How to be ready for health plan audits when the government comes calling
With the ongoing implementation of health care reform, many employer groups have missed the obligations set forth in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). “The federal government has started systematic audits of group health plans, primarily for compliance with health care reform. They will also include compliance for ERISA. A key provision […]
How to deal with alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace
Abuse of alcohol and drugs in the workplace is a reality that employers cannot afford to overlook. According to a 2008 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 70 percent of the admitted drug and alcohol abusers in the country are employed, and a majority of those are full-time employees. […]
How to address legal issues when looking to do work in Europe
Companies looking to expand overseas may experience a different business culture and need to be aware of the legal issues they may face. “It’s important to prepare beforehand and ensure you’re complying with all of the different EU and German laws that come into play,” says German native Katja Garvey, an associate at Kegler, Brown, […]
Strategic execution is the secret sauce of success
If I were to identify one book pivotal to my company’s success, it would be “Execution” by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan. Simply put, it shows how to get the job done and deliver results … whether you are running a company or in your first management job — plus, it is chock full of […]
How to protect your interests when selling a business
Every day, small business owners make mistakes by failing to disclose issues when selling their businesses, risking potential legal entanglements. “Selling a business is not unlike selling a house. In California, there is a duty to disclose. Although a broker representing the buyer or seller has fiduciary obligations, by law, the onus of disclosure falls […]
Paul Witkay: Five steps you can take to instill clarity and courage
I’ve read hundreds of great quotes from amazing leaders describing “leadership.” One of the simplest comes from Fuchan Yuan, who identified three essentials: “humility, clarity and courage.” Humility seems to be a character trait that people either have or don’t. Although many people perceive CEOs to have large egos, great leaders know that leadership is […]
David La Piana: How focusing on early adopters, who are ready for change, strengthens your efforts
Most organizational change efforts, large or small, life-saving or mundane, are destined to fail. Generally, they don’t fail because of a weak concept but because of poor execution, often stemming from a lack of buy-in from the people who have to actually change their attitudes or behavior — your employees. In this inaugural column on […]
Staying ahead of the curve: Innovation has been a core part of Lundberg Family Farms since it was founded
After witnessing the Dust Bowl’s impact on the Midwest, the founders of Lundberg Family Farms decided they needed to take care of the soil and treat it as a living organism when establishing the Sacramento Valley business in 1937. “When they arrived here, they started to farm using cover crops that would produce nitrogen from […]
Perseverance pays off for pair of pet lovers pitching benefits of pet insurance
Chris and Natasha Ashton risked a lot to get Petplan off the ground. “Two years of funding the business on credit cards and taking cash out on the credit cards to pay off student loans at Wharton,” says Natasha, the pet insurance company’s co-founder, co-CEO and CMO. “Two years of sleepless nights. But it proved […]
How businesses can benefit from banking with smaller institutions
Finding a bank for your business is different than applying for a car loan. Instead of just needing a source of capital, you also need a partner that can help your business grow. “You’re looking for a relationship that will allow your business to prosper,” says Andrew M. Phillips, vice president, relationship manager at Bridge […]