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Spaldings Inc.
Purcell Systems
Abbotts Forshag Investment
PacifiCAD, Inc.
CareForce, Inc.
Apex Appliance, Inc
Peace & Justice Action League
Mold Rite, Inc. |
Cascade Metallurgical
Spokane Symphony Association
Freight Expeditors, Inc.
Visor, Inc.
United Coating/Quest Construction Products
Health Research Associates Inc. |
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December 13th, 2010 issue of Spokane Business Women Features Interview with Membership Representative Marla Fruit…
Association Offers Small Businesses Plethora of Resources
“To be competitive out there, you really need to have your business put together correctly,” says Marla Fruit, Membership Development Representative for Associated Industries, in Spokane. “A lot of the laws and things that people aren’t aware of can affect you – can affect how you’re seen. Are you a great company to work for? Are you going to attract good people? Are you set up to do that?” asks Fruit.
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November 17, 2010 issue of the Spokesman-Review features Associated Industries’ new cost-saving lighting installation
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Healthcare Tax Credit Guidance Now Available on IRS.gov
On Dec. 2, 2010, the Internal Revenue Service released final guidance for small employers eligible to claim the new small business healthcare tax credit for the 2010 tax year. The release includes a one-page form and instructions small employers can use to claim the credit for the 2010 tax year.
New Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums, and newly revised Form 990-T are now available on IRS.gov. The IRS also posted on its website the instructions to Form 8941 and Notice 2010-82, both of which are designed to help small employers correctly figure and claim the credit.
READ MORE
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Washington State Department of Revenue Implements Initiative 1107
On November 2, 2010, Washington State voters approved Initiative 1107, which took effect December 2, 2010. I-1107 repeals these 2010 tax changes:
- Sales tax on candy and gum
- Sales tax on bottled water
- Two cents per 12-ounce carbonated beverage (sales tax still applies to soft drinks)
- Increased B&O tax rate for meat processors
- B&O tax credit for candy manufacturers
I-1107 does not change tax rates on tobacco, beer, wine, or liquor. The state Department of Revenue has added information and guidance to their website to help businesses understand the impacts of these changes or call 1-800-647-7706. |
Gonzaga Schedules Family Business Luncheon
Dr. Charlotte Lamp, a family business consultant, will deliver a short talk on the need for family governance within the family business system and the four major components of family governance: document building, unifying activities, communication, and education, at a luncheon event in early January.
| When: |
Wednesday, January 5, 2011 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm |
| Where: |
Washington/California Room, COG Gonzaga University |
| Cost: |
$15 per person |
| Online Registration: |
www.gonzaga.edu/sbaevents |
Dr. Charlotte Lamp is a retired educator who holds a PhD in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University. She is a third generation business family member and shareholder who served on her family's council for six years as chair of the education committee and governance coordinator. She has delivered presentations on the topic of family governance at various international family business conferences.
Click here for more information |
Session Update Notes Rep. Joe Schmick Appointment
District 9 State Representative Joe Schmick was recently named the ranking member by Republican caucus to the Healthcare & Wellness Committee, an appointment that will begin January 2011.
In his newsletter – sent December, 10 2010, Schmick says, “The last revenue forecast in November showed both an unexpected increase in certain caseloads and a decrease in incoming State revenues. It was then determined that our state is facing a $1.1 billion shortfall for the remainder of the 2009-2011 biennium which ends June 30, of next year. While the 2011-13 budget shortfall is around $5.7 billion for the next biennium – and will undoubtedly be the focus of the upcoming legislative session in 2011 – the most pressing need is to make corrective actions to come up with $1.1 billion in savings between now and the end of June.”
There is a tentative agreement , Schmick reports, between the leaders of the four House caucuses and the Governor’s office to come up with approximately $700 million in savings. “While this won’t fix the entire $1.1 billion problem, it is a good start and gets us going in the right direction.” |
Workers Comp Rate to Increase Next Year
Dept. of Labor and Industries Director Judy Schurke announced November 8, 2010 that workers’ compensation rates in 2011 will increase by an average of 12 percent (some increases will be below 12% and some will be higher depending on recent claims history and any changes in the frequency and cost of claims in their industry.) The announcement came just weeks after the Employment Security Department announced a roughly 40 percent increase in unemployment insurance for 2011, after a 40 percent increase from 2009-2010.
The new rate takes effect on January 1, 2011 under an emergency rule that is effective for 120 days. The Department will hold public hearings in Spokane and Tacoma in January to gather comments before adopting the 12 percent as a permanent rate. They were delayed pending the outcome of I-1082 (which would calculate premiums based on employee payroll, as opposed to hours worked). In the November elections, I-1082 was defeated.
The higher than average rate increases will be in contact sports, non-mechanical logging, temporary services, roofers and non-mechanized shake and shingles.
For more information:
Contact Jim Gurnea, Vice President Safety/Retro
at 509.777.2659 or 800.720.4291 or jgurnea@aiin.net |
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Invest in Your Employees, Make Them the Best Leaders They Can Be.
Enroll them in this 10-part course, that starts February 25, 2011 today!
Employee morale has never been as important as it is right now. Empower your leaders and managers to not only develop their skills and confidence but to also create a positive impact on all your employees.
Enroll them in Associated Industries' 10-part course "Interactive Leadership" today!
Along with steps to enhance employee morale those who participate will gain: greater confidence and effectiveness, stronger employee relations and powerful tools for high-stakes challenges such as performance intervention, conflict resolution, planning, problem-solving meetings, performance reviews and much more.
Click here for a flyer with more information or contact Bill Sweigert for more information, 509.326.6885 or bsweigert@aiin.net.
Associated Industries Morning Briefings are Back!
Mark your calendar for these upcoming sessions.
| February 10 |
Handbook policy update |
| April 14 |
Regulatory update on healthcare reform |
| June 9 |
Reasonable accommodation update |
| August 11 |
Wage and hour update |
| October 13 |
Fall Roundup-interesting employment law cases |
Watch your email for more information on each Morning Briefing and information on how to register to attend.
Morning Briefings are members only events. Each Morning Briefing opens at 7:30 a.m. with the program commencing at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 9:00 a.m. It is $25 dollars per participant to attend. If you have questions about a Morning Briefing topic please contact any of Associated Industries In-House Counsel. If you have questions about registration please contact Ben Blohowiak at 509.326.6885 or benb@aiin.net.
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Tips for Safe Holiday Events
As we move through the holiday season, members often ask questions about serving alcohol at employer-sponsored holiday events. We suggest employers eliminate alcohol from these events or, at a minimum, take steps aimed at diminishing the many risks associated with alcohol consumption at such celebrations.
The following tips are designed to be of assistance:
 Make attendance at these events voluntary; - keep the purpose purely social;
- hold them off premises outside of work hours, ensuring employees will not be returning to work afterward;
- utilize the services of a trained bartender and wait staff;
- ensure identification is verified so that minors are not served; and
- provide alternative means of transportation home.
For more information about legal issues associated with holiday events, please contact our in-house counsel. |
Do the Math: The Benefits of Mobile Computing
There has never been a better time to put mobile computing to work for your organization. Just as cell phones have become a necessity for mobile professionals, access to data is quickly becoming a critical element in today's competitive market. Wireless telecommunication vendors now offer cost effective ways to provide high speed connections from the client's office or the front seat of a vehicle.
Three Key Benefits:
| 1. |
Improved decision making:
Mobile computing lets you conduct business at the point of activity. The ability to collect, access and evaluate critical business information quickly and accurately means better decision making that can have a far-reaching effect on your company's ability to compete successfully. |
| 2. |
Increased productivity and reduced costs: Mobile computing can lead to increased individual productivity, increased sales per sales person, more service calls per repair person, less time spent by professionals on administrative work, and much more--all of which ultimately translates into higher sales at lower cost. And, on-the-spot invoice production in service vehicles can lead to shorter payment cycles and better cash flow. |
| 3. |
Improved customer relations: The success of a business can often be measured by its ability to satisfy customers. Mobile computers gives your field worker the ability to answer customer questions, check order status and provide other services anytime their customers need them from wherever they happen to be.
Cost effectiveness paybacks for mobile computing investments can often be measured in months. For example, a typical service technician, using mobile computing could easily save an hour or more per day by simply eliminating the need to go to the office in the morning or return in the evening. Assuming that a technician bills out at $100 per hour you would be able to increase monthly revenues by approximately $2,200 per month (22 days x $100 per hour). |
This same math would apply to a sales force. To outfit a mobile sales professional with a computer, modem, and software would require an initial investment of around $3,500. Real world experience has demonstrated savings of 20-40 hours per month per salesperson. If this time is used to get in front of more prospects or provide better service to existing clients it could have an enormous impact on your bottom line!
Mobile professionals who bill out at higher hourly rates could see a 100% return on investment in as little as two months.
Used with permission. Copyright © 2011 DataPro Solutions, Inc.
For additional information or assistance, please email
Paul Good paulg@datapronorthwest.com or call
888.658-6881 or 509.532.3530 ext 311 |
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Associated Industries
1206 N. Lincoln, Suite 200
Spokane, WA 99201-2559
P: 509.326.6885,
Toll Free: 800.720.4291 |
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