Business Resources

September 18, 2019
payroll services
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The PEO Difference in Payroll Services

As a business owner, you have many options for managing your payroll. However, there are key advantages to using Professional Employer Organizations, or PEOs, over other types of service providers: 1) The Value of Co-Employment Contracting with a PEO like WorkSmart Systems means you enter into a co-employment agreement. By grouping together all of the employees they serve, WorkSmart is able to offer you the benefits of economies of scale. These benefits go beyond cost-savings. You also gain the service, […]
February 20, 2015
Top 10 Innovative companies in Hollywood
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Hollywood’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies

Just in time for the Oscars this weekend, Fast Company published their list of the World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies of 2015 in Hollywood. Organizations were chosen for their use of technology to further their industry in terms of content or delivery, as well as for applying innovative ideas purely to better entertain us. To evolve, every industry must innovate. What changes have you seen in your business that keeps the momentum moving toward a healthy future?
February 11, 2015
successful entrepreneurs
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Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs

We recently came across an article from Entrepreneur on the 10 Steps to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur. It started us wondering if our business owner clients would agree with their list. Contributor Larry Alton suggests that the following will lead one down the path of successful business ownership: 1) Love what you do 2) Take baby steps 3) Learn from others 4) Learn to self-promote 5) Constantly take action 6) Make a plan 7) Build a reputation 8) It’s never […]
February 6, 2015
top 100 jobs of 2015
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Is Your Career Included in the Top 100 Jobs of 2015?

U.S World News and Report released their Best Job ranking for 2015 in January – is your career on the list? The publication looked to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for a collection of viable career paths, and then placed the list through a formula of desired job criteria. The top 10 jobs land solidly in the medical or technology industries, with Dentist and Nurse Practitioner ranking #1 and #2 respectively, and Software Developer ranking #3. We were happy […]
February 4, 2015
hiring consultants
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Hiring Consultants: Complete a Vetting Process

Hiring consultants to supplement business activities is commonplace these days. Outside help can be a valuable solution for tapping into a particular expertise or for filling a need without the implications of becoming an employer. Although these contractors will not become a part of your payroll, they will become a part of your team. In a recent article in Entrepreneur, contributor Rob Beiderman reminds business owners to put consultants through a rigorous hiring process, just like they would for an […]
January 30, 2015
future leaders
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Are You Prepared to Lead the Workforce of Tomorrow?

Studies show that the workforce of the future is going to look quite different than the one we have today. Is your business prepared? Fast Company recently release an article discussing the measures companies need to take now in order to have effective leaders later. According to the piece, the evolving workforce will include more women and minorities, and will constitute over 50% Millennials. Also growing is the practice of hiring of temporary, part-time and contractor labor instead of maintaining […]
January 23, 2015
Finding a job in 2015
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Top 10 Cities to Find A Job in 2015

WalletHub recently release a report ranking US cities on a person’s ability to find a job. Their research uncovered a positive outlook for the job market overall, with recent college grads garnering the greatest benefit to the growth in planned hiring. To create their list of top cities for employment, they analyzed 150 US cities using 16 key metrics. Indianapolis ranked 93rd on the list, landing 69th in the Job Market category and 109th in the Socioeconomic Environment category. Click […]
January 21, 2015
Business Plan
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The Value of Creating A Strong Business Plan

Entrepreneurs are a lively bunch, brimming with optimism and belief in the premise behind their businesses. Their interests tend to lie in creating the product or service they are going to sell and convincing their customer base to buy it. For many of these busy business owners, creating a business plan seems unnecessary. We’ve heard comments like “Plans are limiting” or “My time needs to be spent growing revenue.” However, a formulating a business plan can offer many advantages. Entreprenuer […]
December 19, 2014
Wharton Insurance
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Are There Only 12 Types of Millennials?

Can a whole generation be generalized into 12 types? AdWeek recently reported on a presentation by Exponential vice president Bryan Melmed at their recent Advertizing Week in New York, outlining the 12 types of millenials, people aged 18-35. Exponential analyzed data from over 4 million members of this group [to come up with these categories] and came up with the categories. According to the AdWeek article, “each group is largely defined by its reaction to three major forces: the economy, globalization […]
December 17, 2014
Businesspeople Having Meeting In Modern Open Plan Office
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Tips on Hiring the Right Employees

Growing your business usually means bringing on key employees. Whether they manage your data, sell to your customers, or build your widgets, to be effective they need to meet your needs for that position. With all of the resumes hitting your desk, how do you choose the right people to add to your team? Entrepreneur contributor, Marty Fukuda, recently published a blog post on the 5 Essential Ingredients for Making a Smart Hire. One of his rules of thumb is […]
December 10, 2014
life insurance for businesses
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What Happens to Your Business if Something Happens to You?

You are the leader of your organization, the one who sets the direction and ensures that everyone stays on course. Even if you have created a talented team for support, your organization still needs a captain at the helm. So what happens if you are no longer able to lead? For the health of the business you have worked so hard to build, you need a plan in place. Life insurance is commonly included in business succession plans as a […]
December 5, 2014
hi-tech gadets
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Hi-Tech Gadgets for the Geek in All of Us

The holiday season for business owners means spending most of your December weeknights going to holiday gatherings. While it is important to solidify the partner, customer and vendor relationships you have built over the past year, the constant party-going can leave you tired by the weekend. How is one to shop for holiday gifts then? To make that job a little easier, we want to share a list of gifts for the technology geeks in your life that we found […]
November 28, 2014
digital business tools
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The Latest and Greatest Digital Business Tools

Technology start ups are providing a slew of options to bulk up your digital tool box. In a recent post on Entrepreneur.com, contributor Sujan Patel offered his top 23 business tools created by start ups. From accounting and payroll, to scheduling blog posts and managing your calendar, there is a new app, plug-in or online service provider for most of your day-t0-day activities. Do you have a favorite digital resource that helps you manage your workday?
November 21, 2014
Internet of things
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The Internet of Things: What Does This Have to Do With Your Business?

You may have been hearing lately about the latest buzzphrase, “the internet of things”, and wondering what it has to do with your business. In a recent post on Forbes.com, contributor John Rampton notes that the ambiguous term has led to a lot of confusion among business owners. What is clear however, is that the pervasiveness of the internet into our everyday lives has led to a new era of doing business. From buying your morning coffee with your smartphone […]
November 19, 2014
business productivity
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10 Strategies to Increase Your Productivity

In a recent article in Entrepreneur, contributor Thai Nguyen offered 10 strategies that can lead to working smarter. Unlike many “10 best” articles, his suggestions not only made sense, but they appear doable! Many business owners will applaud the first strategy named Parkinson’s Law. According to Cyril Northcote Parkinson, a 20th century naval historian,”If you wait until the last minute, it only takes a minute to do.” Feel free to pull out that quote the next time someone complains about […]
November 14, 2014
smartphone apps travel
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Must Have Smartphone Apps for Holiday Travel

Whether you are traveling to a family gathering or to a vacation hotspot over the next few weeks, it is nice to have tools that enhance the experience. SharpHeels recently listed the 10 Must-Have Travel Apps for Your Smartphone, all of which either help you be better organized for your trip, or make visiting a new place more enjoyable. With these smartphone apps you can customize your own packing list, find a quick hotel room or bite to eat, find […]
October 24, 2014
employee benefits
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Employee Benefits: New Studies Show Travel Enhances Creativity

Taking time away from the office is difficult to accomplish, especially as a business owner. And, although you want them to be happy, it can be especially challenging to have your key employees take a little R & R. However, some newly released findings link improved creativity and productivity to travel. There have been numerous studies that confirm the value of vacation time to an organization. Now it looks like traveling away from home during those extended off-hours enhances problem-solving […]
October 15, 2014
Wharton Insurance Business Insurance
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How to Make Your Team Meetings More Productive

Kevin Meany, Founder of BFG Communications, published a blog recently for Entrepreneur on The 7 Must-Know Rules of Productive Meetings. His advice comes from the desire to use his people’s time wisely – not to mention his own. The balance between keeping all team members in the loop and providing enough time to get work done is tricky to find. To keep meetings on track, Kevin suggests: starting on time, stating your goals, keeping gatherings small and short, expecting everyone […]
October 10, 2014
Wharton Insurance
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Implement Digital Tools to Keep Internal Communications Flowing

When your business is just starting out with a few employees, internal communications can be pretty straight forward. Email, quick phone calls and meetings tend to keep everyone on track. However as your team grows, managing the flow of information becomes more complicated. Recently, one of our team members attended a meeting of local business owners where the main topic of conversation centered around the direct relationship between a strong internal communication process and a positive customer experience. The attendees […]
September 19, 2014
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Porsche-Designed Smartphones: The Importance of Strategic Partnerships

Blackberry recently announced that it has once again teamed up with Porsche car designers to create their latest smartphone, the ‘P’9983, (Click here to see a very cool video of the model.) Available in October, the limited edition model applies materials normally used to make Porsche cars into the device’s design, such as a body made out of forged stainless steel. “PORSCHE DESIGN” tops the device. Also included is a special “premium Porsche Design PIN, unique to your P’9981 smartphone […]
September 3, 2014
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Infograph: How Fortune 500 Leaders Spend Their Day

Ever wonder how your work day compares to other business leaders?  Entrepreneur recently published an infograph outlining how top leaders of Fortune 500 companies spend their workdays. Contributor John Rampton partnered with Chris Stowell, vice president of the International Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness, to survey c-suite employees on where their time goes Monday through Friday. Interestingly enough, the majority work out every day and try to eat a “somewhat healthy” diet. The average time spent on email and text […]
August 29, 2014
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Napping Can Help Improve Employee Health & Satisfaction

Ironically, Labor Day is America’s day to take a break from labor—at least for many of us. Employers recognize that maintaining a healthy workforce means supporting a healthy lifestyle. Encouraging daily downtime, vacations, independence from electronic tethers, and a good night’s sleep help employees relieve stress. They need a rich life that includes both work and play in order to perform at their best. Taking this idea one step further, Lisa Evans of Entrepreneur reminds us that R & R […]
August 20, 2014
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State-By-State Comparison: Indiana’s Cost of Living Means Hoosiers Get More for Their $100

We Hoosiers are proud of our state, and it turns out we have one more reason to be. Compared to other states in the U.S., Indiana’s cost of living means Hoosiers get more out of $100. According to The Washington Post, The Tax Foundation released a map yesterday outlining the relative value of $100 within each state compared to the national average. Apart from Illinois residents, Midwesterners fared the best in the analysis, seeing some of the highest values in […]
August 15, 2014
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Infograph: Aha Moments of Successful Entrepreneurs

When you first meet an entrepreneur, it is likely you will have a conversation about the aha moment that launched their business. It could stem from a problem they were encountering, an experience with a product or service they knew they could do better, or a recognition of an unmet need in the market place. Regardless of the reason, it was something that sparked within them a passion strong enough to make them take the entrepreneurial leap! Below is an […]
August 8, 2014
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Compelling Videos by Top Entrepreneurs

We recently ran across an article in Entrepreneur magazine, offering their top 10 videos from Stanford University’s business school’s YouTube Channel. It turns out this not well-know gem is filled with videos from successful entrepreneurs offering advice, sharing stories and providing guidance to those who are traveling along the same path. Click here to visit the channel. Regardless of their industry, business leaders can value from hearing the experiences of their peers, or of those they aspire to emulate. Although […]