ViewPoint Bank: Work/life balance — how women in business can succeed on both fronts
Women continue to impact the business world in growing numbers — 30 percent of all businesses are owned by women, according to the 2012 annual report of the National Women’s Business Council. Those firms have 7.5 million employees and a combined payroll of $217.6 billion. But even as they assume more leadership roles in business, […]
Crowe Horwath: How the U.S. Supreme Court’s DOMA ruling affects federal taxes
By ruling that part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court also set in motion some changes regarding federal income taxes. The June decision struck down Section 3, holding that same-sex individuals who are married under state law also must be treated as married for income and estate tax […]
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth: How trade secrets should be identified and protected
While California has adopted the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, there is no state or federal registration process for trade secrets like there is for safeguarding other intellectual property. However, companies can and should protect themselves by identifying, valuing and guarding their trade secrets. This allows them to seek remedies under the act if a closely […]
How Kevin Weidinger’s grooming Laudan Properties to be the Midwest’s premier mortgage field services operation
Cascade Capital AwardsService category, sales growth emerging, Laudan Properties LLC, Kevin Weidinger After a “back of the napkin” strategy session five years ago at a Bob Evans restaurant, the Laudan Properties LLC business model was formed. Since then, Laudan Properties, under President Kevin Weidinger, has experienced rapid revenue and employee growth as it pursues its […]
How Ben Biery keeps the Swiss, cheddar and provolone coming, all in Biery Cheese packages
Cascade Capital Awards 2013 –Sales Growth (tie) Ben BieryBiery Cheese Co. Inc. While the basic process of making cheese hasn’t changed much over the years, innovations such as those launched by Biery Cheese Co. Inc. continue to be discovered. Biery Cheese has been innovating from the beginning. Founded in 1929, at the start of the […]
How Jay Mellon and Jim Laber keep AtNetPlus aligned with clients’ expectations
Cascade Capital Awards 2013 —Technology category — Best Story Jay MellonJim LaberAtNetPlus Inc. As technology evolves, AtNetPlus Inc. evolves along with it. The managed IT services provider was an early adopter of several technologies that have changed the industry. For instance, AtNetPlus offered online backup solutions years before competitors, was one of the first to […]
Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth: Preparing for an acquisition — how to assemble the right deal team
It is a little known fact that there’s a strong connection between the success of a deal and the team assembled to get it done. “Management needs to be very diligent about selecting members of its internal and external deal team; it’s critical that the teams have the right fit, experience and industry expertise,” says […]
Blue Technologies: How to improve processes through business technologies
Technologies such as smartphone apps offer quick access to information, which leads to better decision-making. But technological improvements are only part of a solution to any given problem. “You don’t start by simply adopting technology. You start by seeking a solution to a problem,” says Keith Stump, vice president of sales at Blue Technologies. For […]
John Carroll University: Planning for profitable growth in an uncertain business environment
One of the toughest challenges facing managers is how to plan for profitable growth in an uncertain future. Look back ten years at your customers and their needs, your employees, market structures, delivery systems, regulatory policies, social systems, the economy and technology, and it’s clear how much things have changed. It’s a safe bet that […]
Woodbury University: How to combat rising university costs in an era of greater accountability
Recently, President Barack Obama outlined a plan to combat rising college costs by holding colleges and universities more accountable for results. The foundation of this plan is a ratings system that would provide students and families with information to help them select a school that offers the best value. Ultimately, Congress may tie the provision […]