The When I work application has greatly improved scheduling .
approve the request on their phone in a timely manner . “ It has been well-adopted and proven to be a very helpful tool for the stores and management ,” Wiseman says .
Both new programs have already paid dividends . “ The use of technology has elevated our communication channels , and the accessibility and accountability of our teams ,” Wiseman says .
Even so , Wiseman warns not to overrate tech at the cost of old-fashioned methods . “ All this doesn ’ t eliminate the importance of face-to-face meetings ,” she says . “ We may push everything out online these days , but managers still need face time with employees . There ’ s still a huge human element in all of this .”
BY MAURA KELLER
Best Legislative Outreach Program : Montgomery County DLC
Marketing executives use it as a key tool for their success . Financial consultants use it to obtain new clients and often make it a key part of their overall business strategies . Meeting and event planners see it as a necessary effort to expand their business . What is it ? It ’ s outreach programming , and for the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control in Maryland , their outreach program has earned them accolades aplenty .
According to Emily DeTitta , licensing and outreach manager with the Montgomery County DLC , the agency hosted a Maryland Alcohol Beverage Forum in August 2016 in response to a need to educate the community on the benefits of the federal three tier system and the importance of alcohol regulation .
“ We have held previous forums that brought together county licensing and regulatory agencies from around the state ,” DeTitta says . “ This past year , with privatization being such a publicized topic , it became clear that we needed to do our part to involve both local and state politicians . The forum gave us a chance to show off the great things we ’ re doing in an inclusive way and talk about the control model benefits that were , at the time , our jurisdiction ’ s best kept secret .”
The daylong event , funded by the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association ( NABCA ), brought together alcohol license administrators , alcohol enforcement and local and state
legislators to network and discuss trends , legislative priorities and best practices .
“ The forum was titled , ‘ Innovative Solutions to Keeping Communities Safe ,’” DeTitta says . “ Delegate Charles Barkley gave a welcome to the attendees , followed by discussions including a historical snapshot on alcohol regulation from Craig Purser , President & CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association .”
In addition , Kevin Atticks , CEO of Grow and Fortify ( also the executive director of the MD Wineries Association , Brewers Association of MD and the MD Distillers Guild ), and Jeff Kelly of the Maryland Comptroller ’ s Office spoke on Maryland ’ s local manufacturers . Andy Lantner , of the MD Comptroller ’ s Office , gave an overview of the new Maryland Alcohol Code Reorganization . Lou Berman , of the Comptroller ’ s Office , spoke on Trade Practices in Today ’ s World ; Elyse Grossman , Johns Hopkins , Bloomberg School of Public Health , spoke on Under 21 Drinking Trends ; and Margret Baker , Keeping it Safe Coalition , spoke on Under 21 Prevention Efforts .
‘ Innovative Solutions to Keeping Communities Safe ’ educated the community on the benefits of the federal three tier system and the importance of alcohol regulation .
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