Blog/News

How’s your work-life balance?

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASEBy George BrownSo we weathered 2009 and 2010. Then we survived 2011 with a feeling that better days were ahead. Now, four months into 2012 and with the economy …

May 2, 2012

Look for valuable skills in applicants

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner AdvanceHRDon't hire new people just for the specialized knowledge or experience they have. Instead, hire new people also for the important skills and assets you want in most or …

April 19, 2012

Michigan Insurance Agencies Honored by Accident Fund

Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, a partner of the Small Business Association of Michigan, recently recognized its President's Club Award honorees, which includes those with written premium exceeding $1.5 million, a cumulative loss ratio …

April 16, 2012

Pay the IRS Before Other Creditors

Article courtesy of SBAM approved partner AdvanceHRHow Courts Find "Willful Neglect"It's widely-known that employers are required to deposit employment taxes with the federal government in a timely fashion. However, the potential consequences of a failure …

April 11, 2012

Can an Employer Force Co-Workers Who Get Married to Resign?

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner AdvanceHROn TV shows like "The Office," employers monitor the dating habits of employees. In real life, employers may impose fraternization rules if they have legitimate business reasons for doing …

April 9, 2012

What Do New Visa Fees Mean for Your Business?

Article courtesy of MTG (Midwest Transaction Group), an SBAM Approved PartnerA new fee is coming very soon from Visa that has industry experts scratching their heads.This month, Visa will be adding a Fixed Acquirer Network …

March 27, 2012

SBAM grows by 360 members

Three hundred sixty businesses joined SBAM last week. Included in this total are 322 members of the Michigan Association of Timberman, SBAM’s newest Strategic Partner.“SBAM is thrilled with our continuing strong membership growth and we’re …

February 20, 2012

SBAM Adds 31 New Members Last Week

The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan’s small business community announced today that 31 new members joined in the past …

February 15, 2012

Payroll Tax Deal Likely

From SBAM's national affiliate, NSBA:Following months of back-and-forth debate over employee payroll tax cuts, the gridlocked Congress appears poised to extend the current two percent cut through the end of the year. Congressional leaders announced a …

February 14, 2012

Workers’ Compensation: Four Mistakes Employers Can Make

Originally published by SBAM partner AdvanceHR.Many employers look at Workers' Compensation as just another unavoidable cost of doing business. It's usually one of those out-of-sight, out-of-mind issues when rates are low. It's not until employers …

February 3, 2012

Strauss Column: Innovation

Question: We were wondering if you had any suggestions regarding how we could promote more innovation in our business. We own a small manufacturing plant and have down time that could be put to use …