THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

Artificial intelligence is everywhere, so much so that the U.S. Department of Labor issued principles for developers and employers on worker well-being. Basically, as Gene Marks explains, this is a roadmap to create policies that offer protection and benefits in the deployment of AI at work. Why? Well, look at Google rolling back some features after a query pulled in that pizza should be made with...

CalpCPA President and CEO Denise Froemming discusses the dynamic shift of the accounting profession and inroads being made to attract the next generation of savvy workers, including how to align the image of what a CPA could be more closely with the values of Gen Z. She shares with host Gene Marks on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, the reason for rebranding CalCPA, with the aim to become more...

On this episode of Paychex THRIVE, Gene is joined by investment guru Lyn Alden, founder of Lyn Alden Investment Strategy.  They delve into the complex world of the stock market and examine the tactics needed to make successful investments. From using the traditional 60/40 portfolio model to selecting individual stocks to evaluating cryptocurrency, Lyn offers a variety of comprehensive strategies t...

Some small businesses have brought a lawsuit against OSHA and its Walkaround Rule, objecting to an inspection policy that they call an overstep onto private property and something that doesn’t advance worker safety. Gene Marks tackles the subject, as well as a new trend called secret PTO by employees and what he calls the foolishness of a proposed six-day workweek. DISCLAIMER: The information pres...

Calvin Harris has one of the most geographically and economically diverse state accounting professional societies to oversee as CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs. He brings his diverse experiences to the role, emphasizing building relationships and partnerships while stressing key factors such as harnessing and leveraging AI to reinvent the work CPAs do and the roles they can create. He ta...

With the Dow soaring to a record-breaking 40,000 and the market doubling from its COVID lows just four years ago, the current financial climate is buzzing with potential. Gene is joined by CNN Business Reporter Matt Egan to discuss this and other hot market topics on this week’s episode of Paychex THRIVE. Matt shares the impact a steady rise in the market has on consumer behavior and employment de...

New York has done what no other state in America has, but what will offering 20 hours of prenatal paid leave to employees – on top of other leave time they are entitled to under the law – mean to employers? Gene Marks has a few thoughts on the topic, including that this might become a national trend. Job openings are down one-third since 2022, but still remain at an historic high. Gene shares his...

CEO Shelly Weir discovered that her notions of what CPAs were like differed from who they actually are when she came to the Florida Institute of CPAs. Putting aside the “number crunchers” concept, she has leaned into their strategic and critical thinking skills and their people-person approach to help revamp educational efforts to the next generation of accounting professionals. With Florida growi...

This week on Paychex THRIVE, class is in session with Shefali Milczarek-Desai, a distinguished scholar and associate professor of law at the University of Arizona. She joins Gene to explore the complex subject of worker classifications as understanding its intricacies is more than a compliance exercise — it's an operational necessity. Shefali provides insights into recent changes in worker classif...

Aiysha “AJ” Johnson, CEO and Executive Director of the New Jersey Society of CPAs, says raising awareness at an earlier point in the education process is key to creating a successful pipeline in the accounting profession. The validation of that choice comes when individuals realize the many avenues a CPA can take to help any business in any industry sector grow. She also talks about work credit pr...

A revamp of the lending structure has some people praising a more streamlined process to get an SBA loan, while others are mad at the additional complexities involved. Regardless, Gene Marks says SBA loans are still a great way to go for small businesses seeking funding. A study finds that pet bereavement leave has many advantages – recruitment, though? Yes, Gene says with so many pet owners, prov...

On this episode of Paychex THRIVE, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana) joins host Gene Marks to discuss the role of lawmakers in fostering AI innovation, its security, and risk mitigation. Senator Young dives into the bipartisan AI policy work he’s currently conducting in the Senate; sharing how this collaborative approach and thoughtful legislation can support the evolution of AI technologies. He...

A nearly two-year trend in deceleration of hourly earnings growth ends as the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch shows a 3.34% increase in April. Gene Marks highlights other data from the report that business can use. One thing businesses are using more of is credit cards, and Marks says that if done properly, that’s OK, especially with high interest rates for loans. And you’ll be surprised a...

On this episode of Paychex THRIVE, distinguished labor economist and Harvard professor Dr. Richard Freeman joins host Gene Marks to navigate the future of work in an era of rapid technological advancement. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and significant shifts in labor economics, the debate around employee ownership becomes more relevant. Dr. Freeman paints a compelling picture of a...

Federal agencies got on a roll last week by announcing three new regulations that will change how businesses deal with protecting proprietary information, handling overtime and the classifying of exempt and non-exempt employees, and the use of broadband services. Gene Marks shares some thoughts on each of these pocketbook issues and how businesses might approach prior to the rules going into effec...

Jennifer Cryder, CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs (PICPA), spells out some of the challenges facing CPAs and their firms, largely around hot having clients understand the value of a CPA’s advisory role and sometimes a CPA not grasping the idea that they are advisers. The accounting profession, like almost all industry sectors, faces issues with recruiting and retaining talent. Cryder’s co...

Quickly evolving technology such as artificial intelligence coupled with changing labor dynamics have altered the workplace. Labor economist and MIT professor David Autor delve into these two critical areas in his conversation with Gene Marks on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, to help the audience understand the shifting trends impacting businesses. They also discuss strategies around integrat...

Looking to start a business? The trend is to buy a business rather than start from scratch, and a recent report shows small-business acquisitions up 10% from the previous year and 3% in the last quarter. Some experts say new borrowers are accepting high interest rates as normal. And if you’re opening a business, another survey found Ohio has all the factors to make it the top spot to start. Gene M...

President and CEO Emily Williams Knight helped guide the Texas Restaurant Association and its tens of thousands of members through the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to advocate for legislation that will help restaurants thrive. She shares stories about the industry association’s efforts on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, to educate and benefit members, as well as her thoughts on why transact...

Who wouldn’t take an 88.5 on a test? It’s passing. Sadly, the National Federation of Independent Small Businesses Optimism survey isn’t a test – and 88.5 is not great. In fact, it is the 27th straight month that the survey has shown less than optimistic results. Gene Marks takes a look at what might be causing the steady dip, plus he talks about how employers have to prepare for the pending OT rul...

Cathy Engelbert has shattered a few glass ceilings in her career – first woman CEO of Deloitte and first WNBA commissioner – while still battling the gender imbalance in leadership roles. She shares her journey with Gene Marks on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, starting with her formative years, her decision to be a working mother while striking work/life balance, the mentorship she received....

If you’re in the Midwest, job prospects have ticked up slightly – the first increase in 2024 – and every region has seen growth in all but one industry, according to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch. Gene Marks also highlights a study on manufacturing that points to a massive gap in the next decade of qualified and trained workers, especially regarding digital skills. He stresses that b...

Kent Smetters has experienced public policy on the economy from inside and outside the federal government. The economist and Wharton school professor helps us explore the use of economic modeling in influencing public policy and examines the potential impact of fiscal challenges and tax legislation changes. He joins Gene Marks on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, to talk about the many factors i...

Fast-food restaurants with a national footprint gain an exemption via the law as California raises its minimum wage. Gene Marks discusses the issues this could cause, but also says the state could be a model for others if its works. He also takes a look at a new Bank of America portal that streamlines the process by connecting access to funding sources, and he just can’t get over the fact that a b...

What’s the economic outlook of the United States and what factors influence it? Columbia professor Brett House takes a deep dive focusing on growth rates, immigration, free trade, tariffs, deficits and much more – and how these impact small businesses as much as large corporations. Gene Marks and Brett discuss NAFTA, foreign markets, and other policies that will make an impact in 2024.   Topics In...