Employee development is one of the most effective ways to improve a company's bottom line. According to Gallup's State of the American Workplace, "By creating a culture of well-being in their workplaces, organizations not only help their employees become more engaged, they also help them thrive." The survey also stated that 70% of American workers claim they are "not engaged" or "actively disengaged" with their work. Building on an employee's skill set is a great way to increase employee engagement in the workplace.

In today's fast paced, technology based world, there is an abundance of continuing education resources. From webinars to online education courses, resources are available as quick as it takes to click a mouse. In addition to online resources, there are other activities that can be incorporated into regular operations as well as regional events that provide attendees with a wide range of information. There are abundant opportunities that can not only improve a person's skills but also strengthen a company.

Holding in-house seminars or workshops is a great way to utilize a knowledge base that is readily available at any company: its employees. By having employees share with each other different skills, experiences, and lessons learned it can help strengthen the overall company. An advantage of in-house workshops is that the subject matter is completely in the company's control. Workshops can be specific to issues that come up during day-to-day operations or about a generalized topic like customer service or leadership. 

The Northwest Wisconsin Business Conference, hosted by the NWWIB, has been providing the region with innovative local learning opportunities for over a decade. This year will mark the 12th year of the event! Topics in the past have included telecommunications, labor and employment law updates, strategies for managing younger workers, social media marketing strategies, and more. The conference keynote this year will be Hannah Stonehouse Hudson of Stonehouse Photography. Last year, one of Stonehouse Photography's photos of a man cradling his dog to sleep in Lake Superior went viral with the photo and the story behind it touching thousands. Stonehouse Photography's work has been featured in Success Magazine, Huffington Post, Good Morning America, Fox News, CNN, The London Daily News, Lake Superior Magazine, Washington Post, St. Paul Pioneer Press, and the Today Show.