SCORE: Building a Civil Workplace: Practical Tools for Small Business Owners

Running a business means managing people, expectations, and sometimes difficult conversations. Whether you work independently, collaborate with partners, or lead a team, respectful communication and clear expectations are essential for building strong business relationships.

In this practical webinar, experienced HR professionals will share strategies for creating a culture of civility in your workplace and in your everyday business interactions.

You will learn how to:

• Define and model respectful behavior in your business

• Communicate expectations clearly with employees, partners, and customers

• Handle disagreements and difficult conversations professionally

• Build shared values that support a positive workplace culture

• Strengthen productivity, teamwork, and customer relationships

Whether you are launching a new business or managing a growing team, this session will provide practical tools to help you create a professional, respectful environment that supports long-term business success.

Dennis Dunlap has over 35 years of experience in Business and Human Resources. He was Senior Vice President, Human Resources, for a Fortune 500 financial services organization.

Dennis also owned his own business where he worked as a human resources consultant for several local and county governments and small businesses. Dennis also worked as a Career Management Coach, Executive Coach, and was an adjunct faculty member with Marian University.

Helena Masters has over 20 years of HR experience spanning not-for-profit organizations, Fortune 500 companies in logistics and food service, higher education, healthcare, and running her own consulting business. Having served as both an in-house HR leader and an independent consultant, Helena brings a well-rounded, practical perspective to every conversation—helping entrepreneurs and organizations navigate growth, change, and everyday challenges with empathy and real-world understanding. As a dedicated SCORE mentor, she enjoys working with business owners at every stage of their journey. Helena also helped develop an accredited HR Capability Framework through Hacking HR, reflecting her commitment to stronger workplaces everywhere.