Timely Opportunities
Updates
Timely Opportunities
How Much FDIC Coverage Do You Have?
In early March, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank unexpectedly collapsed. They became the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history, respectively. The largest collapse involved Washington Mutual in 2008, precipitating the Great Recession. (See “Two Banks Collapse in One Week” at right.) The recent regional bank failures have caused many individual […]
Intellectual Property
Non-Compete Agreements: What Can They Accomplish?
It may seem ironic that companies encourage innovation and brilliance while employees are on the payroll, but pull the plug on that ambition if they dare to leave. But non-compete agreements attempt to do just that to control damage. State Laws Vary Laws regarding non-compete covenants vary from state to state. For example, courts in […]
Employment Law
Spot Time Bombs in Your Employee Handbook
Catch Dangerous Traps Could your employee handbook be dangerous? Have you ever looked through it, pretending to be employee? Better yet, have you ever had your attorney read through your handbook to see how an employee might be able to use it in court? This type of auditing can help spot potential time bombs… […]
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Workouts: A Practical Alternative to Formal Bankruptcy Proceedings
Is your company teetering on the edge of bankruptcy? In the wake of the pandemic, many small businesses are suffering financial distress from inflation, labor shortages, rising interest rates, tighter credit and continued economic uncertainty. If your company is having trouble making ends meet, it may be time to devise a workout plan to avoid […]
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Update on Deducting Business Meal and Entertainment Expenses
The federal income tax treatment of business-related meal and entertainment expenses has been a moving target the last few years. If you’re confused about what rules currently apply, you’re not alone. Here’s a refresher on what’s currently deductible — and what’s not. TCJA Impact Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) went into effect, […]
Business Fraud Prevention
How the Risk of Detection Reduces Fraud
Do your employees feel like they’re being watched? If they don’t, they may be emboldened to steal. In the same way that putting more police officers on streets tends to reduce crime, making your company’s anti-fraud activities more visible can discourage fraud perpetrators. Good internal controls are critical to preventing fraud. But many companies have […]
Commercial Law
Federal Requirements When a Product is Dangerous
Recalling defective products can be expensive and it may be tempting for manufacturers to ignore flaws. But that can be more costly in the long run, both in financial and human terms. Under the Consumer Product Safety Act, manufacturers, distributors and retailers must immediately report to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission products with a […]
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How to Prepare for Potential Layoffs
There’s some sobering news amid other encouraging recent employment data that may take you by surprise in this tight labor market. After all, “now hiring” signs are everywhere, and some sources paint a picture of a historically strong jobs market. Even so, within the past year, Google, Amazon, Microsoft and other major tech companies have […]
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