Michigan Business Beat | Amanda Johnson, CAMW! All About Business Resource Network

Originally uploaded July 1st, reloaded July 10th. Chris Holman welcomes Amanda Johnson, Business Resource Coach, CAMW!, Lansing, MI. Question: What is the Business Resource Network? Capital Area Michigan Works!’ Business Resource Network (or BRN as we typically call it) is a novel retention strategy that focuses on preventing employees from quitting or getting fired. The long-term goal is to improve employee retention for BRN member employers, which will boost productivity along with growth opportunities within their organization. Targeted services to employer members working with a BRN Success Coach aim to successfully remove barriers to employees that may affect retention while providing pathways for those facing obstacles to employment success. Question: How does the Business Resource Network assist employees? Employees meet with a BRN Success Coach and identify areas of improvement. The coach works with each employee individually working to connect them with area resources or provide soft skills training until they meet their goals. Coaches then follow up with employees until their employment is stabilized and they successfully complete the program. What can the Business Resource Network help with? Commonly, employees seek help for housing and transportation. However, the Business Resource Network can also support employees struggling with childcare, legal problems, and personal issues. We often tell employees that if they have a problem, we have a solution. Question: How is the Business Resource Network different from a company’s Employee Assistance Program? Most EAPs provide confidential assessments and short-term counseling. EAPs are typically more clinical. Our Business Resource Network pairs easily with existing EAPs and often increases employees’ usage of their EAP. BRN provides a Capital Area Michigan Works! Success Coach to the member company’s workers. That Success Coach works closely with struggling workers, identifies areas of improvement, and supports the employee to make necessary changes to reach their goals. This may take the form of connection to community resources, direct financial assistance or soft skill training. The Business Resource Network also features direct referral through managers or human resource employees. Question: Why should an employer join BRN? In 2024, our employer BRN members averaged 778% return on their investment. Retention and productivity increase, and recruiting and training costs decrease. The Business Resource Network at Capital Area Michigan Works! understands employment needs and trends in the tri-county region. The BRN team works daily with member employers to address these needs and provide resources to develop solutions geared toward employee retention. When a company joins BRN, they have access to an on-site and/or virtual Success Coach who is dedicated to work directly with that company’s employees to develop individual plans to get the services they need to not only stay but grow within that same organization. Question: How can employers find out more? Membership is currently open for more local employers to join. For more information, please contact the BRN team at [email protected]. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/