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Each month, the Chamber Review newsletter lets our members know what's happening in Greater Concord: where and when our upcoming networking and committee events will be...what forums are slated for discussion...and which educational topics we think are beneficial to you. Business Focus articles are written and sponsored by members of the Greater Concord Chamber. Read on and benefit from your fellow Chamber members' expertise on a range of topics of interest to the business community:
January edition (click the image to read)
2017
The value of company-sponsored health care benefits is a critical consideration for prospective hires and employees who may be contemplating a move. Nearly three in five (57%) consumers report health benefits and perks as a reason to stay in or accept a job. What’s more, 40% of people rank health and dental insurance as the most important benefit offered by their company. Translation? Employers can and should leverage their health care benefits to attract and retain employees - more in the January edition.
By Terri Pastori and Jaclyn Fisher, Pastori|Krans, PLLC
Employers have an opportunity to start 2019 off on the right foot by ensuring that they are compensating their employees appropriately and in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a six-month extension of its Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program on October 9, 2018. This program aims to incentivize employers to review wage practices and provides compliance assistance - more in the January edition.
By Brendan T. Higgins, MD, MS, Concord Orthopaedics
The average American adult walks about three miles every day. Each step we take involves moving the hip joint. Hip pain can be extremely debilitating and prevent us from exercising, enjoying recreational activities, working and sometimes even sleeping. There are numerous causes of hip pain, but often it is brought about by a sudden period of increased activity and will often resolve with rest and time - more in the December edition.
By Jason Achmoody, Ledyard National Bank
Business owners are unique. They deeply value their business, employees, community and family. Transferring those values (along with their business) to the next generation may be their greatest challenge - more in the November edition.
By Terri Pastori, Jaclyn Fisher and Beth A. Deragon, Pastori|Krans, PLLC
As the holiday season rolls around again, many businesses hold holiday parties to build morale, encourage employees to socialize, and give something back to their employees. But a more relaxed social environment presents increased risks for employers - more in the November edition .
By Jennifer L. Parent, McLane Middleton, Professional Association
The beginning of a new school year provides parents with opportunities to re-examine oral health habits that may have been more relaxed during the summer. Building and maintaining beneficial self-care habits are especially important for children, because the habits they practice at a young age are likely to last a lifetime - more in the October edition .
By Tom Raffio, Northeast Delta Dental
The beginning of a new school year provides parents with opportunities to re-examine oral health habits that may have been more relaxed during the summer. Building and maintaining beneficial self-care habits are especially important for children, because the habits they practice at a young age are likely to last a lifetime - more in the September edition .
By Caitlin Cawley, Home Instead Senior Care
As we age, every part of our body ages with us—including the brain. Over time, the understanding of the way the brain ages has shifted from being negative to more positive. Researchers and scientists have found that the brain is quite adaptable to changes that happen in the body as the aging process begins. While we cannot foresee what the future holds for our aging brains, there are some ways to reduce our risk of developing brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias or Parkinson’s Disease - more in the August edition .
By Bill Norton, Norton Asset Management, Inc.
Commercial real estate is both a sector for investors looking for appreciation and income, as well as users who need space to run their businesses. Commercial space can be office, manufacturing, assembly, warehouse/distribution, retail, restaurant, hotel, or multi-family (apartments). In a market like New Hampshire, experienced commercial real estate practitioners focus on a specific geographic area (say Greater Concord) or on one or more specialties (say office and industrial). Commercial Real Estate (“CRE”) is a serious investment—it is not “liquid.” A wrong choice can turn out to be painful - more in the August edition .
By Beth Mulleavey, Sugar River Bank
As of May 2018, it became mandatory for all financial institutions to identify beneficial owners and controlling persons of legal entity customers opening or making changes to any bank account. The new mandates aid in combatting tax evasion, terrorism financing, sanction violations, fraud or other misappropriations of our nation’s financial institutions - more in the July edition .
By Dr. David Nagel, Concord Orthopaedics
In America, we are what we do, and when denied access to meaningful work, our sense of self-esteem is battered. There is an often held misconception that those in pain don’t want to work. Most do. However, people with chronic pain may not fit into a 9 to 5 world. Denied access to meaningful work, they must rely on hand-outs from insurance or government, often eroding their sense of self-worth. The economic impact of excluding these workers is staggering - more in the July edition .
By Laurel Trahan, Age at Home
Increasingly, our pets are at the center of our lives—they are our companions, loyal partners, our “kids.” We can’t imagine our lives without their undivided attention and no-strings-attached devotion. Overall, individuals who own pets report better physical and mental health than those who do not. It is no wonder, then, that so many offices have decided to become pet-friendly, allowing employees to bring their pets in to work with them - more in the June edition .
By Beth Deragon, Esq., Pastori | Krans, PLLC
NH employers are well advised to understand their legal obligations to ensure that women are being paid equitably and to take remedial measures, if needed. All NH employers are covered by NH’s Equal Pay law, RSA 275:37. NH employers may not prohibit employees from disclosing the amount of their wages, salary, or paid benefits, or discipline or fire employees for doing so (includes making a complaint or causing an investigation). The federal Equal Pay Act (EPA) prohibits pay inequality and discrimination in pay based on gender. The EPA covers all employers and requires that men and women be given equal pay for equal work - more in the June edition .
By Laura Miller, Making Matters NH
Makerspace (noun): a place in which people with shared interests, especially related to arts and technology, can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, inspiration, equipment, supplies, resources and knowledge. Imagine a place where you can create something, take a class, start or grow a business, join a community or simply enjoy the creative marketplace. Making Matters NH is a newly formed group working to create such a resource in Concord - more in the May edition .
By Charla Bizios Stevens, McLane Middleton, Professional Association
The U.S. Department of Labor recently initiated a nationwide pilot program referred to as the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (“PAID”) program. The stated purpose of the program is to facilitate resolution of potential overtime and minimum wage violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). The expectation is that FLSA claims will resolve more expeditiously and without litigation, thus improving employer compliance with wage and hour laws and getting back wages to employees more quickly - more in the May edition .
By Monique Brown, Ledyard Financial Advisors
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 went into effect on January 1, 2018 but with a few provisions. If you have not reviewed your estate plans in some time, 2018 is the year to confirm that yours is up to date—even if it won’t be affected by the new tax law. You may discover that your current plan no longer meets your needs because of changes in your life or changes in the lives of your heirs, including: your divorce or the divorce of your son or daughter; the birth of a grandchild or grandchildren; inheritance; sale of your business; your retirement; or the chronic illness or death of a family member. It is also possible with the new tax law that provisions in your estate plan may now be obsolete - more in the April edition .
By Caitlin Cawley, Home Instead Senior Care
Today’s employees are frequently caring for both children and aging parents. One way for workers to ease concerns about an unsupervised senior is to make sure that he or she lives in an environment that adapts as they age - more in the March edition .
By Sara Finn, Dartmouth-Hitchcock
The holidays are about celebrating health, family, friends, gratitude and faith. Food is a way to celebrate, and the holiday season offers us many delicious ways to do so. As we look forward to joyous events, it is helpful to have a plan for balancing your favorite holiday treats with long-term wellness. Here are a few suggestions for developing yours - more in the February edition .
By John Howe, N.H. Business Sales, Inc.
Popular culture glorifies the startup—bootstrapped enterprises with new ideas and services. These ventures capture our imagination, especially when we read of tech companies achieving huge valuations. But all too often, upon closer look, many are barely breaking even. Good news—it isn’t necessary to start businesses from scratch to create a solid company and grow jobs. There’s another avenue to entrepreneurship with incredible opportunity: existing businesses - more in the February edition .
Contact Kathy Bacon for more information.