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Fall 2025, Vol. 8, Iss. 22 | |
If someone you know could benefit from remote work, please forward this newsletter to them
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E-Commerce Accelerator Spotlight: Helping Utah Seed Grow Online | |
Utah Seed, an agricultural supplier in Tremonton, joined the E-Commerce Accelerator (ECA) earlier this year to strengthen their online presence and make it easier for new and existing customers to purchase high-quality seed products. With training and support from ECA, they launched a new online storefront and made their first sale within a few days. They have seen a steady increase in online sales as more customers discover their products and expertise. | |
The Utah Seed team praised their ECA experience, saying, “Five stars! I cannot say that enough. It has been good.” The program has helped their business move forward in an industry that has traditionally been slow to adopt digital tools. Customers can explore and purchase their products directly at utahseed.com.
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From pasture mixes to homeowner turf grass, Utah Seed shows how rural businesses can grow by combining local knowledge with effective e-commerce tools. | | | |
The ECA program has now helped 43 rural small businesses generate over $1,000,000 in new online sales revenue since July 2023. This impact demonstrates the growing importance of digital tools and training rural Utah business owners need to stay competitive in the digital economy. | |
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We’re excited to welcome Dr. Doug Miller, Associate Professor at Utah State University and Executive Director of the SouthEastern Entrepreneurial Network (SEEN), as our next speaker in our Professional Development Series.
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This virtual session will be held December 10 at noon.
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In this session, Dr. Miller will introduce SEEN and share what aspiring entrepreneurs should consider before starting a business as their next career move. He will walk through five key considerations for new business owners, explain the role of entrepreneurial resources, and help participants evaluate whether entrepreneurship is the right fit.
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Earlier This Week: Resume Workshop Recap | |
This week, we hosted a resume workshop with a great group of participants who joined us to refresh their resumes! They learned what employers look for in a quality applicant and built confidence in presenting their experience.
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If you missed this session, we will offer another resume workshop in January 2026.
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Leadership Insight: Building Teams that Thrive in Remote and Hybrid Work | |
Recent research shows that the most effective remote and hybrid teams succeed because of strong leadership, not strict attendance rules. Organizations that are doing well with flexible work share several core practices:
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- Measure performance by results, not by time spent in the office.
- Give teams the autonomy and tools needed to do their best work.
- Design workspaces that support intentional collaboration when people are on site.
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No peer-reviewed research has yet to show an advantage to a mandatory five-day office schedule. Studies on innovation also show that physical proximity matters less than it once did, especially as digital tools continue to improve.
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For leaders who want practical guidance, the Running Remote team has created a concise Remote Playbook with frameworks and templates that support clear communication, onboarding, and distributed teamwork.
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Leadership remains the key factor in helping remote and hybrid teams succeed, and Rural Online Initiative offers the Certified Remote Work Leader© course to support leaders in developing these skills. | |
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AI is Bringing Back In-Person Interviews
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Artificial intelligence is changing how employers review applications, and some companies are returning to in-person interviews to better understand a candidate’s real skills. According to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, concerns about AI-assisted cheating during technical screenings have led some employers to rely more on face-to-face conversations to confirm experience and decision-making ability.
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As these tools become more common in hiring, job seekers benefit from practicing how they: |
- present themselves,
- talk about their work, and
- demonstrate their strengths in live settings.
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With 62% of job applicants now using AI to write resumes and cover letters, employers are paying closer attention to communication skills and overall preparedness. | |
This shift highlights the value of preparing with support, which is why ROI offers its Job Club for all Utahns. | |
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Job Club meets virtually each week to help job seekers strengthen their job search skills, practice interview techniques, refine their resumes, and receive personalized guidance in a supportive peer environment. Each session includes a short lesson, an opportunity to share progress, and one-on-one expert support. | | | |
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Our Job Seeker of the Month spotlights Certified Remote Work Professional© course graduates who are actively making meaningful progress in their job search. | |
This month, we are highlighting ShaeLynn Hughes of Washington County. She's a self-driven and customer-focused professional with experience managing multiple, high-precision tasks while maintaining accuracy and client satisfaction. She is a skilled problem-solver, builds strong client relationships, and collaborates across teams to resolve complex issues. She is eager to bring her skills solutions-oriented mindset to any team. | |
ShaeLynn is a current job seeker in our Job Club and is seeking a remote, hybrid, or on-site position as an Administrative Assistant or related opportunity. | |
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Have a success story or testimonial to share?
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We’d love to hear how ROI has made a difference in your journey.
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Know a friend or colleague who would like to receive monthly updates on Utah State University's Rural Online Initiative? Please share this email with them. | |
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Together with our students, partners, and community supporters, we're building opportunities across rural Utah. Thank you for being a part of it. Our team of program specialists, coordinators, and researchers work together to strengthen Utah's rural workforce through remote work and digital economy education. | |
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© 2025 Utah State University | |
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