01.25.16

Minimize Disputes by Implementing a Buy-Sell Agreement
Danielle M. Gilbert

As your practice continues to grow and take on more patients, you might consider hiring one or more physicians to help with the extra workload. If you do, make sure each physician signs a buy-sell agreement if they intend to take an ownership share of your practice. This article goes into the specifics of establishing a buy-sell agreement at your practice to ultimately protect it from disgruntled physicians and minimize disputes, should they arise.

01.19.16

Cash Flows: Thinking Ahead
Kevin Omahen

Capital is the lifeblood of any manufacturing business. Each week, your payroll must be met, overhead covered and suppliers paid. Meanwhile, your plant’s customers might not pay on time — or in full — and unanticipated expenses may come up, straining your cash flow. Cash flow forecasting can help eliminate much of the heartburn associated with managing a manufacturing facility’s day-to-day capital.

01.15.16

GATA: The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act
Alison Fetzer

In an ongoing effort by the State of Illinois and the granting community to streamline the grant reporting and monitoring processes, the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act, 30 ILCS 708 (GATA) was created. Effective July 1, 2015, all state, federal and federal pass-through awards are subject to the federal rules. This article highlights key details you should know about GATA.

01.12.16

How Automatic Are Your 401(k) Plan Investments?

Automatic enrollment of participants in 401(k) plans was designed to overcome the drawbacks of voluntary enrollment by getting more employees to save in their workplace retirement plan. But what to do about plan investments? With automatic enrollment comes a fiduciary duty to direct plan investments for those automatically enrolled participants that do not choose a place to invest their contributions. This article will explore this topic in relation to a safe harbor established by the Department of labor to limit plan sponsor liability for investing contributions on behalf of employees into default investments when employees do not otherwise make an election.

01.11.16

Seven Fundamental Qualities for Better Leadership in 2016

In, Some Thoughts on Leadership Going Into 2016, Mark Suster shines light on 7 solid guidelines for startup leaders. And if you’re a football fan, you’re in luck because Suster uses Chip Kelly’s failures as a coach to do so. How’s that for some light Monday reading?

12.29.15

Micro-Donations: Good Things Come in Small Packages
Harry Fox

Donations to not-for-profit organizations plunged during the latest recession but have ever so slowly been edging their way to healthier levels ever since. However, many contributors today can only afford to give small gifts in a still-tight economy. This article discusses the advantages of asking for, and accepting, micro-donations. It also addresses the importance of appreciating these donors and substantiating their gifts.

12.22.15

Restaurant and Retail Remodeling Safe Harbor Election
Thomas Pierce

Are you considering updating part of your restaurant or retail space and not sure of the tax implications? The IRS has developed a new Safe Harbor election for a select few restaurateurs and retailers. However, its requirements can be rather daunting. This article will give you a rundown on this Safe Harbor’s requirements to help you decide whether or not you qualify.

12.22.15

DOL Addresses Worker Classification and Overtime Rules
Charles J. Burke

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently addressed the hot button topics of worker classification and overtime pay. This article sheds light on the DOL’s new guidance on independent contractors, how proposed overtime rules could hike employee costs and how awareness of these updates by the DOL is of importance, particularly with a new calendar year on the horizon.

12.18.15

Cash Flow Statements: Your Firm’s Early Warning System
Robert Swenson

Law firms need to provide their partners with cash flow statements so they will be able to identify and address cash shortfalls and other problems. This article describes the three main sections of a typical cash flow statement — operating, investing and financing activities — and urges partners to take action if statements indicate a possible liquidity issue.

12.14.15

Improve Customer Experience by Managing Your Restaurant’s Reviews
Megan Wenzl

Engaging in the online world of customer feedback is essential to any restaurant’s marketing strategy. When consumers search for a restaurant, they will look at online reviews before making their restaurant choice. Consider these statistics: According to a survey by restaurant reservations company OpenTable, 60% of consumers read restaurant reviews before dining out. The National […]