News & Resources

Did you get an IRS notice with a late payment penalty?

The IRS has waived the late payment penalty for those taxpayers who requested an extension and are filing one of the 31 tax forms that were delayed due to the tax law changes in the …

June 24, 2013

Make the most of your participation in business meetings and mixers. Today on Business Next

Tune in today at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Business and leadership consultant Tom Borg discusses how to maximize your face time at meetings and mixers. Also today, SBAM's Director …

June 21, 2013

SBAM honors legislator of year; announces officers and board members

At its annual meeting and networking luncheon on June 20 in Lansing, the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) recognized Rep. Mike Shirkey, chair of the House Committee on Michigan Competitiveness, as its Legislator of …

June 18, 2013

Chasing payroll information

Suppose you're ready to run payroll and discover that a new employee didn't submit a W-4 form. The employee is out on the road and cannot be reached. Payroll can't wait. What does the IRS …

June 17, 2013

State Senate to consider Medicaid bills this week. Legislative update by SBAM’s Dave Jessup. Today on Business Next.

Tune in today at 10am to the Michigan Business Network.The disruptive impact of technology on marketing -- interview with Perry Ballard, veteran small business marketing expert and owner of Manage Perceived Value; Linda Hundt, owner …

June 15, 2013

Medicaid reform passes in the House of Representatives

In yet another historic vote, the Michigan House of Representatives approved legislation that will contain healthcare costs for small business and provides much needed reforms to the state’s Medicaid program.The fact is we live in …

June 14, 2013

Word of click

By Steven StraussQuestion: I heard you on the radio say that “word of mouth today is actually word of click.” Can you elaborate what you mean by that?Answer: Long-time readers of this column know that …

June 14, 2013

Supercharging the small business export economy. Today on Business Next

Tune in at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Michael Rogers talks with J.D.Snyder of the Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development about efforts to boost Michigan small …

June 12, 2013

Get the best deal you can on your commercial lease. Details today on Business Next.

Tune in today at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Michael Rogers talks with Dale Willerton – The Lease Coach. Dale is a Professional Lease Consultant, coach, recognized speaker and author …

June 11, 2013

SBAM urges support for Medicaid reform

The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) supports House Bill 4714. This measure initiates critical reforms and broadens the eligibility criteria to participate in the Medicaid program so that people under 133 percent of the …

June 11, 2013

Lactation rights: Appeals court slaps down denial of discrimination claim

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASEBy Joe DeSantisFiring a new mother because she asked for break time to express breast milk is indeed sex discrimination under the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978.The EEOC sued …

June 10, 2013

IRS webinars on tax benefits and avoiding tax mistakes

The IRS is presenting free two webinars this month that will be interesting to both small business owners and tax professionals. First, on June 18 will be "Small Business Owners: Get All the Tax Benefits …

June 10, 2013

How to get your employees to protect company data on their mobile devices. Advice today on Business Next!

Tune in at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network!Michael Rogers talks with Steve Barone, President and CEO of Troy, Mich.-based Creative Breakthroughs, Inc. (CBI), an industry leader in IT advisory …

June 7, 2013

How Michigan’s lakes and streams flow toward small business prosperity. Today on Business Next

Tune in at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Today on SBAM’s Business Next radio show, Nina Ignaczak, who works with the Clinton River Watershed Council, discusses the positive business impact …

June 5, 2013

Use new mobile tech to boost your small business success. Today on Business Next

Tune in today at 10am (repeats at 3pm and 8pm) on the Michigan Business Network.Tony Merlo, owner of Smarterphones.net, provides an overview of mobile phone technology and tablets and how these tools can be deployed …

June 4, 2013

Fair Labor Standard Act Cases: A snowball rolling downhill

Article courtesy of SBAM Approved Partner ASEBy Joe DeSantis A quick look at a bar graph showing the growth in employee-initiated Wage and Hour claims in the last 10 years makes startlingly obvious what HR …

June 3, 2013

The secret ingredient

By Steven StraussQuestion: Steve, I saw you give a speech a while back where you talked about the “secret ingredient” in business. Could you share that again? I missed part of it and it seemed …