What employers should be considering in 2014 — after more ACA changes
On Feb. 10, the U.S. Treasury Department issued final regulations implementing the employer shared responsibility provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), providing some transition relief to “applicable large employers.” These final regulations increased the categories of employers from two (large and small) to three (large, midsize and small). The employers shared responsibility has been […]
How partnerships and LLCs can avoid pitfalls that lead to litigation
Cash investors can get upset and file lawsuits when they learn that others involved in a partnership or limited liability corporation haven’t risked as much capital in a failed venture. “It really comes down to not having the operating agreement and the prospectus adequately explaining all of the moving pieces and what different people are […]
Office space efficiencies — Weighing open collaborative design versus a traditional office plan
In the past 10 years, office space design has moved from traditional private offices to open collaborative design. About 65 to 70 percent of companies have migrated to an open plan, with workstations and few, if any, hard walls from floor to ceiling. In this plan, whether you own the company or you’re an intern, […]
John McGeachie: Bringing the right technology into the work environment can make the difference
What a difference five years makes — especially in the technology landscape. Five years ago, the original Apple iPhone had only been out for a year and the app marketplace, which would grow to nearly 1 million apps, had just launched. Android first became available on smartphones nearly five years ago and adoption has grown […]
Umberto Fedeli: The Law of Reciprocity — A simple philosophy gives meaning to what life is all about
Sometimes when speaking on the power of relationships, I bring along some candy. Offering sweet treats elicits a lesson I want to impart on my audience — whether it’s 600 financial executives at a professional development seminar, a group of clients at EY or a Sales and Marketing Executives forum. It’s the law of reciprocity. […]
Have you looked at your on-boarding process lately?
An electronic on-boarding process can ease the HR burden while reinforcing to new hires that they chose the right employer. “It’s your first chance to really engage a new associate. You can create a lasting impression about your brand, commitment to your employees, and your company’s values and vision,” says Brian Donovan, managing director of […]
How to decipher hospital billing to better control health care costs
As the health care system becomes more transparent, it’s important for consumers to take more ownership of their health care costs. One way to start that shift is to closely scrutinize hospital bills. The way the system is structured, it’s too confusing and unclear, so patients don’t even take the time to try to figure […]
Ellen Burts-Cooper: Showing the heart of your business through philanthropy
Philanthropy has been defined in a broad sense as goodwill to fellow members of the human race in an active effort to promote overall human welfare. As it pertains to individuals and enterprises of all sizes, philanthropy is described as the practice of giving resources and time to help make life better for other people. […]
A look at how ERISA affects benefits today — and how a wrap product can help
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) was originally designed for the protection of individuals enrolled in pension plans. In fact, ERISA actually has a pretty interesting history. Back in the ’60s pension reform gained some momentum after the Studebaker Corporation (the automotive manufacturer) closed its plant and due to a poorly funded […]
Bill Treasurer: A good eye — Leadership coach pitches advice to the Pirates
At this year’s Pittsburgh Pirates spring training in Bradenton, Fla., I was asked to lead motivational leadership sessions for the baseball players and management. The invitation came after Manager Clint Hurdle read my latest book, “Leaders Open Doors.” But what I didn’t realize was that I would learn as much about leadership from the Pirates […]