Workforce development not only improves a person’s prospects in life, but also leads to future benefits for the businesses that hire them.
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How Workforce Development Can Work For You

  • July 22, 2020
Workforce development is an important initiative for local governments and businesses that want to cultivate a robust, interconnected and community-based workforce and employer network. The goal of workforce development is to create a career path for individuals, while enhancing economic opportunities for businesses and communities. Workforce development benefits individuals by investing in personal and professional growth leading to a successful career, advancement and job satisfaction. Benefits for employers include: • Consistent pipeline of talent • Lower turnover rate • Improved…...
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Meaningful Dialogue
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Meaningful Dialogue is More Than Active Listening

  • June 16, 2020
In his bestselling book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey encourages us to “seek first to understand, then to be understood.” To understand what is really going on today requires active listening and a willingness to embrace the uncomfortable. There has never been a more important time for your organization to participate in meaningful dialogue than today. Not many of us alive today can remember the civil rights movement. There are certainly not many in the workforce that participated in this…...
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I am just not ok. Are you?

I AM NOT OKAY.

  • June 9, 2020
  • By: Brian Butler
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    Brian Butler
    President & CEO
    Brian Butler

    Brian Butler is President and CEO of Vistra.

    A retired and decorated career military officer, Brian has provided public relations, strategic communications, marketing, and management consulting services to senior leaders and their organizations for more than three decades. Prior to founding Vistra, Brian provided strategic communications counsel to senior leaders at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in Tampa, Fla. He also served in a director-level policy position on the Homeland Security Council (HSC) in the White House.

    As an experienced leader and communications professional, Brian worked in the Washington, D.C. office of Fleishman-Hillard International Communications, a niche market Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications firm. While in uniform, he served as Spokesperson and Chief of Communications for an Army Secretary and on the personal staff and communications team for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    Brian founded Vistra in 2007 and has grown the company to nearly 100 team members with a growing client portfolio which includes clients in healthcare, information technology, transportation and airports, sports and entertainment, local state and federal government and nonprofit industries.

    Brian holds an M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National War College, an M.S. in Administration from Central Michigan University and a B.S. in Marketing from Hampton University. He also holds certifications from colleges and universities across the United States.

A few weeks ago, I shared thoughts and reflections in a Tampa Bay Times Op-ed on being a Black Man in America. I have received hundreds if not thousands of unsolicited responses, with many apologizing and many asking if I am ok. Well, I am not ok. Allow me to explain. I appreciate those reaching out to ask what they can do; I am not ok with people reaching out just to say I am sorry. I know many feel…...
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What's the one thing you need to produce your best work while working from home?
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Maintaining Your Routine During COVID-19

  • June 3, 2020
For some time now, the transition to teleworking seemed like a no-brainer for so many occupations.  Then, a global pandemic struck that changed everything and forced us to work remotely.  None of us has any personal point of reference on how to run a business or perform our jobs in a pandemic world. Seemingly overnight, an immediate paradigm shift in how we work and what we need to do to sustain our businesses was upon us. Here's what we’ve learned:…...
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Advances in technology have made it possible for more and more companies to transition to teleworking during the outbreak of a global pandemic.
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Old School Ways in a Telework World

  • May 29, 2020
With the outbreak of a global pandemic, now more than ever, companies are transitioning to teleworking. And advances in technology have made it possible. The undeniable reality though is that our younger generation and the generations to follow will continue to progress toward a more remote, offsite, telework world. Those of us who have been in the workforce for decades have had to evolve and adapt to these inevitable advances in the ways in which we perform our jobs. Blending the…...
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3 Valuable Insights Your Brand Likely Needs Right Now
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3 Valuable Insights Your Brand Likely Needs Right Now

  • April 30, 2020
Around the world, all of us are settling into this idea of a new normal. This new consumer and business lifestyle is demanding a new playbook for brand marketing. The messaging, tone, and communication channels are fluid. Here are 3 insights that all brands should be considering: Acknowledge the situation. As the world looks for a new way forward through this challenging time, brands need to remain relevant and show their human side. A compassionate approach will result in long-term…...
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The Virtual Go-To Assist! Virtually, we're on-call around the clock to be there when needed!
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Virtual Go-To-Assist

  • April 27, 2020
IT Changes. The world of IT support changed one morning with the advent of COVID-19. We used to be able to visit our customers in person and put our hands on the technology. We are now 100% remote support. Virtually, we're on-call around the clock to be there when needed. Cyber Threats Everywhere. We have remained focused on keeping our systems and processes secure from identity and data theft and we ask you all to help us keep security on…...
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Social Distance Relationships CAN Telework!
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Social Distance Relationships CAN Telework

  • April 23, 2020
Communication – It’s key to any successful relationship…AND being informed.  Contact by email and meetings by phone or videoconference are critical tools to allow us to remain in contact and be responsive to requests for information. Laptops are vital tools to successfully access all the necessary programs and sites we use on a regular basis. Microsoft Teams enables us to share desktops and collaborate on projects -- keeping us productive, the workflow smooth, creating fewer disruptions to our new normal.…...
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How a Pandemic Brought Us Closer to Our Clients
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How a Pandemic Brought Us Closer to Our Clients

  • April 21, 2020
In the world of marketing and communications, in-person meetings ending with firm handshakes are vital. Due to the spread of COVID-19, those days are cancelled until further notice. As more and more companies pivoted to work-from-home models that include virtual meeting options, the initial belief was this would be devastating for marketing and communications professionals. However, what we’ve found at Vistra is that despite communications challenges, we’re building even stronger bonds with our clients. Here are three ways to form…...
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Socialization is workplace glue.
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Gratitude, Even in a Pandemic

  • April 17, 2020
How thankful are we for technology right now? Very thankful. Technology lets Vistra get our work done remotely. We’re in communication more now than when we were together under one roof! This situation is challenging us to hone our communication skills. Video conferencing lets us maintain a human connection. And since the daily distractions that come with an office environment aren’t present, we have an opportunity to leverage productivity. Nonetheless, we know socialization is workplace glue. It bonds people. It…...
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