Small Business Association of Michigan Archives

Bonuses, Parties And Gifts: How Small Business Owners Can Navigate The Holiday Season

Bonuses, Parties And Gifts: How Small Business Owners Can Navigate The Holiday Season

LANSING - Pumpkin spice lattes are flowing and leaves are changing color, which can mean only one thing: This year’s holiday season is right around the corner. For small business owners who already juggle more than their fair share of responsibilities, it also means they’ll need to manage some unique situations that only arise in November

By SBAM|2017-12-13T08:52:40-05:00December 13th, 2017|Small Business Association of Michigan|

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments About Privacy-Rights With Cell Phones

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments About Privacy-Rights With Cell Phones

WASHINGTON DC - The U.S. Supreme Court justices appeared sympathetic to a Detroit resident whose cell phone records, obtained without a warrant, were used against him in trial. However, the justices also appeared uncertain about a decision that arguably could affect every citizen's privacy rights, according to a transcript of the Wednesday hearing in the

By SBAM|2017-12-05T19:49:05-05:00December 5th, 2017|Politics/Government, Small Business Association of Michigan|

Bah-Humbug! Office Etiquette For Holiday Gift Giving

Bah-Humbug! Office Etiquette For Holiday Gift Giving

LANSING - It’s hard to believe, but Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday have already come and gone, kicking off the 2017 holiday shopping season. While many of us are already feeling overwhelmed with finding the perfect gifts for friends and family, navigating the politics of office gift giving can add even more

By SBAM|2017-12-05T17:57:21-05:00December 5th, 2017|Featured, Small Business Association of Michigan|

Non-Solicitation And Confidentiality Agreements Tested By Social Media

Non-Solicitation And Confidentiality Agreements Tested By Social Media

LANSING - Employers today should assume employees are tied to one another through the use of LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or all of these social media sites. In fact, employers can and do encourage employees’ use of social media to enhance marketing, business development, and employee recruitment. However, employers are also utilizing confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements

By SBAM|2017-12-01T08:13:28-05:00December 1st, 2017|Small Business Association of Michigan|

2018 Michigan Minimum Wage Increase Reminder

2018 Michigan Minimum Wage Increase Reminder

LANSING - In 2014, Governor Snyder signed legislation increasing the Michigan minimum wage rate in stages. Increases took effect on September 1, 2014, on January 1, 2016, and on January 1, 2017, raising the minimum wage to $8.90 per hour. On January 1, 2018, Michigan minimum wage will increase to $9.25 per hour. Beginning in

By SBAM|2017-11-29T12:42:31-05:00November 29th, 2017|Small Business Association of Michigan|

21 Simple Ideas For a Successful Small Business Saturday

21 Simple Ideas For a Successful Small Business Saturday

LANSING - It can be hard for small businesses to compete with the big guys. But that’s why there’s Small Business Saturday. American Express founded Small Business Saturday in 2010, giving small businesses and brick-and-mortar stores across the country a special boost and a way to get shoppers’ attentions between Black Friday and Cyber Monday

By SBAM|2017-11-17T12:14:23-05:00November 17th, 2017|Small Business Association of Michigan|

IRS Prepares To Issue ACA Employer Responsibility Penalties

IRS Prepares To Issue ACA Employer Responsibility Penalties

LANSING - At long last, it looks as though the IRS is finally gearing up to assess Affordable Care Act (ACA) penalties based on 2015 employer responsibility reporting (1094-C and 1095-C forms). If your organization receives an assessment notice, you’ll want to scrutinize it carefully, as there may be many errors. The IRS has updated

By SBAM|2017-11-15T12:18:23-05:00November 15th, 2017|Small Business Association of Michigan|

Federal Tax Reform Bill Details Released – Tax Rates Cut For Business

Federal Tax Reform Bill Details Released – Tax Rates Cut For Business

WASHINGTON DC - On Nov. 2, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Texas) released a 429-page tax reform bill, entitled: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (H.R. 1). According to the Chairman, the legislation aims to lower business and individual tax rates, modernize U.S. international tax rules, and simplify the tax law,

By SBAM|2017-11-10T10:42:40-05:00November 10th, 2017|Small Business Association of Michigan|

Deadline To Nominate For 2018 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Nov. 15

Deadline To Nominate For 2018 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Nov. 15

LANSING - Nov. 15 is the deadline to apply for the 2018 Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards that will be awarded next May at a gala held at the Lansing Center. You may nominate a company for the following categories: Michigan 50 Companies To Watch Michigan 50 Alumni Awards Small Business Innovation Award. The 2018 Michigan Celebrates

By Mike Brennan|2017-11-09T21:49:24-05:00November 9th, 2017|Michigan Small Business Development Center, Small Business Association of Michigan|

Study Uses Sensors To Determine If Men And Women Treated Differently At Work

Study Uses Sensors To Determine If Men And Women Treated Differently At Work

LANSING - It has been proven that women are promoted less, underrepresented in the C-suite, and receive lower wages then men. A recent study set out to discover why and see if women’s behavior is responsible. The study, published by Harvard Business Review, revealed that biological differences between men and women do not affect the

By SBAM|2017-11-03T07:14:16-04:00November 3rd, 2017|Small Business Association of Michigan|