When Jim McLaughlin died suddenly from a heart attack at age 64, his family assumed they would have to close his homebuilding business. He’d made no plans for someone to succeed him at McLaughlin Construction, and there was no employee …
It happens in so many workplaces — two colleagues begin a romantic relationship. But a heightened awareness about sexual harassment means small business owners can get more anxious when employees start dating. Many owners have consulted with employment attorneys or …
A fire at the gun shop next door never reached Kathy Laurienti’s sausage and specialty food store, but the water and smoke damage was enough to shut her business down. Because Laurienti didn’t have enough insurance, it’s still closed — …
Rose Wang looks at her staff of 70 employees and wonders if she’ll have to lay off some of them to comply with the health care law. The owner of Binary Group Inc., an information technology firm based in Alexandria, …
Snow can be more than an irritant and disruption for small businesses. It can also be a legal liability. This is the season for insurance agents and brokers to remind their clients of their potential liability: Let’s say there’s been …
The holiday season isn’t necessarily the most joyous time of the year for small businesses. Holiday parties and celebrations can turn unpleasant if employees or guests misbehave. Productivity can drop when employees are distracted by all the personal things, including …
Many employees of small businesses are grateful to have a job, even as salaries are frozen or cut and they’re asked to take on more responsibility. Company owners shouldn’t take those good attitudes for granted — they need to show …
The harsh weather of spring, including hard rains, flooding and tornadoes, has already hit parts of the Midwest and the South. It’s a reminder to small business owners everywhere that they need to be ready when disaster strikes. Preparing for …
Insurance coverage is an expense that many small business owners might be tempted to cut back on or even forgo as they try to cut costs during the recession. They’re making a bet that they won’t need the coverage, but …
The last few weeks of summer can be a useful time for small business owners whose companies are going through a slow period– they have a chance to tackle some of those tasks they’ve been putting off. Some owners use …
