As the year winds down, the fourth quarter brings not only the busy holiday season but, for business owners, busy year-end tasks. If you offer health insurance coverage to your employees, you’re likely going through your annual open enrollment process and preparing for 2025 changes. Below, find a few things to be aware of as you work through these year-end tasks and prepare … [More]
The Corporate Transparency Act
When people hear about the “Corporate Transparency Act,” the first two questions tend to be “What is that?” and “What do I have to do?” What is it? The Corporate Transparency Act became effective on January 1, 2024. Under this law, all required companies are subject to new reporting requirements. Specifically, private companies that meet the CTA criteria of a “Reporting … [More]
ElevateEdAZ: Bridging Education and Workforce through Work-Based Learning
ElevateEdAZ, the education initiative of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, has prepared Arizona students for college and career success since its launch in 2020. By fostering stronger alignment between education, business and the community, ElevateEdAZ partners with companies in high-demand, high-wage industries to provide students with work-based learning opportunities … [More]
Trucking One Stop: Arizona’s Ultimate Trucking Resource
The trucking industry faces a growing challenge that could ripple across the U.S. economy. With an 80,000-driver shortage — expected to double to 160,000 by 2030 — the demand for goods is climbing while the workforce responsible for delivering them is shrinking. Strict medical regulations, including vision and blood pressure checks, make it difficult for older drivers to stay … [More]
The Power of Mediation for Resolving Business Disputes
As a business owner or entrepreneur, you may find conflicts and disputes an inevitable part of doing business. Whether it is a disagreement with a vendor, customer or even a business partner, these conflicts can quickly escalate and damage valuable relationships if not resolved properly. This is where mediation can be an invaluable tool in your arsenal. What Is … [More]
Raise Your Level of Excellence
Achieving success in life, business, sports, et cetera is about mastering excellence. Success is about commitment, persistence, skill, confidence and execution. Vince Lombardi was quoted as saying, “The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field or endeavor.” So, no matter what your chosen field or … [More]
New Marketing Insights: Leveraging In-Person Events and Emerging Trends for Small Business Growth
In an ever-evolving marketplace, small businesses must stay abreast of new marketing strategies to remain competitive and relevant. One effective approach that has stood the test of time, despite the rise of digital marketing, is the power of in-person events. Coupled with emerging marketing trends, these strategies can create a robust platform for business growth and community … [More]
Unleashing Small Business Potential: The Transformative Power of AI
In the dynamic landscape of small businesses, efficiency is paramount. In this pursuit, Artificial Intelligence emerges as a beacon of innovation, offering small businesses the means to streamline operations and drive growth. While off-the-shelf AI solutions provide a solid foundation, bespoke AI tools tailored to specific business needs can truly propel businesses … [More]
Boost Your Dispute Resolution Process: Smart Tips for Drafting Arbitration Clauses
Small businesses often enter into contracts with other commercial parties that include an arbitration clause because arbitration offers speed, efficiency, confidentiality, flexibility and finality to resolve disputes and preserve client relationships. An arbitration clause typically specifies that a dispute arising from the contract will be resolved through binding arbitration … [More]
Safety from the Workplace to Anyplace: How the Arizona Chapter National Safety Council Supports Small Businesses
For small businesses navigating the daily challenges of safety in the workplace, the Arizona Chapter National Safety Council is a powerful partner. This mission-driven organization goes beyond compliance, striving to instill a culture of safety that safeguards everyone — both employees and customers — from preventable injuries and deaths. By partnering with ACNSC, companies … [More]
FTC Final Rule Prohibits Employer-Worker Non-Compete Agreements
The recent announcement by the Federal Trade Commission regarding the prohibition of non-compete agreements between employers and workers nationwide marks a significant shift in employment law. This final rule issued by the FTC on April 23, 2024, aims to safeguard workers’ rights and foster worker mobility across the United States. Traditionally, the legality and … [More]
Empowering Small Businesses and Nonprofits to Thrive
Starting, running and growing a business and/or nonprofit is no small task. In a rapidly evolving business landscape, Lucero Consulting Group remains committed to empowering organizations and individuals to not only survive but thrive. With a commitment to equity, inclusivity and tangible outcomes, LCG is your partner in realizing your vision and building a lasting … [More]
Maximizing Employee Benefits
Maximizing Employee Benefits: The Benefits of Including a 401(k) Enrollment Meeting with Annual Benefit Open Enrollment
As the annual benefits open enrollment season rolls around, employers have an opportunity to empower their employees to make more informed decisions about their financial future. While health insurance and other employee benefits may take center stage during this time, it's essential to not overlook the importance of including a 401(k)-enrollment meeting as part of the process. … [More]
Show Love, Shop Small this Holiday Season
’Tis the season for holiday shopping and, while we navigate our options, it's important to consider the numerous benefits of supporting small businesses and shopping locally. While the allure of big-box retailers and online giants may be strong, let's not overlook the value of our local shops. Small Business Saturday, celebrated on the last Saturday in November, was … [More]
The Data’s In – The Secret Sauce to Making Hybrid Work Work
As the dust from evolving hybrid and remote work guidelines settles, we’re seeing consistent themes regarding what employees want from their employers. For example, Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace (focusing on US data) shows employee feedback becoming more unified in what workers want from their bosses and their companies, what motivates employees, and what causes … [More]
Effective Operations Make or Break your Small Business
Small business owners have many competing priorities. Between providing services and/or selling their products, managing their teams (staff, contractors, vendors, etc.), creating marketing content, doing accounting, and much more, there never seems to be enough time in the day. So, how do business owners combat this and avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed? Lucero … [More]
Growing Opportunities Means Growing Businesses
This April marks the six-year anniversary of Second Chance Month in Arizona. Second Chance Month represents just that — a chance for people to be connected with opportunities and much-needed resources to successfully reintegrate into their communities after returning from prison or jail. Second Chance Month is a nationwide endeavor to acknowledge and spread awareness of the … [More]
Building Value into Your Business
What would you say are the value drivers for your business? Is your business ready to be sold today? If not, what do you think you need to do to build value in your business? What can you do today to make your business more valuable? There is, ultimately, only one reason to create a business of your own, and that is to sell it! You start a business, grow that business, … [More]
