Month: June 2025

Think Bigger: How Systems Thinking Gives Small Business Owners a Smarter Edge

Posted on by Jules Slater
  • If you’re constantly putting out fires in your business, you might be treating symptoms instead of fixing systems.
  • Systems thinking helps you connect the dots across hiring, sales, customer service, and operations.
  • It’s not theory. It’s a practical mindset that builds efficiency, resilience, and smarter decision-making.
  • Small business owners who think in systems avoid waste, anticipate problems, and lead with greater clarity.

604 Words ~ 3 min. read

Ever fix a leaky pipe only to find another bursts a few days later? Running a business without systems thinking is like that. Every fix creates new problems because nothing in your business operates in isolation. Everything is connected.

That is why systems thinking matters. Once used primarily by scientists and large corporations, it is now a strategic advantage for small business owners who want to stop reacting and start leading with clarity and purpose.

What Is Systems Thinking?

Systems thinking is a problem-solving approach that looks at the full picture, not just individual components. It focuses on how different functions, teams, and processes interact, and how those relationships create patterns over time.

For example, if sales are falling, it is easy to blame the sales team. But a systems thinker goes deeper. Is marketing reaching the right audience? Are order delays impacting customer experience? Are internal goals misaligned?

This mindset addresses root causes rather than surface issues. It gives leaders insight that leads to sustainable improvements.

A Real-World Win

Consider a local bakery that saw repeat business begin to dip. The owner initially considered staff retraining but instead decided to map the entire customer journey. She discovered supply chain delays were increasing wait times during peak hours, which frustrated customers. By adjusting vendor relationships and revising inventory practices, she sped up service and brought customers back.

This is systems thinking in action.

Why Small Businesses Need It

Smaller businesses operate with tighter resources and greater exposure to risk. One decision can impact multiple areas at once. That is why systems thinking helps owners lead more effectively. It provides structure for understanding cause and effect throughout the business.

Here’s how it supports growth:

  • Efficiency: Uncover root issues in operations rather than solving isolated problems.
  • Smarter decisions: Detect recurring patterns and fix their source, not just the outcome.
  • Foresight: Recognize how changes in one area will impact the entire organization.

How to Get Started

You do not need a formal system or software to begin. Use these simple steps:

  1. Sketch your system. Create a visual map of how departments, people, tools, and customers interact.
  2. Identify feedback loops. Look for areas where problems tend to repeat or compound.
  3. Ask deeper questions. Move from “What went wrong?” to “What in our structure caused this result?”
  4. Review regularly. Set time aside monthly to assess how recent changes are impacting other parts of the business.

Free tools like Lucidchart or Miro can help you visualize your system. For more advanced insights, explore Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review.

The Bottom Line

Systems thinking gives small business leaders the perspective needed to lead with confidence, not just react to chaos. It connects the dots between actions and outcomes, so you can fix what really matters. The most effective business owners think in systems. They see how each decision shapes the whole. That is what helps them grow stronger, faster, and more sustainably.

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The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC. 

 

Gum Appointed to Two Statewide Banking Policy Committees

Posted on by Jules Slater

REEDSVILLE, PA – June 16, 2025 – Kish Bank has announced that Jeffrey Gum, Vice President and Managing Director of Kish Benefits Consulting, a division of Kish Bank, has been appointed to the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s (PA Bankers’) Government Relations Policy Committee. The committee is responsible for PA Bankers’ overall state public policy advocacy program and determines the association’s policy positions and priorities on pending or proposed state legislation and regulations.

Gum has also been appointed to Chair the PA Bankers’ Insurance Services Advisory Committee. As part of the government relations advocacy function of the association, the advisory committee reviews and recommends policy positions on state legislation and regulations on behalf of member banks to the Government Relations Policy Committee.

Gum will serve in the above capacities until December 1, 2026, coinciding with the legislative session.

Gum has over 45 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. He joined Kish Bank in 2017 with its acquisition of Benefit Management Group, Inc., founded by Gum in 1991. As head of Kish Benefits Consulting, Kish’s employee benefits consulting division, Gum works closely with business clients to provide benefit advisory and brokerage services, including healthcare and benefits plan design, regulatory compliance, cost containment solutions, employee communication and education, and wellness planning.

Gum is a member of SHRM, NABIP, PA-NABIP, and PBA, and holds active Insurance Licenses to practice in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio.

About Kish Bank

Kish Bank is a $1.8 billion regional community bank that operates 20 offices and financial centers serving Centre, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Blair, and Juniata counties, and northeastern Ohio. Other business units of Kish Bank include Kish Insurance, Kish Financial Solutions, Kish Benefits Consulting, and Kish Travel.Kish Bank is a subsidiary of Kish Bancorp, Inc., trading under the OTCQX stock ticker symbol of KISB. Kish Bank is an Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. For more information, please visit MyKish.com.

About PA Bankers Association

PA Bankers has been bringing banks and bankers together for more than 125 years to learn, grow, serve and engage with their peers, communities and lawmakers. The association has built a strong reputation as a leading advocate for pro-banking policies at the state and federal levels, as well as the delivery of quality education, products and services for banks of all sizes and their employees. Follow the Pennsylvania Bankers Association on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Five Steps to help someone at risk for suicide

Posted on by Jules Slater

(June 16, 2025, DuBois, Pennsylvania) – Suicide occurs everywhere – in large cities, suburban communities and rural areas. One in five adults experience mental illness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34.

You may not know it, but someone close to you may be struggling with mental health, including thoughts of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline at 988. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The 988 Lifeline recommends these five steps to help someone in a mental health crisis.

Step 1: Ask and Listen

Be direct. Ask a person if they have thoughts of suicide. When you ask if someone is considering suicide, you are telling them that you are open to talking in a nonjudgmental and supportive way. It can be as simple as asking, “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “How can I help?”

“Research shows that asking at-risk individuals does not increase suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts,” said Kevin R. Patterson, MD, System Wide Medical Director for Behavioral Health for Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Rather, evidence shows that acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicidal ideation.”

It is important to talk openly and be willing to listen and accept the feelings the person expresses. Take their answers seriously. Listen to their reasons for being in pain as well as reasons they want to continue to stay alive, and avoid trying to impose your own reasons.

Do not promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret either. Seeking support is important, and lying to them can rupture your relationship.

Step 2: Be There

Helping an at-risk person feel less isolated and more connected to others has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.

You can be there in person, on the phone or any other way that shows you are support. Be sure to follow through with your actions, too. Do not commit to anything you are unable to do.

If you are not able to be there for the person, help them brainstorm who else might be able to be present. Listening is again key. Find out who they believe will be the most effective resource, not who you think is best.

Step 3: Help Them Stay Safe

After you have established an open and direct conversation, you can determine the severity of the danger. Do they know how or when they would kill themselves? Do they have a detailed plan? Have they already done something before talking with you? Do they have access to their planned method?

“The more steps they have in place, the more at risk they are,” said Dr. Patterson. “If they have immediate access to a firearm, prescription drugs or another method, it may be necessary to call for emergency help or drive them to an emergency department.”

Step 4: Help Them Connect and Develop a Plan

Connecting a person at risk for suicide with ongoing support, such as the 988 Lifeline, can help give them a safety net for moments when they are in a crisis. You can also help them identify resources in their community, such as a mental health professional or a support group.

As you help them connect, you can also help them develop a safety plan. What should they do if they experience a crisis? Do they have the 988 Lifeline saved in their contacts? What family or friends can they call?

Step 5: Follow Up

After helping them connect with support and resources in the moment of crisis, be sure to follow up in the hours, days and weeks after to see how they are doing. This will help them continue to feel connected to others and show them that they have people who care about them. It is also a good time to check if they have found the help of a mental health professional or if they need additional help in connecting with a qualified provider.

If you or a loved one is at risk of harm, professional mental health guidance can help. Penn Highlands Behavioral Health staff is trained to not only help the person at risk of suicide but also the family and friends. Penn Highlands Healthcare offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient behavioral and mental health services at locations throughout Pennsylvania. To learn more, please visit www.phhealthcare.org/bhs.

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Penn Highlands Healthcare was officially formed in 2011, and is comprised of eight hospitals – Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands Connellsville, Penn Highlands DuBois, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, Penn Highlands Tyrone — that have served area communities for the past 100+ years. Penn Highlands State College, a new hospital, with a patient-centric design and atmosphere, is slated to open in 2024. The health system’s business continuum also includes a home care agency, long-term care facilities and residential senior living communities, as well as durable medical equipment companies and retail pharmacies.

Penn Highlands Healthcare has evolved into an organization with 6,651 workers in 150+ locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices. The facilities have a total of 1,498 inpatient, skilled nursing and personal care beds.  The system, which has 827 physicians and 405 advanced practice providers on staff, offers a wide range of care and treatments with specialty units for cancer, cardiovascular/thoracic, neurosurgery, pulmonology, neonatal and high-risk pregnancy patients. Being focused on what is important – patients and families – makes Penn Highlands Healthcare the best choice in the region.

Penn Highlands State College Now Offers Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Posted on by Jules Slater

(June 13, 2025, DuBois, Pennsylvania) – Penn Highlands State College continues to recruit skilled physicians and providers who bring new specialties to the region. Most recently, they began offering cosmetic/non-surgical and surgical procedures for the breasts, body, face and hands.

J. Ryan Rice, MD, FACS, who is dual board-certified in general surgery and plastic surgery and practices with Penn Highlands Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery, joined the staff of the hospital. He specializes in breast reconstruction, hand surgery, craniofacial reconstruction and general reconstruction. Dr. Rice’s cosmetic expertise includes breast surgery, rhinoplasty, face lift, facial rejuvenation, fillers, liposuction, abdominoplasty, laser skin treatments and basic skin care.

Josie Cartwright, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who sees patients alongside Dr. Rice at Penn Highlands Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery. She provides non-invasive cosmetic treatments, including laser skin treatments and injectables, as well as evaluation and management of hand conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren’s contracture.

Michelle Hallstrom, CRNP, is a certified registered nurse practitioner specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery with Dr. Rice and the team at Penn Highlands Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery. She provides cosmetic treatments including injectables, laser skin treatments, skin care products and evaluation and management of Dupuytren’s contracture, skin conditions and ulnar neuropathy.

For people suffering from hand and wrist pain from carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Rice is one of the first surgeons in the region to offer endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery – an innovative procedure for carpal tunnel release. The procedure uses a small camera that allows him to guide surgical instruments through a tiny incision in the wrist and palm area to release the carpal tunnel. Benefits of the surgery include a smaller incision, less pain around the surgical site, lower chance of infection, shorter recovery time and faster functional recovery of grip strength.

In addition to pain relief, people have plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery for many reasons. Sometimes it is needed following an accident or injury to restore both the appearance and function of body parts affected by trauma. In addition, many women who undergo a mastectomy have breast reconstruction surgery. Still others, choose to have plastic surgery to improve their appearance. Some of the non-surgical procedures offered include Botox injections and dermal fillers. Skin-care products also will be offered.

“While enhancing appearance or restoring function, plastic and reconstructive surgery can help to improve a person’s quality of life,” said Dr. Rice. “For some, it can reduce or eliminate pain and discomfort as well as help restore feelings of confidence.”

Dr. Rice and the nurse practitioners at Penn Highlands Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery see patients in the Penn Highlands State College Medical Office Building located at 239 Colonnade Boulevard in State College on Tuesdays from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. For an appointment call 814-503-8368.

For more information, visit www.phhealthcare.org/rice-plastics.


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Penn Highlands Healthcare was officially formed in 2011 and is comprised of nine hospitals. Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands Connellsville, Penn Highlands DuBois, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, Penn Highlands Tyrone have served area communities for the past 100+ years. Penn Highlands State College is a new state-of-the-art hospital that opened in 2024. The health system’s business continuum also includes a home care agency, long-term care facilities and residential senior living communities, as well as durable medical equipment companies and retail pharmacies.

Penn Highlands Healthcare has evolved into an organization with approximately 6,200 employees in 150+ locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices. The facilities have a total of 1,396 inpatient, skilled nursing and personal care beds.  The system, which has 849 physicians and 427 advanced practice providers on staff, offers a wide range of care and treatments with specialty units for cancer, cardiovascular/thoracic, neurosurgery, pulmonology, neonatal and high-risk pregnancy patients. Being focused on what is important – patients and families – makes Penn Highlands Healthcare a great choice for healthcare in the region.

Pennsylvania Business Central to Publish “Signature Leaders Under 30” edition in July

Posted on by Jules Slater

Pennsylvania Business Central not only celebrates the successes of the present and the triumphs of the past, is is also constantly looking to the future. That’s why the July edition of Pennsylvania Business Central will feature our Signature Leaders Under 30 edition!

Pennsylvania Business Central is accepting nominations and all submissions will be collected and given to an editorial selection committee, which will choose the final selections from the nominations. The selection committee will base its final selections on nominees who have made a positive impact on the Central Pennsylvania business community by consistently moving their business forward, adapting to major changes in their personal and professional life and giving back to the community through volunteering or mentoring.

Make a nomination by clicking here and filling out the form. Please make sure that all nominees are under 30 years of age! 

With questions, contact Pennsylvania Business Central Editor David Harry at 814-278-1323. Deadline for submitting nominations is July 7.