Face the unemployment insurance challenge

When an employer opens a quarterly statement of benefit charges and discovers the unemployment insurance account was docked for a claim from an employee who quit more than a year before, anger and confusion usually result. It’s not an unusual scenario. ABC Company hires an employee only to have the employee quit for one reason […]

Encouraging people to bike and walk smart business move

Walking, biking, skateboarding, skipping, scooting — however you get from point A to point B with your own body — are old concepts, but constitute a new trend in communities, including the Grand Valley.  Commuting in other ways besides your car is not only fun, but also offers tremendous health and economic benefits. Let’s dive […]

Make fitness routines anything but

It’s been said variety is the spice of life, and there’s some truth to that statement. We all get into daily routines and do many of our tasks without thinking too much about them. We eat at the same time, go to work at the same time and take out the garbage the same day […]

More upbeat energy outlook bodes well for real estate

People often ask me why a commercial real estate agent takes such an active interest in energy economics. My most direct response is to cite empirical data correlating local energy exploration and production activity with industrial real estate activity over the last 10 years. From 2005 through 2009, when drilling rig counts increased in the […]

Are you a successful and happy business owner?

You can be very successful business owner. But if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, true success still eludes you. Business becomes a well-rounded and balanced experience when you actually enjoy the journey to the success you desire. While there’s no doubt you’ll encounter challenging and unpleasant experiences, it’s important for you to like what […]

Need an attorney? Consider initial meeting an interview

After years of procrastination, you’ve finally scheduled your first visit with an estate planning attorney. But  what does that mean as a practical matter? What do you do? What should you expect? Do you understand you should interview the lawyer to see if you really want to be there or are you just hoping he […]

Foster a culture of purpose, direction and accountability

Today, businesses across the nation and around the world will conduct operations, serve customers, generate revenues and earn profits — or not. Tomorrow, these same companies and their teams of professional and loyal workers will do it all over again. There’s a real difference, however, between simply going through the motions and engaging customers with […]

Need help with business? Find a mentor

One of the smartest moves an entrepreneur can make in the new year is finding and using a smart and savvy business mentor. If one of your New Year’s resolutions involves following through on dreams of starting a small business or growing an existing one, take advantage of the mentorship resources offered by the U.S. […]

Health assessments help curb chronic disease

Experts predict that by 2023, the cumulative costs of chronic diseases in the United States will climb to $4.2 trillion. Talk about a financial burden that’s practically impossible to wrap your head around. Such chronic diseases as diabetes, cancer and heart disease are increasing at unprecedented rates in the U.S. and costing employers, individuals and […]

Health care law raises issues for small businesses

Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many small businesses owners and managers have been intrigued by the possibility they could discontinue group health insurance and instead offer employees a stipend to purchase individual health insurance policies on their own.    Employers must remain aware, however, that implementing such a plan could violate […]