FACT of the MATTER:
Catching Up: A bit of a summer break, a bit of business

The summer solstice has passed, and the temperature is crawling upward. Granted, it’s been a slow crawl this year, but at least the temperature is heading in the right direction. This is the time of year many of us look forward to, as summer seems to show off the best the Inland Northwest has to offer. I hope you’ll be able to spend time during these warm months with friends and family doing the things you enjoy, whether that is boating, camping, golfing or simply barbecuing in the backyard.

While summer is upon us, I know there still is plenty to be concerned with on the business front. At Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest, we’ve been helping you tackle some serious issues. In late June, Associated Industries teamed up with the LeMaster and Daniels accounting firm on a presentation titled “Penalties, Payouts, Mandates and More.”

The “Penalties, Payouts, Mandates and More” presentation explored how healthcare reform will affect your business. We talked in detail about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s key provisions and when they will go into effect. The event proved to be beneficial to the members who attended. If you couldn’t make it and would like some of the fact sheets we handed out, please let our office know. We’d be happy to get that information to you. (Or check on our website where you can download the presentations.)

As summer progresses, we’ll continue to keep you informed about important issues and events through A.I. Dialogue. With elections on the horizon and a number of business-related initiatives likely to make the ballot, there will be no shortage of issues to consider.

That said, it won’t be all business at Associated Industries. Our Member Appreciation BBQ and Summer Cruise at Lake Coeur d’Alene is coming up. The party is planned for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, and is free for our members. In addition to great food, we’ve ordered up sunshine and fun times for this year’s event. Look farther down in the newsletter for more information, and put it on your calendar now.  We’re looking forward to seeing you there.

Until then, enjoy your summer!

FACT OF THE MATTER: 
Politics and Associated Industries:
Making informed decisions

It’s that time of the year and, no, I’m not referring to the holiday season – it’s the political season: signs along roadways and in front yards, banners and more signs on bridges and overpasses, and invitations to all manner of “kick-off” events and fundraisers. Representative government at work.

But it’s a serious time with serious issues. Lots of choices and decisions to be made at every turn: local, state and national levels; office-seekers asking to be elected or re-elected; new laws being proposed through the initiative process (lots of initiatives this year, so be prepared to run a  gauntlet of signature gatherers this summer at every home center, grocery store and fruit stand.)

 

FACT OF THE MATTER: 
If not us, who? If not now, when?

Normally, my intent is to use this format as an opportunity to expand upon one aspect or another relative to the various services available to you as a member, as well as the role A.I. plays in our community and within the business community specifically.

Today, however, I’m asking you to stop for a moment and reflect upon something that affects you, your family, the people you do business with and the community as well. It relates to what each one of us can do in support of education.

First, let me share some alarming statistics. Currently, it is estimated the dropout rate in Spokane area schools is 40 percent, up from 33 percent a year earlier. Recently I mentioned this statistic to a school teacher who responded that it really isn’t that high, more around 30 to 35 percent. Whatever. No matter the number you use, the fact remains the same; the student dropout rate within our city, region, state and nation is appalling by anyone’s standard.

FACT OF THE MATTER:
Certainty in Uncertain Times

As we look forward to 2010, the only thing that appears certain at this point is the degree of uncertainty. It is an overworked cliché that in order to know where you're going you need to know where you've been. Certainly, 2009 was sailing in unchartered waters and as we start 2010 it appears that type of sailing will continue for the indefinite future.

At the federal level, healthcare legislation in one form or another may become law this year. But, what this really means and how it will or won't affect business operations is, at best, uncertain. In the last several days, Massachusetts voters decided not only who would represent them in the U.S. Senate, but also on the balance of power and whether or not health "reform," in one form or another, would pass out to the President’s desk. Big stakes and a lot riding on the outcome-one way or the other.

And, it’s not just the federal level that is generating uncertainty. Over the next 60 days, the Washington State legislature will be examining ways to fill (at last estimate) a $2.6 billion deficit. We all believe the decisions they reach will have an impact but we have no idea how or to what level. Recently, I was told that Washington is expecting to receive an additional $1 billion dollars in federal stimulus funding and while that may kick the can a little further down the road to 2011, it still does not address the underlying degree of uncertainty when it comes to running a business and that is, at the least, frustrating.

I don't pretend to have all the answers, and in more than a few instances, I don't have a clue. What I can say without hesitation is that Associated Industries has survived for 100 years in providing quality, relevant and professional services to our membership and will continue to do so to the best and fullest of our combined abilities.

Obviously, we have more ability to control internally than externally, and have also devoted numerous hours throughout the last half of 2009 evaluating what we do well and how we may improve upon our existing service delivery, as well as exploring /expanding/ implementing additional areas relative to our business partners.

Firstly, we fully appreciate that 2009 was a tight year for many, it was for A.I. as well. However, the management and board of A.I. believe now is not the time to impose an increase in annual membership. This is sort of a George Bush moment, NO INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2010.

Additionally, we have sought to provide value to your membership in several ways:

• Low cost, high value education and training offerings. For example: a new and expanded use of on-staff legal talent to provide “Morning Briefings,” where members receive practical guidance relative to a wide variety of complex legal matters as they pertain to operating a business. The next “Morning Briefing” is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 11th and repeated on March 4th. The legal team will discuss the implications and intersections of the various state and federal leave laws, including the FMLA, ADA and WFLA. Look for briefings on other topics in the near future — and sign up early. It looks like they are going to fill up quickly.
• Expanded Human Resources services. For members dealing with downsizing, reorganizing or just plain “people issues,” A.I. now provides the option of providing onsite “leasing” of Human Resources services at reasonable rates.
• More online services. While staff time is always valuable, it is more valuable now than ever, and taking the time/money to send staff to offsite training may be difficult. As a consequence, through utilization of technology, it is possible for A.I. membership to explore the variety of HR/Training services offered. Look for the first offerings to be announced soon.
• Expanded e-coverage of issues. With a new electronic version of the A.I. newsletter, (now in its third delivery) comes the ability to provide expanded, up-to-the-minute coverage of vital issues relevant to operating a business, an ability that was simply impossible to provide in a time-delayed, printed format. In the coming months, you will see an expansion of tele-communications through A.I. "Elerts" and through social media sites such as Twitter and FaceBook.
• Enhanced medical benefits. Nothing is more uncertain at this point than the issue of medical benefits. A.I. is consistently examining means to improve/expand our medical benefits offerings while - at the same time - offering a quality, price-competitive offering. Expect to hear more details on these matters as the year matures.

In September, 2010 Associated Industries will celebrate 100 years of providing quality, professional business related services to its members in good times and in not so good times. As a member you can be certain of one thing: we will always strive to be a valuable, relevant partner to you and your business.                  – Jim DeWalt