MBA News & Blog

an icon representing employee retention and reducing employee turnover.

Why Employee Retention Should Be a Strategic Priority for Every Organization

Why Employee Retention Matters More Than Ever Employee retention continues to be a major challenge for organizations across industries. While hiring new talent is essential for growth, high turnover comes with significant financial and operational costs that many businesses underestimate. Research estimates that replacing an employee can cost nearly 20 percent of their annual salary. Those costs often include recruiting,

A sign boasting about made in america products

Why “Made in America” Is a Powerful Driver of Employee Engagement in Manufacturing

In manufacturing, “Made in America” has long stood for quality, resilience, and pride. Externally, it builds trust with customers and signals reliability. For communities, it reflects economic strength and local investment. But one of its most meaningful impacts is often internal: how it shapes employee engagement. When organizations intentionally lean into a Made in America identity, they give employees something

Congressman Mike Kelly Discusses Workforce, AI and Economic Growth at MBA Legislative Luncheon

On May 27th, The MBA welcomed members and community leaders to our Conference Center for a Legislative Luncheon featuring Congressman Mike Kelly. The discussion centered on leadership, economic strength, workforce challenges and the future of our region and country. Throughout the luncheon, Congressman Kelly emphasized the importance of unity, civic engagement and long-term thinking when it comes to strengthening both

Climbing the Career Ladder: Building Clear Paths for Employee Growth

Career ladders are a structured approach organizations use to define how employees can grow within their roles over time. As employees build skills and demonstrate capability, they can move upward through clearly defined levels, with each step bringing expanded responsibilities and new opportunities. These frameworks help remove uncertainty around advancement. They outline the skills, knowledge, and performance expectations tied to

Manufacturing’s Future Depends on People, Technology, and Adaptability

May 19th’s MBA Executive Speaker Series brought together manufacturing leaders for a timely discussion on workforce challenges, AI, leadership, and the future of the industry. The panel featured Christie Drabic of Wabtec Corporation, Philip Katen of Micro Mold & Plastikos, and Jim Rutkowski Jr. of Industrial Sales & Manufacturing Inc.. A major theme throughout the discussion was that AI is

Do You Have 27 Pay Periods in 2026? Here’s What Employers Need to Know

In 2026, employers using a biweekly payroll schedule may encounter an unusual issue: a 27th pay period. Depending on when your payroll cycle begins, the calendar alignment in 2026 could result in an extra payday before the year ends. Because New Year’s Day falls on a Friday in 2027, some organizations will issue their final 2026 paycheck on December 31.