As business owners, hiring people to join our team is sometimes necessary, but it can also be challenging. At Certum Solutions, we’ve found that new hires often need some direction and guidance. That’s why continuing education and staying on top of the latest trends and best practices are so important.

Our Certum team strives to be your trusted partner in transforming your business, guiding you in the right direction for growth opportunities.

With that in mind, we’re excited to bring you our exclusive VIP chat group over Slack, where you’ll be able to get private 1:1 support and solutions to meet your business needs, the ability to ask questions, connect with your peers, get custom branded Certum Solutions swag, and more. In addition, if you’d like to chat, please don’t hesitate to reach out today! And don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for videos that help you grow and scale your business, save time, and improve workflow.

Now, let’s shift back to continuing education. Our day-to-day grind often keeps us from proactively focusing on growing our business and giving our team the time and attention they need to succeed.

To help, we’ve put together a list of valuable tools and resources for your team to get continuing education, tap into the latest trends and have access to an expanded network for connections. Today, we’re specifically focusing on some of our biggest niches – construction, distribution and manufacturing, and e-commerce and retail. And know that our Certum team is here to help your business grow and scale through QuickBooks Enterprise, QuickBooks Online Advanced, Shopify, and other key solutions.

Construction

· American Institute of Constructors (AIC) – For 5 decades and counting, the AIC offers certification programs to validate you and your team’s professionalism, talent and ethics. To learn more about AIC membership and the vast network and benefits it offers, click here.

· America Subcontractors Association (ASA) – The ASA helps promote and protect the rights and interests of subcontractors, specialty contractors and suppliers. They do so through education, advocacy and networking. To learn more about the ASA, click here.

· Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) – With more than 21,000 members, ABC is a popular national construction industry trade association. ABC aims to help its members develop their team, make a positive impact on their community, and work safely and ethically. To find out more information about why others join ABC and how to join, click here.

· Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) – The CFMA services the needs of construction financial managers by providing education, networking and powerful advice from industry leaders on topics such as financial forecasting and strategic planning. For more information on reasons to join and membership details, click here.

· Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) – Serving more than 16,000 members for 30 years, the CMAA’s goal is to boost our nation’s infrastructure. The CMAA uses highly qualified construction managers to take construction management to the next level and ensure your projects and programs run smoothly and professionally. To learn more about what being a member is all about, click here.

· National Association of Construction Auditors (NACA) – The NACA strives to provide a controlled environment around your construction projects. It has a number of member benefits, including networking and education opportunities, ways to speak, and an online directory to connect with peers locally, nationally and abroad.

Distribution and Manufacturing

· National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) – Serving 14,000 member companies in every industrial sector in America, the NAM is a key advocate and resource provider for manufacturers. Members get an array of benefits, including a retirement and savings plan, cyber insurance, health care, disaster guides and strategies, and more. To check out those membership benefits and services, click here.

· National Electrical Manufacturers Assocation (NEMA) – Nearly 100 years old, the NEMA looks to give its members a competitive edge in today’s evolving marketplace by enhancing market opportunities, obtaining business intelligence and providing advocacy through the removal of market barriers. To find out more about NEMA, click here.

· North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) – The NCMEP is a network of 6 North Carolina organizations that help North Carolina manufacturing companies be more productive through technology and innovation. This alliance is designed to help manufacturing companies grow, save time and energy, create and retain jobs, and more. To learn more about the NCMEP, click here.

· Power Transmission Distributors Association (PDTA) – The PDTA has members from all over the world, comprising of businesses that distribute and manufacture power transmission/mission control components that ensure our world runs smoothly. To learn more about PTDA’s members, click here.

· The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) – With a rich history of more than 80 years, the SME is a non-profit organization that develops a skilled workforce and leverages advanced manufacturing technology to help manufacturers stay on the cutting edge and prosper. To discover more about the SME, click here.

· Women in Manufacturing (WiM) – Representing more than 10,000 individual members across more than 2,000 companies, WiM is a growing association that supports women year-round in the manufacturing industry. Members are able to network with their peers, get insight and education, become stronger leaders, and more. To get to know WiM better, click here.

E-Commerce and Retail

· National Retail Federation (NRF) – Comprised of thousands of retailers and industry professionals, the NRF provides retailers with many benefits, including in-house retail counsel, security against cyber threats, resources for education, and committees and councils for best practices and networking. To learn more about the NRF, click here.

· Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) – The RILA partners with some of the top retailers in the U.S. to bring you thought leadership, collaboration, and much more. To see what the RILA is all about, click here.

· U.S. Business Association of E-Commerce (USBAEC) – The USBAEC offers a platform for e-commerce businesses to sell more products and services, through its marketplace and strong network of contacts. If you’d like to learn more about membership, click here.

Ready to Network and Grow Your Business? The Certum Team is Ready to Help

We know that getting your team – especially new hires – the education and knowledge they need takes time and effort that you may not always have. That’s why our Certum team is dedicated to providing the resources above, as well as developing some of our strategies for growth.

If you’d like to discuss getting your team the education and knowledge they need, or have any questions, don’t hesitate to set aside some time to chat or email us. We’d love to help you develop a strong team and take your business to the next level!