News for Business Tips

Back in the spring, lots of people thought that COVID-19 was going to have short-term effects on the world, and then everyone would move on. As it turns out, systemic changes in business practices will continue into the new year and beyond. Companies are thinking about how to use commercial spaces when they don’t necessarily want people to come in. With this information, you’ll have a sense of ...read more

What You Need to Know About Second Draw PPP LoansKey insightsMany entities that were eligible to participate in the first round of the PPP, received a PPP loan, and have fully used those proceeds are eligible to apply for a second draw PPP loan.Second draw PPP loans include a new revenue reduction requirement affecting eligibility.Requesting a re-sizing of your initial PPP loan may result in ...read more

With news that the Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for multiple COVID-19 vaccines, many of our friends in the construction industry have asked whether they can require or mandate that their employees receive one of the vaccines. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently updated its guidance on COVID-19-related employment issues to indicate that ...read more

Billions for roads, harbors, schools, military housing, broadband and clean energy is aimed at spurring construction AUTHOR Joe Bousquin PUBLISHED Jan. 7, 2021 Construction Dive The term “construction” appears 636 times in the $908 billion pandemic relief package and $1.4 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump at the end of December. In other ...read more

Objective: To inform organizations of measures they can take to increase the security of their data, computer, and network systems. The advancement of information technology has made it easier than ever to run a small business, but your organization, as well as your customers and their data, may be at risk unless proper cybersecurity measures are in place. Download this week's training short ...read more

In this unprecedented time, businesses are wondering how to market themselves, and how to do it without breaking the bank.  With people mainly working from home in the North Bay unless they have to go out, or work on site, making sure that you appear on your customer's screens is critical. The absolute best way to get your business in front of people right now is to publish engaging content on ...read more

AUTHOR Kim Slowey @kimslowey PUBLISHED Dec. 14, 2020 Construction Dive As the end of 2020 approaches, even as many construction businesses are still struggling with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s time to close out the year financially. That means it's time for tax planning and the consideration of other financial issues, both of which will hopefully put contractors in the best ...read more

AB 685 Creates Employer COVID-19 Notice Requirements and Expands Cal/OSHA Powers effective January 1, 2021 On November 20, 2020, the OSHA Board unanimously adopted proposed regulations that impose requirements on employers to promulgate written policies regarding COVID-19 Prevention Plans.  The new regulations will go into effect December 1, if approved by the Office of Administrative Law, and ...read more

There are dozens of construction fields. If you’re not sure which one to pursue, how do you decide? The trick is to think about which areas have a lot of growth potential, and which ones are well-suited for the kind of career you want to have. You might have to try out a few directions before you are sure which one will be the most appropriate for your goals. With this information, you’ll know the ...read more

AUTHOR  Joe Bousquin Kim Slowey @kimslowey PUBLISHED Nov. 7, 2020 CONSTRUCTION DIVEFrom infrastructure spending and union support to immigration, taxes and regulations, the construction industry will face a new set of challenges and opportunities under a Biden administration. After a contentious election week that includes the potential for continued lawsuit and recounts, major news outlets ...read more

The industry will start next year facing significant headwinds, economists and other experts predict. AUTHOR Shelley D. Hutchins, LEED-AP PUBLISHED Oct. 21, 2020 More than 10 months since the first coronavirus cases were reported in Wuhan, China, COVID-19's global spread continues to plague commercial construction. Since the pandemic hit the U.S., contractors across the country have faced a ...read more

What Kind Of A Company Are You?  One of the most dangerous terms in the industry is "General Contractor." The truth is, the real riches are made in niche markets, not generalities. These days, you will make more money faster when you know who you are, who your target market is, and how to communicate with them.  Maybe you already have a niche, but you have not done a good job articulating it. Or ...read more

Payroll taxes are one thing that you’ll need to pay as part of your contracting business. As of September 1st, the federal government gave businesses the option to decline withholding these taxes from employee paychecks, as long as they meet certain requirements. There are benefits to this program, but also possible drawbacks. Here’s what you need to know.What Are Payroll Taxes? Payroll taxes are ...read more