Small Biz Ahead

The Hartford
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Small Biz Ahead

The Small Biz Ahead podcast is dedicated to helping small business owners succeed. Each episode focuses on specific topics that can help you bring your small business to the next level. Gene Marks, an author and business owner, offers insights on how to make your business more efficient with tips, interviews and conversations with business owners and thought leaders.

  1. SEP 23

    New Overtime Pay Rules: Here's What You Need To Know

    Episode Notes Key Highlights What Business Owners Need To Know About The New Overtime Rules The Department of Labor has officially changed overtime rules for employers starting on July 1, 2024. Here’s what you need to know: Prior to July 1, 2024, you didn’t have to pay employees for overtime if they made more than $35,568 a year. After July 1, 2024, the new rule increases that salary threshold to $43,888. Now, any employees who make $43,888 or less a year will qualify for overtime pay. They must also meet other requirements like being a salaried employee and they’re not supervising anyone. This number will significantly increase again starting on January 1, 2025. On that day, the salary amount goes up to $58,656. This means that if you have any salary employees who aren't supervising anyone, their job duties fit the necessary description, and they make less than $58,656 a year, you are going to owe them overtime. In Texas, a federal court has challenged and suspended this ruling. If you’re a business owner in Texas, it’s recommended that you speak with a labor attorney to make sure your employees are classified the correct way.   Some companies are starting to enact strict overtime rules, while others are adjusting their employee’s status from a salaried worker to hourly worker. Be sure to comply to these new rules because if you’re not in compliance, your employees could sue your business for wage theft. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co

    9 min

  2. SEP 18

    5 Benefits of Hiring Older Workers and Retirees

    Episode Notes Key Highlights Why Should I Hire Older Workers and Retirees? More seniors and retirees are returning to the workforce recently due to higher inflation. Whether you’re looking for jobs for retirees or business ideas for older workers, we’re here to help. Here’s 5 things that small business owners should consider when hiring older workers:   Offer Flexibility: When looking to hire older workers, consider offering the same flexibility you’d offer other workers. Just because someone is retired doesn’t mean they have unlimited free time.    Upskilling and Training: Be sure to budget for training to upskill workers who are returning to the workforce. Technology changes quickly so it’s important to spend the time and money training an employee who has been out of the workforce for a few years. Health Benefits and Ergonomics: Consider improving ergonomics and safety training for your older workers. Also, consider reviewing your health benefits to ensure they cover the medical needs of older workers. When employees are comfortable and safe at work, they will be able to focus better on the job at hand. Prevent Age Discrimination: Revisit all your discrimination policies to confirm they’re adhering to both from the EEOC and the DOL. You can also consult a labor attorney to confirm you’re adhering to state and federal laws. When interviewing older employees or retirees who are returning to the workforce, avoid any remarks or questions that could be taken as discriminatory towards someone’s age. Older Employees Bring Experience: The most valuable asset that older workers bring to the table is experience. Your younger workers can use their experiences and wisdom and apply it to their own career. Your older workers can help mentor younger employees. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co

    9 min

  3. SEP 9

    Where To Find Employees for Your Small Business

    Episode Notes Key Podcast Highlights What Are The Best Sources For Finding Employees? Referrals: Your existing employees are a great resource for getting reliable recommendations for new employees within their own network. Online Job Listings: Be sure to do your research and post your listings on online job listing websites. People who are open to work are often checking for listings on Craigslist, LinkedIn Jobs, and Indeed. Formerly Incarcerated: Depending on the work you do, you may find the perfect candidates through your local prison systems. Many prisons offer employment training and opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals who are ready to get back into the workforce. Many states also offer tax credits for employers who hire formerly incarcerated individuals. Religious Institutions: Research the churches, mosques and synagogues in your local area. Many religious institutions offer programs that help their community members find work opportunities. Technical and Trade Schools: Depending on the line of work you do, you could find potential candidates through your local technical or trades schools. These candidates may already come with skills you'd otherwise have to train others on. Other Businesses: You never know when your perfect job candidate could show up. When you're out shopping in a retail store, at a restaurant, or your Uber driver, you may find someone who'd be the perfect fit to offer a job to. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co

    9 min

  4. SEP 4

    3 Tips for Providing Great Customer Service

    Episode Notes Key Podcast Highlights How Do I Provide Excellent Customer Service? Do What You Say You're Going To Do: When the customer buys something, they have a certain expectation on what they're going to buy. One of the best ways to deliver excellent customer service is to always follow through on the promises your business is making. If you're promising to deliver your product within 30 days, you should do everything you can to make sure that happens. Treat Your Customers With Respect: Follow the golden rule: "Treat others the way you'd want to be treated". Customers today already feel a lack of respect from the businesses they interact with. Good brands know that their customers want to feel acknowledged and appreciated. Management Leads By Example: The standard of excellent customer service is passed down from the top level of management to employees of the business. If you're a business owner, you have to depend on your employees to deliver quality customer service. Managers should show their Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co

    9 min

  5. AUG 28

    5 Tips for Working With Content Creators

    Episode Notes Key Podcast Highlights What Do Small Business Owners Need To Know About Working With Content Creators? Understand what the content creator does: There's a trade off between branding and lead generation. If the content creator you're working with can provide valuable information to your community, it can bring a positive brand impression. The content creator should be able to reflect your brand as a trustworthy source to your community and potential customers. Be prepared to spend: Content creators expect to be paid for the services they provide. Often times content creators are doing this as their full time job. Depending on their audience and how popular they are, they may expect to be paid more. Think of this as an investment in your company's brand. Take time to find the right person: There's many content creators out there to choose from. You'll want to take the time to find the right fit for your company and your audience. Depending on your needs, you may find a content creator that has a larger following, or someone with a smaller following but with great engagement. Identify your goals: It's hard to measure branding success, so be sure to be specific about your goals. If you want to generate leads, make sure your website or landing page is updated, so you can easily track traffic coming to you once your content creator posts about your business. Think long-term: A strong relationship with a content creator will be long-term if you're reaching your goals. It's important that you get the most out of that relationship if you're investing a significant amount of money into it. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co

    10 min

  6. AUG 21

    4 Tips to Help You Network Successfully

    Episode Notes What Are Four Tips for Networking? Face-to-face networking is more beneficial than online networking. It provides more opportunities and builds longer lasting relationships. Remember that you don't have to be the life of the party. If there's 20 people in the room or 200 people in the room, just focus on a few. If you walk away with one good connection that could potentially lead to more sales or more opportunities. Pick a networking organization and stick with it. There's a lot of networking events all over the place. So, you can go to meetup.org or you can keep an eye out on your local business papers. There's no shortage of them. You can also go to trade shows or join your industry association. Don't underestimate how much time online networking can take. To really be successful at online marketing or online networking, you really have to invest the time to pose questions, respond to questions and build relationships that way. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co

    11 min

  7. JUL 29

    Success Story: How Kristi Built a Thriving Photography Business

    Episode Notes At a time when nearly everyone has mastered the art of the selfie and can easily retouch their photos with the latest app, it can be easy to buy into the false notion that professional photography services are obsolete. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In this episode, Gene Marks and Kristina Sherk, the lead photographer and founder of both Kristina Sherk Photography and Shark Pixel, advise professional photographers on how to advocate for the value of their services and build the thriving businesses that they truly deserve. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co

    31 min

  8. JUL 17

    5 Tips for Selling Your Products Online

    Episode Notes Hey everybody, it's Gene Marks and welcome to another episode of the Hartford Small Biz Ahead podcast. Thank you so much for joining me. This week, I wanna talk about e-commerce and give you some thoughts on it because it is a growing thing. And let me explain to you why. Two surveys came out within the past week. One from Amazon, which reported that small firms are investing heavily in digital commerce. And another one from Alibaba, the other online reselling platform that said that growing ecommerce among their respondents in their surveys, a top priority, this year. The survey found that 53% of respondents, sell online compared to 44% that don't. There's a lot of room to grow by selling your business online or selling items online. And I just wanna make sure that, we're all aware of what you need to know when it comes to selling stuff online. Find out more at https://small-biz-ahead.pinecast.co

    10 min
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4.7
out of 5
44 Ratings

About

The Small Biz Ahead podcast is dedicated to helping small business owners succeed. Each episode focuses on specific topics that can help you bring your small business to the next level. Gene Marks, an author and business owner, offers insights on how to make your business more efficient with tips, interviews and conversations with business owners and thought leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    The Hartford
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    345
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Hartford
  • Show Website
    Small Biz Ahead

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