Small Business Association of Michigan
Recent News About Small Business Association of Michigan
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Symplicity Communications discusses growth in government contracting
Michael Rogers recently spoke with Catherine Behrenbrinker, President and CEO of Symplicity Communications in Grand Rapids, on the SBAM Weekly Podcast. Her firm was recognized by Michigan Celebrates Small Business as an APEX Accelerator Best Small Business for 2024. During the podcast, she discussed the challenges and successes of expanding their government contracting division over the past two years.
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Strategies for small businesses offering competitive employee benefits packages
As a small business, offering an attractive employee benefits package is crucial for hiring and retaining talented employees. Balancing health insurance offerings without overwhelming the budget can be challenging. It's essential to assess and adjust approaches as the business and healthcare market evolve. Various strategies and solutions are available to assist in this process.
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Michigan Senate passes bill reducing teacher retirement system payments
Public school districts in Michigan are set to spend nearly 6 percentage points less on employee retirement payments under new legislation that passed the Senate on a party-line vote of 20-16 on Thursday.
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Updated list reveals top house seats most likely to change hands
When we last reviewed the list of House seats most likely to flip, Democrats were buoyed by Kamala Harris being named the party’s new nominee. Since then, polls have stabilized. In 18 publicly released presidential polls in Michigan since Harris became the nominee, her support has ranged between 51% and 46%, while Republican Donald Trump’s support is between 49% and 46%, with few exceptions.
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Survey shows rise in U.S. companies planning employee reskilling amid cost-cutting strategies
Increasing headcount through the end of 2024 may not be feasible for some U.S. companies, as 33% of hiring managers say budget constraints or the inability to hire is responsible for stagnant or decreasing hiring plans. However, reskilling current employees may be the key to balancing the desire to strengthen workforces while keeping costs in line, according to a recent Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey.
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Small Business Briefing discusses unemployment, tax cuts, and Amazon's new plans
Thanks for tuning in today. Here’s what we have on the agenda:
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Nonprofit honored for workforce development for adults with developmental disabilities
On this episode of the SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers speaks with Jenny Brown, CEO of Dutton Farm, a nonprofit organization based in Oakland County. Dutton Farm was recently recognized as one of Michigan’s 50 companies to watch for its unique hiring practices and inclusive business model. Brown discusses her organization’s mission to provide skill-building, community access, and workforce development for adults with developmental disabilities.
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Michigan employers urged to consider allowing time off for voting
With election day approaching on November 5, Michigan employers should be prepared to handle requests from employees seeking time off to vote. Although Michigan does not have a specific law mandating voting leave, employers can play a critical role in encouraging civic participation by creating policies that allow employees to exercise their right to vote.
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Fifth Circuit upholds DOL's revised salary-level rules for exempt status
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued final regulations setting a new salary level test for determining job exempt status. To classify a job as exempt from overtime and certain record-keeping compliance requirements, a job typically must meet three tests:
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Survey shows cautious approach towards wage increases amid economic uncertainty
ASE recently released its 2024-2025 Salary Budget Survey, offering a comprehensive view of salary trends, pay structure adjustments, and incentive-based compensation programs among employers. This data provides key insights into the challenges businesses face in an uncertain economic environment.
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ROC United threatens legal action over Michigan's tipped wage system
The Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United has announced its intention to return to the courts if Michigan legislators attempt to maintain the state's tipped wage system following a recent Supreme Court decision. Chris White, state director of ROC United, expressed this stance on the MIRS Monday podcast.
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Michigan poll shows tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump
Vice President Kamala Harris maintains a slight lead in Michigan over former President Donald Trump in the first statewide poll following Tuesday night’s debate. However, the race remains within the margin of error, according to a poll conducted by Mitchell Research and Communications commissioned by MIRS.
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Federal Reserve opens small business credit survey for 2024
The Federal Reserve's 2024 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, with the Small Business Association of Michigan partnering in this effort. Owners and key financial decision-makers of for-profit businesses are encouraged to share their recent experiences regarding debt usage, financial conditions, and other relevant topics.
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Small Business Briefing covers interest rates, Corporate Transparency Act, and more
Thanks for tuning in today. Here’s what we have on the agenda:
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Bridging generational gaps: Effective workplace communication strategies
In a workplace where Traditionalists, Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Z collaborate daily, effective communication becomes the key to unlocking collective potential. However, generational divides can create barriers that hinder this potential. Understanding each generation's communication preferences and embracing their unique strengths is essential.
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Building workplace influence through relationships communication example-setting problem-solving growth
You are more influential than you may realize or at least have the potential to be. Being influential in the workplace doesn’t always mean holding a high-ranking position or having years of experience. Influence is more about the ability to inspire, motivate, and drive positive change among your colleagues, no matter your role. Here are several strategies to help you build and sustain influence at work.
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Braveworks plans significant growth and expansion into Marquette
Michael Rogers recently interviewed Jen Julien on the SBAM Weekly Podcast. Julien, along with her husband Jon, owns Braveworks in Houghton, Michigan. Their company was selected as a member of the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch this year. Braveworks is planning for 40 percent growth in 2024, with further expansion anticipated in 2025.
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Pressure mounts on Michigan lawmakers over upcoming changes in employment laws
Since the Michigan Supreme Court ruled the process of adopt and amend to be unconstitutional earlier this summer, employers have been faced with the prospect of complying with two problematic employment laws early next year. Michigan’s minimum wage law and the paid sick leave law will revert to the original ballot initiatives passed in 2018 on February 21, 2025.
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Survey categorizes employee attitudes towards workplace AI into five distinct groups
AI has become a staple in the workplace for many, although usage varies depending on comfort level and job type. Slack surveyed over 5,000 full-time desk workers across the U.S., Australia, India, Singapore, Ireland, and the U.K. in August. Based on the responses, they categorized employees into five AI personas and provided recommendations for employers to engage each group.
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House Democrats lead fundraising efforts ahead of competitive elections
No incumbent House Democrat running for re-election in a competitive district has less cash on hand than their Republican challenger, according to new campaign finance documents submitted to the Bureau of Elections on Thursday.