The straight line

Running a business these days has become increasingly complicated. With employment-related claims and lawsuits on the rise, management must have a basic understanding of numerous federal, state and local laws. Here are three cases that illustrate some employer liability trends. Giving a positive reference could cost millions.This court case, involving reference checks about a drug-addicted physician,...

No matter what type of business you’re in, sooner or later you’ll probably have to deal with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) or Secretary of State. These offices handle the formalities of setting up and maintaining a business, whether it’s a partnership, corporation, limited liability company or other entity. You or someone you designate must deal...

When customers see your company’s employees, they gather impressions about your business. That’s one reason to exercise some control over what staff members can wear to work and the grooming standards they must follow. Obviously, you want your staff to reflect competence and professionalism. According to the EEOC, a company can impose a dress code and...

For retailers, manufacturers and many other businesses, a significant amount of working capital is tied up in inventory. But how accurate is the amount reported on the balance sheet? To best answer that question, a physical count of raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods is essential at year end. For calendar-year entities, your year end is...

Generally your company’s website really has only one purpose — to sell. And that means you need to attract as many potential customers as possible while maintaining your current clientele. In reality, people are always searching for your business — or at least, the types of products and/or services it offers. They type what they are looking...

When a deal is pending, the best negotiators know that the goal isn’t to scoop up everything and leave the other side with little or nothing. The real goal is generally to exchange items of value so that both sides leave satisfied they have protected their basic interests and made a deal that benefits their companies....