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Small Business Health Bill to Return to SenateA doubleshot of business news espresso with extra froth A small business blog featuring tips to help entrepreneurs succeed in the small business world. Topics include family business, human resources, marketing, money, networking, operations, ownership, startup, taxes and technology. Share Your Thoughts! It was proposed last year, and didn’t make it through. But Senator Michael Enzi intends to sponsor the small business health care bill again this year, despite the opposition he’s facing from many angles. The State Association of Attorney Generals, the American Caner Society and the American Diabetes Association have all expressed concerned about some holes in the bill in its current condition and want some changes made. Let’s examine the current bill from both angles: PROS CONS With 41 state attorney generals signing their names in a letter of complaint about the holes in the bill, it is expected that Senator Enzi and his colleagues will have to go back to the drawing board to develop some sort of compromise. But I truly feel they’re on the right track. Far too many people in this country are without health insurance and something needs to be done about that. Giving small businesses the means to provide coverage to their employees is the first step in disposing of the problem. What do you think? Is the bill fine the way it is? Should changes be made? Are there other alternatives? Share your thoughts. Source: Insurance for Small Businesses Professional Employer Organization Services Implementing a Wellness Program National Minimum Wage on the Verge of Increasing By Michelle Cramer Thursday, January 26th, 2012 @ 6:00 PM CDT Human Resources | Marketing with a Dash of Controversy Share Your Thoughts! Heart Attack Grill – the name just makes you want to run, but which direction? It’s intriguing, to say the least. So is the whole atmosphere of Jon Basso’s grease-filled restaurant in Tempe, Arizona, which opened just over a year ago. It’s that atmosphere and the controversy surrounding it, that has put Basso’s business on the map. Advertising isn’t even necessary for him these days. The attention he’s getting revolves around items on the menu such as the Quadruple Bypass Burger and Flatliner Fries, some topping out at 8,000 calories each! Other items available for purchase include full-sugar sodas from Mexico (no Diet Cokes here) and even filterless cigarettes. And, get this, the guys used to own fitness training studios! But, after hearing weight-loss motivated clients confess over and over about their diet cheats, Basso decided that everyone needed a place to dive into the grease once in awhile and indulge themselves. The boldness doesn’t stop there. He has already faced opposition from the Arizona Board of Nursing and the Center for Nursing Advocacy because of his waitresses being scantily clad in sexy nurse uniforms. The associations claim it “degrades” the profession, but Basso claims that it helps to “glorify the job for the younger workforce.” And Basso is eating it all up (pun intended). Afterall, he’s already obtained national recognition for his grill. And, despite the negative tone many reports may take, business is booming! Can you say viral marketing? It don’t know that the Heart Attack Grill is on my list of places to go before I die (or maybe to die, in this case), but I commend Basso for his enthusiasm, creativity and daringness to be different. Fries anyone? Source: Top Entrepreneurial Schools Stronger Business Through Honest Communication What Ever Happened to Customer Service? Starting a Successful eBay Business (Part 2) By Michelle Cramer Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 @ 6:00 PM CDT Marketing | Avoiding the Courtroom: Tips for Deterring Litigation Share Your Thoughts! It’s a risk every business owner takes the moment he/she opens their doors - being sued. And there are a lot of reasons your business could be pulled into court - everything from unpaid bills to outrageous claims of fraud against your company. Anything from the substantial and justified to the frivolous can come against your business at any moment, and if you want to avoid the long, tedious court process, you’d better make sure you’re ready. CONTRACTS This would make any client who doesn’t really have a case against you think twice before filing a lawsuit. On the other end, should you need to sue a client for an unpaid balance, etc., they will probably refrain from fighting you much if they know they will have to pay attorney fees for you. Limitation of Liability Clause This covers any defective products you may have, avoids needless court proceedings to determine an amount for damages, and keeps you from losing the shirt of your back to pay for non-economic damages. Arbitration Clause One party files a form requesting Arbitration and provides the fee up-front, which can be in the ballpark of $750. This sounds like a lot, but can be much less than a trial in court would cost with attorney fees and the like. And, whatever is decided during Arbitration, is held with the same regard as a judgment in court. More information can be found on the American Arbitration Association website. INSURANCE If the situation is covered, the insurance company will take over negotiations on your behalf and, hopefully, settle the matter. Be aware, however, that the insurance provider will only pay out to the extend of the policy limits. You are responsible for anything above that (but they will always try and settle below the policy limits if possible). Another smart move, before any threat of lawsuit even comes close to your business, is to purchase additional liability insurance through your provider. A typical business policy will, unfortunately, only cover minimal disputes. There are additional provisions for matters that would be more likely to occur for your specific business - from employment practices liability coverage to advertising practices liability coverage and the like. Be sure to talk to your provider and be aware of all of your options. Though these steps cannot guarantee that your business won’t go to court over something, they will help to avoid it as much as possible. Keep in mind that the best thing to really do is protect your business and your customer. If you do both honestly and efficiently, then the problems should be minimal. Always consult with an attorney before changing or developing your business contracts to make sure your business is fully protected under the law. The statements in this article are not to be taken as official guidance, but, rather, as an informational supplement to the legal aspect of your business strategy. Source: Insurance for Small Businesses Debt Collection Strategies that Work (2 of 2) Debt Collection Strategies that Work (1 of 2) Avoid Legal Trouble By Michelle Cramer Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 @ 6:00 PM CDT Operations, Business Law | |