Category: Brandpoint Business & Finance

2019-04-23T06:01:00

(BPT) – One of the latest business buzzwords this year is EX, or the employee experience. Organizations are beginning to realize that they need to create a positive employee experience in the same way they have focused on the customer experience. In this ever-tightening job market, it’s mission critical to keep employees happy, fulfilled and challenged. Only then can they keep their customers happy. Focusing on EX means evaluating an employee’s entire life cycle with the company, from before they even apply for a job to beyond their last day. It’s so critical that Forbes even dubbed 2018 the Year of the Employee Experience.

What is the EX, exactly? EX is not just about what it’s like to work day-to-day in the office, and it’s not about benefits, half-day Fridays, sleeping pods, beer fridges in the break room and other fun perks, though those things do enter into it. But EX is deeper and more meaningful than that. It’s about truly engaging employees. Employee engagement (EE) and EX are intertwined so closely they can be called one and the same.

The problem with EE: There’s a disconnect

In a recent study, Dale Carnegie found that 70 percent of top executives believe that employee engagement has a strong impact on financial performance. In a similar study, Deloitte found that 85 percent of company leaders say EE is an important strategic priority, but Dale Carnegie found that just 31 percent of front-line employees and managers strongly agreed that their company is actually making engagement a top priority.

Clearly, there’s a disconnect between what execs are saying and what employees are feeling. That’s because there’s a piece left out of this puzzle: the employees’ managers.

The key to aligning executive priorities with what employees are experiencing lies in the management chain. Managers need to be enabled and empowered to engage their teams on a daily basis. It means getting managers the training they need to engage their teams, by making it a strategic priority and creating a culture of engagement. Dale Carnegie programs teach the skills managers need and can help organizations do the right things to increase overall employee engagement.

Ways to increase employee engagement

Align policies with EE. You need employee-supportive policies and procedures, such as a standard performance evaluation policy. But it also means changing policies that are barriers to engagement. Are there processes and procedures working at cross-purpose with engagement efforts? If so, change them. How are your rewards and recognition programs designed? What do you reward and recognize? Are they making your employees feel valued? It requires going through your policies with a critical eye, and the willingness to change what’s not working.

Employee engagement needs to be on the top of the priority list for top executives, managers and supervisors, and that’s no easy task. But in this ever-tightening job market, with greener grass just a click away on a job seeker’s app, keeping all of your employees happy, engaged and fulfilled is the key to your company’s competitive advantage.

2019-04-19T07:27:00

(BPT) – Recent studies have shown that a record number of Americans understand that climate change is real and their increasing concern for the future of our planet is driving major corporations across the country to go green by setting and fulfilling lofty sustainability goals.

According to a recent survey from global renewable energy company Enel Green Power, over half of Americans assume sustainable products are more expensive. However, operating sustainably goes beyond the brands that are making headlines with buzzworthy products, as other household names are making large commitments that are reducing consumers’ carbon footprint behind the scenes.

The survey also found that two in three Americans would engage in sustainable lifestyle choices by making a purchase from a sustainable brand or a company that donates to an environmental cause. In fact, about half of Americans say they would pay more for a sustainable product, and of those people, half would pay 3% to 5% more. This commitment to making environmentally friendly purchase decisions continues to push companies to invest in climate solutions.

“All businesses, from world-leading big brands to small manufacturers, can play a role in operating sustainably and consumers have a say through their purchasing decisions,” said Georgios Papadimitriou, Head of Enel Green Power North America. “We are proud to work with companies that make the conscious decision to better our planet by greening their business and encourage consumers to use their purchasing power to continue this momentum.”

For example, last year, Budweiser announced its commitment to brew its beer with 100% renewable electricity. The amount of renewable electricity that the company uses is enough to produce more than 20 billion 12 oz. servings of beer annually.

Kohler aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 3% year over year to be net zero by 2035 and the company uses wind energy to supply 100% of the power needed to operate Kohler’s U.S. and Canadian manufacturing operations. The power generated is enough to power nearly 40,000 homes, and globally, the project will reduce Kohler’s greenhouse gas emissions footprint by 26%.

And telecommunications company T-Mobile turned magenta green last year, announcing its transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2021. T-Mobile is well on its way to achieving this aggressive goal and takes environmental stewardship one step further by engaging its community in conservation and reforestation efforts with its #TreeMobile campaign to plant up to half a million trees for Earth Day in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.

Adopting a sustainable lifestyle in tactical ways like driving an electric vehicle or installing solar panels on your roof has clear benefits for the environment. However, energy consumption goes far beyond turning your lights on and getting behind the wheel. The products we use in our daily lives require immense amounts of energy and materials for production, making our responsible purchasing decisions more influential than ever. Businesses are in a unique position to lead the charge against climate change. Americans’ demand for a more sustainable future will continue to influence companies’ sustainability commitments.

2019-04-15T07:01:00

(BPT) – How much data do you really need on your monthly cellular plan?

To hear the big four wireless companies tell it, the answer is simple: Go unlimited. After all, we live in an age where we can stay glued to our smartphone screens nearly every minute for news, email, social media posts, using GPS, video streaming and all the other trappings of the modern digital world.

According to Pew Research, 73% of adults ages 50-64 now own a smartphone, and nearly 50% of those 65+ have adopted them as well. But those who cut their teeth in the pre-digital age are far less likely to live that fully “plugged in” lifestyle. Many, in fact, still prefer classic comforts like a good old-fashioned telephone call over texting or Facebook; or watching news and movies on a big-screen television rather than squinting at a smartphone display. If you count yourself among these old-school, penny-wise baby boomers, you’ll likely agree: spending $75 or more on an unlimited data plan every month just doesn’t make good sense.

The limits of unlimited

Here’s what the big four don’t want you to know: in 2018, the average smartphone user consumed about 4.1 gigabytes (GB) of cellular data each month, meaning many used far less.

In addition, some carriers promising “unlimited data” will actually limit your high-speed data to just a couple of gigabytes per month. Once you use up that allotment, you’ll have unlimited access, but at much slower speeds. This makes it more difficult to load pages quickly, or to stream video, even though you’re paying a premium for “unlimited” access.

Factor in the rapidly growing availability of Wi-Fi, which lets you access a wireless Internet connection without consuming any data from your cellular plan, and this much becomes clear: For many users, “unlimited” plans are far more enticing than they are practical.

Flexible plans keep up with your lifestyle

While the big four keep coming up with creative new ways to encourage you to go “unlimited,” real deals can be found that provide what you actually need. For instance, take a look at Consumer Cellular. This 100% U.S.-based provider offers no-contract cellphone plans including data plans that range from 2GB to 20GB of data per month. Best of all, since your data needs can fluctuate from one month to the next, Consumer Cellular lets you change your data plan anytime you need to without paying any additional fees.

Start saving today

Unlimited anything sounds nice, but in reality, no one wants to buy more of something than they’ll ever use ­— or pay more than they should. But that’s exactly what most people with unlimited cellular data plans are doing.

Cellular competition is fierce, so make sure you’re getting what’s best for the way you really use your data. Check your current bill to find out how much you’re actually using, then shop around. One size never fits all, so with a bit of smart research, you’ll find all the data you really need, and for less.

2019-04-08T09:01:00

(BPT) – For the past quarter-century, Jonnie, 57, has kept a booth at the Antique Depot in Skiatook, Oklahoma. The job allows her a flexible enough schedule to take care of her elderly mother, who lives next door.

Holding estate sales and dealing in used merchandise has also made her an expert on spotting a bargain.

According to a recent Kiplinger article, switching to generic drugs from the brand-name version is a smart way to save money in your health care budget: “Generics can cost up to 85 percent less than brand-name drugs, and some plans have a $0 co-pay for ‘preferred’ generics. Your pharmacist can generally switch to a generic at the counter without asking your doctor. If your drug doesn’t have a generic, ask your doctor or pharmacist if one is likely soon.”

Jonnie couldn’t agree more. “If it weren’t for these generic medications, I don’t know where my life would be,” she said. “I can afford things.”

Jonnie manages her heart condition with Metoprolol ER, the generic form of the brand-name drug Toprol XL. According to GoodRx, Metoprolol costs around $6, which is 81 percent less than the average retail price of $33.10 for the brand.

The generic drug industry supplies the vast majority of drugs prescribed in the U.S. Generic cardiac drugs, for example, help patients live longer, fuller lives, saving $47 billion in 2017, while savings for the past 10 years total $492 billion.

Jonnie also takes Rabeprazole for acid reflux. GoodRx reports that the generic form of medicine costs around $19.60 — 92 percent less than the average retail price of $250.41 for the brand.

Americans in every state are saving money by taking safe, effective, FDA-approved generic drugs. According to the latest data, generics saved patients in the U.S. a total of $265 billion in 2017, including $83 billion and $41 billion for those with Medicare and Medicaid coverage, respectively.

Think about the prescription drugs that you and your family take. Are you getting the most for your money?

You can take the quiz, “What’s Your Generic Drugs IQ?” at https://accessiblemeds.org/.

2019-04-02T08:01:00

(BPT) – Tax reform represents the largest change to the tax code in the last 30 years, impacting virtually everyone, but carrying special considerations for small business owners, the self-employed and employees with unreimbursed business expenses.

It will take taxpayers time to untangle the full impact of reform, and as the 2019 tax season takes off, taxpayers should be aware of the unique challenges it’s likely to present, regardless of where they fall in the spectrum.

According to the tax experts at H&R Block, the group most at risk of owing when they file are those employees who deducted unreimbursed business expenses for 2017. Tax reform eliminated the deduction for unreimbursed employee business expenses.

Ramon Vasquez is a Block Advisors master tax advisor with over 12 years of both public and private sector experience, working in investments, real estate, small business, tax planning and more. He said that though all individual tax situations are unique, there are some things people can do now to aid in filing an accurate return to get their maximum refund.

“How tax reform impacts you depends entirely on your specific circumstances, so it’s important to look at your unique situation to see what you should expect when you file,” Vasquez said. “Somebody could still benefit from tax reform even though they lose their unreimbursed business expense deduction, but you may also want to talk to your employer about switching to an accountable plan, which allows employers to reimburse expenses to their employee tax-free.”

Beyond those with unreimbursed employee business expenses, there are other individuals for whom tax reform may require some additional untangling.

Small business owners and the self-employed also need to approach this tax season with a particular awareness.

“Some of the largest changes in tax reform apply to businesses, which can include some landlords,” Vasquez said. “For example, self-employed individuals, including those who have income from partnership and S corporations, may be able to deduct up to 20 percent of their qualified business income.”

As has been the case with tax season in the past, homeowners have special considerations. But this year marks a change for them, too, primarily through changes in itemized deductions. According to the tax experts at H&R Block, tax reform changes the itemized deductions some homeowners can claim.

“For example, tax reform limits the home mortgage interest deduction on new home mortgages to interest paid on up to $750,000 of acquisition debt. It also limits the deduction for home equity debt,” Vasquez said of changes in deductions. “You’ll also be limited to deducting a maximum of $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately) in personal property taxes, real estate taxes, plus income taxes or sales taxes combined.”

One of the most important parts of conquering tax season 2019 is an acute awareness of one’s individual tax situation. As every taxpayer is different, untangling the year’s taxes is going to require additional planning to help taxpayers avoid surprises when it comes time to file their tax return.

A major part of avoiding any surprises this year has to do with making appropriate updates through your employer.

“If you don’t like what happened with your refund this year, you can make sure it doesn’t happen again next year by updating your withholding with your employer,” Vasquez said. “Come in to an office to have your Block Advisors tax advisor provide W-4 planning when you file your 2018 tax return. Not only do we offer year-round tax consulting, we provide year-to-year tax return planning.”

Taxpayers with layered tax situations can head to blockadvisors.com to get matched with their personal tax advisor.

2019-03-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – Considering all the tasks a mom does, it may not be surprising that more than 40 percent of mothers feel overwhelmed during tax season, according to a new survey of 1,000 moms commissioned by H&R Block. Their largest source of anxiety when it comes to the process of filing their taxes is potentially owing money on their tax return (34 percent). Lynn Ebel — tax attorney, director at The Tax Institute at H&R Block, and mother of two — shared her hard-earned advice for busy moms who still need to file their taxes.

Larger, expanded child tax credit is good news for moms anxious about owing

According to the mom survey, more than two in five moms feel overwhelmed during tax season and their largest source of anxiety about filing their taxes is owing money. The good news, according to Ebel, is that families with children under 17, especially those who claim the standard deduction, are most likely to get a refund bigger than anticipated, unless they had updated their withholding with their employer at the beginning of the year.

“That’s because the child tax credit doubled to $2,000 per child and more families will qualify for it. Fifty-one percent of moms surveyed didn’t know the child tax credit had changed, so this could be a pleasant surprise,” said Ebel.

Moms anxious about paperwork, tax return prep need help their way

Together, four in 10 moms said the largest sources of anxiety are gathering the necessary documents and filling out their actual tax return. Every year, 150 million Americans file taxes and 97 percent of them rely on some type of help. Moms’ needs evolve and so does the kind of help they need and how they get it.

“If moms want help in person, online or virtually, H&R Block is the only tax preparation company to offer complete choice on how you get the tax help you need,” said Ebel. “That could mean dropping off documents at an H&R Block office, uploading files online for a tax expert to complete, stopping in to work with one of our experienced tax professionals, or completing your return yourself with the help you need from a tax professional, whether that’s answering your questions through live chat or reviewing your return and submitting it for you.”

Ebel advises that organizing the necessary documents can make tax prep progress more smoothly, and checking the documents against last year’s return or a customized tax prep checklist can help moms make sure they aren’t missing important documents.

“You can create your own tax prep checklist at hrblock.com/checklist. Remember you’ll also need information that’s not coming in a tax information document, like SSNs for your kids and their daycare’s tax identification number,” said Ebel.

Removing surprises from tax time — including tax prep sticker shock

Taxes are a source of anxiety and stress. Ebel points out this year in particular, moms are worried about how they are impacted by tax reform and what it will mean for their tax refunds. To add to the stress, the tax industry has been slow to evolve to consumers’ needs. A stressful topic and a stodgy industry have created a bad experience for many consumers.

“H&R Block is helping remove stress by providing transparency, starting with price,” said Ebel. “We’re the first major brand to remove the mystery of pricing with our new upfront, transparent pricing. H&R Block clients can know the price before they begin, with price transparency from start to finish, no surprises.”

In an H&R Block office, consumers have three simple steps to know the price before they begin. First, they can determine the base price that matches their personal situation, with categories like W-2 income only, or are paying student loans, are a family or a homeowner. Next, they can determine if they need to file any state returns. They then review a list of what happened in their life during the year. At that point, clients will know their price to have their return prepared.

Doing their taxes may be one more anxiety-inducing item on moms’ overwhelming to-do lists, but Ebel says the upside is significant. It’s not just the chance to get the most out of their tax return, but an annual touchpoint to look at their whole financial picture and plan for the outcome they want next year.

“The key is getting the help and support you need. When you’re a mom, the same things might not work for you anymore and that’s OK. At H&R Block, we can help you how you want and need,” said Ebel.

2019-03-26T08:01:00

(BPT) – –

2019-03-25T08:01:00

(BPT) – A broad range of working professionals today are enrolling in online law schools while simultaneously holding their current positions. They’re pursuing law degrees — in addition to other degrees they’ve already earned — to widen their skills and better understand legal issues impacting their companies.

This recent trend mostly includes professionals who do not want to practice law but want to gain insight into the legal complexities involved in business transactions, regulated industries such as health care or education or in the public sector. They want to broaden perspectives in their own professional lives and benefit the companies where they work.

The American Bar Association reported that in 2018 more than 14 percent of all law students in the U.S. were pursuing master’s degrees or certificate programs in law, rather than the J.D., which means they want to gain legal expertise without practicing law.

For instance, Alex Bauer, an experienced CPA and CFO at Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, California, found that the high volume of regulatory and contract issues he faced every day often required legal input that was not readily available. Because legal decisions are essential to his work, waiting for advice from outside counsel slowed down his progress and hampered his efficiency. Bauer considered the option of traditional brick-and-mortar law schools near where he worked but realized he would have to attend classes on a full-time basis. Ultimately, he decided to obtain an online Executive Juris Doctor (EJD) from Concord Law School, part of Purdue University Global, because it offered him the flexibility and accessibility to continue his full-time work along with the legal expertise he was seeking.*

While Bauer doesn’t want to practice law, he did see the value in earning an EJD from Concord to build a solid legal foundation. “Now I know how attorneys think,” said Bauer. By understanding the fundamentals of law, Bauer could speak the same language as attorneys when negotiating with vendors or dealing with regulatory problems and save the company time, he said. “If I encounter some bizarre clause in our negotiations, now I know what that clause means.”

Chris Wojtowicz is another professional who recognized the value of an online EJD. Wojtowicz, who manages international trade compliance at Rice Lake Weighing Systems in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, said that the degree he earned from Concord allows him “to anticipate legal problems before they become problems.”

“I speak attorney,” said Wojtowicz, a licensed customs broker who deals with complex trade and regulatory issues and meets regularly with attorneys representing clients, business partners and government agencies.

These two executives said they could not have attended law school while working full time without the convenience and flexibility of an online option. In fact, they were able to take live courses online, speak with law professors and complete exams online — often at home — while they continued their demanding professions. If they missed a live class, they were able to access a recording. Both professionals feel their legal training clearly enhanced their own efficiency and value to their companies.

For Kevin Marshall, manager of Logistics and Wojtowicz’s supervisor at Rice Lake, Wojtowicz’s legal training has augmented his value as a key professional at the company. “In large part due to his legal training, Chris has been able to expand on his original role to become a very helpful resource for several groups within the company,” Marshall said. “With increasing frequency, we are running into complicated regulations and laws within our global trade and marketing efforts and have found Chris to be an excellent colleague to help us understand and interpret legal language.”

Marshall noted that, over the last year or two, Wojtowicz has helped Rice Lake’s marketing department understand the legal language contained in new data privacy laws such as Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation and the European General Data Protection Regulation. The company is looking forward to using Wojtowicz’s legal skills in additional areas as opportunities arise, Marshall said.

Concord Law School at Purdue University Global

For those considering pursuit of an executive juris doctor degree, go to www.concordlawschool.edu for more information on their online law degree programs.

For comprehensive consumer information, visit www.ConcordLawSchool.edu/About-Concord-Law-School/Accreditation. Concord Law School cannot guarantee employment or career advancement. These testimonials were obtained by Concord Law School. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual; student experiences may vary.

* Note that EJD graduates do not qualify to take the bar exam or to be admitted to practice law in any jurisdiction without additional experience, education or petition.

2019-03-19T08:01:00

(BPT) – As time continues to tick, millions of tax filers are beginning to feel the pressure to file a tax return. But big questions still remain, and for those filing online, those questions are compounded by the myriad options for submitting a return.

Fortunately for those online filers, there is such a thing as sound advice. With help from some of America’s renowned tax experts, we’ve compiled a list of the top four tips for filing online in 2019.

1. Organization is important — especially if you’re filing online

Organizing necessary documents is one of the most important steps to make tax preparation smoother. Start with gathering last year’s tax return. Online filers will need information from this document. From there, secure income documents, receipts, etc. Checking the documents against a checklist can help taxpayers be sure they’ve got everything they need. Missing tax documents can mean missing out on entitled tax benefits. Taxpayers can find ready-to-use checklists or customize their own online, at places like hrblock.com/checklist.

2. Digitize documents

Taxpayers can avoid the paper chase of finding tax and financial documents by downloading online copies whenever possible or snapping pictures of hard copies. These files can then be placed in an online storage tool like MyBlock.

3. Life is FULL of distractions, so limit yours when filing a return

A recent survey from H&R Block asked consumers what sort of things they do when filing their taxes, and the answers were interesting. People browse social media, watch TV, cook dinner, yell at their kids, and so on. More distractions can mean a higher likelihood of mistakes or missed credits and deductions. Limit those distractions and focus on the task at hand.

4. Take advantage of help options

Fortunately, taxpayers don’t have to make a choice between doing their taxes themselves or completely turning over the preparation to a tax professional. Before committing to any specific online tax filing product, taxpayers should be sure to investigate what assistance options are available in case they get stuck or have concerns. Most online tax filing products offer some sort of assistance, whether it’s going to an in-product help center or even having a tax pro review their completed return before it is submitted to the IRS.

Taxpayers looking for a middle ground may want to select something like H&R Block’s new Ask a Tax Pro service that gives them unlimited, on-demand chat sessions with a tax expert, so they can get the help they need as they are working on their tax returns.

“This tax season may be a time when even the most confident do-it-yourself filer could use a little help along the way,” said Heather Watts, senior vice president and general manager of digital at H&R Block. “Taxpayers filing online have more support options that let them decide how much or how little help they want with their tax preparation.”

Filing taxes isn’t optional for most Americans, but following these four tips can help make the do-it-yourself path a lot smoother. For a full lineup of online and software tax filing products and to get started, visit hrblock.com.

2019-03-12T08:01:01

(BPT) – As tax season pushes on, millions of Americans have yet to file their taxes. While reasons for waiting to do so range from a fear of owing money, to not having the proper paperwork, take solace in the fact that if you still haven’t filed your taxes, you’re not alone.

In fact, previous research from H&R Block shows that 57 percent of Americans say they’ve lost sleep or sacrificed free time on the weekends just so they could deal with tax preparation.

Regardless of individual reasons for waiting to file, there are ways to ensure the process goes smoothly, whether you choose to go it alone, or seek out expert help. And because 2019 represents the first tax season under reform, it pays to be especially diligent this year.

So, what are the options for the busy Americans who want help with their taxes, but don’t have the time or flexibility to get into a tax office?

The nation’s tax professionals often begin with a seemingly simple piece of advice, which can pay dividends over time: Get organized now.

Organizing the necessary information is going to make tax time so much smoother, no matter how you choose to undertake it. Get all your important tax documents together in one place as they come in. Missing tax documents can lead to missing out on tax benefits you’re entitled to claim. If you need a little extra help with documents, hop online. The internet is full of free resources, like the tax prep checklist on hrblock.com.

For those who don’t want to see the inside of a tax office, but want the comfort of expert help, technology again stands as a strong option.

Karen Orosco is a senior vice president at H&R Block, and she said technology can be one of the greatest helps for time-crunched Americans this tax season.

“H&R Block Tax Pro Go is designed for clients who want help from a tax expert, but also want the convenience of not having to visit a tax office,” Orosco said. “If you or your tax pro have a question, you can connect and share additional information using our secure online portal, email or even talk on the phone if you prefer. There’s no office visit, no preparing your own return, just upload your documents, sit back and we’ll take care of the rest.”

Another concern often raised by time-conscious Americans regards the size of their tax refund, especially under reform. The biggest piece of advice being given by the nation’s tax professionals this year is in reference to the W-4.

If you don’t like what happened with your refund this year, you can take steps to help see it doesn’t happen next year — one way is by updating your withholding with your employer. Tax season presents a great time to make that update, because it requires a lot of the same information that goes on your W-4. It’s also good to make these updates at the start of the year so the changes are stretched out over your paychecks for a longer period.

Orosco also presented another point for seeing a change in one’s refund: Individuals may see refund benefits by contributing to a traditional IRA.

“Individuals may potentially increase their refund or decrease the amount they owe by contributing to a traditional IRA,” Orosco said. “You have up until the April 15 deadline to contribute and reap the potential benefits. H&R Block tax professionals can provide expert guidance for clients when they file their 2018 tax returns.”

The final piece of important advice may seem obvious, or even simple, but bears repeating year over year. Americans need to keep their life in mind, especially as large changes like having a child, purchasing a home or starting a new job can truly alter one’s tax situation.

Life changes typically mean tax changes, so when something significant changes, it may be a good idea to consider getting expert help.

If you want to be matched up with your own tax professional this year, it’s easy, it’ll save you time and it just might make your refund even better. You can go to hrblock.com/taxprogo to get matched with an expert tax pro and see your price.