LinkedIn Influencer & Top Voice. Accomplished Director in International Sales, Marketing, Customer Service & Training. Known as the go-to person if you want something done. Called the ‘Tracie’ effect by CEO’s.

Being an Operations Manager and C-Level Executive is exactly what you’d think it’s like. 

I’m the person that everyone wants to know but nobody wants to be. If you want to get something done, you come to me – everyone knows that! 

Yet no one wants to have to do what I do because of the amount of personal time and effort that goes into being everyone’s go-to.  

Luckily, I’m passionate with staying organised and making everyone’s life easier. It brings such a genuine joy to my heart to take the burden off others shoulders, and I always do anything I can to enhance that. 

There aren’t many things that can grow a company the way that trust and dependability can, and I pride myself in being so dedicated to both.


"Content disclaimer: The pictures and media content shared in my posts are not mine. Credit goes to the respective authors. If you have any concerns or requests for alteration or removal, please DM me. Thank you."


Tracie Murray

I’m Chris Steffens, and I’ve built a career as a brand and business development consultant, bringing over 14 years of experience to the table. Right now, I’m actively involved with LinkedIn Local Harford & Cecil Counties, where I focus on connecting professionals, fostering community engagement, and helping members build meaningful personal and business brands. 

My work centers on helping individuals and organizations build authority, expand reach, and engage their audiences more effectively.

Chris Steffens

Make sure you measure your environment before making a leaping commitment this snowed-in start of this January 26th workweek.

As we head into this new workweek, businesses across the U.S. are navigating the significant aftermath of this past weekend's historic snow and ice event.

 With over 190 million Americans under weather alerts and "Winter Storm Fern" impacting a 2,000-mile stretch, the ripple effects on commerce and operations will be felt for days.

Here is a quick look at how the storm is shaping the business landscape this week:

Logistics & Supply Chain: Over 15,000 flights have been delayed or cancelled since Saturday. Major hubs in the South and Northeast are still clearing backlogs, while icy conditions on critical arteries like I-40 and I-95 are causing significant delays in last-mile deliveries.

Infrastructure & Power: More than 1 million homes and businesses lost power, particularly in Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Restoration efforts are hampered by a "historically long" cold spell that is preventing ice melt.

Workforce & Operations: Federal offices in D.C. are closed today, and many private sector employees in the Mid-Atlantic and South are shifting to mandatory remote work to avoid hazardous commutes. 

Major manufacturers in the South have already issued "stay home" orders through Tuesday.

Retail Shifts: While essential retailers like Kroger and Target have remained open with adjusted hours, non-essential retail and dining saw widespread closures over the weekend, shifting consumer demand further toward digital channels.

The Bottom Line: This week is about resilience and flexibility. Leaders are prioritizing safety and leveraging remote-work infrastructure while logistics teams scramble to reroute shipments around the deep freeze.
Stay safe out there, and check in on your teams.

#BusinessContinuity #SupplyChain #WinterStorm2026 #RemoteWork #Logistics #Leadership

“Think Local but be Global” - Brand and Business Development - LinkedIn Local Consultant - LinkedIn Page Development - Quick Promos - Lead Generation using Sales Navigator, Employee of the Day! Text 518-859-1156 for CB

Sort of going for a little sparkle in our Snowy and Icy Sunday.

The Great Freeze: What Your Flight Status Isn't Telling You If you were planning on flying this week, the "Ice-pocalypse" might have other ideas. With a storm of this magnitude testing the nation's power grids and affecting nearly 200 million people, airlines are preemptively pulling the plug on thousands of flights.

The Silver Lining: The "Big Five" (American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United) are actually being helpful for once—waiving change fees so you can avoid a terminal floor sleepover.

The Reality Check: We haven’t seen the "Cancelled" boards look this red since the government shutdown last year.

#WinterStorm
#TravelAlert
#FlightCancellations
#EastCoastWeather

As you cycle through some of the videos here on LinkedIn, this should wheely get your attention.

2026 is officially the year that recycling in the USA moves from "aspiration" to "industrial execution."

If you feel like the recycling conversation has been stuck in neutral for the last decade, you aren’t alone. But as of January 2026, a massive shift in technology and policy is finally closing the loop.

Here are the four innovations and trends defining the recycling landscape this year:

1. The AI Sorting Revolution
We have officially reached a tipping point where Artificial Intelligence is more accurate than human eyes. Facilities across the U.S. are reporting efficiency gains of up to 60% thanks to deep-learning vision systems.
The 95% Benchmark: New AI-driven optical sorters can now identify polymers, colors, and even specific brands with 95%+ purity.
The Result: This virtually eliminates the "contamination" problem that previously sent entire batches of recyclables to the landfill.

2. Molecular & Enzymatic Recycling
Traditional mechanical recycling (shredding and melting) often degrades plastic quality. In 2026, molecular recycling (also known as advanced or chemical recycling) is scaling to an industrial level.
Breaking the Bonds: Technologies like pyrolysis and depolymerization break plastic down into its original building blocks (monomers), allowing it to be recycled infinitely without losing strength.
Nature’s Helpers: We are seeing the first commercial-scale applications of enzyme-based recycling, where engineered bacteria "eat" PET plastic under moderate temperatures, turning waste into high-quality raw materials.

3. Policy Meets the Pavement: EPR Laws
2026 marks the "go-live" phase for several Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs.
States Leading the Way: States like Oregon and Colorado have transitioned into full operational phases. Producers are now 100% financially responsible for the lifecycle of their packaging.
The Cost of Waste: We’re seeing a shift in household logistics, with new mandatory recycling fees and larger "smart bins" becoming the norm to ensure higher recovery rates for paper and plastic.

4. Digital Product Passports (DPP)
The "Smart Packaging" trend has officially gone mainstream.
The QR Code Shift: Many brands are now using serialized QR codes or RFID tags that act as a "digital passport."
End-to-End Traceability: These tags tell recyclers exactly what chemicals are in the plastic and how it should be processed. For consumers, it provides real-time data on where their specific item was recycled.


The Bottom Line for 2026
Recycling is no longer a secondary "green" initiative; it is becoming a core industrial strategy. With major players like WM and Republic Services completing multi-billion dollar infrastructure upgrades this year, the "Circular Economy" is finally becoming a reality for American businesses.

#Recycling2026 #CircularEconomy #Innovation #SupplyChain #USARecycling

Sure, they are calling for a major Snowstorm this weekend, at least it's not raining. Look what else is dropping.

Intel’s stock just dropped 12% after-hours, proving that a solid "beat" isn't enough when the future looks foggy.

📊 The Q4 Beat vs. Q1 Miss
Q4 EPS: $0.15 (vs. $0.08 expected) — A massive beat.
Q4 Revenue: $13.7B (vs. $13.4B expected).
Q1 Guidance: Breakeven earnings on $12.2B revenue (both missing consensus).

📉 Why the Drop?

Wall Street gave Intel a "cold shower" for its forward-looking outlook:

Supply Crunch: CFO David Zinsner warned that available supply will bottom out in Q1.

Yield Hurdles: While the 18A process is ramping, manufacturing yields aren't yet "industry-leading."

High Bar: The stock was up 47% year-to-date; investors were priced for perfection and didn't get it.

The Verdict: The turnaround is a marathon, not a sprint. Manufacturing remains the bottleneck for Intel's AI ambitions.

#Intel #Earnings #Semiconductors #TechInvesting #AI

It only becomes an obstacle if you allow it to be this new work week of January 19th.

This week is a heavy-hitter for the US business landscape. Despite a quiet start with the market holiday on Monday, the back half of the week is packed with "catch-up" data following recent government scheduling shifts and the heart of Q4 earnings season.

Here is a brief breakdown of what to watch:

📉 Key Economic Indicators

Data agencies are still normalizing schedules, making this week's releases particularly critical for market sentiment:

GDP Update (Thursday, Jan 22): Expect a fresh look at growth figures. Analysts are watching to see if the 4.3% expansion pace holds steady.
Core PCE Price Index (Thursday, Jan 22): The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge. A "softer" print could solidify hopes for interest rate cuts later this quarter.
S&P Global Flash PMIs (Friday, Jan 23): Real-time health checks on the Manufacturing and Services sectors to kick off 2026.
Consumer Sentiment (Friday, Jan 23): Final January figures from the University of Michigan will reveal how households feel about inflation and the job market.

💰 Earnings Season Hits Full Stride

The "old economy" meets high-tech this week. Keep an eye on:

Tuesday: Netflix (reporting after the bell; all eyes are on subscriber growth and the rumored Warner Bros. Discovery asset deal).
Thursday: Intel (key for the semiconductor outlook).
Throughout the week: Major reports from J&J, Visa, 3M, P&G, and GE Aerospace.

#BusinessNews #Economy2026 #EarningsSeason #GDP #Inflation #LinkedInBusiness #linkedinlocal #linkedinlocalhcc #influencermarketing
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Time to get a drop on your Humpday!

Speaking of drops, Yesterday, the U.S. stock market experienced its sharpest single-day Drop in months, leaving many investors wondering: Why the sudden "Sell America" trade?

The downturn, which followed the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, saw all three major indexes finish deep in the red. Here is a breakdown of what drove the volatility and what it means for your portfolio.

📉 The Numbers at a Glance
Nasdaq Composite: 🔻 2.4% (22,954.32)
S&P 500: 🔻 2.1% (6,796.86) — its biggest drop since October.
Dow Jones: 🔻 1.8% (down 870 points to 48,488.59).

Yesterday, the U.S. stock market experienced its sharpest single-day decline in months, leaving many investors wondering: Why the sudden "Sell America" trade?
The downturn, which followed the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday, saw all three major indexes finish deep in the red. Here is a breakdown of what drove the volatility and what it means for your portfolio.
📉 The Numbers at a Glance
Nasdaq Composite: 🔻 2.4% (22,954.32)
S&P 500: 🔻 2.1% (6,796.86) — its biggest drop since October.
Dow Jones: 🔻 1.8% (down 870 points to 48,488.59).

🌍 The Catalyst: Geopolitical Tensions & "The Greenland Factor"

The primary driver of yesterday's sell-off was a sudden escalation in trade rhetoric. Over the weekend, President Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on eight European and NATO allies—including Denmark, France, and Germany—unless they support a U.S. bid to acquire Greenland.

Key Tariff Details:
10% import tax is proposed to start on February 1.
Potential increase to 25% by June 1.
Targets: Key trading partners whose combined imports to the U.S. exceed those of Mexico and China.

🚀 Safe Havens vs. Risk Assets

As investors moved into "risk-off" mode, we saw a dramatic split in asset performance:
Tech Under Pressure: The "Magnificent Seven" (including Nvidia and Amazon) led the declines as investors rotated out of high-valuation growth stocks.

Gold & Silver Records: Gold prices surged 3.7% to hit fresh all-time highs ($4,765/oz), while silver soared nearly 7%.

Volatility Spike: The VIX (Wall Street’s "fear gauge") jumped over 30%, reaching its highest level since late November.

#StockMarket #Investing #Economy #FinancialNews

I thought I should throw this up on LinkedIn this Weekend.

❄️ Major Travel Alert: 170M+ Americans Under Winter Warnings

If you have travel plans this weekend, it’s time to check your flight status. A "monster" winter storm—now being called Winter Storm Fern—is sweeping across the U.S., causing massive disruptions from the Southern Rockies to New England.

Here is the current situation for travelers and professionals:
Massive Flight Disruptions: Over 8,000 flights have already been canceled for the weekend, including nearly 3,000 today (Saturday) alone. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is currently one of the hardest-hit hubs.

Waivers in Effect: To help mitigate the chaos, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and most other major carriers have proactively waived change and cancellation fees.

FEMA Shifts Gear: In a significant move, FEMA has paused the ongoing dismissal of disaster workers to ensure enough "boots on the ground" are available to assist with the 170 million people currently under weather alerts.

Historic Impact: With catastrophic ice predicted from Texas to North Carolina and up to a foot of snow expected in Northeast hubs like Boston and NYC, travel is expected to be treacherous through Sunday.

Pro Tip: If your flight is delayed by 3+ hours or canceled, check your airline’s app directly. Many are offering automatic rebooking and full refunds for the unflown portion of your ticket.

Stay safe, stay warm, and keep an eye on the National Weather Service updates if you are in the storm's path.

#TravelAlert #WinterStorm #AviationNews #SupplyChain #SafetyFirst #FEMA

You would think that this may stunt your growth there, Sport.

The World Economic Forum just released a sobering look at the future of sport.

A new report, "Sports for People and Planet" (Jan 2026), reveals an industry at a crossroads. While the global sports economy is booming—currently valued at $2.3 trillion and projected to hit $8.8 trillion by 2050—that growth is under serious threat.

The $1.6 Trillion Risk
Climate change and rising physical inactivity aren't just social issues; they are existential economic risks. The report warns that these factors could wipe out $1.6 trillion in annual revenue by mid-century.

Key Takeaways:

The Growth Gap: While revenues are set to surge by 2030, the "raw materials" of sport—healthy people and a stable climate—are depleting.

The Youth Crisis: Only 1 in 5 young people currently meet daily physical activity guidelines. This isn't just a health crisis; it’s the erosion of the future fan and participant base.

Environmental Disruption: Extreme heat and pollution are already rescheduling events and impacting athlete health. By 2040, it’s estimated that only 10 countries will have enough snow to host the Winter Olympics.

The Bottom Line

The sports industry contributes more than 2% of global GDP and supports 1 in 25 jobs. Failure to innovate and prioritize sustainability could stall this entire economic engine.

To thrive, the sector must move beyond being a bystander to the climate and health crises and become a primary driver of the solution.

#SportsBusiness #Sustainability #WorldEconomicForum #ClimateAction #GlobalEconomy #SportsInnovation

It's a slippery slope to an icy landing, as a major snowstorm has been forecast for this weekend in the USA.

200 million people. 2,000 miles. 1 massive storm. ❄️

Winter Storm Fern is officially arriving this weekend, and it's bringing everything from "powdery flakes" to "crippling ice."

To my friends and colleagues in the path:

Don't be the "Hero" on the road. The ice in the South and the heavy accumulation in the Mid-Atlantic are no joke.

Communicate early. If your Monday morning is looking buried, let your clients/team know now.

Check on your neighbors. Especially the elderly or those living alone.
Stay safe out there! Who’s expecting the most snow? I’m hearing Baltimore and DC are in the "Crosshairs" this time! 🎯

#WeatherAlert #USA #WinterStorm #ProfessionalNetworking #StaySafe

From 0 to 1,000 feet in seconds. 🚀

There is nothing quite like a winch launch to remind you of the importance of momentum. In a glider, you start on the grass, completely dependent on external energy. But once you gain that initial height, you’re free to find your own lift, navigate the thermals, and see the world from a completely different perspective.

Sometimes in our careers, we need that "jolt" of a new challenge or a sudden change to get us above the treeline. It can be intense, but the view from the top is always worth the climb.

Are you looking for a "winch launch" moment in your career right now, or are you currently enjoying the glide?

#Perspective #CareerGrowth #Gliding #Innovation #Focus

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