The share of workers employed in temporary contracts declined from an already low level in 2005. employers still grappling with how to incorporate labor market platforms and other recent technological innovations into hiring practices. Employers continue to value lasting relationships with employees and care deeply about the skills and work habits of those they employ.

The labor shortages in blue-collar jobs are unlikely to disappear any time soon. An important reason: The combination of the US population becoming more educated and the concentration of disability among less educated people is significantly reducing the share of less educated people in the labor force.

A forthcoming 2018 report by The Conference Board on non-traditional work is set to address the lack of growth and impact alternative work arrangements will have on the U.S. labor market. Hiring workers through alternative arrangements is certainly a viable option for many employers, but satisfaction levels may make it difficult for employers to significantly change their share of non-traditional workers.

Companies need to build a mechanism to gauge consumers’ preferences for causes and integrate that with a measurement framework across all stakeholders of an organization. Sumair Sayani, vice president at Nielsen and Consumer Dynamics co-Center leader, suggests what this model might look like.

Creativity is important to developing new ideas and opportunities, but certain corporate cultures can stifle it. Employees have a responsibility to exercise their own creativity for the benefit of themselves and the business. In communications, creativity should be nurtured in three areas in particular: writing, uncovering stories, and ideation. If companies want to promote new ideas and opportunities, being open to employees’ creativity is a good start.

Eighty percent of people who serve on nonprofit boards describe themselves as better leaders, the result of developing skills like board governance, networking, strategic planning, and communication. By supporting meaningful leadership and community engagement, companies that promote nonprofit board service help to grow employees’ value to the company.

Retail is increasingly online, but nearly 75 percent of small businesses don’t have any e-commerce presence and less than 2 percent export, making it difficult for them to thrive in local—sometimes depressed—markets. Retail Revival, a new initiative from eBay, helps small businesses in Akron, OH, Lansing, MI, and Wolverhampton, UK, take their products to the global market. Retail Revival is a community program that draws on the strengths of the company—an example other companies could follow.

Care should be taken to avoid enrichment of executive pay packages as a result of a stock buyback. The selection of performance measures and corresponding performance levels can be one of the most difficult aspects of designing an incentive compensation program for executives.

Nearly a quarter of companies expect to increase their funding for the arts in the next 12 months, and only seven percent expect to decrease arts funding. Companies can use the arts to improve the economy and quality of life in communities and to foster creativity in their workforce. Partnerships with arts organizations provide interesting opportunities for companies to engage employees, promote diversity, and drive innovation.