How to Rebound After a Screw-up

Failure come easy for small business owners. In fact, it comes easy to all of us. So, what should we do when it happens? Here's some thoughts.

1. Avoid excuses.

It is a natural tendency for most to try and sugar coat the failure, even to one's self. However, the best way to rise above the failure is to come to terms with what happened.

2. Remember that you are in good company.

Everyone who has ever accomplished anything in life has failed at something. So, chin up..it has happened to everyone.

3. Focus on what you can learn.

The great thing about failure is that you can learn some pretty great lessons about yourself and how you can improve for the future.


Hope these tips help when we all start tackling this ambitious new years goals.

I'd love to get your tips! Email them to me at jdanner@peoplelease.com

4 Ways to Make Sure You Have An All-Star team

1. Since your employees are your most valuable asset, make sure that you provide them with opportunites to grow through classes and training programs. Recognizing their improved performance will go even further in progressing their All-Star mentality.

2. Be clear with your expectations. Sometimes, just making sure that everyone is on the same page will go far in making sure that you receive the best your employee can give.

3. In the same vein, clear, concise job descriptions cn go far in making sure that your employee is focusigng on what is mosy important and not getting distracted with more frivilous tasks.

4. Promote within. More than anything else, this will encourage employees to always be on their tip top behavior--just in case you are looking.

How do you get the best out of your employees? I'd love to hear! You can contact me at jdanner@peoplelease.com

How to take care of your Caregivers

A recent report published by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving stated that 29% of the U.S. population "provides care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year and spends an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one while continuing to work."

All of us remember Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant that famously ended his two-decade career with an intercom burst and a slide down the airplane's emergency exit while enjoying a beer from the beverage compartment. What some might not know is that the incident was primarily caused by Slater becoming increasingly stressed while caring for his cancer-stricken mother.

For years, doctors and psychologists have recognized the effects of caregiver stress. Now, some employers are too. General Electric, IBM, PepsiCo and Tyco are among several employers that are offering support, flexible work hours, access to financial and legal advice, grief counseling, and offering caregiver support groups. Small Businesses have an inherent disadvantage due to their size in this area..so what can you do to help your employee that is also a caregiver?

1. Acknowledge the difficulty of what your employee is going through.

2. If possible, try to help them work out their schedule, either through weekend work or working from home.

3. Offer to assist them in finding a financial planner & family counselor.

4. Encourage them to take care of themselves-especially making sure that they receive enough sleep.

I would love to get your thoughts..email them to me at jdanner@peoplelease.com

Top Ten Payroll Mistakes

Here's the list of the most common mistakes that are made during payroll.

1. Making improper overtime payments
2. Misidentifying employees and independent contractors
3. Making mistakes on an employee's W-2 form
4. Missing tax deposit or filing deadlines
5. Determining exempt vs non-exempt status
6. Mistakes on 1099-MISC forms for independent contractors
7. Messing up or mishandling garnishments, child support payments, or levies
8. Ignoring other taxable items, such as gifts, bonuses, and awards
9. Incorrect, incomplete, or out-of-date I-9 forms
10. Poor record keeping or data gathering

Payroll mistakes can cost your company about 1.2% of total payroll costs. Call People Lease and we make sure that everything about your payroll gets done correctly the first time.

For more information, call 800.723.3025 or email me at jdanner@peoplelease.com

What to include in a moonlighting policy

In the state of our still shaky economy, holding a second job is necessary for many-especially those that are looking for a little extra holiday cash.. In 2009, 5.2% of the general population held multiple jobs.With the increase in moonlighting, it has become increasingly important for small businesses to instill moonlighting policies. Here are some ideas of what to include:

1. Confidentiality.

While this may seem abundantly obvious to you, it is important to make sure that your employees understand that taking a job where any company information is used (such as client lists, etc) is strictly forbidden.

2. Conflict of interest.

Obviously, you do not want your employee moonlighting for your competitor. To ensure that this is the case, you should make sure that you include a statement requiring your employees to reveal any possible conflicts of interest. Remember is is completely appropriate for you to ensure that a second job does not create a conflict of interest.

3. Performance

When an employee has a second job, it means that they have less personal time, less sleep, and more stress. Hence, it is important to include a performance policy to mitigate your employee from catching up on personal items during company time.

What do you think about moonlighting policies. Give them to me at jdanner@peoplelease.com

How to Keep Your Employees Focused During the Holidays

Shopping. Holiday cards. Parties. Family Obligations. The holidays equal distraction in most offices. A recent survey revealed that 46% of Americans plan to complete their holiday shopping during work hours-either through online shopping, taking sick days, or cutting out a little early. This begs the question: how can employers best keep their employees focused?

1. Identify last years pitfalls.
Did your employees take long lunches last year? If so, review the lunch policy with everyone. Whatever the problems in your office are, identify them is your first step!

2. Focus on the positive.
Make sure that your employees know that you appreciate their contributions and achievements. Being appreciated lifts the spirits and goes a long way to stay motivated during stressful and harried times.

3. Don't be a Scrooge.
Perk up morale by giving your workers a celebratory holiday treat to look forward to!

4. Maintain leadership.
Set an example of what you expect during the holiday season. If your attitude and goals are lax during this time, chances are employees are going to follow your lead and slack off as well. Keep focused on your year-end goals and chances are your employees will do the same.

You can reach me at jdanner@peoplelease.com

How to get your employees interested in 401(k)s

Getting your employees to a closer state of financial well being is something that is important to almost every small business owner. However, getting your employees to understand that importance can be a little more difficult. Here are some ways to help you help your employees:

1. Offer one-on-one consultations.
The proof is in the pudding: 51% of 401(k) investors prefer to have a one-on-one meeting to discuss their financial planning versus online research (23%) or brochures (4%). At People Lease, we would love to set up one-on-one meetings with one of our 401k specialists to ensure that your employee gets all of their questions answered before proceeding.

2. Express your opinion.
If your employees knows that you have invested in the 401(k) program, they are much more likely to invest in it too. Let them know that planning their financial future is well worth their time and money.

3. Strike when the iron is hot.
Statistics show that people are most open to engaging in a new 401(k) plan when changing a job, times of economic recession, and/or the loss of a spouse or partner.

4. KISS.
Keep It Simple Stupid. 53% of Americans say that they find 401(k) planning even more complicated than health care. Keeping it simple will not only encourage participation, but will also make your employees feel more at ease.

5. Let us take care of it for you!
Our plan is specifically made for small businesses, so that it can be tailored to your needs. Plus, we have over 25 years of experience and a system in place to help your employees understand the complexities of financial planning with ease.

For more information, you can contact me at jdanner@peoplelease.com or at 800.723.3025

How to Keep Your Office Healthy

Stomach bugs. Sneezing. Coughing. If your office is anything like ours, the season of sickness is in full swing. According to the Centers of Disease Control, the flu alone costs companies $10.4 billion. With a still-struggling economy, it is more important than ever to keep your employees well. Here are some tips:

1. Get Vaccinated.
Only 37% of Americans have received the flu vaccination. Investing in flu shots for your employees is well worth the money.

2. Wash your hands.
This is cited by many as being the most effective way to prevent the spread of the flu. When hot water and soap are unavailable, use wet ones or antibacterial gel. Additionally, providing materials for your employees to disinfect their keyboards will go far in eliminating contamination.

3.Stay home.
If an employees is sick, send them home. Spreading germs around the office will be more of a disservice than having your sick employee there.

4. Promote personal space.
Avoid excessive touching and/or handshaking. According to the Mayo clinic, a good rule is to stand at least 3 feet apart when possible.

Tired of paperwork?

Freeing up Cash: Last Minute Tax Deductions for 2010.

If you are anything like most of us, you are already focused on your first-quarter cash flow. One great way to free up some cash is by maximizing your 2010 deductions. Here are some ways to do that:

1.Deduct charged expenses.
Both cash & accrual basis taxpayers can charge expenses on a credit card and deduct them in the year charged, regardless of when paid.

2. Buy those big ticket items.
It would be advantageous from a tax standpoint to buy any large fixed asset purchases by December 31, 2010 because of the special bonus depreciation rules enacted for2010 that allow an expense for 50% of the purchase.

3. Buy that car!
Maximize auto depreciation for 2010 purchases. IF you buy a new car before the end of 2010, your first year depreciation deduction will be $11,060. If you wait until 2011, your first year depreciation will be knocked down to $3,060.

4. First year business credit.
The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 temporarily increased the amount of start-up expenditures entrepreneurs can deduct from their taxes for this year from 5000 to 10,000.

5. Sell that property!
If you have some business property that you have been considering liquidating, now is the time. As of January 1, 2011, Capital Gains rate will increase from 15% to 25%.

For information you can contact me at Jdanner@peoplelease.com

The Gators & Excellence

Anyone that has known me for over 5 minutes knows that I am a die-hard Gator fan. Anyone that follows college football knows that I am not happy. The Gators have had a train wreck of a season…to put it mildly. After over 15 seasons of glorious football, our reign of dominance is over in a very big way.  So how do the Gators get back to excellence? How do any of us achieve it?

1. Love what you do.

I really don’t think that anyone can be excellent at anything with a bad attitude. Everyone has seen someone with massive potential fail due to a bad attitude. Likewise, when someone is in love with what they are doing and has passion for their job, it fuels resilience, perseverance, and focus.

2. Practice makes perfect.

Bringing you’re A- game is completely necessary if you want to excel. Not some of the time, but ALL of the time. If you choose to divide your day up into 60-90 minute segments, you will not only find that your efficiency greatly increases, your quality of work similarly increases.

3. Listen to the critics.

Pretty much everyone says that you should never listen to your critics and follow your instincts. I completely disagree. I think that if you are going to achieve true excellence you have to address the issues that other see with your performance. You can never improve if you can nor first accept your own flaws.

4. Delay your gratification.

Put your goals fist. Play second. Categorize your tasks based on importance, not desire.

Love getting your comments..keep them coming at jdanner@peoplelease.com