Headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, Winner Partners it is a privately held, executive search and recruitment firm serving nonprofit, public-private, and privately owned organizations. Its services include retained executive search, leadership recruitment, Career by Design executive career coaching, leadership consulting, and access to subject-matter experts for specialized consulting.
Imagine you’re standing in front of a room full of people. Your hands are shaking, your heart is racing, and you feel like you have a lump in your throat. You go to speak and start your presentation, but nothing comes out. Unfortunately, that’s the reality for many individuals who have a fear of public speaking.
In this issue of the Pulse, we’ll discuss the fear of public speaking and ways you can overcome that fear.
Public speaking is a common fear that plagues many individuals. In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine, about 77% of the general population has a fear of public speaking.
The level of fear differs from person to person, with some only experiencing a little nervousness, while for others it can be completely debilitating. This fear can present itself through physical symptoms, such as shaking, sweating, a dry mouth, a rapid heartbeat and nausea.
However, the effects of public speaking don’t stop there. Having a fear of public speaking can have long-term effects, such as lower educational achievement and occupational impairment, as public speaking skills are valuable in higher education and the workforce, particularly at the leadership level. So, how can you overcome your fear of public speaking?
Be sure to practice your presentation ahead of time. This could look like practicing your presentation out loud by yourself or in front of a few trusted colleagues. You may also find it helpful to record yourself presenting it out loud so you can listen to it back and look for areas of improvement.
Ensure the topic you’re presenting is one you’re comfortable with and that you know your material. If you know your material, you’re more likely to feel confident when presenting, and if you happen to forget what you practiced, you will have your knowledge to fall back on.
If you really want to work on your public speaking skills and practicing on your own isn’t cutting it for you, consider joining a group to further develop this skill. One of the most well-known groups is Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person, but there are a variety of groups you can join, as well as classes and workshops you can take.
If you’re presenting in front of a large group of people, try focusing on one friendly face in the crowd and pretend you’re presenting to just that individual. Presenting to a large audience can be daunting, whereas presenting to one individual can feel more conversational in nature.
Before you begin a presentation, take a few deep breaths. While this may seem simple, it can be very effective at calming your nervous system. As stated in a Yale School of Medicine article, titled The Power of the Breath, “Through the action of our diaphragm, slow, even breaths that originate deep within the abdomen stimulate the vagus nerve in a way that signals safety and cues our bodies and minds to relax, restore, and release chronic and unhealthy patterns.”
A fear of public speaking is a very real fear that affects the majority of the population and while it can feel insurmountable, there are methods you can use to overcome it for the benefit of your own well-being and the advancement of your education and employment.
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In the past six years since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been significant global economic uncertainty. Specifically, inflation has seen a major rise. This stagnated period initiated global supply chain disruptions and aggressive monetary tightening which created a challenging environment for businesses.
Inflation is “the persistent rise in the average price of goods and services over time. As general prices increase, each unit of currency buys less, which reduces your purchasing power and increases the cost of living.” According to Statistics Canada, prices have risen roughly 20% in Canada and nearly 25% in the United States since the beginning of 2020 due to cumulative inflation.
In 2026, businesses are feeling the effects of inflation from fluctuating energy prices, fuel costs, interest rate tensions, and changes in consumer spending.
In 2026, small and medium-sized businesses are enduring a more severe impact from inflation than large corporations, primarily because they lack the scale to absorb soaring operational costs or command supply chain leverage. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports that small business optimism has fallen to its lowest level since 2024, with inflation ranked alongside taxes as their single most pressing issue.
Across North America, most businesses are not being hit by a single cost, but by several rising together. The biggest pressure points vary somewhat by industry, but the following stand out:
| Pressure points | How its affecting your business |
| Labor | U.S. inflation is outpacing nominal wage growth, resulting in a net decrease in real wages and purchasing power. While nominal wages and salaries grew by 3.4% annually, inflation sat at 4.2%. This shortfall means workers’ purchasing power is shrinking, though baseline pay budgets remain relatively stable at 3.5%. Despite stagnant real pay for workers, the actual cost of labor for businesses is rising. |
| Gas and Fuel | Gas and fuel inflation significantly increases operating costs by raising expenses associated with transportation, logistics, and daily business operations. As fuel is essential for many industries, rising prices shrink profit margins and often compel businesses to either increase the prices of their goods and services or absorb the resulting financial losses. |
| Utility Costs | Commercial electricity and water rates have surged, with average power prices rising significantly across the U.S. and Canada. In some regions, power prices increased by more than 25% to 76% due to regional supply constraints. |
| Costs of Good and Materials | Rising costs for goods and materials force businesses to either increase prices, which may reduce customer demand, or absorb the extra costs, lowering profit margins. This can strain cash flow, reduce opportunities to invest in business growth, and make long-term planning more challenging. |
| Rent inflation | Rent and leasing increases raises fixed operating costs for businesses. As an unavoidable expense with no direct return on investment, increasing rent reduces profit margins, limits cash flow for growth and hiring, and can lead to downsizing. |
Although businesses cannot control inflation, they can implement practical strategies to minimize its effects and maintain profitability. By carefully managing operations and financial planning, companies can better navigate the challenges associated with periods of high inflation.
Lowering Utility Costs: Utilities are often one area most owners don’t even realize they are losing money. Energy, gas, waste, heating/cooling, and other operational audits can significantly help businesses identify where they are losing money. For example, small errors with natural gas metering could be costing your business money in ways that you never realized. If after a meter is installed and running, the utility doesn’t perform regular checks to ensure it doesn’t drift out of calibration. Over time, it’s natural for certain components to shift or wear down, but this can lead to inaccurate readings and therefore lead you to paying more for the gas bill each month.
Cost reduction consultancy: One of the most strategic ways businesses can counteract the effects of inflation is through cost reduction consultancy. Cost reduction consultancy can help businesses by:
Combating Rent Inflation: To manage rising rental costs, small businesses can negotiate long-term leases with fixed rental rates, sublease unused space, or relocate to more affordable locations. Negotiating rent prices with landlords is the most effective way for businesses to manage rising rent prices. In many cases, receiving lower rent from a reliable tenant is preferable to leaving a property vacant. Businesses can improve their chances of securing a rent reduction by following these strategies:
In conclusion, while inflation continues to challenge businesses by increasing expenses and putting pressure on profitability, rising costs do not have to determine a company’s future. Small changes such as identifying hidden costs, improving efficiency, and negotiating better terms can have a meaningful impact on reducing operational costs.
Located in Tampa, Florida, Ann C. Shipherd of AC Ship Global Trade Law provides legal counsel and consulting services for businesses involved in international trade. Her services include import and export compliance, customs and tariff matters, export controls, sanctions compliance, trade policy guidance, and strategic advice to help organizations navigate complex global trade regulation.
Success in today’s professional world requires more than just technical knowledge or experience. Modern professionals must possess a well-rounded skill set to remain adaptable and effective. Factors such as advancing technology, changing communication methods, and shifting business demands create extra challenges for today’s professionals. Naturally, the business world is ever evolving. Let’s look at some skills and attributes that continue to be valuable.
Being aware of evolving communication methods.
2025 was a transformative year for business communication, and this is largely to due to with the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This major technological advancement has taken the business world by storm, with some companies fully integrating forms of AI into their daily functions, with others being more reluctant. AI and automation can be a controversial topic, especially within the workplace. Adopting all current trending changes is clearly not realistic or even successful depending on your workplace. The key is to be cognizant of these trends in order to connect with both customers and industry partners. By doing that you will be able to observe the forecast see what tactics might work for yourself and your clients.
Emotional intelligence and resilience.
Emotional intelligence in a professional setting is the skill of understanding emotions for the purpose of applying them to achieve higher levels of collaboration and productivity. This trait is extremely valuable within the workplace as it’s needed in virtually all roles. From management to lower level staff, emotional intelligence is required to successfully interact with colleagues, clients, vendors, etc. Additionally, possessing emotional intelligence is an essential tool to have when sorting through any sort of conflict or high-pressure situations within the workplace. This is also where emotional resilience comes into play.
Vanessa Boetcher, Chief Operational Officer of TTI Success Insights, says: “Emotional resilience is your ability to immediately recover from heightened emotions, professionally or personally”. This skill is helpful when recovering from any sort of stressful situation in the workplace, allowing you to compartmentalize and pivot quicker. Together, these skills can enhance performance and productivity in today’s workplace, as well as create a better working experience for you as a professional.
Core skills still relevant in today’s workplace.
Although the modern workplace requires professionals to adapt to changing times, general foundational skills such as customer service, active listening, and lifelong learning continue to be critical for success. Skills such as these, will seemingly always be required in any industry. More specifically, according to World Economic Forum “Analytical thinking remains the top core skill for employers, with seven out of 10 companies considering it as essential. This is followed by resilience, flexibility, and agility, along with leadership and social influence, underscoring the critical role of adaptability and collaboration alongside cognitive skills”.
Strong core skills continue to be what enables individuals to build relationships, contribute to organizational goals, and achieve sustained career growth.
How your business can support.
It’s important for organizations to have a clear overview of their employees and initiate any further training that might be required. This also means as a business it’s your responsibility to keep an eye on the emerging skills that contribute to a successful partnership with your employees. When employees are supported by their employers, that is when everyone will thrive.
Inflation Is Eating Into Your Business: Here’s Where the Costs Are Rising
In the past six years since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been significant global economic uncertainty. Specifically, inflation has seen a major rise. This stagnated period initiated global supply chain disruptions and aggressive monetary tightening which created a challenging environment for businesses.
How does inflation work?
Inflation is “the persistent rise in the average price of goods and services over time. As general prices increase, each unit of currency buys less, which reduces your purchasing power and increases the cost of living.” According to Statistics Canada, prices have risen roughly 20% in Canada and nearly 25% in the United States since the beginning of 2020 due to cumulative inflation.
How does this affect my business?
In 2026, businesses are feeling the effects of inflation from fluctuating energy prices, fuel costs, interest rate tensions, and changes in consumer spending.
In 2026, small and medium-sized businesses are enduring a more severe impact from inflation than large corporations, primarily because they lack the scale to absorb soaring operational costs or command supply chain leverage. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reports that small business optimism has fallen to its lowest level since 2024, with inflation ranked alongside taxes as their single most pressing issue.
Where is inflation hitting your business the hardest?
Across North America, most businesses are not being hit by a single cost, but by several rising together. The biggest pressure points vary somewhat by industry, but the following stand out:
| Pressure points | How its affecting your business |
| Labor |
U.S. inflation is outpacing nominal wage growth, resulting in a net decrease in real wages and purchasing power. While nominal wages and salaries grew by 3.4% annually, inflation sat at 4.2%. This shortfall means workers’ purchasing power is shrinking, though baseline pay budgets remain relatively stable at 3.5%. Despite stagnant real pay for workers, the actual cost of labor for businesses is rising. |
| Gas and Fuel |
Gas and fuel inflation significantly increases operating costs by raising expenses associated with transportation, logistics, and daily business operations. As fuel is essential for many industries, rising prices shrink profit margins and often compel businesses to either increase the prices of their goods and services or absorb the resulting financial losses.
|
| Utility Costs |
Commercial electricity and water rates have surged, with average power prices rising significantly across the U.S. and Canada. In some regions, power prices increased by more than 25% to 76% due to regional supply constraints. |
| Costs of Good and Materials |
Rising costs for goods and materials force businesses to either increase prices, which may reduce customer demand, or absorb the extra costs, lowering profit margins. This can strain cash flow, reduce opportunities to invest in business growth, and make long-term planning more challenging. |
| Rent inflation |
Rent and leasing increases raises fixed operating costs for businesses. As an unavoidable expense with no direct return on investment, increasing rent reduces profit margins, limits cash flow for growth and hiring, and can lead to downsizing. |
How businesses reduce costs during inflation?
Although businesses cannot control inflation, they can implement practical strategies to minimize its effects and maintain profitability. By carefully managing operations and financial planning, companies can better navigate the challenges associated with periods of high inflation.
Lowering Utility Costs: Utilities are often one area most owners don’t even realize they are losing money. Energy, gas, waste, heating/cooling, and other operational audits can significantly help businesses identify where they are losing money. For example, small errors with natural gas metering could be costing your business money in ways that you never realized. If after a meter is installed and running, the utility doesn’t perform regular checks to ensure it doesn’t drift out of calibration. Over time, it’s natural for certain components to shift or wear down, but this can lead to inaccurate readings and therefore lead you to paying more for the gas bill each month.
Cost reduction consultancy: One of the most strategic ways businesses can counteract the effects of inflation is through cost reduction consultancy. https://www.schooleymitchell.com/what-we-do/Cost reduction consultancy can help businesses by:
Combating Rent Inflation: To manage rising rental costs, small businesses can negotiate long-term leases with fixed rental rates, sublease unused space, or relocate to more affordable locations. Negotiating rent prices with landlords is the most effective way for businesses to manage rising rent prices. In many cases, receiving lower rent from a reliable tenant is preferable to leaving a property vacant. Businesses can improve their chances of securing a rent reduction by following these strategies:
In conclusion, while inflation continues to challenge businesses by increasing expenses and putting pressure on profitability, rising costs do not have to determine a company’s future. Small changes such as identifying hidden costs, improving efficiency, and negotiating better terms can have a meaningful impact on reducing operational costs.