players — and professionals — are competing on a worldwide stage, and the smartest teams are thinking beyond borders. Want to build a championship-worthy team at work? Start by widening your recruiting lens. Discover the key lessons from March Madness that can transform how you build your team.
After a year of “Open the Door” as our 2024 theme, we decided this year as a team that maybe we needed to simplify- our theme and our focus. As I discussed in my speech Taste and See, turning responsibility into obligation to open the door to anyone and anything brought about a state of too much in 2025. Like they say, there can be too much of a good thing. So in keeping with tasting and seeing what is good and letting that be the only obligation or responsibility to pursue, trusting that good things will flow naturally from
2024 has been another year of highs and lows with plenty of opportunities to learn, grow and rest. We’ve had a great time keeping you informed on a wide variety of topics throughout the year. Every post we’ve written and shared, no matter the subject, we’ve strived to inform you on subjects that will help you professionally. Our team is happy to help keep you up to date with the latest information to better your career, your work environment, or your organization! With all the hustle and bustle this Christmas Season, we hope that you will slow down and practice some