SS&G: How to make the most of your year-end tax planning
Before year’s end, taxpayers need to talk with advisers about their personal tax situation — wages, interest income, dividend income, capital gains, pass-through income from a business and other deductions. This preliminary road map can be used to make appropriate decisions. “Years ago, I went through a projection with a client. We didn’t move the […]
Brouse McDowell: How purchase agreements have changed in the digital age
It used to be that buyers would send out purchase orders with standard terms and conditions, and sellers would ship the product with invoices containing their own conditions. Now that more business is conducted online, conditions are agreed to by click-wrap — clicking a box to accept the terms of the website. That causes problems […]
Cendrowski Corporate Advisors: How an experienced investigator performs background due diligence
When trying to learn about an individual, many companies turn to online background checks. However, this could be a mistake as much of the available information may not be fully verified, which is why many businesses turn to a licensed investigator to help provide a more complete and accurate picture. Smart Business spoke with Theresa […]
HealthLink: Cutting-edge tools employers can use to build affordable health plans
Although some aspects of the Affordable Care Act remain uncertain, the act overall is driving the health care market to figure out ways to control costs and allow employers to continue to offer health plans, says Mark Haegele, director of sales and account management at HealthLink. As a result, managed care companies are increasingly utilizing […]
Michael Feuer: What’s a leader’s single most important skill?
What would it take for a company to succeed if its leader could effectively do only one of the following: innovate, instigate or administrate? We all know that an innovator is the one who sees things that aren’t and asks why not? The instigator sees things that are and asks why? The administrator doesn’t necessarily […]
Randall Dearth implemented improvements to take Calgon Carbon Corp. to the next level
When Calgon Carbon Corp. made Randall Dearth its new president and CEO, it was somewhat of an easy transition — the former Lanxess CEO had been a member of the Calgon Carbon board for six years. “I knew a lot of the high-level issues, the potential emerging markets and a lot about the products and […]
Jim Davis and Chevron Energy Solutions take hold of sustainability and innovation to save customers a collective $1 billion
One of the most unique aspects of Chevron Energy Solutions is that its largest customer is essentially itself — parent company Chevron Corp. Jim Davis, the energy group’s president, is quick to report that the relationship is mutually beneficial — and the cause of sustainability. Chevron Energy Solutions is one of the largest installers of […]
Novack and Macey: How to enforce an unsigned contract for services
You spent hours working on a new contract for your business, negotiating terms and swapping drafts of the agreement. But time was of the essence and in your rush to get started on the real work, once the terms were set, you and the customer neglected to exchange signatures on the contract. The project started […]
Momentous Insurance Brokerage: How a personal umbrella policy adds an extra layer of liability protection
In today’s litigious society, people are filing more lawsuits and receiving larger judgments. Everyone needs to consider buying umbrella or excess liability insurance to protect their current and future assets against catastrophic loss. “It is a financially sound idea for everybody to consider it, regardless of personal asset holdings,” says Erin Powers, CIC, assistant vice […]
Steve Weis is reversing double-digit sales declines at Max & Erma’s by focusing on the customer
Steve Weis admits it’s fun to be in a Max & Erma’s restaurant on Free Cookies Wednesday. He watches for the responses on customer’s faces as the freshly baked treats arrive after they’ve finished their meals. “We do it because we see reactions, and we do it because we love it,” he says. “No one […]