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Understanding How Business Loans Work

Business loans are crucial, whether they’re to get a business up and running, help it grow, or smooth out a rough patch. But getting a loan isn’t always easy. To learn more, check out the infographic below, created by Maryville University’s online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program. What to Know Before You Apply for a Business Loan Nobody should sign for a business loan without being absolutely clear what the terms are. Even before signing on the dotted line, ask yourself a few key questions: Is a loan even the right choice for me? There might be alternative […]

Is Procrastination Good or Bad? How Procrastinating Impacts Your Study Habits

Putting off tasks until later can affect your productivity in various ways. While many people believe that procrastination is a bad thing, that’s not always the case. For example, whereas some students work best when they break up assignments, such as splitting a 3,000-word essay into more digestible 600-word sections, others thrive under pressure, performing best when they dive into a project at the last minute. If you have a habit of delaying tasks, but it hinders your productivity, you can use several strategies to help get yourself back on track. Why People Procrastinate People delay tasks for various reasons, […]

How to Identify and Overcome Your Implicit Bias

In an example from 2018, two Black men walked into a Philadelphia Starbucks to attend a business meeting. The manager asked them to leave, and they declined, saying they were waiting for their associate. The manager called the police, who then arrested the men. In interviews after the arrest, the men said they believed the manager had targeted them because of their race. Starbucks responded by holding companywide training to “address implicit bias, promote conscious inclusion, and prevent discrimination.”

We all have biases — unsupported assumptions we make about people or groups. Implicit bias, also commonly known as unconscious bias, refers to the various social stereotypes and judgments that people unknowingly assign to others based on a variety of factors, such as their age, socioeconomic status, weight, gender, race, or sexual orientation. And while these biases aren’t always negative, they’re shaped by a survival instinct that causes people to associate with people they perceive to be similar to them, because they’re deemed to be “safe.” Examples of unconscious biases are present throughout our personal and professional lives. In Blink: […]

6 P’s of Marketing to Grow Your Business

Tables of Contents What Are the 6 P’s of Marketing Products and Services Price Strategies in Marketing Place in Marketing Promotion in Marketing People in Marketing Presentation Companies spent about 10% of revenue on their marketing budgets in 2019, according to Deloitte’s CMO survey. Considering that most of a company’s budget is wrapped up in rigid operating expenses such as materials, manufacturing, salaries, and utilities, t for growing a business. For any business, whether a global enterprise or small company, a comprehensive plan that outlines every possible avenue to attract customers’ attention is vital. The building blocks of an effective marketing […]

Maryville University prepares students for tomorrow’s careers with its new tech-focused online certificates

With huge growth projected across most computer science fields, the university offers students a quick and convenient way to build the skills and knowledge these future-forward industries require. Maryville University is launching nine new technology-centered online certificate programs to help students prepare for some of the most in-demand and lucrative career opportunities on the market. These standalone credentials represent a parallel path for students who aren’t necessarily seeking a full college degree but want to upskill, reskill or advance in their careers. “We’ve spoken with employers and employees across industries, and it’s clear that the workforce is changing,” says Jennifer Yukna, PhD, Dean […]

What Is Mainstream Media?

Tables of Contents What is considered mainstream media?What are the different types of media?What is alternative media?Mainstream media vs. alternative media In today’s multifaceted media environment, exactly what is mainstream media? Until about the early 2000s, mainstream media, which simply refers to where most Americans get their news, generally included a person’s local newspaper, local TV affiliate, and one of three national broadcast news programs. Nowadays, the media landscape is more complex. It has broadened from traditional news sources (print, TV, and radio) to video, AM/FM radio, podcasts, satellite radio, and social media. It also now includes news producers and […]

The Importance of Health Advocacy to Improve Healthcare

Tables of Contents What is health advocacy?What is public health advocacy?Who can be considered a health advocate?How health advocacy improves patient outcomesUnderstanding healthcare policyEmpowering patients in a complex healthcare system Due to the wide-ranging differences in billing, coding, and reimbursement requirements from multiple payers, including privately managed care plans and government-run Medicaid and Medicare, the U.S. healthcare system is one of the most complex in the world. Another primary factor contributing to its complexity is administrative waste and costs. Administrative costs make up 8% of all healthcare spending — surpassing the average of other developed countries by at least five percentage […]

College Planning Guide for High School Students

High school students planning to attend college should start researching potential college options beginning in ninth grade, or even sooner if possible. Whether students plan to go out of state, stay closer to home, or even take advantage of an online Bachelor’s Degree program, finding the right school, area of study, and setting themselves up for success can take a lot of planning. Here is a comprehensive list of recommended actions to take each year that, in conjunction with guidance from their school counselor, can help students and parents feel more confident in the application process. College Planning for Parents of […]

Conquering Back-to-School Anxiety: Emotional Side of Learning

Deciding to go back to college as an adult learner can be stressful, especially when you’re juggling other responsibilities as well, such as work and raising a family, or caring for an elderly relative. Wariness about going back to school isn’t unusual, but remember that stepping out of your comfort zone is a good thing. “The number one thing people going back to college should know is that strategic risk-taking is absolutely critical to success,” Maryville University associate professor of communication Dr. Leilani Carver-Madalon told Life as a Human Magazine in a recent interview. “It is never too late to dream […]

How to Be a Better Listener: Exploring 4 Types of Listening

A person listens closely to a colleague.

Hearing and listening are not the same. You hear music, the sound of rainfall, or the sound of food being prepared in the kitchen. Listening, on the other hand, requires attention, comprehension of the message that’s being relayed, and recollection of what’s been said. Effective listeners not only show interest, they also acknowledge what has been said. Listening is a valuable skill on both a personal and professional level. Benefits of Being a Good Listener Good listeners are more likable. Individuals with strong listening skills are present in the conversation. People who listen with focus are often perceived as more likable.Good […]