Avoiding Business Risks Can Cost You
Avoiding risk means passing on opportunity and that can be costly. Often, we rationalize that avoiding risk is a “no cost” option and something that is perfectly acceptable. The reality is that risk avoidance is the greatest impediment to progress, personally and professionally. Opportunity, like time, is perishable. Miss an opportunity to move your business…
How to Make Your Customers Love You
There is great power in simplicity. Reaching out to your customers on a personal level and going right to the heart of what’s most important to them, in a straightforward way, goes a long way toward loyalty. Doing this can help them: 1. Feel appreciated 2. Save time 3. Listen to them 4. Help them…
Tax extenders: 3 breaks for individuals on their 2014 returns
On Dec. 19, the president signed into law the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 (TIPA), which extended through Dec. 31, 2014, many valuable tax breaks that had expired at the end of 2013. Here are three that individuals may be able to take advantage of when filing their 2014 returns: 1. State and local…
Create Structure for Your Remote Workforce
One important area for business owners to evaluate in the New Year is employee productivity. A simple way to improve it is by creating structurefor your workforce, especially for those who work remotely. Here’s how to create a framework for a productive team: Establish fixed working hours and stick to them. While allowing every employee to…
You may be able to save more for retirement in 2015
Many retirement plan contribution limits increase slightly in 2015; thus, you may have opportunities to increase your retirement savings: Type of limitation 2014 limit 2015 limit Elective deferrals to 401(k), 403(b), 457(b)(2) and 457(c)(1) plans $17,500 $18,000 Annual benefit for defined benefit plans $210,000 $210,000 Contributions to defined contribution plans $52,000 $53,000 Contributions to SIMPLEs…
Obama Signs 2014 Tax Extenders
President Barack Obama has signed H.R. 5771, The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, and individual taxpayers will benefit from the list of 50-plus tax extenders. There’s tax relief for teachers, commuters, home renovators who go green and those who live in no-income-tax states. They’ll all see the breaks on their 2014 tax returns and…
What are Your 2015 Sales Goals?
The New Year is just around the corner. Have you given any thought to your sales plans and goals yet? If not, it’s the perfect time to take some advice on how to get started. By managing these three things, you're sure to have a successful 2015: Sales meetings Budget Time Start by answering…
LEGISLATION NEWS: Senate Passes Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014
On Tuesday, December 16,2014 the Senate passed a bill to retroactively extend more than 50 expired tax provisions through 2014. The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was passed by a vote of 76-16. What does this mean for you? This act temporarily extends several expired individual, business and energy tax breaks, as well as…