Circle of Business is one of Action for Children's social enterprises. It is a membership alliance of central Ohio businesses that promotes balance of work and personal life with the mission of improving the bottom line and the health and well being of employees. Membership involves exploring next trends and cutting-edge thinking, promoting local research, investigating collaborations, providing support and motivation, and sharing information and practices, The Circle of Business hopes to improve the integration of work and personal lives. Members currently represent over 40 large and small companies in central Ohio. The funds raised through this membership help support the mission/vision of Action for Children.

To discover the many benefits of Circle of Business and how you can join this alliance, contact Diane Bennett at 614-224-0222 ext. 149.

The Current Work/Life Landscape

• In Columbus, over 63 percent of parents with children under the age of six are in the workforce.
• It is projected that 85 percent of the national workforce will be working parents by 2010.
• In a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers, 57 percent of business students in 11 countries said that attaining work/life balance is their top career goal.
• An IBM Global Work/Life Study revealed that work/life balance is the #2 retention factor, after salary.

Benefits

• Three business round tables annually where members share best practices and discuss current topics.
• These discussion groups stimulate and evoke positive change in terms of work/life balance issues that impact the bottom line in such areas as recruitment, retention and employee commitment.
• An annual Fall Executive Forum, where nationally recognized work/life experts are invited to address cost-effective solutions to many of the problems that face employers today.
• Regular email communications to keep members up to date on work/life issues, current research and Circle of Business activities.
• Choose a seminar from over 100 topics, including Diversity and Human Relations, Elder Care, Choosing Quality Child Care, Parenting, and work-related issues. Or have one custom designed for the needs of your particular employees. Seminars are typically held during the lunch period, but can be scheduled any time.
• T.A.P.P. Seminar - The Art of Positive Parenting (T.A.P.P.) seminar will help your employees gain insight and skills to better communicate and encourage their children through all stages of development. Choose from topics that include Discipline, Communication, Self-Esteem, Problem Solving, Stress Management & Your Child, and Today’s Media. The topics are helpful for parents and grandparents of all age children.
• Caring for Children Kit - You will receive a “Caring for Children” kit that includes brochures, a video and a binder with age-appropriate tip cards and other related information to assist your employees in finding quality child care and early education for their children.
• Electronic News Briefs and Trend Reports - You will receive a monthly “Work & Family Newsbrief” and a monthly “Trend Report” created by the national Work-Life Clearinghouse, with key information that could make a difference in your company’s bottom line. You will also receive monthly “Elder Care Tips” to help your employees with family aging issues.

For more information, please contact Diane Bennett at 614-224-0222, ext. 1e9 or at dianebennett@actionforchildren.org. or visit the Circle of Business web site.