THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

Tariffs were imposed and then suspended for 30 days on Canada and Mexico after the U.S. and our leading trading partners came to an agreement on border security. Tariffs remain in place on China and Gene Marks says this will have some impact on costs of goods and supply chains. He also talks about how the launch of DeepSeek, an AI platform that currently operates more quickly and efficiently than...

The legal ping-pong match on where things will land on Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting for small businesses saw a few more swings by the courts. Even a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of the Treasury netted no change. Gene Marks explains on this week’s episode. He also shares tips on the how to offset the deluge of resumes created by AI that businesses receive and the la...

Taxes are changing — what does that mean for your business? On this week’s episode of Paychex THRIVE, Gene Marks chats with Stephen Dombroski, Senior Compliance Manager at Paychex, to break down the critical tax changes coming as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act approaches its expiration. From bonus depreciation to the Section 199A deduction (and everything in between), Stephen shares what these changes...

Based on surveys from major companies, organizations, and even chambers of commerce, small businesses are giddy for the upcoming four years under a new administration in the White House. The positive outlooks include 70% expecting revenue increases, 76% planning on hiring more, and 91% expressing confidence in growth. In this episode, Gene Marks tempers the enthusiasm by pointing out the potential...

Amid the devastation of the wildfires in California comes the positive that employers can help employees victimized by the natural disaster by covering certain out-of-pocket expenses and earning a tax break or encouraging leave banks for colleagues to donate unused paid leave to help those during recovery. Gene Marks also shares news about the continued leveling off of hourly earnings and other de...

What’s the secret to making AI work for your business? According to Beaumont Vance, Senior Vice President of Data, Analytics, & AI at Paychex, it all starts with one crucial element: high-quality data.  On this week’s episode, Beaumont joins Gene to explore the incredible potential of AI for small and medium-sized businesses. From understanding the critical role of clean data to the innovative...

For a fifth straight quarter, productivity in the United States has risen 2% or more. In this episode, Gene Marks provides insights on why this might be and what this could mean to businesses and employees. As the new year starts and businesses put their budgets in play, they might want to know where to get additional funding. Gene points out various grants and a resource to find more. And what wi...

This week, Gene Marks explores the trends set to shape your business in 2025 and beyond. He breaks down ZipRecruiter’s latest report that reveals growing optimism in the labor market and why hybrid work is here to stay. Next, Gene touches on the rise of financial wellness benefits, driven by an influx of Gen Z workers — are you keeping up with their unique needs? Plus, he looks at the game-changin...

The monthly Paychex Small Business Employment Watch for November shows that job growth remains steady – and has been for 11 months with modest growth – but in areas impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton the job growth has shown significant recovery. A report by the Wall Street Journal has shown that employers are using performance improvement plans (PIPs) more regularly and often as a way to te...

As the new Director of Compliance at Paychex, Kelee Delaney oversees a team of experts who monitor the laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local level to provide support to teams within the organization, as well as its nearly 740,000 clients. With the elections over, Kelee talks with host Gene Marks on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, about changes that might be coming in 2025 with...

The president-elect’s nomination for Labor Secretary comes as a bit of a shock for businesses and the GOP, especially since former Republican Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer favors unionization. Gene Marks shares some insights on this selection, plus points out the value of having a safety net process in place to conduct audits after Macy’s found $154 million had been hidden from the books by on...

Get ready to rethink the way you bank. On this episode of Paychex THRIVE, Gene sits down with Kendall Garrison, president and CEO of Amplify Credit Union, to unpack how credit unions hold the key to a more equitable, customer-first approach to finance. From offering no-fee accounts to supporting small businesses with innovative services, Amplify is challenging the norms of the financial world. Won...

Two major discount retailers in the U.S. have reported earnings that are polar opposite of one another, with Walmart showing hitting new highs and Target showing its worst miss on earnings predictions in two years. What will this mean for holiday season and beyond? Gene Marks talks about this, as well as the impact of the overtime rule reverting back to 2019 and how businesses are clamping down on...

In this week’s episode, Gene Marks takes a look at what’s happening around the country following elections at the state level. California, which historically gets out in front of others to set trends on legislation, has new laws regarding discrimination enforcement and driver’s licenses related to employment. Other states have minimum wage changes and ballot initiatives on paid leave, and New Jers...

In the aftermath of a heated election, managing politics in the workplace is more important than ever. On this episode of Paychex THRIVE, Gene is joined by Paychex Talent Enablement Partners Alisha Moberly and Lisa Reyes to share practical ways to manage political discussions and potential conflicts at work. Learn about different tolerance approaches for political expression, the importance of est...

Economists have said that with tariffs comes inflationary pressure and with tax cuts comes deficits, but there have been some lights around the stock index futures. So, as with any new administration there are pros and cons. Gene Marks comments on what small businesses might be facing. In other news, an EEOC decision has made zero proof a standard for employee religious accommodation, and order fa...

The real estate industry is in a state of flux, with shifting interest rates, inventory levels, and market dynamics creating both challenges and opportunities for buyers, sellers, and agents alike. On this episode of Paychex THRIVE, Tracy Tutor, a top real estate agent, best-selling author, and star of Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, shares her invaluable insights into the current state of the...

There are still funds to be found for businesses in 2024 that could set them up for 2025, and Gene Marks provides a roadmap. Businesses working in tech that supports capabilities that could benefit national defense can find a source in a new SBA program. There are grants available for education, and women startups that have a viable product prototype, not to mention grants available to restaurants...

Small businesses expressed that inflation is their top concern with 93% of those surveyed indicating that for the past three years that it has been their primary focal point. Gene Marks shares the other concerns businesses have ahead of the election. This episode also focuses on how employers plan to use AI in hiring and the impact that could have. And for those who have pushed for a shorter work...

We conclude our series live from the floor of HR Tech 2024 with John Phillips, vice president and general manager of Findem, an AI-driven talent acquisition platform. John explores how AI is reshaping the way businesses of all sizes connect with top talent — and it’s not just about speed and efficiency. The traditional "post and pray" model is being replaced by a more dynamic, targeted, and human-...

A study by the Small Business Administration reveals that breached records can cost as much as $164 per record and the cost of a breach to businesses with less than 500 employees can be as high as $3 million. Gene Marks shares some tips during Cybersecurity Month to help your businesses understand and mitigate threats. Gene also shares the skinny on the latest healthcare benefit employees seek; we...

Feeling workplace dynamics shift under your feet? With at least five generations now sharing office space, the old one-size-fits-all approach just doesn’t cut it anymore. On this episode of Paychex THRIVE, live from HR Tech 2024, we chat with Pete Tiliakos from GxT Advisors about a hot topic at the conference — the diverse expectations of a multigenerational workforce. As businesses grapple with t...

Owners of trades businesses such as plumbing and HVAC outfits are becoming millionaires by selling their businesses. Gene Marks looks at who and what is behind this latest trend. Also on this episode, Gene shares the findings of a survey that shows nearly three-quarters of business owners plan to replace their point-of-sale systems. What will this mean for customers and the business? In other tren...

In today's rapidly evolving HR landscape, technology is more than just a tool — it's a driving force reshaping the future of work. Ready to stay ahead? Join industry experts Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson from Sapient Insights Group for the second installment of our four-part series live from HR Tech 2024. Discover the latest trends and innovations redefining HR, along with practical examples o...

Job growth and hourly earnings growth remained moderate, according to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch for September. Gene Marks shares details from President and CEO John Gibson, who notes that external influences such as upcoming elections and rate cuts factor into the data. In California, employers need to know about a new law that offers freelancers certain protections, including ar...