Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley PC: How the role of outside counsel has changed for businesses
Some companies can’t afford or simply don’t perceive the need for in-house legal counsel. However, many are seeing the benefits of using outside legal help regularly, rather than when a problem is at hand, says Enrique Marinez, a partner at Ropers Majeski Kohn & Bentley PC. “Smaller and midsize businesses need to be proactive and […]
Bridge Bank: How treasury management services are adapting to increased expectations
The Check 21 Act, passed in 2003, had a dramatic impact on businesses’ cash flow by allowing banks to send digital versions of checks — eliminating the need for physical copies. Similarly, important developments are on the horizon to further enhance payment capabilities, says Tom Hoffman, senior vice president and manager of the Treasury Management […]
Sensiba San Filippo: How new tax changes could affect your business’s tax incentives
If your business has benefited from California enterprise zone credits, the next few months might shock your system. AB 93, signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on June 12, 2013, effectively eliminates the enterprise zone program. In its place, three new tax incentives will take effect beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Will these new incentives […]
Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg & Torchia: How new FCC regulations severely limit autodialed and prerecorded calls
To protect consumers from unwanted autodialed or prerecorded telemarketing calls, referred to as telemarketing robocalls, new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations took effect in October.These regulations require a consumer’s “prior express written consent” before businesses can make telemarketing robocalls, eliminating the prior exception of an “established business relationship.” “Businesses will need to modify their consumer […]
Kreischer Miller: Mentally preparing for a successful business exit
“Planning for an exit can be a very emotional event in a business owner’s life. There are feelings of mortality — not only with one’s health, but also his or her role as the leader of a business. Businesses that achieve long-term success typically do a good job planning for succession,” says Steven E. Staugaitis, […]
ECBM: How top liability concerns are covered by employment practices liability insurance
Employers today are more likely to have an employment practices liability (EPL) insurance claim than a property or general liability claim. EPL provides protection against claims made by employees, whether former, current or potential, regarding discrimination — age, sex, race, disability, etc., wrongful termination, sexual harassment and other employment-related allegations. When looking to have your […]
UPMC Health Plan: How employee assistance programs keep a finger on the productivity pulse
The modern employee assistance program (EAP) is an employer-sponsored benefit designed to support the achievement of employer health and productivity goals. EAPs also have evolved to become a strategic partner to maximize the human capital of an organization. “An EAP’s main goal is to resolve problems before they interfere with work attendance or productivity. And, […]
ChamberChoice: How to approach your 2014 benefits plan and comply with the ACA
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) will have a profound effect on most employers that offer health plans in 2014. “Passing the law was the easy part. The process of issuing regulations and guidance between three separate federal agencies — Health and Human Services, Department of Labor and the IRS — is the […]
NAI Daus: How to modernize warehouse and distribution facilities in today’s market
A flight to quality during the recession saw businesses move to more modern warehouse and distribution facilities. In some cases, companies relinquished functionally obsolete buildings that have the potential to be modernized. Bob Brehmer, CCIM, SIOR, principal at NAI Daus, says when businesses can’t find what they want in an existing facility, they’ll build. However, […]
Today's Business Products: How surveys can help improve customer service
It’s difficult to know for certain what your clients want if you never ask them. “Businesses should be asking their customers: What are we doing right? What are we doing wrong? What could we do better? If they’re not asking these questions, apparently they do not care about their customers,” says Rick Voigt, president of […]