Member News

FORT MYERS, FL (September 24, 2020) – Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. (MNMW) will partner with Secure Shredding, Inc. to host its fourth annual FREE Community Shred Day event on Friday, October 30, from 9am until noon. The Secure Shredding, Inc. truck will be on site at the Fort Myers MNMW location, 8961 Conference Drive. There will be a two-box maximum per person for shredding.
This is a FREE event; however, MNMW encourages participants to consider a donation to the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee Counties or the Cape Coral Animal Shelter when dropping off shred items. Donations for United Way can be in monetary form, canned or non-perishable goods, or new/gently used clothing. Donations for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter can be in monetary form or pet food/supplies. Cape Coral Animal Shelter also has a wish list on Amazon for donations, https://amzn.to/32X35IN.  Representatives from both organizations will be on site to receive the donations and answer questions.
“We are happy to provide this service to not only help individuals shred important documents, but to help our community as well,” said Tami Cindrich, CPA, CHBC and Partner at MNMW. “Shredding sensitive documents is a safe way to eliminate clutter while safeguarding personal information. We hope that by offering this free service, it also provides additional awareness to the local United Way, its partner agencies, and the Cape Coral Animal Shelter.”
Items that can be shredded are limited to paperwork such as statements, tax records, contracts, blank checks, etc. A good rule to determine if an item is “shreddable” is “if it tears, it can be destroyed.” Items NOT suitable for shredding include hard drives, cell phones, batteries, etc. All shredded material will be recycled to support an eco-friendly environment.
Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. is a public accounting and consulting firm with offices in both Fort Myers and Naples. Along with traditional tax and accounting services, the firm offers a wide range of other services including general business consulting, construction business consulting, medical practice consulting, not-for-profit services, elder services, family mediation services, forensic accounting, litigation support, marketing and public relations consulting, and technology consulting. For more information, call (239) 433-5554 or visit www.Markham-Norton.com.
Secure Shredding, Inc. is a locally owned and industry certified document destruction company that has serviced the southwest Florida area since 2002. For more information about shredding services, visit www.floridashredding.com.
United Way Campaign funds remain in our local community to help support the local human service network of 96 agencies and over 260 programs. United Way partner agencies and initiatives serve a diverse range of needs such as nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, meeting critical needs, and empowering communities.  The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee has raised and distributed over $188 million since 1957.  For more information, please call (239) 433-2000 or visit www.UnitedWayLee.org.
The Cape Coral Animal Shelter provides a safe place where animals receive the care they need and remain until they are placed in a qualified, forever home. The Cape Coral Animal Shelter is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill shelter. For more information, please call (239) 573-2002 or visit https://www.capecoralanimalshelter.com/.
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2020) – Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, with offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples and Port Charlotte, has launched a redesigned website, JusticeStartsNow.com that offers a fresh look, improved functionality and user-friendly navigation to create an enhanced experience.
With the launch of site, the attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz can more effectively provide access to their legal services to prospective clients. The website features a unique homepage design and intuitive navigation system compatible with all devices, including mobile and tablets. The website offers:

• Simple and clean navigation
• Detailed practice area information to help prospective clients identify their area of need
• Past results to help prospects evaluate the firm’s strengths
• Detailed attorney profiles
• Client reviews
• An easy contact form for a free attorney consultation
• Frequently asked questions
• Justice Starts Now blog
• Information on the firm’s community commitment

“While our firm has been supporting the community for nearly 60 years, we continue to modernize and update our practice to the benefit of our clients,” said Christopher J. Smith, managing partner. “The new site makes it easier for people to find the information they need to make decisions on representation.”
About Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., has offered a full complement of professional legal services to Southwest Florida clients since 1962. The firm’s experienced attorneys are board certified by the Florida Bar, and their areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, fall and premises liability, wrongful death, motorcycle and truck accidents, medical malpractice, real estate, commercial litigation, construction law, wills, estate planning and administration, social security law and criminal law. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte, attorneys can be reached by calling 239-334-1146 or visiting JusticeStartsNow.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 11, 2020) – The Florida Tax Collector Association (FTCA) recently awarded Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart with the ‘Matt Langley Bell III’ award. This honor is given to a tax collector who has made a lasting and significant impact both on the FTCA and the citizens of Florida.
The award, named after the late Escambia County official, was established in 1999. Hart is just the 7^th recipient of the award, as honorees are chosen based on their entire body of work within the FTCA and their time as tax collectors. During his time as a member of the FTCA, Hart has served as the organization’s President and Legislative Chair.
Nassau County Tax Collector John Drew and Brevard County Tax Collector Lisa Cullen nominated Hart for the award. “Larry has tirelessly volunteered his time and energy to better our profession and the elected office of tax collector,” said Drew.
Hart, who is retiring as Lee County Tax Collector this year, was surprised to be honored by the FTCA. “The Matt Bell award is something that isn’t given every year, so it came as quite a shock when my name was called,” said Hart. “Matt was a pillar of both his county and the Tax Collector Association, so I’m incredibly honored and grateful to join the small group of people who have received this award.”
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 14, 2020) – Special Equestrians’ 17th annual culinary extravaganza, Taste of Love raised $190,000 for the therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving program.  Due to COVID-19 concerns, the event was held virtually online.   Ticket holders picked up food and wine at The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon prior to the event so they could enjoy it while watching the broadcast from home.  Harmon’s Audio Visual provided the video production for Taste of Love.
All proceeds from Taste of Love benefit Special Equestrians, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children and adults with disabilities by providing a structured therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving program and other equine assisted activities.  Special Equestrians has been awarded Premier Accredited Center status by PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Serving Lee, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties, Special Equestrians is a United Way Partner Agency that has been serving southwest Florida for more than 30 years.
The event was hosted by celebrity auctioneer Jay Severson and emceed by award-winning radio and television personality Gina Birch, and featured live and silent auction items.
“We are so appreciative of our patrons, sponsors, auction donors, volunteers, committee members and the staff at The Ranch Concert Hall and Saloon,” said Adele Smith, event co-chair. “Our culinary participants provided wonderful food and we served 300 To Go bags to our guests.  Everyone was able to watch the livestream of the event while enjoying their delicious food and wine from the comfort and safety of their homes.”
Culinary participants:

• Mastello and A Touch of Italy, Chef Carlo Rao
• Blue Pointe Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, Chef Andy Brown
• Fancy’s Southern Café, Chef Daniel Glick
• Cantina Laredo, Chef Martin Galvan
• Señor Pepe’s Paella Catering, Chef Pepe
• Jordan Webster Catering, Chef Jordan Webster
• European American Bakery Café, Chef Ariel Garcia and Chef Sam Savich
• The Melting Pot, Chef Chris Keys
• Custom C.A.K.E.S. by Kayla, Kayla Mateo
• Greg’s Buckeyes, Greg Kurt
• Le Macaron French Pastries, Florence Del Fondo
• Wine presented by Breakthru Beverage Group
• Beer Provided by Suncoast Beverage Company

Event Sponsors include:  Karon Rathgeber – Wells Fargo Advisors, Garden Street Iron & Metal, John S. Fifer, M.D., Seminole Casino, Mark Loren Designs and Frey Valet.  Platinum Sponsors: Architectural Metals of SW Florida, Everglades Farm Equipment, Henderson Franklin, Lovelace Farms, MVP Realty/Lee and Marie Kitsberg, Sarlo Mowers, The Dorcey Law Firm, The LaPorta Family, UBS Maurillo Rhoades Group, Sweet Cypress Ranch, and Waterside Aesthetic Dentistry.  Gold Sponsors:  Club Care, C-2-C Landscaping and Riverdale Dental Associates/Gateway Dental Suites  Silver Sponsor:  Cummings Law  Bronze Sponsors:  Bechtol Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Dave & Cheryl Copham, Edison National Bank, Green Schoenfeld & Kyle, LLP, Hair by Chris, ISEC Incorporated, Jason’s Deli, Lawhon’s Grocery, Lee Dental Care, Moon Plumbing, Northern Contracting, Pulte Group, Taylor Carpet One, Toll Law, Vein Specialists – Dr. Magnant.  Media Sponsors include The News-Press, Florida Country Magazine, Florida Weekly, Palm Printing and Signs Now.  Restaurants who were bronze sponsors include: Cantina Laredo, European/American Bakery Café, Mastello Ristorante, and Fancy’s Southern Café.
Taste of Love 2021 is scheduled for March 14, 2021.
For more information about Special Equestrians visit www.specialequestrians.net

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2020) – Renewing your truck in Florida is about to get easier. On September 1, Florida House Bill 87 took effect, changing the renewal date for all trucks weighing between 5,000 and 7,999 lbs. from December of each year to the birth month of the vehicle’s registered owner.
Prior to the bill’s passage, all heavy truck owners had to wait to renew their vehicles at the end of the year. By moving heavy truck renewals to the birth month of the owner, renewing heavy truck registration will be faster and easier.
“It just makes sense to move heavy truck renewal in line with other passenger vehicles,” said Larry Hart, Lee County Tax Collector and heavy truck owner. “Moving truck registration to the owner’s birth month offers more flexibility and, in light of COVID-19, allows us to maintain CDC guidelines in our service centers while still providing the highest standard of customer service.”
Customers should visit http://www.leetc.com/heavy/truck for information on how this update will affect them and for examples of how their renewal this December will change. It should be noted that House Bill 87 does not apply to heavy trucks used for business; the renewal date for commercial trucks will remain December of each year.
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.

September 23, 2020, Fort Myers, Florida — Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Gulfshore Business Magazine selected Registered Patent Attorney Luca Hickman as one of its 40 Under 40 Honorees. Now in its 18th year, the magazine selects 40 business professionals younger than 40 and salutes Southwest Florida’s most distinguished young achievers.
“Luca is a compassionate, energetic, and self-motivated young lawyer. He has the respect and admiration of his clients, colleagues and peers. He is a rising star that just keeps climbing higher,” shares Michael Corso, former chair of Henderson Franklin’s Tort & Insurance Litigation Division.
Hickman advises inventors, artists, and musicians and works on high profile business and contractual matters, including multi-million dollar mergers and acquisitions involving publicly traded companies and celebrities. He assists clients with the creation and management of intellectual property portfolios, brand licensing, anti-infringement matters – including anti-counterfeiting work – and creating and overseeing global trademark portfolios. With his background as an electrical engineer, Hickman understands the underlying technical issues involved in his client’s inventions and helps them prosecute, license, and litigate United States and foreign patent rights.
Hickman serves on the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Board of Directors, is the President and Director of the Fresh Foundation, Inc. He is a member of the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section of the Florida Bar, Lee County Bar Association, the Southwest Florida Federal Court Bar Association, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Catholic Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute, where he is a member of the Intellectual Property Litigation Committee.
Hickman received his undergraduate degrees from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (with high honors) and Lübeck University of Applied Sciences. He also graduated valedictorian and first in his class from Ave Maria School of Law. Hickman may be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 239-344-1307.
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with nearly 60 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients to build their homes, businesses, and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Naples. For more information about Hickman or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com or connect with us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2020) – Stefanie Edwards, chief development and operating officer of Community Cooperative, was recently awarded her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Certification, showing professional achievement and commitment to fundraising.
The credentials are awarded based on work experience, continuing education and passing an exam. Each CFRE recipient signs an ethics agreement. Founded in 2001, CFRE International is an independent nonprofit organization whose sole mission is dedicated to setting standards in philanthropy through a valid and reliable certification process for fundraising professionals.
“During this pandemic, it is increasingly more important for nonprofit executives to be able to fund programs in the face of unprecedented need,” said Tracey Galloway, chief executive officer of Community Cooperative. “Innovation and creativity have become critical in fundraising, and Stefanie has been at the forefront of funding through grants, donors and partners and thus meeting the needs of our clients.”
Edwards is a graduate of the Lutgert College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast University and oversees all of Community Cooperative’s operations, fundraising, development and volunteer programs that include 3,500 volunteers with more than 40,000 hours last year. In 2020, Community Cooperative’s annual Soup Kitchen Benefit raised over $1 million for the first time.
She was named the 2017 Fundraising Professional of the Year from the Cape Coral Community Foundation. Currently she serves as an Advisory Board Member for Pace Center for Girls, Lee County and as a board member for the Planned Giving Council of Lee County.
About Community Cooperative
For 35 years, Community Cooperative has worked to effectively eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients by delivering innovative food, education and social service programs. With a dedicated team of volunteers, board of directors and staff, Community Cooperative stays committed to its core responsibility to collect and distribute resources through a strong and viable network of community partners. Community Cooperative is an exemplary steward of the resources entrusted to it and serves clients with compassion and integrity. Through collaboration and ongoing education, Community Cooperative supports and strengthens those whose lives have been affected by hunger and homelessness, ensuring that they have access to the resources necessary to transform their lives with dignity. For more resources and information on how to get involved, contact Stefanie Edwards at [email protected] or call (239) 332-7687. Monetary donations are always welcomed and can be made directly at www.CommunityCooperative.com, or mailed to: Community Cooperative, P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902.

Funds raised will help keep an estimated 600 children out of foster care
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 21, 2020) – ​Better Together has been selected as a participant in the A Community Thrives campaign, a grantmaking and crowdfunding program funded by the Gannett Foundation, which invests in community-building initiatives across the country related to education, arts and culture, wellness and other positive local nonprofit initiatives.
Better Together is a voluntary, community-driven alternative to foster care that has served over 2,500 children in Southwest Florida and kept 98% of families together. The nonprofit was founded on the belief that loving parents should not lose children because they are having money problems, or had the courage to seek treatment, or got hospitalized without childcare. These challenges can be overcome with the right support system in place. Here’s how it works: When parents fall into crisis, fully screened and trained volunteers host children in their homes while mentoring parents toward stability. This includes help with finding a job, securing housing, childcare, treatment and more.
To qualify for a Gannet Foundation grant of up to $100,000, Better Together needs to meet a fundraising goal of at least $6,000 on its own. The community can help Better Together qualify for the grant by donating from Sept. 21 through Oct. 16 at https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/organization/Bettertogether.
“Due to COVID-19, the need for our programs is greater than ever. We have seen a jaw-dropping 155% increase in the number of requests for help since March due to the widespread isolation, unemployment, and stress that are putting families at additional risk,” said CEO of Better Together, Megan Rose. “Through the #BeBetterChallenge, you can help us raise awareness and funds to recruit 100 new host families, 50 family mentors and 20 case coaches to meet the increased demand due to COVID-19. With these resources, we can serve 600 additional children in Southwest Florida with a proven 98% reunification rate.”
With the help of hundreds of volunteers and church communities, Better Together builds lasting support systems that help families cope with hardships – job loss, substance abuse, homelessness and even jail time – and ensures that children are cared for in a safe home until the family can be reunited. Additionally, Better Together’s “Better Jobs” program has helped nearly 28,000 job seekers find employment through church-based job fairs across 20 states.
ABOUT BETTER TOGETHER
Better Together is a nonprofit organization that helps parents going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. Through the Better Families program, families are offered a preventive alternative to foster care while they get the help they need. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. The Better Jobs program was created to address the 76% of families that come to Better Together because of economic hardship tied to unemployment. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2020) – The Videographer Awards announced winners for the 2020 international awards competition that recognizes outstanding achievement in video and digital production skills. Competing with over 1500 entries, CONRIC pr + marketing received an Award of Distinction for its video submission called “Industry in Lee County: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” The video featured business leaders from all major industries throughout Lee County including healthcare, travel, tourism, sports, manufacturing, construction, technology and education.
“This award-winning video was a huge project that our CONRIC team developed for the 2019 Industry Appreciation Awards in collaboration with the Horizon Foundation, Horizon Council, Lee County Economic Development Office, and M&M Multimedia,” says CONRIC pr + marketing president and CMO Connie Ramos-Williams. “We are excited and honored to share this prestigious award with our clients and friends in business.“
CONRIC has won numerous awards for its video campaigns and projects over the years but this is the agency’s first international Videographer Award. The team at CONRIC pr + marketing was responsible for the video concept, direction, scripts, images and vision, while M&M Multimedia handled shooting and editing. CONRIC team members set up nearly two dozen video shoots across the county and conducted the one-on-one interviews.
“This video came together well and showcased the progress Lee County has made during the past 25 years while also providing us a glimpse at Lee County’s landscape when we hit that mark of 1 million population,” said Lee County Economic Development Director John Talmage.
The Videographer Awards is one of the most coveted awards in the video industry. Since 1994, thousands of production and communication professionals have entered their best and most creative work. The goal of the Videographer Awards is to identify and recognize the video artisans who excel in the scope of their own environment. The Award of Distinction is awarded for projects that exceed industry standards. Approximately 14 percent of the entries usually win this award. Award of Distinction winners are listed on the Videographer Awards website at www.videoawards.com.
See what CONRIC pr + marketing can do for your company at conricpr.com. For more information, email [email protected] or call 239-690-9840 ext. 1001.
CONRIC pr + marketing
Recognized as one of the leading public relations, marketing and advertising agencies in Southwest Florida, CONRIC pr + marketing was founded by Connie Ramos-Williams in 2007. The award-winning, full-service agency provides strategic brand awareness campaigns, integrated public relations programs, marketing development and consulting services, advertising campaigns, media buys, creative writing and design, digital marketing strategies, website development, and crisis communications strategy and implementation. The firm serves clients in many industry sectors including banking, legal, medical, government, nonprofit, hospitality, manufacturing, construction, building and development, real estate, professional association, and salon and spa. CONRIC is a recipient of multiple Image Awards from the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and Golden Image Awards from its statewide chapter, Charlie Awards from the Florida Magazine Association, Addy Awards from the American Advertising Federation and MUSE Award for creative design. For more information, call 239-690-9840 or visit conricpr.com.

Submitted by LaShaun Collier
FSBDC at FGCU
September 21, 2020, Fort Myers:  A major key to keeping your small business sustainable is to position and package your product or service when facing new market conditions. While positioning and packaging are “must-haves” for your business, pivoting should only be the option you turn to when you’ve exhausted all others. Only pivot as appropriate to help you make it to the “other side” – you may decide you don’t need to pivot at all, but you will definitely need to recontextualize your positioning to fit these unusual times (and your current needs).
The 3 P’s
Everyone’s needs have shifted during this pandemic – not just small businesses. In order to ensure your audience’s needs are being met just like yours, it’s important to look to the 3 P’s – positioning, packaging, and pivoting – for help.

• Positioning: Let’s look at Nike, which put out a campaign encouraging people to ‘play inside’ as governments enforce social-distancing measures. As per Nike’s usual standards, the copy – by advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy – turned heads: “If you ever dreamed of playing for millions around the world, now is your chance.”
• Packaging: Companies adjusting to this crisis in a multitude of ways, from restaurants turning waitstaff into delivery drivers to boutiques focusing on selling loungewear and pajamas. Ask yourself: How can you package your own business differently?
• Pivoting: There may come a time when you have to concede that pivoting is the best option for you and your business. You may sense that something isn’t quite right with your model, or be forced to rethink your operations due to external influences, and decide to pivot – like designer handbag company Louis Vuitton selling hand sanitizer or bridal companies selling face masks to match wedding dresses.

Find Your Inspiration
Before COVID-19, Kidadl operated as an online platform for discovering and booking family events and experiences. With its community of parents going into lockdown, the company has found new ways of providing a service by pivoting to become an online destination for ideas and inspiration for stay-at-home fun and learning. The new Kidadl homepage launched for lockdown now lists over 1500 free activities and resources to make family life in lockdown much easier.
Necessity vs. Luxury
Individuals and businesses alike are choosing necessity over luxury right now. Less and less people are spending money for fun and instead choosing to be more deliberate with where their money is going. In order to go with the flow, you must become a necessity.
Crises create moments of truth in business-to-business relationships. Companies that provide other businesses with values that are higher on the Elements of Value® pyramid will exit the crisis in a better position than when it started. Focus now on being a strategic partner, demonstrating stability, going the extra mile to make your offerings available, and taking the high road by helping those in need. Then amplify these actions and messages over the coming weeks.
Refocus Your Priorities
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a five-tiered pyramid model of human needs. From the bottom of the pyramid upwards, the needs are physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. As predicted by Maslow’s model, if your priorities are lower on the pyramid, then you find yourself less focused on needs that are higher on the pyramid. In other words, if you find yourself in a crisis, you’re not likely to worry too much about being a self-actualized being.
However, this global pandemic has knocked many of us, regardless of where we may have been “on the pyramid” just a few weeks ago, to the bottom of the pyramid. While the fiscal fallout of the pandemic will be nothing short of enormous, it must take a back seat to the more imminent health crisis that we are facing as a broader community. We can’t worry about higher-level needs when our physiological and safety needs need to be addressed first.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers globally are valuing services, products, people, and institutions that reduce their anxiety, reduce their risks, or provide some sense of safety and belonging. This is where refocusing your priorities – both as an individual and a company – is highly important.
Put It Into Action
Everything is different right now – everything. Now is the time to refocus the lens and figure out what YOUR needs are as a business leader and organization. Encourage your employees to share their own needs as they relate to your business, and use their ideas to create a hierarchy of needs based on what’s important to your organization right now. In practice:

1. Every leader wants their business to succeed. Having something tangible – like a Maslow’s hierarchy of needs specially created for your team – can be that extra boost of motivation your employees need to keep their spirits up and feel supported.
2. When brainstorming ways to personalize your organization’s own hierarchy of needs, consider using the pyramid as a business framework. How can this hierarchy be as much a strategy for success as it is a source of inspiration?
3. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs can be an important asset for you as a business leader, but it can be a driver for your customers, as well. You may discover more successful ways to connect with your customers, build lasting customer loyalty, and engage new customers on a more human level.

Do you want some help in strategizing how to position yourself as a thought leader? We can help, schedule your no-cost, one-on-one consulting session today at FSBDCSWFL.org