Joseph Slawek – An equation to help you determine if your next big plan will succeed
Will the strategy succeed? Is this the right move at the right time? I know we CEOs have all spent many nights pondering these questions and weighing the possible outcomes. Overall, it can be a complex endeavor. There are a variety of variables and unique circumstances that come into play for any business, but here’s […]
How to set a tone at the top to stop fraud in its tracks
Fraud costs companies about 5 percent of revenue, totaling about $3.5 trillion internationally, according to a 2012 report by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. “It can have impact beyond the initial financial loss,” says Mark Van Benschoten, CPA, a principal at Rea & Associates. “Fraud damages the reputation of a business, which could lead […]
How to monitor the security and compliance of your cloud providers
Looking to save money and focus on core competencies, business owners are turning to cloud solutions — where someone else hosts their systems and manages their infrastructure. However, by using a third party, companies can lose the transparency they previously had with respect to the security, operations and controls around the technology. “It’s put a […]
How the Affordable Care Act changes will affect employers
With so many provisions and mandates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is not surprising some things have changed or been delayed along the way. In fact, on July 5 the Obama administration released a 606-page document with final regulations on some of the ACA’s key provisions and mandates. In addition to providing new […]
How Ohio’s group rating is still the best option for small and midsize companies
If your company has 500 employees or less, you want to be in a group rating program to get better workers’ compensation rates. However, some court rulings have decreased the amount of group credits and increased rates for group rated employers. “It’s still the best thing going for the small to medium-size employer,” says Richard […]
How Ohio’s group rating is still the best option for small and midsize companies
If your company has 500 employees or less, you want to be in a group rating program to get better workers’ compensation rates. Some court rulings have decreased the amount of group credits and increased rates for group rated employers. “It’s still the best thing going for the small to medium-size employer,” says Cliff Baseler, […]
How to find opportunities and mitigate risk with a second glance at your tax filings
Taxes are complicated, confusing and sometimes intimidating. Even though you might want to put everything on the shelf after getting through another filing season, a checkup could be in order. “If your car is running fine, you shouldn’t wait until it breaks down to get it tuned up or have routine maintenance,” says Michelle Mahle, […]
How to protect your business when negotiating troubled loans
If your business has a loan, your lender might classify it as “troubled” without your knowledge. “You may still be dealing with a credit officer, but that person is being coached by a workout specialist while you remain unaware,” says Suzana K. Koch, a partner at Brouse McDowell. Smart Business spoke with Koch and Alan […]
Why midsize companies need engaged employees
Only 30 percent of the 100 million Americans who work full time are actively engaged at work, according to a recent Gallup survey. Another 50 percent are uninspired, while 20 percent “simply roam the halls spreading discontent.” Those uninspired and disengaged employees have significant negative impact on an organization, says Midge Streeter, a talent management […]
How postponing the employer mandate impacts your business
When the news came out July 2 that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) employer mandate — the enforcement of the shared responsibility requirement — would be postponed until 2015, you may have felt relief. But for many large-group employers, it’s not so simple. “This is not a reason to put your head back in the […]