THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

Paychex, Inc.
  • 4.9 (12)
  • Management
  • Updated Semiweekly

Designed for those who crave the inside scoop on everything from people to policy to profits, each THRIVE episode transforms complex business and HR topics into clear, actionable advice. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or an aspiring leader, this podcast is your go-to source for cutting through the noise and gaining a competitive advantage.

  1. Aug 13

    Resilient Labor Market, Tax Penalty Relief, Surge in Agentic AI Use in Shopping

    Despite economic uncertainty, the U.S. labor market stays stable, which includes a 3.14% growth – the highest increase in five years – in weekly hours worked. Host Gene Marks shares more real-time data from the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch and says employers can find labor but it won’t be inexpensive. Eligible small businesses get a boost if they’ve been compliant in their tax payment history with automatic exemption from penalty program from the IRS. In AI news, a 200% increase in agentic AI use in online shopping has Gene signaling to employers that they should ensure their websites are agent-ready or risk losing customers. Listen to the podcast.    Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:19 – Small Business Employment Watch 03:20 – IRS Tax Relief Program 05:45 – Agentic AI Use in Shopping 08:38– Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Summer Planning Guide: https://bit.ly/summer-planning-guide DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

  2. Aug 11

    Kevin Hassett on AI, Tariffs, and Small Business Growth

    Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council and top economic advisor in the White House, joins host Gene Marks to break down what today's economy means for small businesses. They explore why companies using AI saw dramatic revenue growth over the past year, how economists read government data alongside private-sector indicators (like the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch), and why jobs and GDP numbers get revised so often. Kevin also shares practical ways owners can use AI to compete with larger firms, plus a few offbeat economic indicators worth watching. Explore the latest hiring and wage trends in the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch: https://bit.ly/4q4htI8 Want more from Jason? Subscribe to his newsletter, One Thing Better, for one weekly way to build a career and company you love: https://bit.ly/3RTMlyx Our free AI & Automation Toolkit will help you find your first AI use case in just five minutes: https://bit.ly/4yaSarA Simplify your business operations. Learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 01:16 – Kevin’s background and path to the White House 03:27 – Tariffs and the economy 09:12 – Using government data vs. private-sector data 15:12 – Why government numbers get revised 17:22 – The underreported positive: Side gigs & extra income 20:00 – AI as a small business game changer 25:04 - Why AI hasn’t replaced humans 28:08 – Offbeat economic indicators 33:06 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

  3. Aug 6

    Experts Eye Increased Hiring in 2026, Expect More I-9 Enforcement, AI Assists Restaurants

    Hiring managers forecast that more permanent jobs will be added in the second half of 2026. Gene Marks shares a report that 63% surveyed said that too many projects are being delayed because of staffing shortages. A legal firm is signaling that I-9 enforcement could increase and recommends that employers prepare by conducting an audit. In AI news, Yelp Host is expanding its phone assistant to include food ordering. The call volume has grown 38% month-over-month, which is helping small restaurants. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:19 – More Hiring Forecast in 2026 03:50 – Increased I-9 Enforcement Expected 06:49 – Yelp Host AI Phone Assistant Serves Restaurants 09:38– Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

  4. Jul 30

    More Taxes on Imports, Job Lock for Health Insurance, ChatGPT Training for SMBs

    Just when you thought it was safe to expand your budget and return to importing more products and goods from other countries, a change in policy will leave many businesses paying higher taxes to do so. Host Gene Marks says, unfortunately, the cost of this policy change will fall to customers already battling higher prices because of inflation. He offers a few tips for businesses that might help. Employers also are facing employees stuck in job lock – those staying for health insurance coverage despite not liking their job. Gene says there are several ways to approach this, plus he shares news about the latest tech giant sponsoring AI training for small businesses. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:18 – Higher Import Taxes Expected 05:03 – Healthcare Needs Increases Job lock 07:35 – Access AI Training Through ChatGPT 09:50 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

  5. Jul 28

    Entrepreneur’s Jason Feifer: Practical AI Strategies for Busy Business Owners

    AI is reshaping how small businesses work, but knowing where to begin is the hard part. Entrepreneur Editor-in-Chief Jason Feifer joins Gene Marks for a practical conversation about where AI delivers real value. Learn why AI is “normal technology,” the real reason small businesses haven’t adopted it yet, and how to find the simple, high-value wins that deliver real ROI. Plus, why the smartest place to start isn’t the tech at all, it’s fixing what’s already broken in your business. Want more from Jason? Subscribe to his newsletter, One Thing Better, for one weekly way to build a career and company you love: https://bit.ly/3RTMlyx Our free AI & Automation Toolkit will help you find your first AI use case in just five minutes: https://bit.ly/4yaSarA Simplify your business operations. Learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 02:00 – What’s really happening with AI in small business 06:40 – AI as “normal technology” & early adoption patterns 08:40 – The microwave oven analogy for AI 12:33 – Practical AI use cases 16:09 – AI breaking what’s already broken 18:00 – An AI ROI story: Window & door company:  19:29 – “Stop doing what people hate” 23:16 – Data privacy concerns 27:50 – Jason’s $10M business idea 31:51 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

  6. Jul 23

    Boomerang Employees, Retirement Advice, AI Accelerates Freelancer Status

    More than one-third of new hires in March were boomerang employees. Host Gene Marks explains why people are returning to their former places of work, and the value employers gain from the experience. Gene also points out the benefit of educating and guiding employees on their retirement options, which a survey found is an expectation from the current workforce. Options include offering planning sessions and hiring financial planning consultants. In AI news, Upwork’s Future Workforce Index shows that AI is accelerating the shift toward highly skilled freelancers. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:18 – Boomerang Employees 04:08 – Seeking Retirement Guidance 07:08 – AI Accelerates Freelancer Value 09:55 – Episode Wrap-up   Additional Resources Workplace retirement plans: https://bit.ly/workplace-retirement-plan Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

  7. Jul 16

    Top States for Business, a Social Security Surprise, Taking Wheel from Copilot

    A recent survey using 138 metrics – access to a skilled workforce, the cost of doing business, infrastructure, and cost of living, to name a few – found one state rose above all as the best for where to run a business. Host Gene Marks talks about the top five. See if your state is highlighted. Gene also shares a few tips on how to structure paying oneself in an S Corporation to avoid a surprise when it's time to receive social security payments. In AI news, Microsoft listens to users’ concerns over constant monitoring and offers options to turn off some Copilot functions. Listen to the podcast.   Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:50 – Top States for Businesses 03:19 – S Corp Payroll and Social Security 07:07 – Microsoft Adjusts Copilot’s Course 09:38 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources S Corp Payroll: https://bit.ly/s-corp-payroll Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

  8. Jul 14

    AI Expert Dan Chuparkoff: Try It Before You Fear It

    What if the best thing you did with AI this week wasn’t a big strategy overhaul, just one small experiment? Dan Chuparkoff spent three decades building software, from the early PC era through a stint at Google, before going all in on AI. Now he travels the country helping business leaders make sense of the hype. In this episode, Dan joins Gene Marks to explain why trying AI beats fearing it, why it’s about doing more rather than working faster, and how your AI assistant can double as your new coach. Want to start experimenting like Dan suggests? Grab our free AI & Automation Toolkit to find your biggest automation opportunity: https://bit.ly/4yaSarA Simplify your business operations. Learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 01:31 – Dan’s work as a speaker & career path 04:54 – AI, change, and public perception 09:00 – What “using AI” actually means 11:08 – Connecting AI to your data 17:10 – Small businesses building their own AI 21:10 – High-ROI use case: Capturing conversations 24:42 – “Our Data Is a Mess” – Does it matter? 28:18 – AI as a coach 30:36 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Designed for those who crave the inside scoop on everything from people to policy to profits, each THRIVE episode transforms complex business and HR topics into clear, actionable advice. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or an aspiring leader, this podcast is your go-to source for cutting through the noise and gaining a competitive advantage.

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