News & Resources

Things to consider in a March Madness policy

March is here and it can only mean one thing: the NCAA Basketball Tournaments. This Thursday, March 21st is the first full day of the men’s tournament and this Saturday, March 23rd the women’s. With …

March 20, 2013

Prevent crime and retail loss at your small business. Advice today on Business Next.

Tune in at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Today on Business Next, free and inexpensive ways for small retailers to holdonto their hard-earned profits through crime and loss prevention. Interview …

March 20, 2013

When can obesity be a factor in employment decisions?

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner AdvanceHRMore than one-third of adults in the United States are obese, says one health-related government agency. That means, if you are in business long enough, there's a good chance …

March 19, 2013

When does an employee qualify as exempt from withholding?

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner AdvanceHRWhen it comes to filling out W-4 forms, employees don't always take the task seriously. Sometimes, they simply write "exempt" on their W-4s or claim a false high number …

March 18, 2013

Retirement security in a post-pension era

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASEBy Kevin MarrsA recent nationwide opinion survey suggests that employees are “highly anxious” about their retirement prospects, and overwhelmingly support action by Congress to create a new privately run …

March 18, 2013

What to do when a reporter calls your small business! Today on Business Next

Tune in at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.How small business owners can effectively work with the news media. Insights from media relations expert Christina Hamlett.

March 15, 2013

Turn your employees into innovators. Today on Business Next.

Tune in today at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Author and business consultant Ellen Huxtable discusses how to encourage team innovation in your small business. Also today, from the Detroit …

March 14, 2013

Camp releases small business tax discussion draft

Article courtesy of National Small Business Association (NSBA)House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) released a discussion draft on Tuesday, March 12 outlining tax reform specific to small business. While NSBA is continuing to …

March 13, 2013

Help successful students transform into successful employees. Today on Business Next!

Tune in at 3pm (repeat at 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network!Author and speaker Dr. Alfred Poor has great advice for small business owners on how you can help successful students transform into successful employees. …

March 12, 2013

USCIS revises employment eligibility verification form I-9

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a revised Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. All employers are required to complete a Form I-9 for each employee hired in the United States.Improvements to Form I-9 …

March 12, 2013

NLRB continues to wage war on common employer policies

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASEBy Michael J. Burns As 2012 closed, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) continued to issue decisions challenging employer policies long accepted as standard in the workplace. In the …

March 9, 2013

Personality matters – we want to work with people we like

By Steven StraussQuestionHi Steve: Here is my problem: I am a wedding photographer and there is a guy in my town who I often compete with for business. While my business is good, for some …

March 8, 2013

How to make great hiring decisions – Today on Business Next

Tune in at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Today on Business Next, the week’s legislative update with SBAM’s Director of Government Relations Dave Jessup. Also, an interview with business consultants …

March 7, 2013

Staffing directors contribute to disillusionment of new hires

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASEBy Joe DeSantis A newly-published survey says that about half of new hires experience “buyer’s remorse” on the job. The same survey says that staffing directors know their selection …

March 7, 2013

Collaboration requires trust, not butts in seats

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASEBy Linda Yesh-McMaster, Joe DeSantisDo you have to be face-to-face in order to collaborate? Yahoo CEO Melissa Mayer recently stirred the pot on this question when she banned individual …

March 6, 2013

Learn how to be a better networker! Today on Business Next.

Tune in today at 10am (replays at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Today on Business Next, improve your business networking skills by learning from the mistakes of Tim Houston, author of "The World's …

March 5, 2013

Is there a right time to become an entrepreneur?

By Steven StraussQuestion: Hi Steve – I am in my mid-60s and the funny thing is, I would like to start my own business. Throughout my career, I had always loved the idea of becoming …