THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

As several states and Washington, D.C., revisit and extend their paid family leave laws, this “On the Mark” podcast offers insights on how more states might take similar action. Host Gene Marks also favors buying inventory now to offset rising oil prices, the hiring of an IT person to ramp up workplace cybersecurity, and for women entrepreneurs to band together to increase success. Listen now What...

As an entrepreneur, how can you fuel personal and professional success for yourself, your team, and your business? According to Bershan Shaw, an international motivational speaker, business coach, author, entrepreneur, and tech founder, also seen on “Real Housewives of New York City,” the source is mindset, mental health, and motivation. Hear how this two-time breast cancer “thriver” developed the...

Monthly indexes indicate that manufacturing continues to increase and 90% of small-business owners surveyed are confident that 2022 will be better financially than 2021. However, traditional funding remains hard to secure. Host Gene Marks shares insights about what this means for businesses, as well as a story on how one employer is approaching employee demands for better mental health benefits in...

Influencer marketing has exploded in recent years, but how can small businesses assess whether a social media influencer would benefit their brand? And what influencer marketing KPIs indicate success? Jim Tobin, founder and president of Ignite Social Media, has operated his agency for 15 years. Hear his insights on the variables that can determine the reach, impact, and viability of influencer pla...

Californians seeking signatures to get a measure on November ballot that would raise minimum wage to $18 an hour. Host Gene Marks says, according to elected officials, that’s most likely going to be a local level decision, although it might prompt more talk to increase the federal minimum wage. This week’s “On the Mark” podcast also looks at how elected officials in Maryland and Atlanta, Georgia a...

Think you know what a “4-day work week” means? Think again, says Joe O’Connor, Global Pilot Program Manager for 4 Day Week Global, a non-profit coalition operating pilot programs for businesses worldwide that creates 32-hour work weeks across an organization while maintaining or improving productivity. When business leaders understand the shared goals are quality output and deliverables (for a com...

Many of the holdouts on maintaining mask mandates have pulled back and hopefully it will spur more job growth in crucial industry sectors of hospitality. Meanwhile, business is booming in Texas around construction, although salary increases lag, and California restaurants and entertainment venues could see savings at tax time involving COVID-19 funding. Listen as Gene Marks offers his take on this...

As employers face the ongoing labor shortage, compounded by the Great Resignation, they’ve got new lessons to learn about recruiting, retaining, and managing employees today. So says Jack Kelly, longtime CEO with the Compliance Search Group, and CEO of WeCruitr.com, which launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. How are businesses managing remote employees or hybrid workers? Why is geograph...

According to several recent surveys reported in various outlets, members of Gen Z like to shop, including 65 percent who said they’d be looking for a new job this year and then nearly 50% who indicated that they preferred going to stores to buy goods rather than online. Gene Marks takes a look at why this might be the case and offers insights on how your business can take advantage of this informa...

To sell a brick-and-mortar store, you need a real estate agent, but if your company only exists online, you need Flippa. As the virtual realtor for online businesses, Flippa listings include blogs, mobile apps, Shopify or Fulfilled by Amazon stores, SaaS companies, and more. CEO Blake Hutchison visits the show to share insights on evaluating virtual business assets, documenting profits, current tr...

If you’re living in a state such as New York where politicians and the courts are playing ping-pong with the masking policies, it might be a good idea to develop a policy that let’s customers and employees know safety is a priority. Gene Marks discusses the topic on this week’s episode of the “On the Mark” podcast, as well as offers insights on how get a website domain name for your business — fro...

Wells Fargo’s head of small business banking, Derek Ellington, visits the podcast to share how the “Hope, USA” grant program and the Open for Business Fund are investing in small businesses to promote economic growth. While the “Hope, USA” initiative has helped revitalize and beautify 16 community business corridors across the country, the Open for Business Fund is investing some $420 million in p...

A study in Iceland has sparked several countries, a few international companies and several in the United States to pilot and even implement a four-day workweek. And guess what? Productivity is up and morale is following. Host Gene Marks shares his thoughts on how this trend might be a solid recruitment tool during a labor shortage and a no-cost benefit that changes how businesses operate. Listen...

Many businesses depend on customer relationship management (CRM) software to generate sales leads and track client responses. But do these systems garner maximum benefit across a company, with user ease at the forefront? Hear Copper, Inc. CEO, Dennis Fois, describe why its CRM software is built around Google Workspace, and the benefits seen when a CRM complements user productivity. Learn why he ad...

With 5 million applications for startups filed in 2021, the key to any initial success sits squarely in how you prepare before you start. Gene Marks shares advice in this episode of the “On the Mark” podcast, including surrounding yourself with good advisors and proven resources, setting realistic goals around a solid plan to make money, having enough money to make a two-year go at it and being co...

NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill visits the show to introduce LegalZoom’s Fast Break for Small Business program benefitting minority-owned businesses with funding grants and legal services through a $6M, multi-year initiative. The program supports SMBs led by Black, Latino, Asian, female, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ owners with access to capital, and expertise in legal, accounting, and regulatory services f...

Small business — particularly freelancers and independent contractors — who use PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or other digital payment services to put money in their accounts will have such transactions reported to the IRS by the third party if the amount totals $600 or more in a given year. They’ll also receive a 1099-K, starting in 2022, which means the IRS will know the income earned and businesses will...

If you want to offer or improve retirement savings plans for your employees, or if your business operates in a state where retirement planning is now mandated, what advantages could a Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) provide? Longtime retirement planning consultant Kelly Michel shares how a PEP plan can reduce your costs, minimize your fiduciary liability, and may even garner business tax credits, while...

A Paychex survey conducted in late 2021 revealed that more than 60 percent of employees indicated well-being support was a top priority when looking for work, while improved workplace mental health benefits also were highly desired. In this week’s “On the Mark” podcast, host Gene Marks offers some practical suggestions — from training and coaches to flexibility of hours and kickball — for employer...

In this episode, Gene Marks talks with EY’s Lee Henderson, Audit Partner, Americas EY Private Leader, and Executive Sponsor of the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network. It’s in this latter role that Lee is really making an impact on black and Latino entrepreneurs. Hear the results of his team’s survey of this group and learn what EY is doing to continue the positive momentum of 2021. If you’re a minori...

Workplace safety is top of mind for employers and employees alike. Gene Marks suggests seven ways — from staying ahead of the compliance curve on COVID-19 vaccination mandates and mask policies to conflict training and investment in technology to increase automation and cut down on the number of people at work. The host of “On the Mark” offers insights he shares with his clients to help businesses...

Given today’s remote and hybrid workforce needs, how are small businesses approaching computer hardware technology? Hear from Lindsey Greathouse, director of global SMB marketing for Lenovo, one of the world’s largest personal electronics brands, as she shares how the company differentiates its service solutions for the mobile devices, laptops, and accessories now considered commodities. How have...

As 2021 winds down, Gene Marks reminds employers they can still take advantage of tax credits and deductions to infuse money into their operations. The CPA and small-business owner hosts this episode of “On the Mark” to offer insights and advice on eight ways to save on taxes — from hiring select groups of individuals such as military veterans and helping employees pay down student loans to helpin...

Is the long-running Reddit platform, with its multitude of online groups formed around topic-specific sub-channels (subreddits), becoming a viable option for small business advertising? And what does product or service promotion look like inside a social media platform built on chats? Hear from Timo Pelz, vice president of business marketing for Reddit, on the ways business owners can leverage con...

Businesses could be dealing with inflation due to rising prices and supply chain issues for the next year or more, so it’s important to have a strategy. This episode of On the Mark offers five tactics businesses can consider that might help navigate any potential challenges. Host Gene Marks, a CPA and small-business owner, shares what he has discussed with his clients, including raising prices and...