Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
True Community Relations — “Creating a Lovemark”
People get a certain feeling when they think about brands like Disney or Wegmans (Note: neither is a client of ours). That emotion is built proactively, consistently, and very intentionally by these companies. It takes their bands to a higher level — almost untouchable by any negative publicity. This success is founded in community relations […]
Employer Mandate Hits in 2015: Make Sure Your Business is Ready
If you were like most business decision-makers in the winter and spring of 2013, you were frantically trying to prepare for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer-mandate provision that was set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2014. Business decision-makers at large employers across the nation heaved a collective sigh of relief
Small Business Tip: Communication is a Priority
Communication: The exchange of ideas, messages, or information by speech, signals, or writing. Or, a system for sending and receiving messages, as through telecommunications. How are you getting messages from your customers? Do you have the tools in place to allow them to provide you the feedback critical to your business success? Moreover, how do
How to manage a financial windfall
People come into money in various ways, from happy winnings to uncomfortable settlements. Regardless, whether your windfall comes from a legal settlement, insurance claim, inheritance, or lottery prize, the burden of an unexpected lump sum of cash will likely be heavier than you realize. The reason: most people treat windfalls different than money they earned
The Wealth of Nations is Their Freedom
In 1776, Adam Smith in, “The Wealth of Nations,” theorized that “When institutions protect the liberty of individuals, greater prosperity results for all.” Institutions are significant national practices, rules, or organizations that frame the environment in which goods are produced. Institutions help determine acceptable behavior and establish the incentives that stimulate or prevent economic growth.
What Do Your Marketing Tools Say About You?
Reading a question and answer article about proper distribution of business cards made me pause to think about my own. Are my business cards good representatives of me and what I do? This led me to examine other marketing tools — asking is it enough just to get our names out there or is more
Deciphering the emerging health-care acronyms
“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.” – Oprah Winfrey It’s important to speak in a language that your audience understands. As many of you know, accountants are not necessarily known for clarity in speaking the language of finance and accounting. Unexplained acronyms are used all too frequently including
Seven Tips for Hiring “A Players” for your Business
Your business does not run itself. The quality of your organization depends on the quality of your team — a motivated, energized staff is the key to companywide success. You want “A Players,” those colleagues who contribute disproportionately to the advancement and profitability of the organization. In the same way that the Pareto Principle states
Central New York is a great test market
Several years ago, Coca-Cola introduced a product called C2 which contained half the calories and carbohydrates of regular Coke. It created C2 specifically for men who did not like the image or flavor of Diet Coke, but did not want to consume all the calories and carbohydrates in regular Coke. After spending nearly $50 million
The Rewards of Employing Individuals With Disabilities
Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. — Theodore Roosevelt “You do realize that each of us has some form of disability or flaw? No one is perfect.” I responded with my standard quote, “It’s just that certain disabilities are more
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.