Small Business Association of Michigan
Recent News About Small Business Association of Michigan
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Business signage evolution: From neon to LED to digital
On the latest episode of the SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers engages in a conversation with Paul Deters, president of Metro Signs & Lighting. The company is recognized as a Premium Member of the Small Business Association of Michigan and has been included in the list of Michigan 50 Companies to Watch for 2024.
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Texas federal court blocks nationwide FTC noncompete rule
On August 20, 2024, a Texas federal court blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Noncompete Rule scheduled to go into effect on September 4, 2024. In April 2024, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP circulated a summary of the rule’s contents and the Law Shanty discussed the rule further. Unlike a preliminary injunction entered earlier this year, which only applied to the specific parties involved in the case, the court’s decision in Ryan LLC v. Federal Trade Commission has a “nationwide effect,” is “not party-restricted” and “affects persons in all judicial districts equally.”
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Parker Fairbairn defeats Neil Friske in closely watched GOP primary
Michigan Freedom Caucus member Rep. Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix) carried nearly 100 percent name recognition across Northern Michigan’s 107th state House district, according to Parker Fairbairn, the Republican challenger who defeated Friske in the primary elections.
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Democratic Supreme Court candidates raise significantly more funds than GOP rivals
The two Democratic Supreme Court candidates, and presumed nominees, have raised approximately $2 million combined going into the Aug. 24 Democratic Party convention, while all five Republicans combined have raised $147,000 prior to their convention, according to numbers released by Tuesday’s campaign finance deadline.
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Report reveals high workplace discord affecting employee collaboration
In today’s fast-paced work environment, collaboration is often touted as the key to success. Yet, a new report from the organizational development platform TeamDynamics reveals a troubling reality: 90% of employees have faced difficulties working with their team. This widespread discord not only hampers team performance but also has far-reaching negative effects on companies as a whole.
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AIM Targeted Intelligence president discusses information management on SBAM podcast
On this episode of the SBAM Weekly Podcast, Michael Rogers interviews Anne Bridgewater, president of AIM Targeted Intelligence in Midland and a newly elected member of the Board of Directors for the Small Business Association of Michigan. Bridgewater discusses the challenges posed by the vast amount of information available online.
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Employee wellness plans boost productivity and performance
Implementing a wellness plan can significantly enhance employee performance and productivity, according to experts. Businesses can benefit from simple and effective strategies such as organizing active events, promoting friendly competition, offering healthy potlucks, conducting outdoor meetings, or scheduling group stretch breaks.
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Legal tips to future-proof your small business
Navigating the small business world involves managing a constantly shifting landscape of legal regulations. Statistics indicate that one in two small businesses encounter legal hurdles annually in the U.S., underscoring the importance of being prepared.
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Republican incumbents Friske and Bezotte lose primaries amid controversies
Two embattled Republican House members who each found themselves in the news for separate unflattering reasons lost their primaries Tuesday, accounting for the only incumbents to lose in Tuesday’s election.
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Handling political tensions in the workplace: Expert advice
Tensions are running high with my employees due to the recent political landscape. How do I handle conversations and disagreements around this topic?
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House primaries see favored candidates advance
Lisa Trombley, a retired government contractor for Lockheed Martin, defeated MAGA-style Republican Katie Kniss with 63.10% to 30.52% of the vote on Tuesday night in the 103rd House district Republican primary. A third candidate, Tripp Garcia, received 6.37%. Trombley's victory positions her as the preferred candidate to challenge freshman Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) in the General Election.
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Small Business Briefing covers legal challenges, elections, and labor policies
Thank you for tuning in to today’s Small Business Briefing. We’re bringing you news and updates on:
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Employers increasingly prioritize employee financial wellness in workplace benefit packages
In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in how employers think about workplace benefits. Traditionally, benefits packages have focused on healthcare, retirement plans, and paid time off. While these are important, there is a growing recognition that financial wellness is a crucial aspect of overall employee well-being. This realization has prompted employers to reevaluate and expand their benefits offerings to better support their employees’ financial health.
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Study highlights benefits of strategic breaks for employee productivity
Enhancing productivity often seems synonymous with increasing workload. However, research suggests that integrating strategic breaks into the workday can improve productivity and employee well-being.
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Understanding objectives crucial for business growth: Insights from SBAM Weekly Podcast
Michael Rogers, in the latest episode of the SBAM Weekly Podcast, engages with Ryan Jankovic, a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan and an EOS Worldwide Professional Implementer. Jankovic emphasizes the importance of understanding one's true objectives in business. "I ask everyone, when I meet them for the first time and before we take a client engagement, what do you want from your business?" he states. "And it’s not a knee-jerk reaction – I want sales, and I want my people to do the things that I need them to do. What do you really want? And I slow it...
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Unmarried partners face challenges accessing fmla benefits for childbirth
An unmarried partner of a mother giving birth is increasingly common. While state or local laws may provide specific time off for such partners, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) operates differently. Employers must ensure their policies align with FMLA guidelines to avoid potential issues related to paid time off (PTO), FMLA, and wage and hour regulations.
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Entrepreneurship score card shows slow recovery for michigan's economy post-pandemic
Michigan’s entrepreneurial economy has seen improvements since the 2020 COVID recession, but it has not fully rebounded, according to the SBAM Foundation’s recently released 2024 Entrepreneurship Score Card.
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SBAM introduces pooled employer plan as solution for small business retirement needs
Finding the right retirement plan to attract and retain employees is challenging for small business owners. To compete with larger companies, small businesses must offer a robust employee benefit package.
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Michigan Supreme Court rules gradual hike towards $15 minimum wage by 2030
Michigan’s $10.33-an-hour minimum wage will increase to around $12.25 to $12.30 an hour, and tipped workers will see their base wage rise from $3.93 an hour to approximately $5.90 an hour by February 21, 2025, under a Supreme Court ruling issued Wednesday.
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Key subplots shaping Michigan's primary election
SBAM will release a special edition of the Watchdog following today’s Primary Election. Click HERE to see which candidates SBAM has endorsed in this primary cycle.