Page 14 - BusinessWest August 18, 2025

EDITORIAL >>
Coping with Tariffs
Maroun Hannoush doesn’t seem fazed by what some
are describing as ‘trade wars’ and a rapidly changing
scene when it comes to tariffs imposed on products
from around the world.
Indeed, while Hannoush, CEO of the family-owned chain
of jewelry stores and manufacturing facilities, acknowledged
the 39% tariff rate imposed on products from Switzerland,
including a wide array of watches sold in his stores, and
some uncertainly about will happen with the price tags on
those and other items, he was generally upbeat when he talk-
ed with BusinessWest.
He spoke of manufacturing moving to other countries, and
especially this one, and, more generally, about how his indus-
try (and others) will respond to this latest challenge with cre-
ative efforts to continue thriving, while also minimizing the
impact on their customers.
“It’s exciting to see — there’s great potential for new jobs
and new opportunities,” he said of already announced plans
to move some manufacturing to this country, and the prom-
ise of more. “The United States has a great deal of untapped
resources when it comes to making products like jewelry
here.”
While most others are not as openly optimistic and
upbeat, the general tone we’re sensing is that, yes, the tariffs
are just another challenge to be overcome, and they are confi-
dent that they can make the needed adjustments, whether it’s
steering wine lovers toward domestic labels or finding ways
to absorb or offset some of the price increases.
As we talked with several other local business owners
OPINION >>
about tariffs for the story on page 8, most said the full impact
of these measures are still matters for the future tense.
Whether it’s Swiss watches, German beers, French wines,
Japanese cars, or even some construction materials, there is
mostly plenty of stock in warehouses that arrived well before
the tariff rates were set in stone — if they’ve actually been set
in stone — for the next several months.
Meanwhile, other factors, from attractive incentives on the
sale and lease of new cars to falling prices on some construc-
tion materials amid a mild slowdown, are keeping the full
effects from tariffs from being felt.
The question is, for how long? Actually, that’s just one of
the questions being asked — questions for which there are no
real answers at this point.
But amid these questions, there is a certain amount of
confidence that many of these tariff issues can be minimized
through the same creativity and diligence that has seen this
business community endure through a Great Recession, a
pandemic, an ongoing workforce crisis, and much more.
Maybe Hannoush is right. Perhaps these tariffs will gen-
erate more manufacturing in this country, equating to more
jobs and more game-changing investments in communities
across the country. Maybe the negotiations will continue, tar-
iffs will fall, and important concessions will be gained as a
result.
Maybe.
In the meantime, area businesses are responding as they
always do — with imagination and determination. BW
PUBLISHER
John Gormally
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SALES MANAGER &
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Kate Campiti
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EDITOR
Joseph Bednar
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CONTRIBUTING
WRITER
George O’Brien
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ADVERTISING
CONSULTANTS
Kate Campiti
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Kathleen Plante
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Cecille Youmans
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EXECUTIVE
ADMINISTRATOR
Melissa Hallock
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Setting Workplace Expectations
BY ALLISON EBNER
Let’s be honest — every generation entering the workforce
faces a little heat, and today, Gen Z is in the spotlight.
Born between 1997 and 2012, this group is full of
innovation, energy, and digital smarts. But employers are
noticing something else: a lack of familiarity with basic work-
place etiquette. Things like missing deadlines without notice,
texting during meetings, or using overly casual tone in pro-
fessional emails are showing up more frequently.
But here’s the catch: it’s not just Gen Z. The pandemic
blurred the lines of professionalism for everyone. From
remote veterans hopping on Zoom late to leaders shooting
off short emails w ith no context, we’ve all let a few work-
place habits slide.
Why does this matter? Etiquette isn’t just about manners
— it’s about respect, clarity, and trust. These are cornerstones
of great teams, no matter your role or age. It’s clear that, as
employers and HR professionals, we need to hit the reset
button on workplace etiquette expectations. Here are a few
suggestions on how to get this started:
• Normalize etiquette refreshers. Take five minutes in a
team meeting to review expectations — like when to respond
to emails or how to participate in hybrid meetings. You
really do have to state the obvious’and be very specific about
expectations.
• Encourage mentorship (in both directions). Pair expe-
rienced employees with new hires and invite Gen Z to share
insights on communication styles and digital tools. Create
work teams across generational boundaries so they can
share and learn from one another.
• Make sure your leaders are modeling good behavior.
Nothing is less motivating than being told to behave one way
ART DIRECTOR
Mike Nasuti
[email protected]
and your boss does the exact opposite. You will never make
progress if your people leaders aren’t demonstrating the
behaviors you want from the team.
• Define your non-negotiables and discuss them often.
Every organization has them — absolute rules that cannot
be broken in the workplace. One example of this is fighting
or loud arguments between co-workers in our workspace.
Another might be no texting during team meetings. Be clear
and communicate these frequently to your entire staff.
• Incorporate etiquette standards into your perfor-
mance management process and your one-on-one meet-
ings. To demonstrate how serious you are about professional
standards, tie it to compensation. Creating consequences for
failing to meet these expectations will help you hold people
accountable to their behavior. You can also reward great
behavior as it happens by incorporating a spot bonus pro-
gram using gift cards or time off.
• Create a safe space for questions. Make it easy for any-
one to ask, ‘what’s the norm here?’ without fear of sounding
inexperienced.
The bottom line? Workplace etiquette isn’t about being
perfect — it’s about being intentional. In today’s diverse, fast-
moving work environment, getting back to basics is a win
for everyone. Whether you’re just starting out or leading the
team, it’s always the right time to sharpen your soft skills and
create a culture of trust and inclusion. BW
Allison Ebner is president of the Employers Assoc. of the
NorthEast. This article first appeared on the EANE blog;
eane.org
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Ryan Leary
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MARKETING &
EVENTS MANAGER
Natasha
Mercado-Santana
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14 << OPINION >>
AUGUST 18, 2025
OFFICE MANAGER
Darlene Clarke
officemanager@
businesswest.com
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