FirstMerit Bank: How business owners can profit from expanded, enhanced SBA lending
Small Business Administration (SBA) financing has been around for a long time, but these loans are available to more business owners than ever due to recent program enhancements. Your banker should be able to take you through the programs and eligibility requirements to see if an SBA loan fits your needs, says Tim Dixon, SBA […]
Sequent: How dropping health insurance benefits may not save you money
At first glance, dropping health insurance for employees and sending them to the exchanges sounds like a win for everyone. Companies can give raises to make up the difference for employees, who then buy insurance for less, and everyone saves money. But that’s not the result when you factor in all of the numbers, says […]
First State Bank: How local banks offer better service and drive your hometown economy
A growing business may think a national or large regional bank would best serve their business needs, but in reality, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle. As big banks tend to cater to big business, community banks offer many advantages as a dedicated business partner. A local bank is knowledgeable about the […]
Rea & Associates: How your business can get tax benefits from research activities
Your company doesn’t need to have laboratories filled with beakers to be eligible for tax credits provided for research and development (R&D) activities. “Many people don’t think they’re doing the type of research that qualifies. But in this context, research is a tax definition. And while there may be similarities to the laboratory sense of […]
CompManagement: How to get workers’ compensation discounts for things you already do
The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC) Destination Excellence program allows employers to choose programs that best fit their risk management needs. It focuses on safer workplaces, return to work and savings options for administrative functions. “These programs essentially offer discounts for things employers already do,” says Randy Jones, senior vice president of TPA Operations […]
Tegrit Group: How to prepare for, survive and thrive after a retirement audit
Regulatory audits of retirement plans are on the rise — in number and scope — from both the Department of Labor (DOL) and the IRS. “The DOL has hired hundreds of plan auditors and they are actively looking for violations. Trivial issues, or issues often overlooked in the past, are now being scrutinized during a […]
Novack and Macey: How understanding damages is critical in commercial litigation
The greatest impediment to the successful resolution of a commercial dispute is the failure of both clients and attorneys to understand and think adequately about the extent, nature and amount of damages at issue in the dispute, says Eric N. Macey, partner at Novack and Macey LLP. “While clients will invest huge amounts of time […]
California Bank & Trust: How to enhance sales with merchant services
Merchant services affect the majority of companies — more than 90 percent of online purchases use credit cards. “If you’re not sure if merchant services is the right fit for your company, think about what your competitors are doing. If you don’t accept cards today, then prospective customers may be going to other businesses,” says […]
Woodbury University: How non-profit financial practices can boost for-profit businesses
For-profit organizations use the theory of profit to strategize and lead. However, not-for-profits, like Woodbury University, operate under the theories of constraints and strength. “With the theory of constraints, the idea is to review past performances, coupled with ongoing and future goals or expectations, to identify areas that may delay or stop you from reaching […]
Momentous Insurance Brokerage: How to achieve cost savings by managing workers’ comp claims
Most employers are distant from their workers’ compensation claims and thus leave money on the table when it comes to premium savings. Good claims management starts at the beginning. As a claim progresses, there will be fewer opportunities to positively affect the outcome. It has to be an ongoing process, says Kimaili “Ken” Davis, ARM, […]