Estate planning: Protection of assets and other trends for 2014

While tax laws continue to affect estate plans, protection of assets has become an increasing priority as baby boomers age. “There’s been a lot more conversation in the last five years about asset protection, not just about the client’s assets, but also about protecting the assets the children will eventually inherit,” says James P. Cashman, […]

How expanding the Medicaid program will help Ohio businesses

Expansion of the Medicaid program in Ohio was approved by the state Controlling Board because there wasn’t enough support to get it passed in the legislature. But there’s no economic reason for anyone in Ohio to oppose the expansion, says William F. Hutter, CEO of Sequent. “The battle about Medicaid expansion was based on principle; […]

What businesses can expect from state government in 2014

The early 2014 legislative priorities for the Ohio General Assembly include the mid-biennium review (MBR), the state’s capital budget, the Public Works Commission bond fund reauthorization and the municipal income tax uniformity bill (House Bill 5). “House Bill 5 will be front and center because it is a top priority of the business community and […]

How to manage risk and counter crises with a corporate response plan

The goal of any incident response is to minimize the impact of a negative event on an organization’s objectives. This involves responding to an incident as quickly and efficiently as possible, making good decisions to limit further damage and repair any damage that has been done. In order to accomplish this, an organization should have a corporate response plan (CRP) in place that is ready […]

Quality dialog with employees: Communications strategies for a productive workplace

Effective communication is a vital aspect of the employer-employee relationship regardless of industry and geography, says Renay Gontis, communications coordinator at JRG Advisors. “The opportunity for quality dialogue demonstrates to employees that they are valued by the company. Conversely, a lack of value placed on communication can make them feel underappreciated, fostering discontentment and low […]

Do HIPAA privacy laws apply to your business?

Many business operators know that the federal privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability Act (HIPAA) apply to health information maintained by “covered entities,” such as health care providers and health plans. Fewer know that new regulations, effective September 2013, expand the scope of direct responsibility for compliance. Now, HIPAA rules directly apply to “business […]