Teamwork. It’s a common enough term these days, and well-known companies such as General Electric, 3M, Texas Instruments and Federal Express have been using it to their advantage for decades. Now an increasing number of businesses have taken up team building for growth, efficiency and competition. However, building effective teams isn’t a snap, particularly here in...

Most lenders require the individual owner of a small business to personally guarantee loans made to a business. This pledge indicates the owners’ commitment and helps ensure that the loan obligation won’t be abandoned. The problem: A personal guarantee means your personal assets are available as collateral. It opens an individual — or a husband and wife...

Get to the heart of the matter. If you want the truth about your company, ask people on the way out. Exit interviews can deliver important inside information. The way departing employees view your organization might be the way things really are. Below is an exit interview questionnaire you can print and give to staff members...

The holidays can be a joyous — but hectic — time of year. While you’re juggling shopping for gifts, decorating your home and planning get-togethers with friends and family, it’s easy to forget to spend any remaining funds in your Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) before New Year’s Day. However, if you fail to observe the “use-it-or-lose-it...

The employer’s role in documenting alien employees is a balancing act. Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) you must verify through examination of certain documents that your employees are authorized to work in the United States. At the same time, you must avoid unfair employment practices. By law, you must complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form for...

If your business is hit by a hurricane, windstorm, blizzard, or other natural disaster, or if it falls victim to arson or terrorism, you might have to close up shop for a while. As a result, you could suffer a major loss of income. One of the keys to continuing as a thriving enterprise after a...