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Going, Going, Gone: New Study Reveals Workers Flip The Script on Traditional Work

MBO Partners

The signal finding of the MBO Partners 2022 State of Independence report is the continued surge in independent work, with more than half of all Americans now freelancing or have freelanced at some point in their careers. Upended by the pandemic, 64.6 million Americans now pursue independent work, a dramatic 69% growth since 2020. There have never been more payroll jobs in the U.S.: 153 million, and there have never been more people working independently. Across the board, the old stereotypes and tropes about independent freelancers and workers are being upended. Independents are growing in number, becoming more centered in the economy, and forming connections to one another and to companies large and small. Further, the old tension of payroll jobs draining the independent workforce has been eradicated as workers get comfortable with owning their economic reality by creating their own jobs. “Beyond the pandemic and macroeconomic climate, the underlying factor driving the thrust in independent work is institutional mistrust,” said Miles Everson, CEO, MBO Partners. “We don’t trust institutions to have our best interests at heart and our proof points have mounted as we have faced the challenges of the past few years. As we have come to question our view of security, workers have realized that creating a job is no greater risk than having a traditional job.” The annual State of Independence in America report is the country’s longest-running end-to-end study of the American independent workforce, now in its 12 th year. This year’s study showed six key insights about the independent American workforce, including: Demand is boosting supply. The number of Full Time Independents, those regularly working more than 15 hours per week, soared 27% to 21.6 million, up from 15.3 million in 2019. By 2025, more than half of all Americans will be independent or will have worked independently at some point in their careers – a massive tipping point in the conversation about the future of work. Happier, healthier, and more financially secure. People are increasingly turning to independent work to regain control and autonomy over their life and their career. And they’re happy doing it, with 76% reporting that they are “very satisfied,” 87% saying they are happier, 80% reporting better health, and 67% feeling more financially secure than their traditionally employed counterparts. Test driving independence grows in popularity. The number of Occasional Independents— people who earn money periodically by working at least once a month as an independent— more than tripled from 2020 to 2022, rising from 15.8 million to 31.9 million. These workers do so by and large to supplement income (the side hustle is real) but also to build a bridge to a larger independent career, to fill a passion, and more. Younger workers call the shots. While Millennials (ages 27-42) are the largest independent cohort, Gen Z (ages 18-26) are coming into the scene in larger numbers vs. opting for a traditional career. Together, these two groups make up half of the independent workforce and are predicted to be the dominant force by 2023. What does this mean? As younger workers take their careers into their own hands, the workforce must evolve to match where the workers go, and that work is independent. Independents are becoming increasingly diverse. Between 2019 and 2022, the proportion of white independents fell from 84% to 77%, while African Americans doubled from 7% to 14%. Among the creator economy, those who earn money by creating and distributing digital content, the percentage is even higher, 20%. With hustle, there is flow. As the number of independents rise, more are reporting higher incomes, with some 4.4 million earning more than $100,000 in 2022. That’s up 16% from last year, and it comes on the heels of a 27% increase in 2021, due in part to the economy’s recovery from the pandemic. To obtain a copy of the full 2022 State of Independence study, please visit https://www.mbopartners.com/state-of-independence/. About MBO Partners®​ MBO Partners is a direct sourcing platform that enables enterprises and independents to work efficiently together. Its unmatched experience and industry leadership enable it to operate on the forefront of the independent economy and consistently advance the next way of working. For more information, visit​ ​mbopartners.com​ Contact Details Karen Swim +1 586-461-2103 karen@wordsforhirellc.com Company Website https://mbopartners.com

November 30, 2022 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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What Are Politicians Really Saying In Their Speeches? See How FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) Uses AI Bot Margaret For Some Clues

Benzinga

Margaret, the artificial intelligence (AI) bot, has a knack for interpreting presidential mannerisms. Dubbed a specialist in ‘Trump-speak,’ Margaret has an internal record of the former president’s distinctive use of syntax, phrases and sentence structures. The bot, for example, reportedly knows the extent of Trump’s vocabulary, how many words he speaks per minute, what body part he moves when he’s angry and other distinct mannerisms. By carefully measuring his distinct features, Margaret is possibly capable of gauging Trump’s stress levels during political speeches, predicting what he might say in public before he does and even suggesting when he might be lying. In short, the bot is a bona fide expert on former president Trump. She knows his tics, tells, tendencies and habits. How, you may be wondering, did she get there? Teaming up with a computer expert with a Ph.D. in machine punctuation, Bill Frischling fed his AI bot over 40 years’ worth of Trump-like speech gleaned from Trump’s interviews, public letters, tweets and television appearances. The result is an 11-million-word data mine, a proverbial treasure chest of the Trump lexicon, which Margaret was taught to decipher and understand. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. When Frischling first started working on his AI bot, it crashed while transcribing Trump’s speech commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. The speech – with all of Trump’s syntax, sub-clauses, trail-offs and mannerisms that make up his distinctive style – caused the bot to malfunction. Now, some might say, the bot knows more about Trump than most Americans do. FiscalNote Acquires FactSquared: The Details The interesting news is that this technology is now available to consumers. FactSquared, the company responsible for Margaret’s creation, is now a part of FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE), a specialist in data collection provides insight into regulatory processes in the U.S. Margaret can reveal incredible things about U.S. presidents after digesting so much information. For example, Frishling told the Los Angeles Times that Trump doesn’t appear stressed when he’s lying. Frischling has taken his work with Trump and extended it to important political candidates. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, he proposes that certain members of Congress “tend to forecast when they are about to make a policy shift, focusing more on their public comments on a given topic and altering their language.” It’s clear that such information, which gives stakeholders a hint at what the future may hold, could create a huge edge over competitors. Speaking of the acquisition, CEO Tim Hwang said: “Receiving timely and accurate read-outs of comments made by our public officials is a crucial service to our clients. FactSquared’s commitment to innovative rigor in the transcripts space will not only further strengthen the robust set of products and services we provide clients, but also drive meaningful technological innovation as we continue expanding the breadth and depth of our offerings globally.” FactSquared has evolved its AI prowess to include information on current U.S. President Joe Biden and even corporate earnings calls. The two additions are available on the factba.se website, which was cited over 4,000 times by local and global media sources. Through FiscalNote, any customer can now unlock AI’s predictive capabilities to see through political guises and uncover the truth. Learn more about FiscalNote here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 30, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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CORRECTION: Expansion of Pipeline to Mental Health

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Nearly half of U.S. psychologists in a new survey say they cannot meet the growing demand for services and three-quarters say they have longer waiting lists than before the pandemic. “This new survey confirms what we have already heard from patients: people are having a hard time accessing the mental health services they need,” said Dr. Michele Nealon, Psy.D., President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. “It is critical now more than ever to expand the pipeline for mental health professionals and promote integrated behavioral health into primary care.” The 2022 COVID-19 Practitioner Impact Survey of almost 2,300 psychologists by the American Psychological Association found that demand for treatment of anxiety and depression remained high for the third consecutive year, along with increased demand for treatment of stressor-related disorders, and substance use disorders. Six in 10 practitioners said they had no more openings for new patients, nearly half (46%) said they had been unable to meet treatment demand and nearly three quarters (72%) have longer waiting lists than before the pandemic. On average, psychologists reported being contacted by more than 15 potential new patients seeking care per month. Nearly eight in 10 psychologists (79%) said they had seen an increase in the number of patients with anxiety disorders since the start of the pandemic, and 66% had seen an increase in the demand for treatment for depression. Almost half (47%) said they had seen an increase in demand for substance use treatment (compared to 43% last year) and 64% had seen an increase in demand for trauma treatment (compared to 62% last year). 2021). Additionally, two-thirds of psychologists reported seeing an increase in symptom severity among patients in 2022. “The social, emotional, and economic effects of a pandemic are still with us and will be for quite some time. In addition, the stressors associated with inflation, social and racial inequities, political upheaval, and international tensions are creating an unsettled nation. At a time when mental health services are needed the most, we are struggling the most to meet those needs,” said Dr. Nealon. “Policy makers have to make a bigger investment in financial and programmatic support to ensure that everyone who seeks psychological services can find a professional who can understand and help them.” The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is a non-profit majority minority institution, educating 6,000 students at seven campuses in major metro areas around the national. Two of three identify as students of color, including a significant number of first-generation college students. About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. To spark positive change in the world where it matters most, The Chicago School has continued to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of domestic and international professional partnerships, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is proud to be a part of TCS Education System, a nonprofit, integrated system of colleges and universities that works collaboratively to advance student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Contact Details Vivien Hao +1 323-893-4743 vhao@thechicagoschool.edu

November 29, 2022 06:18 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Jon Harper Appointed as Chief Client Officer for Assembly Europe

Assembly

Global omnichannel media agency Assembly has elevated Jon Harper to a new role as Chief Client Officer for its European business. The role is the first of its kind for Assembly in the region, signaling the increasing importance of Client Experience & Leadership within the agency. Over the course of Jon’s 6-year tenure with Assembly, he has worked with clients including Lenovo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Converse with great success, building strong relationships across the board. With his new appointment, Harper will be leading every step of the client relationship journey in the business for Europe. “Assembly has grown and evolved to become a true global force beyond digital media, leading the agency to win large omnichannel deals and expanding existing client relationships. Through this, we have identified the need to go further to support clients with a broader set of solutions at a high service level in order to promote growth in a constantly evolving media landscape. Our aim is to ensure clients have the best data, tech, and talent in the industry,” said Jon Harper, Chief Client Officer, Assembly Europe. Part of achieving this has been the creation of the Client Experience and Leadership pillar (CEL), led by Harper in Europe and other leaders across Assembly’s business. This ongoing investment focuses on driving new standards of creativity and improving the agency’s viewpoint on clients’ needs. This has included “brand immersion days” and stepping outside of standard client-agency interactions through hosting Q&A sessions all the way through to getting back to the basics by visiting brand stores and speaking to front-of-house staff to truly know the heart of each brand the agency works with. Jon added, “We firmly believe that everyone is a part of client services within the agency. That’s why we’re training everyone to be immersed in our clients’ brands – my goal is for all of our teams to have more dedicated client service time and to roll out our new global CEL toolkit to assist with this.” Assembly Europe’s Managing Director, Kate O’Mahony commented, “We are delighted about Jon’s elevation to Chief Client Officer. His rich experience and willingness to go above and beyond when it comes to getting to know our clients has proven fruitful. With Jon leading this division, we will continue to drive proactive relationships and deliver higher levels of innovation in connecting Assembly with our existing and future clients.” ABOUT ASSEMBLY: Assembly is the modern global omnichannel media agency, bringing data, talent, and technology together to find the change that fuels growth for the best brands on the planet. Our approach connects big, bold brand stories with integrated, global media capabilities that deliver performance and drive large-scale business growth. Our work is powered by our proprietary, in-house technology solution, STAGE, and led by our global talent base of over 1,600 people around the world. We’re purpose-driven at our core and pioneers in social and environmental impact in the agency world. Assembly is a proud member of Stagwell, the challenger network built to transform marketing. Contact Details Assembly Gunilla Huddleston, VP of Marketing, Europe gunilla.huddleston@assemblyglobal.com Company Website https://www.assemblyglobal.com/

November 29, 2022 01:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

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CSG Systems International Approves Quarterly Dividend

CSG

CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) today announced that its Board of Directors approved the Company’s quarterly cash dividend payment of $0.265 per share of common stock to be paid on Dec. 29, 2022 for shareholders of record as of the close of business on Dec. 16, 2022. About CSG CSG empowers companies to build unforgettable experiences, making it easier for people and businesses to connect with, use and pay for the services they value most. Our customer experience, billing and payments solutions help companies of any size make money and make a difference. With our SaaS solutions, company leaders can take control of their future, and tap into guidance along the way from our more than 5k-strong experienced global CSG services team. Want to learn more about how to be a change maker and industry shaper like our 1,000-plus clients? Visit csgi.com to learn more. Copyright © 2022 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved. Contacts: John Rea Investor Relations +1 (210) 687-4409 john.rea@csgi.com Contact Details Tammy Hovey +1 917-520-2751 tammy.hovey@csgi.com Company Website https://www.csgi.com

November 29, 2022 07:25 AM Mountain Standard Time

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NetReputation Highlights Ways for Businesses To Improve Online Reputations and Attract Investors

NetReputation.com

As a top online reputation management firm, NetReputation is uniquely positioned to offer professional insight into the correlation between image and investment. Publicity is essential to knowing anything, and the proper promotion or metaphorical packaging can and does attract necessary financial backers for startups or existing enterprises. The problem with online forums, platforms, and the 24/7/365 pulse of the internet is an apparent lack of control. How do you manage your company's image and recruit investors when it seems like the digital landscape is so unforgiving? NetReputation Addresses 7 Essentials of Online Reputation Management True, the internet is full of the folklore of childhood nightmares, including trolls, who attack you or your company for no good reason, and gnomes, individuals who hoard past grievances like treasures, only to display and polish each as new when you or your company find a favorable light. While you cannot avoid critics or all negativity, you can manage the fallout by establishing a healthy and positive brand. Effective reputation management is about curating an image. Some criticize public relations work as manufacturing a facade when it is actually about highlighting an existing personality, voice, or identity. As NetReputation can attest, online reputation management is about taking an existing person or organization and ensuring the digital image is an accurate representation. At least seven elements factor into the creation of an ORM effort. 1. Creating Accurate Business Profiles Many business leaders underestimate the significance of business profiles. For many local companies, Google profiles or other directory listings are the primary way new customers discover them. Inaccuracies in listings, like an incorrect address or phone number, can create challenges for customers and lead to potential negative reviews. Always take the time to review local listings of your business or service. If there are mistakes, fix them. Also, prioritize creating business profiles so you can avoid simple errors. Managing your business profiles means preventing the presence of outdated or irrelevant information. 2. Monitoring Online Presence Besides reviewing business profiles regularly, you must also pay attention to the business's online presence. Understand that you and others in your company are not the only ones writing about the brand. Consumers will also post to social media and other forums to discuss experiences, products, and customer service interactions. The NetReputation team monitors brand and business keywords to stay on top of reviews, criticisms, and discussions. By staying informed of various conversations, companies have the opportunity to address client complaints and issues, showing a willingness to remain open-minded and understanding. 3. Guest Posting Guest posting can improve visibility and authority in the marketplace. By acquiring guest posting positions, a company not only has a chance to share its wisdom and experience but also gains exposure to a potential client pool. When a business focuses on sharing information rather than promoting goods and services, it is easier for customers to see it in a favorable light. Advertisements flood every monitor, so seeing a company offer advice without the promise of a sale or investment can paint it in a positive light. 4. Improving Social Media Visibility Social media is unstable and uneasy to navigate. Many small businesses avoid social platforms because of brands that effectively burn themselves to the ground making a point that's often taken out of context. NetReputation understands the reservations of most business owners, but social media users represent a significant number of consumers. When companies can toe the line between sharing posts and opinions without alienating the market, they can find lucrative paths to building strong and healthy consumer relationships. 5. Remember Your Offline Reputation Reputation management is about more than negotiating or navigating online channels. A significant aspect of online reputation stems from offline behavior. A company with poor customer relation skills in physical locations will likely experience a fair bit of feedback on digital platforms. Once the online rumor mill starts, it is nearly impossible to stop it. Therefore, NetReputation explains your offline reputation is just as important as your online one. 6. Develop Thought Leadership Skills Have you heard of thought leadership? A thought leader is someone who doesn't regurgitate the same professional insights as leaders past. They are someone who is not afraid to voice their opinions and insights, even if they might be wrong. Thought leaders exude confidence, which can encourage investment. However, do not allow ego to overshadow true business sense. A real thought leader knows how to ask for help and share the burden of success. 7. Embrace Honesty and Transparency Honesty and transparency are vital to succeeding with today's consumers and in the modern marketplace. Every business and individual makes mistakes. You do not create a positive reputation by ignoring past mistakes but by embracing them and showing real and valuable change. ORM Firms Improve Visibility With Targeted Focus NetReputation, a leading ORM firm, cannot erase your or your business' history. Still, it can help you manage online reputations moving forward, improving visibility with a targeted focus on positive attributes. With work and commitment, the firm can increase interest from investment partners by establishing you and your brand as authorities in the industry. NetReputation.com is an industry-leading online reputation management solutions provider focused on helping businesses and individuals repair, improve, and maintain positive brands on the web. Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, NetReputation.com utilizes the latest in digital processes and technology to restore online reputations and empower long-term success online. NetReputation was established by online services innovator Adam Petrilli in 2015. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details NetReputation.com Caroline Hunter Caroline@netreputation.com Company Website https://www.netreputation.com/

November 29, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Did FTX’s Collapse Have You Spooked? FiscalNote’s (NYSE: NOTE) Crypto Solutions Could Help You Stay Safe

Benzinga

Last week, a series of events stemming from a CoinDesk article led to the bankruptcy of one of the biggest crypto exchanges in the world, FTX. Following the popularization of a leaked document showing the assets of Alameda Research, a Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) company, investors in FTX find themselves on the ropes. Alameda, it turns out, holds a vast majority of its assets in FTT, FTX’s native token. This discovery spooks FTX holders and Alameda investors, triggering a flurry of panic selling that annihilates FTT’s price. FTT’s descent poses a problem for Alameda Research, the quantitative crypto trading firm. FTT is Alameda’s core asset; its sudden devaluation puts the company at intense financial risk of defaulting on its loans. Facing liquidity risk, SBF reaches out to Binance CEO Changpeng Zao for help. Zao announces Binance will be acquiring FTX, saving thousands of customers from losing their deposits on the exchange, but after conducting some due diligence, Zao reconsiders. FTX is left without a solution. Soon after, SBF declares bankruptcy and issues a public apology on Twitter. The apology does little to soften the blow, particularly after more information on FTX’s activities becomes publicly available. In the days after the CoinDesk article, it was uncovered that SBF used FTX customer funds for trading via Alameda Research and took out a $1 billion loan from Alameda Research, his own company. Due to wide-scale negligence and fraud, SBF and his team have lost investors and customers millions of dollars. The SBF case also shows the frailty of certain projects within the crypto space; FTX was valued at $32 billion at its peak. It took one leak of its balance sheet to bring it to $0. FiscalNote’s Crypto-Policy-Tracking Solutions The more concerning part of this story is its unoriginality. Crypto onlookers have seen several high-profile implosions this year. Three Arrows Capital, Celsius, Voyager Digital, Luna, BlockFi and Genesis have all collapsed in 2022, sending ripples of danger throughout the crypto world. FTX’s story, while perhaps slightly more dramatic, embodies the same fault as the rest: An inability to appropriately manage risk and responsibly manage assets and liabilities. To crypto cynics, these case studies serve as evidence that the idea of a decentralized version of traditional financial systems cannot exist. To them, human error is inevitable when there are no regulations to observe and punish misbehavior. Advocates believe that these projects, no matter how large, do not reflect the value of “true” decentralized projects. Instead, they’re like weeds in a garden – a nuisance to an otherwise healthily-growing community. Given the past sequence of events, it’s clear that staunch blockchain supporters need help staying safe while this technology climbs out of its infancy stage. As an agency specialized in collecting data on the regulatory processes in the U.S. and abroad, FiscalNote Holdings Inc. (NYSE: NOTE) may provide investors with the needed safety coverage. Through its crypto-policy-tracking solutions, FiscalNote provides customers with comprehensive solutions to help investors stay on top of the regulations, stakeholders and news impacting the crypto space. Just imagine if investors could have caught the CoinDesk report right after it was published and before FTT began to tank – it would have saved them fortunes. FiscalNote’s crypto-policy-tracking solutions allow investors to: Quickly monitor thousands of U.S. local and federal bills across 12,000 local government entities and all 50 states. Access award-winning non-partisan news. Consume weekly newsletters on Congress and Federal agencies’ latest dealings with cryptocurrency-related issues. Monitor changes in cryptocurrency legislation across Europe and the world. FiscalNote’s crypto-policy-tracking solutions are trusted by Lenovo, UBS and Allianz. To the crypto optimist, they represent a safeguard against the industry’s unforgiving fraudsters. For more on how FiscalNote can help keep you safe, click here. This post contains sponsored advertising content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

November 29, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Why People Aren’t Calling Auto Repair Businesses

AutoTech IQ

In case you haven’t noticed, the world of communications is changing. And that includes customer calls and service requests in the auto repair business. In the past, the automotive repair business centered around phone calls and one-on-one interactions with customers. But today’s customers expect more. Digital communication and education are the foundation of today’s successful auto repair businesses. If you haven’t implemented these changes in your shop, learn about why digital tech has replaced yesterday’s phone communication. 7 Reasons Auto Repair Businesses Aren’t Getting Calls The younger generations grew up using technology, which has changed how they interact with businesses. They no longer want to call a business but prefer to communicate via text, view data-driven estimates and pay with online invoices. In other words, they require more transparency and want to understand the particulars of what they are paying for. In fact, in one study, the majority of those surveyed prefer digital communications when getting car repairs. The advent of digital communication not only gives your customers those benefits, but it also helps you build essential trust as you earn their business. Fewer People Want to Talk Because people prefer to do business digitally, they want instant access to the information that will help them decide which business to go to. One survey shows that 80% of all local searches result in a sale. But that same survey explains that the people doing the local search want to easily find the business’s number, address and product offerings. In other words, they want to skip the call — and the wait to speak with someone — and get all the pertinent information from their phone. Not Optimizing the Mobile Experience Because most people use their phones to make purchases and set appointments, the auto repair shops that have a mobile app that allows for easy online booking will attract those customers. No one wants to wait 10 minutes on the phone trying to set an appointment. Instead, they want to log onto the website, choose from the available appointments, and schedule one. An app allows customers to do things on their own schedule and not have to worry about making a decision while someone is waiting on the other end of the line. Lack of Quality Customer Service What’s worse than having to call a car repair shop for an appointment or an explanation about your car’s issues? Dealing with someone on the phone who isn’t helpful or friendly. If your customers must call your shop, it’s important to ensure they speak with someone who shows they care. And forget about old-school sales techniques when explaining the potential repairs. Today’s customers want digital proof of what’s wrong with the car and what it will take to fix it. Give your customers more emphasis on helpful and specific details to gain their trust. Long Wait Times People want access to quick information online, but that doesn’t mean they don’t expect superior service when they do have to call or interact with a technician. A survey shows that 75% of callers won’t leave a voicemail, and 85% of them will not call you back if you don’t answer the phone. And because many auto repair shops have a reputation for long wait times on the phone and in person, it’s something that needs to be addressed. Ideally, car repair shops will reduce call wait times, drop-off wait times, service wait times and the amount of time it takes to complete paperwork — all in addition to offering digital communication to their customers. Lack of Quality Customer Service Did you know that 90% of people use customer service as a factor when deciding whether to do business with a company? And 58% of those surveyed say they will switch companies because of poor customer service. In the automotive repair business, customer service often comes down to whether a business uses digital communications to allow customers to view their car repair options. These digital reports and estimates make customers feel in control and allow for better decision-making. Lack of Transparency Most people don’t know how to fix their own car, and they look for an auto technician they can trust to do the job for them. If a technician doesn’t explain a needed repair — or worse, recommends an unnecessary repair — they aren’t going to gain the trust of their customers. Today’s customers want digital proof of needed repairs from techs like AutoTechIQ-certified auto repair shops, where a vehicle’s bill of health is the basis of their recommendation. They can view digital reports and feel confident they have full transparency when making decisions. Digital Vehicle Inspections Seeing is believing, as the old saying goes, and that’s true when it comes to auto repairs. That’s why digital inspections are the new norm when it comes to auto repairs. These digital inspections show customers the whole picture of their car’s health with videos, high-resolution photos and detailed notes. And once a customer sees for themself what’s needed, they tend to approve two to three times the amount of work than when given verbal explanations. Give Customers the Control and Confidence They Need The auto repair shops that give today’s customers what they need are the shops that will thrive in this new marketplace. If you haven’t yet used digital communications and reports, contact AutoTechIQ now and find the best shop in your area. Contact Details AutoTech IQ +1 866-678-8505 support@AutoTechIQ.com Company Website https://www.autotechiq.com/

November 28, 2022 02:51 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Expansion of Pipeline to Mental Health

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Nearly half of U.S. psychologists in a new survey say they cannot meet the growing demand for services and three-quarters say they have longer waiting lists than before the pandemic. “This new survey confirms what we have already heard from patients: people are having a hard time accessing the mental health services they need,” said Dr. Michele Nealon, Psy.D., President of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. “It is critical now more than ever to expand the pipeline for mental health professionals and promote integrated behavioral health into primary care.” The 2022 COVID-19 Practitioner Impact Survey of 2,300 psychologists by the American Psychological Association found that demand for treatment of anxiety and depression remained high for the third consecutive year, along with increased demand for treatment of trauma-related disorders, increased stressors, and substance use disorders. Six in 10 practitioners said they had no more openings for new patients, nearly half (46%) said they had been unable to meet treatment demand and nearly three quarters (72%) have longer waiting lists than before the pandemic. On average, psychologists reported being contacted by more than 15 potential new patients seeking care per week. Nearly eight in 10 psychologists (79%) said they had seen an increase in the number of patients with anxiety disorders since the start of the pandemic, and 66% had seen an increase in the demand for treatment for depression. Almost half (47%) said they had seen an increase in demand for addiction treatment (compared to 43% last year) and 64% had seen an increase in demand for trauma treatment (compared to 62% last year). 2021). Additionally, two-thirds of psychologists reported seeing an increase in symptom severity among patients in 2022. “The social, emotional, and economic effects of a pandemic are still with us and will be for quite some time. In addition, the stressors associated with inflation, social and racial inequities, political upheaval, and international tensions are creating an unsettled nation. At a time when mental health services are needed the most, we are struggling the most to meet those needs,” said Dr. Nealon. “Policy makers have to make a bigger investment in financial and programmatic support to ensure that everyone who seeks psychological services can find a professional who can understand and help them.” About The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Integrating theory with hands-on experience, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology provides education rooted in a commitment to innovation, service, and community for thousands of diverse students across the United States and globally. Founded in 1979, the nonprofit, regionally accredited university now features campuses in iconic locations across the country (Chicago, Southern California, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Dallas) and online. To spark positive change in the world where it matters most, The Chicago School has continued to expand its educational offerings beyond the field of psychology to offer more than 30 degrees and certificates in the professional fields of health services, education, counseling, business, and more. Through its engaged professional model of education, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and an extensive network of domestic and international professional partnerships, The Chicago School’s students receive real-world training opportunities that reflect their future careers. The Chicago School is proud to be a part of TCS Education System, a nonprofit, integrated system of colleges and universities that works collaboratively to advance student success and community impact. To learn more, visit www.thechicagoschool.edu. Contact Details Kelton Gibson +1 661-607-2012 kgibson1@thechicagoschool.edu

November 28, 2022 10:55 AM Pacific Standard Time

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