Player FM - Internet Radio Done Right
Checked 2M ago
تمت الإضافة منذ قبل two أعوام
المحتوى المقدم من The Hartford. يتم تحميل جميع محتويات البودكاست بما في ذلك الحلقات والرسومات وأوصاف البودكاست وتقديمها مباشرة بواسطة The Hartford أو شريك منصة البودكاست الخاص بهم. إذا كنت تعتقد أن شخصًا ما يستخدم عملك المحمي بحقوق الطبع والنشر دون إذنك، فيمكنك اتباع العملية الموضحة هنا https://ar.player.fm/legal.
Player FM - تطبيق بودكاست
انتقل إلى وضع عدم الاتصال باستخدام تطبيق Player FM !
انتقل إلى وضع عدم الاتصال باستخدام تطبيق Player FM !
المدونة الصوتية تستحق الاستماع
برعاية
N
Netflix Sports Club Podcast


1 America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2 - Tryouts, Tears, & Texas 32:48
32:48
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب32:48
America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is back for its second season! Kay Adams welcomes the women who assemble the squad, Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammell, to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast. They discuss the emotional rollercoaster of putting together the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Judy and Kelli open up about what it means to embrace flaws in the pursuit of perfection, how they identify that winning combo of stamina and wow factor, and what it’s like to see Thunderstruck go viral. Plus, the duo shares their hopes for the future of DCC beyond the field. Netflix Sports Club Podcast Correspondent Dani Klupenger also stops by to discuss the NBA Finals, basketball’s biggest moments with Michael Jordan and LeBron, and Kevin Durant’s international dominance. Dani and Kay detail the rise of Coco Gauff’s greatness and the most exciting storylines heading into Wimbledon. We want to hear from you! Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/NetflixSportsClub Find more from the Netflix Sports Club Podcast @NetflixSports on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X. You can catch Kay Adams @heykayadams and Dani Klupenger @daniklup on IG and X. Be sure to follow Kelli Finglass and Judy Trammel @kellifinglass and @dcc_judy on IG. Hosted by Kay Adams, the Netflix Sports Club Podcast is an all-access deep dive into the Netflix Sports universe! Each episode, Adams will speak with athletes, coaches, and a rotating cycle of familiar sports correspondents to talk about a recently released Netflix Sports series. The podcast will feature hot takes, deep analysis, games, and intimate conversations. Be sure to watch, listen, and subscribe to the Netflix Sports Club Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Tudum, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes on Fridays every other week.…
Small Biz Ahead
وسم كل الحلقات كغير/(كـ)مشغلة
Manage series 3538695
المحتوى المقدم من The Hartford. يتم تحميل جميع محتويات البودكاست بما في ذلك الحلقات والرسومات وأوصاف البودكاست وتقديمها مباشرة بواسطة The Hartford أو شريك منصة البودكاست الخاص بهم. إذا كنت تعتقد أن شخصًا ما يستخدم عملك المحمي بحقوق الطبع والنشر دون إذنك، فيمكنك اتباع العملية الموضحة هنا https://ar.player.fm/legal.
The Small Biz Ahead podcast is dedicated to helping small business owners succeed. Each episode focuses on specific topics that can help you bring your small business to the next level. Gene Marks, an author and business owner, offers insights on how to make your business more efficient with tips, interviews and conversations with business owners and thought leaders.
…
continue reading
305 حلقات
وسم كل الحلقات كغير/(كـ)مشغلة
Manage series 3538695
المحتوى المقدم من The Hartford. يتم تحميل جميع محتويات البودكاست بما في ذلك الحلقات والرسومات وأوصاف البودكاست وتقديمها مباشرة بواسطة The Hartford أو شريك منصة البودكاست الخاص بهم. إذا كنت تعتقد أن شخصًا ما يستخدم عملك المحمي بحقوق الطبع والنشر دون إذنك، فيمكنك اتباع العملية الموضحة هنا https://ar.player.fm/legal.
The Small Biz Ahead podcast is dedicated to helping small business owners succeed. Each episode focuses on specific topics that can help you bring your small business to the next level. Gene Marks, an author and business owner, offers insights on how to make your business more efficient with tips, interviews and conversations with business owners and thought leaders.
…
continue reading
305 حلقات
كل الحلقات
×S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How to Prepare for Interest Rates Coming Down 8:44
8:44
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:44
Episode Notes Key Highlights Interest rate cuts: The Federal Reserve is expected to announce a cut in interest rates this year, ranging from a quarter to half a percentage point. This is a positive change after years of high rates aimed at controlling this country’s inflation. Impact on loans: Small businesses should consider refinancing their existing loans at lower rates. This applies to both fixed and variable rate loans, as well as personal mortgages. Revisit your investments: Lower interest rates may make certain investments, like purchasing equipment or property, more feasible for small businesses. Be sure to revisit any past financial analyses and investments you’ve made. New loan opportunities: With lower interest rates, it’s a good time to explore loans from traditional banks, community banks, credit unions, and the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA guarantees loans through its network of banks, making it easier for small businesses to secure financing. Investment yields decreasing: While lower interest rates are beneficial for borrowing, it also means lower yields on savings like CDs and annuities. Businesses should consider locking in current rates before they decrease further. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

Episode Notes Key Highlights Current Startup Tax Deduction: Currently, startups can deduct up to $5,000 in startup costs, with expenses beyond that needing to be amortized over time. Qualifying Expenses: Deductible startup costs include market research, advertising, employee training, salaries and professional services incurred before your startup business officially opens. Kamala Harris's Proposal: Harris proposes increasing the startup tax deduction from $5,000 to $50,000, allowing small businesses to have more flexibility in when they can claim the deduction, especially after generating profits. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 4 Tips for Controlling Costs of Inventory 10:56
10:56
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب10:56
Episode Notes Key Highlights Check out these four strategies to better control your inventory costs: Outsource Freight Management: Small business owners can save time and money on inventory management by working with logistics companies or freight brokers for shipping, instead of managing it yourself. These experts can leverage software to find the best shipping rates and provide advice on consolidating shipments and timing. Invest in Inventory Management Technology: Using upgraded inventory management systems and hardware are worth the initial investment because they can help save you money in the long run. Modern systems are often enhanced with AI capabilities and can provide real-time inventory tracking, automate reordering and integrate with freight services. All of these capabilities can help increase inventory control and save money. Cut Non-Profitable Product Lines: It's important to evaluate your product lines and offerings to see if there's anything you can discontinue. Gene recommends using the 80/20 rule for inventory, suggesting that businesses should discontinue product lines that don't contribute a significant amount of profit. This can help free up resources to focus on the more profitable items and reduce your overall inventory costs. Eliminate Obsolete Inventory: Business owners should plan to regularly review their inventory and remove any obsolete inventory. Obsolete inventory is not only taking up valuable space but also costing you money. Gene recommends writing off this inventory as a tax deduction because it's a loss. Plus, clearing it out will help free up space for your faster-selling products. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 3 Tips for Controlling Costs of Healthcare Benefits 10:46
10:46
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب10:46
Episode Notes A recent survey titled "Small Business Problems and Priorities" from the National Federation of Independent Businesses has revealed that healthcare insurance costs is a top concern for small business owners. Here are 3 tips for employers who are looking to control healthcare costs for their business and employees: Offer Health Savings Accounts (HSAs): HSA are a great option that allows employees to save pre-tax money and spend it on eligible healthcare expenses. HSA's grow tax free and offer long term benefits, making them a great tool to employees and employers. Offer Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs): Another cost-controlling strategy for your business is setting up HRAs for your employees. HRAs allow employers to contribute tax-free funds for employees to purchase their own health insurance. This allows them to have the freedom of choice and greater control over their healthcare spending. In addition, you get a tax deduction for the money that you contribute to their HRAs. Consider Captive Insurance Programs: When you join a captive program, you are joining along with hundreds, maybe even thousands, of other companies. You're all sharing the cost and liabilities together so costs tend to be more controlled. You're able to combine your experience and your costs with other companies of your industry, size or risk. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

Episode Notes Key Podcast Highlights PTO Usage Trending Down: A survey by Sorbet revealed that 62% of Americans didn't use their paid time off (PTO) in 2023, which was a 57% increase from the prior year. Additionally, 5.5% of American workers didn't use any PTO in 2023. Traditional PTO Policies: Common PTO policies include "use it or lose it" plans, where unused PTO will either expire or carry over to the next year. In recent years, these policies are actually becoming less favored due to their complexity and administrative burden. Growing Popularity of Unlimited PTO Policies: More companies are adopting an "unlimited PTO" policy, also known as "professional judgement PTO" plans. These policies allow your employees to take as much time off as they need, with supervisor approval, promoting flexibility and trust. PTO as a Retention and Recruitment Tool: Professional judgement PTO plans are often offered to employees who have been with the company for a certain amount of time (e.g. five years). This approach to the policy could help retain your experienced employees and attract new talent. Mental Health and Internal Control: Ensuring your employees are taking the time off they need is crucial for their mental health and maintaining internal controls, especially for your company's financial roles. Supervisors should encourage their direct reports to take at least a couple weeks of time off each year to prevent burn out and promote work-life balance. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How Does Emotional Salary Impact Employee Engagement? 11:19
11:19
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب11:19
Episode Notes Key Highlights According to a recent Gallup survey , 75% of the global workforce is either not engaged or actively disengaged at work, and it's costing the world economy $8.9 trillion annually. It's becoming increasingly critical to improve employee engagement and productivity. Many employers are considering "emotional salaries", which include the non-monetary job aspects like workplace culture, career growth, and work-life balance. Providing competitive salaries is essential, but offering key benefits like health insurance, retirement plans and flexibility is proving to be just as important in retaining talent. Small businesses may consider offering improved emotional salaries through greater flexibility. For example, include allowing time off for personal matters, offering mental healthcare benefits and fostering a positive workplace culture with open communication and employee events. A strong workplace culture where employees feel valued and heard is a key part of emotional salaries. Business owners can help improve this by making themselves available to employees and involving employees in decision making. A positive culture can help retain employees even when larger companies might be offering higher salaries. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Hurricane Season: How To Prepare Your Business 8:47
8:47
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:47
Episode Notes Key Podcast Highlights How Can I Prepare My Business for Hurricane Season? Have a disaster recovery plan: This should be a written document that outlines all the procedures, processes, emergency communications and key contacts if a disaster strikes. Back up your business data regularly: As a part of your disaster recovery plan, you'll want to make sure your business data is backed up on a regular basis. Having cloud-based systems or hosting your files with outside managed service providers can help ensure your data is protected. If it's stored on a cloud-based system or through a third-party, you can access it from anywhere. Consult a civil engineer: A civil engineer can help guide business owners on suggested improvements to your water damage protection systems, especially if your business is located in a flood zone (like drains or drainage pumps). Reach out to your insurance provider: Your business insurance carrier can help guide you through risk management upgrades to their business, like automatic gas shut offs and water damage protection sensors. These upgrades can help them lower your chances of having to file costly property damage claims in the future. Get commercial flood insurance through The Hartford: Even if you already have business property insurance , that's not enough to protect you against floods. In addition to business property insurance, you'll likely need flood insurance if your business is located in an area that experiences hurricanes. The Hartford provides commercial flood insurance through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Congress established the NFIP in 1968 to protect property owners from suffering financial losses due to flooding. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How To Protect Your Business Against Ransomware Attacks 8:54
8:54
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:54
Episode Notes Key Highlights In mid-June 2024, auto dealership around the country were affected by a massive ransomware cyber attack on a popular software owned by CDK Global. CDK Global's software is commonly used by car dealerships to manage tasks like scheduling to tracking vehicle sales and orders. CDK Global revealed that nearly all 15,000 car dealerships that use their software across North America were affected by this cyber incident. The cyberattack involved the hackers freezing the system and demanding a ransom of $25 million, which CDK Global ended up paying through Bitcoin to the hackers. Overall, the cyberattack resulted in over $1 billion in losses for dealerships across the country. One of the best ways to protect your small business against costly cyber attacks and data breaches is to get cyber insurance . With The Hartford, you can add cyber insurance to your Business Owner's Policy (BOP) or general liability insurance policy. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 SBA Loans You Should Know About in 2024 10:47
10:47
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب10:47
Episode Notes Key Highlights How To Get A Loan From The Small Business Administration (SBA) The Small Business Administration (SBA) in not a lender, but they can guarantee money that's being lent to out by a network of their preferred and certified lenders around the country. There's two loan programs that small business owners should know about: 7A loans and 504 loans 7A loans are the most popular type of small business loan program from the SBA. You can borrow up to $5 million from a bank that's guaranteed by the SBA. You can use it to acquire, refinance or improve buildings, tools or equipment. Or as working capital like cash and inventory. You can also use this money to refinance existing debt or invest in business expansion. 504 loans are long-term, fixed rate financing for major fixed assets that promote business growth and job creation. You can borrow up to $5.5 million with a 504 loan. The 504 loan program is more designed for capital improvements, machine, equipment and property. With both programs, you have the ability to negotiate fixed or variable rates of interest on these loans. The terms for payback will vary depending on what you negotiate with your banker. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 New Overtime Pay Rules: Here's What You Need To Know 8:55
8:55
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:55
Episode Notes Key Highlights What Business Owners Need To Know About The New Overtime Rules The Department of Labor has officially changed overtime rules for employers starting on July 1, 2024. Here’s what you need to know: Prior to July 1, 2024, you didn’t have to pay employees for overtime if they made more than $35,568 a year. After July 1, 2024, the new rule increases that salary threshold to $43,888. Now, any employees who make $43,888 or less a year will qualify for overtime pay. They must also meet other requirements like being a salaried employee and they’re not supervising anyone. This number will significantly increase again starting on January 1, 2025. On that day, the salary amount goes up to $58,656. This means that if you have any salary employees who aren't supervising anyone, their job duties fit the necessary description , and they make less than $58,656 a year, you are going to owe them overtime. In Texas, a federal court has challenged and suspended this ruling . If you’re a business owner in Texas, it’s recommended that you speak with a labor attorney to make sure your employees are classified the correct way. Some companies are starting to enact strict overtime rules, while others are adjusting their employee’s status from a salaried worker to hourly worker. Be sure to comply to these new rules because if you’re not in compliance, your employees could sue your business for wage theft. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 5 Benefits of Hiring Older Workers and Retirees 9:25
9:25
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب9:25
Episode Notes Key Highlights Why Should I Hire Older Workers and Retirees? More seniors and retirees are returning to the workforce recently due to higher inflation. Whether you’re looking for jobs for retirees or business ideas for older workers, we’re here to help. Here’s 5 things that small business owners should consider when hiring older workers: Offer Flexibility: When looking to hire older workers, consider offering the same flexibility you’d offer other workers. Just because someone is retired doesn’t mean they have unlimited free time. Upskilling and Training: Be sure to budget for training to upskill workers who are returning to the workforce. Technology changes quickly so it’s important to spend the time and money training an employee who has been out of the workforce for a few years. Health Benefits and Ergonomics: Consider improving ergonomics and safety training for your older workers. Also, consider reviewing your health benefits to ensure they cover the medical needs of older workers. When employees are comfortable and safe at work, they will be able to focus better on the job at hand. Prevent Age Discrimination: Revisit all your discrimination policies to confirm they’re adhering to both from the EEOC and the DOL. You can also consult a labor attorney to confirm you’re adhering to state and federal laws. When interviewing older employees or retirees who are returning to the workforce, avoid any remarks or questions that could be taken as discriminatory towards someone’s age. Older Employees Bring Experience: The most valuable asset that older workers bring to the table is experience. Your younger workers can use their experiences and wisdom and apply it to their own career. Your older workers can help mentor younger employees. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Where To Find Employees for Your Small Business 8:53
8:53
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:53
Episode Notes Key Podcast Highlights What Are The Best Sources For Finding Employees? Referrals: Your existing employees are a great resource for getting reliable recommendations for new employees within their own network. Online Job Listings: Be sure to do your research and post your listings on online job listing websites. People who are open to work are often checking for listings on Craigslist, LinkedIn Jobs, and Indeed. Formerly Incarcerated: Depending on the work you do, you may find the perfect candidates through your local prison systems. Many prisons offer employment training and opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals who are ready to get back into the workforce. Many states also offer tax credits for employers who hire formerly incarcerated individuals. Religious Institutions: Research the churches, mosques and synagogues in your local area. Many religious institutions offer programs that help their community members find work opportunities. Technical and Trade Schools: Depending on the line of work you do, you could find potential candidates through your local technical or trades schools. These candidates may already come with skills you'd otherwise have to train others on. Other Businesses: You never know when your perfect job candidate could show up. When you're out shopping in a retail store, at a restaurant, or your Uber driver, you may find someone who'd be the perfect fit to offer a job to. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 3 Tips for Providing Great Customer Service 9:14
9:14
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب9:14
Episode Notes Key Podcast Highlights How Do I Provide Excellent Customer Service? Do What You Say You're Going To Do: When the customer buys something, they have a certain expectation on what they're going to buy. One of the best ways to deliver excellent customer service is to always follow through on the promises your business is making. If you're promising to deliver your product within 30 days, you should do everything you can to make sure that happens. Treat Your Customers With Respect: Follow the golden rule: "Treat others the way you'd want to be treated". Customers today already feel a lack of respect from the businesses they interact with. Good brands know that their customers want to feel acknowledged and appreciated. Management Leads By Example: The standard of excellent customer service is passed down from the top level of management to employees of the business. If you're a business owner, you have to depend on your employees to deliver quality customer service. Managers should show their Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

Episode Notes Key Podcast Highlights What Do Small Business Owners Need To Know About Working With Content Creators? Understand what the content creator does: There's a trade off between branding and lead generation. If the content creator you're working with can provide valuable information to your community, it can bring a positive brand impression. The content creator should be able to reflect your brand as a trustworthy source to your community and potential customers. Be prepared to spend: Content creators expect to be paid for the services they provide. Often times content creators are doing this as their full time job. Depending on their audience and how popular they are, they may expect to be paid more. Think of this as an investment in your company's brand. Take time to find the right person: There's many content creators out there to choose from. You'll want to take the time to find the right fit for your company and your audience. Depending on your needs, you may find a content creator that has a larger following, or someone with a smaller following but with great engagement. Identify your goals: It's hard to measure branding success, so be sure to be specific about your goals. If you want to generate leads, make sure your website or landing page is updated, so you can easily track traffic coming to you once your content creator posts about your business. Think long-term: A strong relationship with a content creator will be long-term if you're reaching your goals. It's important that you get the most out of that relationship if you're investing a significant amount of money into it. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 4 Tips to Help You Network Successfully 11:11
11:11
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب11:11
Episode Notes What Are Four Tips for Networking? Face-to-face networking is more beneficial than online networking. It provides more opportunities and builds longer lasting relationships. Remember that you don't have to be the life of the party. If there's 20 people in the room or 200 people in the room, just focus on a few. If you walk away with one good connection that could potentially lead to more sales or more opportunities. Pick a networking organization and stick with it. There's a lot of networking events all over the place. So, you can go to meetup.org or you can keep an eye out on your local business papers. There's no shortage of them. You can also go to trade shows or join your industry association. Don't underestimate how much time online networking can take. To really be successful at online marketing or online networking, you really have to invest the time to pose questions, respond to questions and build relationships that way. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Building the Best Website for Your Small Business 30:30
30:30
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب30:30
Episode Notes Designing an e-commerce site has never been easier, especially with all the user-friendly platforms that we now have at our disposal. However, you’ll need more than a basic template if you want to create an online storefront that helps you stand out from your competition. In this episode, Gene Marks along with Yael Weiss Ayalon, the user relations manager at Wix e-commerce, and Oren Inditsky, the VP and GM of online stores at Wix, advise small business owners on how to build an effective e-commerce site that appeals to both search engine algorithms as well as their potential client base. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 5 Great Prompts You Can Use With Your AI Software Application 9:09
9:09
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب9:09
Episode Notes What Are 5 Prompts You Can Use for Your AI Software Application? Ask your AI software to work on macros for you. Creating macros typically requires knowledge of formulas. However, these applications can help you create them quickly and easily. Use your AI software to find out the best time to publish your content like blog posts. The software will read that blog and make suggestions based on the content. Consider your AI software to be like an executive assistant. For instance, if you have a contract from a supplier, you can upload the contract to ChatGPT. It will read it and give you points of view. Ask your AI software to create a business continuity plan. For instance, you can go on ChatGPT and say, "as a seasoned operations consultant, develop a detailed business continuity plan for my business in this industry." Use your AI software to get pointers on customer service. If you have an unhappy customer, you can go to ChatGPT and ask it to coach you on how to create a tactful response to this customer email. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Tips for Buying or Selling Your Business 33:27
33:27
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب33:27
Episode Notes Business acquisitions are primarily seen as a way for aspiring entrepreneurs to purchase their own companies without having to start from scratch. However, did you know that a lot of established business owners will also acquire other additional companies to further expand their existing product lines and resources? In this episode, Gene Marks and Joey Korenman, the Founder of School of Motion and Co-Founder of Rolo, discuss the benefits of business acquisitions and how to negotiate the terms of your next acquisition deal so that you can take your small business to the next level. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Do You Still Need to Report Your Beneficial Owners by the End of The Year? 7:38
7:38
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب7:38
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to this week's episode of the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. I wanna talk to you about the Corporate Transparency Act and some updates on it, which probably doesn't affect you in the end, but you need to know about it 'cause I'm getting a lot of questions about it. Now, first of all, just to go back a little bit, and I've written about this before and talked about it on the podcast, the Corporate Transparency Act was established a couple years ago actually, under a bill that was previously passed by Congress. It is being administered by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Basically, by the end of this year, 2024, you are going to be required to report all of the beneficial owners of your company or any other entities that you own. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Partnerships, C-Corps, S-Corps: Which Business Structure Is Right for You? 29:38
29:38
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب29:38
Episode Notes Are you having a difficult time deciding on a business structure? You're not the only one. While having a formal business structure can provide you with significant legal protection and save you a lot in taxes, figuring out which one is most suitable for your small business can be a real challenge. In this episode, Gene Marks along with Christina Lewellen, a PhD, CPA and associate professor of accounting at NC State University, and Nathan Goldman, a CPA, PhD and also an associate professor of accounting at NC State University, discuss the different factors you need to consider when choosing the best structure for your new company. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Should You Use Tax Software for Your Small Business? 8:30
8:30
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:30
Episode Notes 5 Things You Should Know About Tax Preparation Software The out-of-pocket cost is pretty low for these applications. Typically they cost about $50 to a hundred dollars, putting aside any filing fees. However, it's important to remember that you are going to have to spend a significant amount of time working with the software and understanding how it works. The more complex your situation, the more you should avoid tax preparation software. It's a good idea to ask a professional tax preparer questions and to go over certain things. There's nuances, anomalies and other things involved. The more complex the rules are, the more complex your transactions are. Sometimes the software itself might not step up to answer the questions or perform the tasks needed. Software applications still make mistakes. It's important to scrutinize for accuracy and any potential problems. Software can leave out certain things. The more you integrate your tax software with your accounting software the better. This way you can move the numbers over quickly. Engage a tax professional or a CPA. While you might be able to be doing 90 to 95% of the work with software, it's still worthwhile spending a couple hundred bucks to have a professional take a look at the results, give you any comments and any thoughts. They might have some tax planning ideas or strategies they can add. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to the Hartford's Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me today. This week, let's talk about the supply chain, right? Are we looking at more or less supply chain problems in the near term or not? So I just wanna share a little bit of data with you if you are running a business that is impacted by supply chain and just some takeaways here. First of all, the bottom line is this, supply chains are getting back to normal because the freight industry has actually slowed. And let me give you some data behind this. For starters, there is a metric called the Baltic Dry Index. The Baltic Dry Index is a measure of freight costs through the Baltic Sea. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Startup Stories and Venture Capital Experience 30:55
30:55
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب30:55
Episode Notes They say that all it takes to build a successful startup is just one brilliant idea. However, while it's great to have a clear vision for your company, it's important not to be so tied down to your original plan that you ignore the valuable feedback that your client base and potential collaborators are providing you. In this episode, Gene Marks and Tom Bachant, the founder and CEO of Unthread, discuss how Tom used the needs of his target audience to help guide the development of his early startups and how aspiring entrepreneurs can use this strategy to achieve similar long-term success.…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Which Cash Flow Reports Should You Review as a Small Business Owner? 6:26
6:26
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب6:26
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to another episode of the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. As an accountant and as a business owner, as a journalist who covers small and mid-size businesses, for years I've been sort of obsessed about different metrics and financial reporting and what we need to be tracking to make sure that we're running our business the right way. And I've got something a little bit revelatory that I wanted to share with you today, which has to do with reports. I know that when you run your business and you're watching your cash flow, you got a lot of different advice about the different types of things that you should be, keeping track of, which is fine. I mean, yeah, you should be getting a monthly financial statement. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How a Team Mindset Helped Valerie Grow Her Marketing Business 29:05
29:05
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب29:05
Episode Notes Hiring a marketing agency can be one of the smartest decisions that a small business owner can make, both in terms of boosting their brand visibility and growing their client base. Unfortunately, there are many business owners that sabotage their success by entering the collaboration process with a negative mindset or unrealistic expectations. So, what can you do to get the most out of this professional relationship? In this episode, Gene Marks and Valerie Tyson, CEO of the Unrivaled Group, discuss how small business owners can set themselves up for success when working with a marketing agency.…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Roth IRAs and Backdoor Roth Accounts: Which Is Right for You? 6:54
6:54
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب6:54
Episode Notes Hey everybody, this is Gene Marks and thanks for joining me this week on the Hartford's Small Biz Ahead podcast. This week I wanna talk to you a little bit about Roth IRAs and backdoor Roths as well. A Roth IRA is something that everyone should have if possible. You are now allowed if you're a business owner to set up a Roth 401(k) account. That's also like your regular 401(k) account. And as individuals we can also buy Roth IRAs, all with the same limitations, that come with regular IRAs. Now, first of all, let, let's talk a little bit about what a Roth IRA is. When you put money away into your retirement account, like a regular 401(k) or an or an IRA, you do realize that you're just deferring taxes, right? You are not paying taxes on that income and until you take it out and you're forced to take it out sometime after the age of 70, those age ranges are going up, but it's approximately after the age of 70. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 FinCEN’s New Reporting Requirement: What Does It Mean for You? 6:24
6:24
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب6:24
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks. Welcome to another episode of the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. This week, I wanna talk to you about a new federal mandate, which you probably don't know about and you really need to know it. Apparently, this mandate is not getting the kind of attention that it should be getting and it's a bit concerning to me in some of my clients. So, let me make sure that you're aware of this. There's a mandate where you have to report to the federal government this year, the beneficial owners of your business. Yeah, that's right. It's a new reporting requirement. It began on January 1st of this year, and you have to do the reporting by the end of the year, December 31st. And it comes from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, which is part of the Treasury Department. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Shrinkflation: Is It a Good Cash Management Strategy to Use? 7:32
7:32
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب7:32
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. This week, I wanna talk to you about a little cash management strategy. Particularly these times of, well, higher inflation obviously, certainly higher costs. We're trying to maintain our overhead. For many of us we're facing a sluggish economy or sluggish demand. And obviously every penny counts. And people, people are often asking like how do we get by? Should we, can we get away with raising prices again in this inflationary environment? And I think you will agree that, most companies did raise prices over the past couple years as inflation, was what it was. But now that inflation has been brought a bit under control, less companies are using that as a strategy. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How One Man Built a Massive Production 26:22
26:22
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب26:22
Episode Notes Starting a one-person business is not for the faint of heart. It takes a lot of self-reliance and resourcefulness to run a company without the support of any additional staff members. So, how can you ensure the success of your small business as both its sole owner and employee? In this episode, Gene Marks and Matt Berky, the owner, engineer, and composer at Massive Productions, LLC, discuss the challenges of running a one-man business and the strategies he used to sustain his company for over 20 years.…
S
Small Biz Ahead

Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to this week's episode of The Small Biz Ahead podcast. I've been wanting to talk about this study for a long time. It is one that was actually came out back in 2019, and I wanna report to you something that was written on studyfines.org , S-T-U-D-Y fines.org . That study is about coaches, and it turns out that anger is more effective than positivity when it comes to a coach's halftime speech. Now, let me read this out to you. Researchers at the University of California Berkeley's Haas School of Business, analyzed hundreds of halftime speeches and final scores from high school and college basketball games. And here's what they found. They found that players seemed to perform better after a harsh, more negative halftime speech from the coach. In fact, researchers discovered a significant relationship between the level of negativity a coach projects during a halftime speech and second half scoring outcomes. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Success Story: How Kristi Built a Thriving Photography Business 31:17
31:17
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب31:17
Episode Notes At a time when nearly everyone has mastered the art of the selfie and can easily retouch their photos with the latest app, it can be easy to buy into the false notion that professional photography services are obsolete. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In this episode, Gene Marks and Kristina Sherk, the lead photographer and founder of both Kristina Sherk Photography and Shark Pixel, advise professional photographers on how to advocate for the value of their services and build the thriving businesses that they truly deserve. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 5 Tips for Selling Your Products Online 10:03
10:03
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب10:03
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to another episode of the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. This week, I wanna talk about e-commerce and give you some thoughts on it because it is a growing thing. And let me explain to you why. Two surveys came out within the past week. One from Amazon, which reported that small firms are investing heavily in digital commerce. And another one from Alibaba, the other online reselling platform that said that growing ecommerce among their respondents in their surveys, a top priority, this year. The survey found that 53% of respondents, sell online compared to 44% that don't. There's a lot of room to grow by selling your business online or selling items online. And I just wanna make sure that, we're all aware of what you need to know when it comes to selling stuff online. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How to Have a Successful Career in Accounting 30:08
30:08
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب30:08
Episode Notes When it comes to pursuing a career in accounting, there’s a common misconception that all you need is a knack for numbers. However, this is far from true and these days, most business owners expect far more from their accountants than just number crunching. So, what exactly does it take to thrive in this demanding profession? In this episode, Gene Marks and Jerry Maginnis, the former KPMG Managing Partner, Senior Advisor, and author, discuss the skills that you’ll need to develop in order to achieve long-term success as an accountant. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How to Choose a Credit Card for Business and Pay It Off 10:15
10:15
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب10:15
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to this week's episode of the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. This week, I wanna talk to you a little bit about credit cards and managing your credit card debt and give you some thoughts on credit cards. The topic comes because there was recent news about credit card debt, that I thought would be of interest to you. First of all, Bank of America released a survey just the past couple weeks that said that small businesses are relying more on credit cards to finance their operations. Since 2019, small business credit card balances are up 18% according to the bank. Now, there's no reason to panic about this right now. A Bank of America analyst said that while rising credit card balances could raise some concerns, they're noting a few reasons to be less pessimistic. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How Employers Can Help Employees With Their Student Debt 27:17
27:17
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب27:17
Episode Notes Student debt is one of the most prevalent issues in the U.S. right now, impacting approximately a third of the nation’s workforce. However, thanks to the CARES Act of 2020, you as a small business owner have the opportunity to make a difference by offering programs that help your employees pay back these massive loans. In this episode, Gene Marks and Mick MacLaverty, a student loan expert, CEO, and co-founder of Highway Benefits, discuss the advantages of offering student loan repayment as a benefit at your company. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Three Ways You Can Help Your Employees With Child Care 6:59
6:59
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب6:59
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to another episode of the Hartford's Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. Dependent care is a huge benefit that we should be providing to our employees, right? A recent study, that was released found that, there was a growing problem for most business people that are out there. You've got employees that have childcare issues. They lose work and lose productivity because of it. There are some studies that show that child care takes substantial time away from work itself. And most other people agree that when, you've got your employees that have young children or even dependent parents that need them, all of this stuff is not only very, very stressful for an employee, but again, it's very distracting and takes them away from their jobs. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 What Is the New Rule Impacting Noncompete Agreements? 8:33
8:33
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:33
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to this week's episode of the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. The Federal Trade Commission by a vote of three to two, issued a new rule which effectively makes noncompete agreements ineffective. This has a big impact on your business. Most businesses, noncompete agreements have been around for forever and now the FTC is saying that they are being made to be ineffective. No more noncompete agreements. So what does that mean? Well, first of all, understand where the FTC is coming from. FTC's chair, Lina Kahn, she said in a press release, I just wanna read this to you, that noncompetes cause... they keep wages low, they suppress new ideas, and they rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new startups that would be created a year once noncompetes are banned. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Family Business Succession: How Karla Took Over Her Parents’ Manufacturing Company 31:54
31:54
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب31:54
Episode Notes Are you preparing to take over the family business, but unsure of how to broach the topic of succession planning with your parents? We don’t blame you. Succession planning is rarely an easy conversation, particularly within the context of a family business where there are so many relationship dynamics at play. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help ease the conflict around such a sensitive subject. In this episode, Gene Marks and Karla Trotman, CEO of Electro Soft, offer their best strategies for navigating succession planning within your family business so that you can ensure a smoother transition when you assume ownership. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 GenAI for Businesses: How to Write the Perfect Prompt 32:48
32:48
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب32:48
Episode Notes When ChatGPT first came out, a lot of people assumed that the new AI tool would operate much like an online search engine: just input a request and wait for your answer. However, as many users soon learned, it would take more than a few keywords to generate the type of content they needed. So, is there an art to communicating with this new form of technology? In this episode, Gene Marks and Anna Bernstein, a staff prompt engineer at Copy.ai , advise small business owners on how to write better prompts for text-based generative AI tools. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 5 Scams Every Small Business Owner Should Know About 8:08
8:08
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:08
Episode Notes Hey everybody, and welcome to The Hartford's Small Biz Ahead podcast. My name is Gene Marks and thank you so much for joining me this week. Hey, let's talk about some scams that can impact your small business. The Better Business Bureau published their list of the top 10 scams targeting small businesses this year. We didn't have time to go through all 10 of them, but I wanted to at least give you five scams for you to really be keeping an eye out for and some thoughts on what to do about them. Okay? The first has to do with business email compromise, right? According to the Better Business Bureau, in this case, the scammer poses as a vendor or other trusted source and they email the accountant or the CFO. They ask them to wire money or buy gift cards or send personal information often for a plausible reason. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Lessons and Advice for Growing a Restaurant Business 31:32
31:32
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب31:32
Episode Notes Opening a restaurant in a post-pandemic economy can be a risky venture, especially for those without a formal background in business. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find the professional support or gain the experience that you need to succeed as a first-time restaurant owner. In this episode, Gene Marks and Chef Derick Lopez, the executive chef and owner of the Freakin Rican Restaurant Corp., discuss Derick’s journey as a small business owner and how he built a thriving restaurant on his own. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 New Survey: Small Business Optimism Falls to a More Than 11-Year Low 9:42
9:42
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب9:42
Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to this week's edition of the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. Hey, let's get right to the topic of the day. It has to do with small business optimism and inflation, and I wanna talk to you a little bit about some thoughts on dealing with inflation this year. So for starters, the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) just released their latest monthly small business optimism index, and it wasn't great. Optimism, they say fell to a more than 11 year low. I'm not like a super fan of surveys about optimism and confidence and sentiments because it's tough to really gauge that stuff, but I do have to say the NIB's survey, their report, it's been going on for like 50 years. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 How Small Businesses Can Leverage TikTok to Sell More 28:57
28:57
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب28:57
Episode Notes Have you ever considered using TikTok to promote your small business? If not, then you’re missing out on an invaluable opportunity to reach a wider audience. In this episode, Gene Marks and Scott Kaylin, the founder and CEO of Kaylin + Kaylin Pickles, advise small business owners on how to capitalize on TikTok’s massive user base and build a significantly stronger online presence. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 Open Banking: Is It the Right Choice for Your Small Business? 8:16
8:16
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:16
Episode Notes What Is Open Banking? If you go to get a loan from a bank right now, you're sharing your information with that specific bank and it's just between you and that bank that you're applying for. What open banking is, is you agree to share all of your businesses and your personal financial information on sort of an open network. And a lot of banks and lenders can look at that information at one time and they can determine whether or not they would be a good financing option for you. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
S
Small Biz Ahead

1 3 Ways Your Small Business Can Measure Customer Service 8:51
8:51
التشغيل لاحقا
التشغيل لاحقا
قوائم
إعجاب
احب8:51
Episode Notes What Customer Service Metrics Should Your Small Business Use? Net promoter score: This score is generally on a zero to 10 basis. You ask your customer basically, how willing are they to recommend you, going forward in the future. They can choose zero, meaning not likely at all, or 10 meaning very likely. Customer satisfaction score: For this you want to ask people how satisfied they are with your company, with your product, or with your service. You give them on a scale of one to five, or a scale of one to 10, and you can measure that as well. The first response time metric: This applies if you have a call center, and is how quickly it takes to get to an issue when it's open and how many times an agent has touched that issue. And a resolution time, how long it takes to solve that issue. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co…
مرحبًا بك في مشغل أف ام!
يقوم برنامج مشغل أف أم بمسح الويب للحصول على بودكاست عالية الجودة لتستمتع بها الآن. إنه أفضل تطبيق بودكاست ويعمل على أجهزة اندرويد والأيفون والويب. قم بالتسجيل لمزامنة الاشتراكات عبر الأجهزة.