The pandemic forced many businesses to digitally transform overnight. From brick-and-mortar retailers to restaurants to gyms to real estate companies and beyond, many businesses had to learn how to adapt to this new world.

In this salon, we discussed…

• The hybrid workforce and how to manage this new culture.

  • Employees have had a chance to work remotely, move away from metro areas, and focus more on work-life balance. Companies will have to keep this in mind.

  • Long commutes were once considered normal. That is no longer the case. 

  • Trust in your employees, depending on your vertical, is important. 

  • The only way for true success is having the right systems, tools, and rules in place to ensure consistency for everyone. 

• What shifts are permanent? What will “go back” to the way things were?

  • Companies are changing what the work week looks like: some days in the office and some "flex" days with meetings and "focus blocks" scheduled accordingly to allow for thinking time and doing time. 

  • What will happen when places like NYC open? What will that look like? Will "the business lunch" return? 

  • In-person connections are still vital, the need to have a connection point. 

• How to balance health and safety with financial success and growth.

  • WFH is beneficial. There's a lot of employee appreciation for flexibility. 

  • When we return in-person, will brain breaks and mindfulness carry over? They were overlooked pre-pandemic. 

Champion Guest Moderator:

Jennifer Goldschein is the founder of JG Fundraising Advisors, a boutique consulting firm specializing in comprehensive fundraising strategy. She works with clients of all sizes and scope on general strategy, infrastructure development, corporate engagement, asset assessments and event planning. Prior to launching JG Fundraising Advisors, she was the founding Executive Director of the Lulu & Leo Fund, a public foundation.  As the founding Executive Director, Jennifer was responsible for the development of all fundraising efforts, including a celebrity driven gala and fundraising campaign, grant reviews and management, program development and general financial management. Earlier in her career, Jennifer spent eight years with New York Cares, the City’s largest volunteer organization. During her tenure, Jennifer raised more than 30 million and helped raise the organization's public profile.

Jennifer also served as an Assistant Adjunct Professor at NYU, teaching a course on Corporate Social Responsibility for five years and has presented at numerous conferences and workshops throughout the country. Jennifer earned a BA from Tufts University and holds an MA in Education Policy and an MPA in Nonprofit Management from New York University. She resides in New York City with her husband, two children, cat and dog.