Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
VIEWPOINT: IRS Updates American Rescue Plan Act Guidance
On July 29, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated its Tax Credits for Paid Leave Under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 guidance. As a reminder, private-sector employers with fewer than 500 employees could voluntarily elect to extend ARPA benefits to their employees through Sept. 30, and in exchange, receive a federal tax credit. Under […]
VIEWPOINT: Ask Rusty: Should I Claim Social Security Family Benefits?
Dear Rusty: I was born in 1956 and my wife in 1961. I’ve got 45 years of Social Security earnings, and I will have income in 2021. We have four minor children, the youngest born in 2012. When is the best time for us to apply for benefits? Are we eligible for family benefits? My
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Small business in Small Town USA: Stepping up in a big way
CAZENOVIA — Travis Barr and Alex Altomonte stepped into my small Cazenovia office with a wish, a dream, and a legacy. Little did they know that their journey would not only change their lives, but also the many lives of the residents and visitors of this quaint, little community. The idea of owning a business
VIEWPOINT: How to Motivate and Coach Employees for Success
I talk to lots of people each day and that I hear is a lack of love, support, motivation, and recognition from their direct manager or supervisor. Too many people in management positions think the only reason someone works is for money. Many managers believe that the paycheck is why people work and there is no reason to
VIEWPOINT: Executive Order has Little Immediate Impact on Non-Compete Clauses
On Friday, July 9, President Joe Biden signed an executive order on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” aimed at limiting certain anti-competitive practices across multiple sectors, including agriculture, telecommunications, technology, and pharmaceuticals. The order highlights a multitude of anti-competitive practices in these sectors, including the increasing pervasiveness of non-competition and related agreements throughout the American economy.
VIEWPOINT: Cyber-“Ish” Tips: The Importance of Policy
Whether your organization calls it cybersecurity, information security, or information assurance, a strong security program is an important element in determining the durability and success of your business. Without the proper policies, security controls, and trained staff, how will your business survive a cyber incident? Denial-of-service attacks, malware, ransomware, cyber extorsion, and more have all been receiving
NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT: Outlining affiliation structures in the nonprofit sector
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is a success.” — Henry Ford One thing about the pandemic is now perfectly clear. That is, nonprofit health and human-service organizations have, for the most part, been given a reprieve from the $6 trillion-plus of federal stimulus initiatives. Just one example of this reprieve
VIEWPOINT: Where Businesses Should Focus this Year to Recapture Sales
Suggested tools that will make the biggest impact With COVID-19 behind us, it’s time to refocus on our pre-pandemic priorities. For most of us, that’s back to the old grind: finding ways to generate more sales and revenue for our companies. The past 18 months were tough on many businesses. Focusing on sales and marketing is the
VIEWPOINT: Rome’s development moves forward
There is no question the last year and a half has been a test of our strength and resolve to ever-changing New York State health, business, and lifestyle virus-mitigation measures. Now, we are finally learning to manage the virus with an eye toward returning to a more normal style of work and everyday living. We hold in our
VIEWPOINT: Mohawk Valley employers must support the next generation of professionals
The Mohawk Valley is undergoing an expansion that is remarkable in many ways — not least of which is the fact that the nation is just emerging from the historical upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. NBT Bank is experiencing this revitalization firsthand — from financing the development or growth of local businesses to adding our own new
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.