​Property managers take on multiple responsibilities, from maintaining buildings to collecting rent, managing tenants, and assisting property owners. A poor hiring decision can lead to property issues, dissatisfied tenants, or even financial losses. Recognizing common mistakes when hiring a property manager can help you prevent these outcomes.

One frequent error is overlooking the importance of local knowledge. Hiring a property manager unfamiliar with local contractors, tenant preferences, or the area can lead to prolonged vacancies and reduced profitability. A lack of familiarity with local rental laws may also expose you to legal issues, such as fines for improper tenant fees. Ensure candidates can clearly discuss local market trends and regulations before moving forward.

Tenant management is another critical skill that some property managers lack. A strong candidate must handle tenant concerns and conflicts effectively to retain tenants. Poor tenant management drives renters away and negatively impacts property performance. Ask candidates to provide examples of how they have successfully resolved tenant issues in challenging situations.

Disorganization can also create significant problems. A property manager who misses maintenance inspections, mishandles lease renewals, or mixes up property performance data can cause frustration for both renters and owners. During the hiring process, ask candidates to explain their methods for managing responsibilities and staying organized.

Carefully evaluating a property manager’s local knowledge, tenant management skills, and organizational abilities can help you avoid these mistakes and find the best candidate for the job.

​Meditation can help individuals improve productivity. No longer confined to its Eastern origins, it has gained traction among professionals in fields like science, sports, business, and academia. The rise of tools like Calm, Headspace, and Zen reflects its growing popularity for calming the mind and enhancing focus.

Meditation emphasizes being present and aware of your thoughts, rather than the stereotypical image of sitting cross-legged in a serene location. It helps manage stress, nurture creativity, develop calmness, enhance self-awareness, and improve focus, ultimately contributing to greater productivity.

By engaging the brain’s prefrontal cortex, meditation supports better focus, decision-making, judgment, and planning. Practicing regularly can increase gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, boosting neural activity to improve performance and reduce inner resistance to tackling necessary tasks.

Meditation fosters focus by quieting internal distractions and encouraging single-task attention. Studies, such as one by Microsoft, reveal how constant digital interruptions harm productivity by diminishing focus, making meditation a helpful countermeasure.

Meditating for productivity involves paying attention to the moment, practicing deep breathing, and observing thoughts without judgment. A brief daily breathing exercise or using a meditation app can help build this habit. Techniques like "noting" distractions create mental distance from thoughts, fostering clarity and focus.

Cal Newport’s productivity meditation involves focusing on a specific professional challenge during physical activities like walking, jogging, or driving, with the goal of solving it by the activity’s end. Anthony Butler, author of Primal Storytelling, uses this method to efficiently plan blog posts.

​The pandemic shed light on weaknesses in the supply chain industry, such as the demand for microchips. Before the pandemic, the tech industry had already experienced a surge in the need for microprocessors, microcontrollers, and other computer equipment. With the pandemic, undue pressure for these products happened after most businesses transformed their office space format for remote work and needed the technology to support it.

Outside of remote work, the automotive industry relied heavily on these computer products for the vehicle's computer electronics and power steering and braking systems. Additionally, countless warehouses and manufacturers closed when their workers fell ill, which became another weakness. These closures resulted in lost shipping containers because there were no workers to oversee the many supply chain processes. In some places, pandemic-related issues became compounded by natural disasters, such as the Texas winter storm, the six-day Suez Canal blockage, and a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline in the US.

The pandemic taught businesses the importance of a contingency plan that includes insurance. Experts recommend bringing in risk assessment professionals to help business owners, risk managers, and heads get a clearer picture of what might happen to their companies in case of a crisis. Furthermore, those purchasing insurance must also understand the various types of standard insurance coverages, such as business interruption and contingent business interruption.  

Regarding risk management, the January 2024 NPR article mentioned that business has improved because the pandemic taught many to assess risk quickly. During the pandemic, when home renovations increased, lumber prices increased as supply networks bottlenecked. This instance exemplified the importance of timely risk assessment in preventing the many challenges faced in this industry.

Previously, companies assessed risk because there was no threat. Today, the industry has a different attitude about assessing risk quickly, with shipping companies Maersk and Hapag Lloyd taking the initiative and rerouting their ships around Africa to avoid insurgence-related supply chain challenges due to the conflict in the Red Sea.

Ultimately, assessing risk involves analyzing a scenario to understand its immediate impacts and those that might occur weeks after the event. Considerations to make for businesses outside of making alternate routes include costs to fly essential products to clients or manufacturers so their supply lines are not disrupted. Companies and insurers better understand how to cover risk by assessing risk early.

One of the key takeaways from the pandemic for manufacturers is the importance of adaptability. For instance, some manufacturers have learned to overstock and re-shore their inventories in the case of a disruptive event. This adaptability is also seen in the concept of reshoring, which involves moving the shipping processes closer to the destination.

A prime example is a lawn and garden company that experienced a surge in sales during the pandemic. They moved most of their production from China to Mexico, making it less complicated to ship items because of the closer distance. This adaptability ensures business continuity and inspires the industry to be more resilient in the face of future challenges.

The conflict in the Red Sea has presented manufacturers and businesses with a set of challenges. While the pandemic was one of the worst human catastrophes in the 21st century, it provided many lessons across industries. Regarding supply chain management, it highlighted the need for planning, assessing risk quickly, and implementing alternative methods for getting goods to merchants.

In America, over 90 percent of the country's land is considered rural, and one in five Americans live in rural areas. Yet many rural regions also face unique economic challenges. Recognizing the significance of rural prosperity, state leaders are championing initiatives to transform these communities, with a key focus on economic development and health care.

A recent series of virtual roundtables, facilitated by the National Governors Association (NGA), has brought to light innovative strategies aimed at fostering equity and opportunity in rural regions. The NGA Center for Best Practices, in collaboration with ChangeLab Solutions and the Praxis Project, launched the "Toward Better Rural Futures" project. Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and supported by the Aspen Institute's Community Strategies Group (CSG), this initiative seeks to dismantle systemic barriers hindering the health, well-being, and prosperity of rural and tribal communities.

Central to this project were two virtual roundtables, one of which delved into the realms of equitable economic development, while the other investigated health care for rural areas. These bipartisan gatherings brought together thought leaders from various levels of government alongside practitioners and experts from nonprofits and other organizations. The goal of these roundtables was to share best practices and identify high-impact policies capable of driving economic and health equity across rural America.

Effective economic development in rural America hinges on a multifaceted approach. Identifying stable or growing industries unique to each region, investing in a skilled workforce, and enhancing community connectivity are foundational elements. Crafting compelling narratives that showcase regional strengths, collaborating across sectors, and leveraging existing programs are also vital steps toward fostering rural prosperity.

At the Equitable Rural Economic Development Roundtable, discussions revolved around innovative approaches to promoting rural prosperity. The Thrive Rural Framework served as a catalyst for these conversations. The framework entailed five core principles such as leveraging existing assets within rural communities and collaboration among various stakeholders, including residents, local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. It also emphasized the importance of equity and inclusion in rural economic development efforts to address disparities and ensure that all members of the community have access to opportunities for prosperity. In addition, the framework highlighted strategies that promote long-term sustainability and resilience in rural economies through investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and environmental conservation to support economic growth.

Several initiatives have shown promise in driving rural economic growth, including big push investments, placemaking, tourism infrastructure development, remote work incentives, and improved health care access. Big push investment refers to making significant investments in specific sectors or infrastructure projects to stimulate long-term growth, while placemaking focuses on creating safe and appealing communities that attract both residents and businesses.

Leveraging natural assets and cultural heritage through tourism infrastructure initiatives can also bolster local economies by boosting tourism. Improving access to resources, training, and funding can empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, implementing incentives and infrastructure improvements to attract remote workers can contribute to economic vitality. Finally, addressing disparities in health care and improving access through various initiatives is essential for enhancing community well-being and attracting residents to rural areas.

Rural America's economic realm is as diverse as its people and landscapes. Through collaboration, innovation, and strategic investment, these communities can thrive, ensuring a brighter future for all. As local leaders continue to champion initiatives to revitalize rural economies, their potential for growth and prosperity is promising.