Author: Becky Timberman
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Summer’s End, Back-to-School, and Preparing for the Seasonal Shift
In Central Oregon, summer has its own rhythm. Patios are full, tourists flood into town, and businesses run at a pace that can feel non-stop. Restaurants, shops, and service providers put everything they have into meeting demand—long hours, extra staff, and the constant push to keep customers happy. By the time Labor Day rolls around,…
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Why Every Business Needs an Employee Handbook: A Real Story with a Real Lesson
A while ago, I got a call from a restaurant owner I’d worked with on and off. We worked well together, I enjoy our conversations. Normally, she was calm and composed, but that day, her voice was tight. Something was off with her. I gently probed to find out what was bothering her. One of…
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Addressing Attendance Without Damaging Trust
A few months ago, I worked with a business manager who was struggling. One of her team members—let’s call him Mark—had called out six times in two months. Sometimes it was last-minute, sometimes it was just a no-show. She knew that Mark had a personal life that wasn’t easy, he had family that relied on…