We hear it all the time — “I want employees to think like owners”. This desire by business owners to align employee behavior with the objectives of owners often results in compensation and other incentive plans that mimic the financial results that owners receive. Stock ownership, options, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, and profit sharing... View Article
Business owners are notorious for excelling at doing the work. Often, they start their businesses because they’re good at what they do and customers like working with them. As the business grows, they find themselves overwhelmed — trying to both do the work and run the business. The logical next step is to hire some... View Article
Although just introduced by the Washington state legislature on January 23, Senate Bill 5513 (SB 5513) is causing concern and confusion for many Washington business owners. The bill, if passed, creates the Employee Fair Classification Act (EFCA), would change the definition of independent contractors — greatly impacting businesses that employ independent contractors based on the... View Article
The Seattle area is experiencing unusual amounts of snow which has caused businesses to lose money. They either can’t open their doors to serve clients because employees are unable to get to work, or a loss of power, or their clients have canceled events, appointments or projects. In each of these cases, the businesses have... View Article
If you’re a fan of science-fiction dramas, you’ve likely seen the Netflix original series Black Mirror. The series is composed of stand-alone episodes that explore what Rotten Tomatoes refers to as ‘our collective unease with the modern world… exploring themes of modern techno-paranoia.’ However, the latest season has spurred an unintended kind of drama —a... View Article
The cost of legal services is a significant barrier to companies engaging with their lawyer. Business owners aren’t sure whether to trust an “estimate” and really aren’t sure that the end result will prove to be a worthy return on investment. The general consensus is that the upfront cost of legal services is too high.... View Article
Pricing Guru Mike Pritchard, expert in pricing models and research, will share experiences from working with large and small companies, supported by actual customer and market research, to help you incorporate scientific pricing approaches into your pricing decisions. You can expect a lively discussion with answers and actionable steps regarding how to: Examine if pricing... View Article
*Due to limited seating at this intimate, educational event, be sure to RSVP by following the link below. Commercial property management companies operate within a complex system of relationships with tenants, vendors, contractors, employees, and municipalities. Requirements for contracts, workforce management, and permitting keep you busy — all while you’re trying to run a business.... View Article
There’s been a lot of interest lately on the plight of the southern Puget Sound Orca pod population and the impact that stormwater and other pollution may have on them. With their numbers declining, the state of Washington is considering various options to address the decline. Meanwhile, the federal government is also considering revising water quality and stormwater... View Article