July 31 is the upcoming deadline for insurers and sponsors of self-insurance health plans to pay the annual Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund fees (usually referred to as PCORI fees for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute they fund). Fees are due for plan years that end on or between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014, inclusive. They are imposed on … [More]
High Voter Turnout in Primaries Critical to Sound Election Process
There are several things I can already tell you about Aug. 26 of this year. It’s a Tuesday. The average high temperature will probably hover around 104 degrees. And it’s primary election day. I can also tell you that, historically in Arizona, only about 28 percent of the people eligible to vote will actually vote in the primary. In Maricopa County, that number drops to a little … [More]
Cost and Effect of Employees’ Bad Internet Behavior
Information technology managers report a high incidence of troublesome habits among office workers using company computers, according to a U.S. survey recently released by TeamViewer, a leading provider of remote control and online meetings software. The survey was aimed at determining how big an effect common “bad behaviors” have, both on the IT department and on the company’s … [More]
Drugs and Work Safety Liability
Drug and alcohol abuse costs business multiple billions of dollars in workers’ comp accidents, increased healthcare costs and productivity, including theft to fund the habit. Says Julie Pace, partner at The Cavanagh Law Firm, “There are all kinds of reasons why employers should care about having a good drug and alcohol policy, making sure they test on it, [because of] its … [More]
How Healthcare Strategies Impact the Employer’s Bottom Line
While debate swirls on healthcare as a political issue, companies must deal with it as an element of being in business. Decision makers factor in the different options available and how different choices affect the company’s profitability — making cost the central focus. This leads to the most commonly heard question, “How do we control it?” But to David Berg, M.D. — whose … [More]
Comply or Deny? Businesses Deal with Healthcare Mandates
Four months since the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act took effect, many Arizona business owners and managers are still struggling to understand how to comply with the law and embrace it in a way that makes sense economically. It continues to be a confusing time for employers, particularly since the Federal government has changed the deadlines and rules several … [More]
Health Insurance: Balancing Benefits
Healthcare coverage requirements on small businesses is a hot topic, no less so with the recent extension on the start date for employers to provide health insurance to their employees. For some, health insurance is an unwelcome expense that cuts into company profits. For others, it’s an investment in company productivity. And in some cases, through changes that have … [More]
The Sickness and Workplace Mix
While employers deal with issues of healthcare coverage and employee benefits, the workplace environment is also impacted by the actions and attitudes of the work force. Study after study supports the belief that productivity is impacted by employees’ health; that healthier employees are more productive. But do employees consider the effect of their healthcare choices on their … [More]
Tap into Big Data for Profit
Big data is capable of making a big impact on the bottom line of businesses. The term describes the exponential growth and availability of data, which businesses are eager to exploit. But this overwhelming abundance of data is important to businesses only if they are able to accurately analyze it in a timely manner, which can lead to more confident decision making. The term … [More]
Cyber Security: Liability and Evolving Standards for Business
Data breaches at major corporations like Target and Michael’s become high-profile news, but it’s a risk that every company with an Internet-connected computer should be worried about, according to Jason Weinstein, a partner in the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson LLP whose practice specialties include cyber crime. “Cyber criminals are interested in getting into the systems of … [More]
Mindfulness and Values-Clarification in the Workplace
Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of interest in mindfulness-based training programs. The impact of the mindful movement can be seen across the fields of psychotherapy, stress management, coaching and sports performance. In the workplace, mindfulness is being hailed for its potential to help employees and leaders stay in contact with present moment … [More]
Business, Social Media and the First Amendment
A recent court case that upheld a business’s right to fine a customer for posting a negative review on social media may have some businesses questioning: Do we have legal recourse when someone bad-mouths us? Does the First Amendment protect people who say bad things about our company? What is often overlooked in these discussions is the fact that the First Amendment does not … [More]
Companies Must Be Open to Stakeholders Who Criticize
Now is a new age of stakeholder activism. From single billionaires seeking to disrupt boards to activist “Davids” in the field launching stones at the temple of these global Goliaths, more and more passionate — and very vocal — critics are scrutinizing how corporations handle issues like energy, water use, conservation and social justice. “‘Corporate mansions’ have taken on … [More]
Medical Dispensing System Gets Boost from Marijuana
The emerging and high-profile marijuana industry — medical and otherwise — has provided a big boost to a company whose technology was initially patented for broad-scope use across the traditional pharmaceutical industry. Medbox is a biometrically controlled dispensing and storage system into which pharmacy staff places the prescribed drug and from which the patient retrieves it … [More]
Trade Across the Border
Going global is where growth opportunities lie for many businesses. Arizona companies may find Mexico and Canada inviting options to consider. MEXICO Those looking at Mexico may find themselves in good company, as 34 percent of Arizona’s exports currently go to our southern neighbor and 35 percent of what we import comes from there. “Mexico is Arizona’s largest trading … [More]
Rights and Wrongs in Intellectual Property
Business owners tend to underestimate their intellectual property, says Lee Fraley, a partner in the Phoenix office of law firm Snell & Wilmer who specializes in IP and works with many entrepreneurial businesses in acquisition transactions. “They think patents is all of IP, but it’s much more than that — it’s anything that gives a company a competitive advantage.” The … [More]
Rethinking Leadership Development
Why do most training programs fail to change behavior? One of the main reasons is most focus on the characteristics of leadership; they do not go below the surface, but, instead, focus on visible factors and address them by teaching concepts, tips, introspection and what great leaders do. But leadership, organizations and people are dynamic. Every factor needs to be understood … [More]
TPP May Drive International Trade and Investment for Arizona
Negotiations are continuing on the U.S. Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which aims to broaden trade between the United States and 11 other countries — Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Arizona trade with TPP countries — exports and imports — supported nearly 278,000 jobs in 2011. Notwithstanding controversy … [More]
