News & Resources

The fading allure of being in charge

By Dan Van Slambrook, courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASE For decades, employees have viewed promotion to the ranks of management as a primary career goal. At the same time, […]

December 10, 2015

It’s no joke – bedbugs are showing up at work

When the subject of bedbugs comes up, most people’s thoughts turn to travel and infestations in hotel rooms. But according to a 2015 survey of pest management professionals by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) …

December 9, 2015

Does having a disability give you a free pass from discipline?

If an employee has been identified as a disabled employee, will his disability protect him from any and all disciplinary actions? That is a question a trial court in Alabama had to deal with.

December 8, 2015

House panel to study straight-ticket voting bill over the weekend

A bill to end Michigan's straight-ticket voting option inspired more than two hours of debate Thursday, but a House committee wasn't ready to follow the Senate's support for the change.

December 8, 2015

Data center tax exemptions would be bigger, broader than other states

While some supporters argue the changes are needed to make Michigan competitive, the proposed tax breaks for data centers being considered in the Legislature would be more open-ended and extensive than those in almost any …

December 4, 2015

Advice on cultivating a culture of wellness

Michael Rogers of the Small Business Association of Michigan talks about worksite wellness programs with Amy Ritsema and Mary Kline of Onsite Wellness in Grand Rapids.

December 4, 2015

Supercharge your social media presence

A social media expert shares her suggestions for supercharging your social media presence, using Snapchat and harnessing the visual value of YouTube.

December 3, 2015

How you can positively impact your team during the holidays

Like it or not, the holiday season is upon us. For all of its stress, the time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day serves up ample opportunities for managers to demonstrate leadership that positively impacts …

December 1, 2015

Time to audit those job descriptions!

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor will recalibrate the Salary Level test that determines eligibility for exemption from minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Wage and Hour law. The change would raise the …

November 30, 2015

Terminating employee on FMLA leave for performance

One of the difficult issues to deal with in FMLA is whether you can terminate an employee who is on FMLA leave. Under certain circumstances, you can.

November 30, 2015

Improving customer support, Sprint and unlimited data plans and more!

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, interviews tech expert Linda Daichendt, executive director of the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan.

November 27, 2015

Small group health insurance trends you need to know

Aaron MacDonald, Small Group Sales Director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, talks about health insurance trends important to small business, and a review of the reasons behind the recent drop in health insurance …

November 25, 2015

Rate trends and other electricity issues

The Small Business Association of Michigan recently held its annual Leadership Council Summit at Crystal Mountain.

November 23, 2015

Times change, but basic HR practices prevail

The tragic events in Paris reminded us, unfortunately not for the first time, that we live in a very different world from the one that our parents and our older workplace colleagues knew.

November 21, 2015

The Small Business Ombudsman can help you resolve your utility issues.

Michael Rogers of the Small Business Association of Michigan talks with Michigan Public Service Commissioner Norm Saari about the Small Business Ombudsman at the Michigan Agency for Energy.

November 20, 2015

How to make thoughtful use of market intelligence

Use market intelligence to help improve the flexibility of your business operation. Hear tips from author and business consultant Seena Sharp on the latest edition of the SBAM Entrepreneurial Insights podcast.

November 19, 2015

Don’t Let Your Customer Invite The IRS Into Their Business

With the holidays approaching, chances are that you will have many guests visiting your business or home. Some may even be uninvited guests. While there may be little you can do to keep weird Aunt Martha or …