Few things strike fear in a person more than the thought of sitting across the table from someone negotiating. Whether it’s at the car dealership, convincing a toddler to take a nap or navigating through an argument with your spouse; life is all about negotiations. From birth we learn how to go back and forth in an effort to get what we want. In fact, we perfect this skill by early adolescence and use it to manipulate others. I often share with clients how we listen to the same radio station, WIIFM or What’s In It For Me?

Part II of our three-part series "Whether to Play or Pay" focuses on helping employers who are subject to the Affordable Care Act's ("ACA") mandates to identify "full-time" employees (those working 30 or more hours of service per week) for purposes of calculating the play or pay penalties. Recent IRS guidance provides methods by which to define and measure the hours of service for "ongoing," "newly hired," "variable hour" or "seasonal" employees.

As professionally trained salespeople, we enjoy what we do most of the time. But once in a while a prospect or even a client can say or do something that gets under our skin and causes us to feel crossed up. When that happens we can:

At some point every business owner asks themselves and others if they need a website. It’s a question that has been asked since the 1990s. Back then the concern was centered around if there was an audience on this new thing called “the Internet”. Today the question is whether or not a social media page for your company will achieve the same effect as a fully developed website.

Are you a "large employer" subject to the "play or pay" penalties under the Affordable Care Act?

When I was a kid many stores handed out S&H Green Stamps to customers. There were no credit card rewards points in those days. When you got home you put your stamps in your S&H book and when it was filled you could cash it in for a prize, like a toaster or a beach chair. You can’t get those green stamps anymore but people are still collecting stamps and storing them for later redemption. People who feel NOT OK in their sales career will likely spend time collecting psychological stamps – a counterproductive habit that can easily torpedo one’s sales efforts.

According to the TFC Recycling website the reason it is good to recycle is that “it saves the planet!”  End of story, right?  As good corporate citizens we all are aware that if we continually push our unwanted electronics, plastics, paper, and cardboard into landfills...we'd have a whole mountain range of Mount Trashmores and floating trash islands. 

Is there anything more important to your company’s success than engaged employees? Dale Carnegie Trainers don’t believe so. A committed and enthusiastic team has no limits on its potential for success, but trying to rally a group of unengaged employees all but ensures failure. Whereas investments in things like a new building or updated computer systems can produce short term gains, putting time and money into employee engagement will give your company a boost over the long haul. Here’s why:

For Virginia businesses in the hospitality industry, utilizing J-1 international staff is the perfect solution to employment needs during your busiest time of year. International students arrive eager and excited to begin their exchange program, make new friends and learn new skills.

By Paul Grego, Plant Manager, Wheelabrator Portsmouth