AWB Statement on Workers’ Compensation Rate Increase

Average 2 percent hike is nearly double what’s required

OLYMPIA — The Association of Washington Business, Washington state’s largest business organization representing small, medium and large employers, issued the following statement from President Kris Johnson regarding the Department of Labor & Industries’ announcement of the 2016 workers’ compensation rate increase:

Washington Earns a C+ For Small Business Friendliness, A+ for Training and Networking Programs

WA Governments Barely Passing, Need Improvement in Attitude Towards Small Business

Small business owners in Washington gave the state one of the country's highest marks for local training programs, but found its regulatory environment challenging, according to Thumbtack’s annual Small Business Friendliness Survey. Complete results for Washington are

AWB statement on proposed House budget

Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, issued the following statement Monday in response to the proposed 2015-17 state operating budget heard by members of the House Appropriations Committee.

“Although this budget makes some important investments in education and social services, it is disappointing for Washington employers, particularly small-business owners, because it proposes to pay for them by raising taxes on small businesses, a group that already pays more than its share of the state’s tax burden. Washington businesses pay more than 54 percent of state and local taxes.

“Raising the state’s gross receipts tax, known as the business and occupation (B&O) tax by 20 percent on services, as this budget proposes, would hit more than 100,000 small businesses hard at a time when most of the state is still waiting for the economic recovery to arrive. In 37 of 39 counties, Washington’s unemployment rate remains higher than the national average and in many counties, including Pacific, Grays Harbor and Okanogan, the unemployment rate is above 10 percent.

“We also have concerns about the proposed capital gains tax. Although it’s described as a tax on high-income individuals, it could impact a wider group than intended, including some small businesses.

“Raising taxes in this climate, and repealing tax incentives that voters have previously endorsed, will make Washington less competitive for many employers, particularly small, family-owned businesses, and will not stimulate much-needed job growth.

“Washington is expected to bring in $3 billion more during the next budget cycle. That’s about a 9 percent increase over the current budget, a rate of growth that most businesses would be delighted to see. Voters have made it clear they want lawmakers to fund necessary services while still living within their means.

“We look forward to seeing the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus’ budget proposal soon.”

About the Association of Washington Business

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,300 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.

16,000 Jobs Lost Under House Bill 1355

Washington state could lose more than $7 billion in economic output and 16,000 jobs should House Bill 1355 become law, according to testimony given today by Patrick Connor, Washington state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, America’s largest and leading small-business association.

Connor presented the findings from a report conducted exclusively on HB 1355 by NFIB’s Research Foundation to the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee at this afternoon’s hearing on the measure. “Common sense alone should warn what would happen if you shocked employers with a nearly 30-percent spike in the state’s minimum-wage rate,” said Connor, “but our study, which uses the most sophisticated economic modeling available, puts in graphic detail the economic peril contained in HB 1355.”

Michael Chow, senior data analyst for NFIB’s Research Foundation, used the Business Size Insight Module to produce the report on HB 1355. BSIM is a dynamic, multi-region model based on the Regional Economic Models, Inc. structural economic forecasting and policy analysis model, which integrates input-output, computable general equilibrium, econometric, and economic geography methodologies. The BSIM has the unique ability to forecast the economic impact of public policy and proposed legislation on different categories of U.S. businesses differentiated by employee-size-of-firm.

HB 1355 would raise the state’s hourly minimum-wage rate to $12 from its current $9.47, already the highest of any state in the nation (the District of Columbia’s rate is $9.50). The federal minimum-wage rate is $7.25. HB 1355 squeaked out of the House on a 51-to-46 vote on March 3. Today’s hearing in the Senate was its first in that chamber.

“It will forever bear repeating that the minimum-wage rate is an entry-level wage earn almost entirely by teens and young adults starting out on their working lives,” said Connor. “Raising it has mainly one effect, and that is to remove the first rung up the economic ladder for tens of thousands of young people. This state also has a disingenuous history with this issue, after voters were promised that a 1998 ballot initiative linking future increases in the minimum-wage rate to rises in the Consumer Price Index would forever solve the issue and remove it from politics.”

The entire 19-page BSIM analysis can be read here.

For more than 70 years, the National Federation of Independent Business has been the Voice of Small Business, taking the message from Main Street to the halls of Congress and all 50 state legislatures. NFIB annually surveys its members on state and federal issues vital to their survival as America's economic engine and biggest creator of jobs. NFIB’s educational mission is to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges and priorities.

Staples Survey Highlights Importance of Technology To Small Business Owners

For small business owners, email rates as the top software tool (47%) for running their business, followed by financial management software (29%), according to a Staples’ study of 510 small business owners conducted online by Harris Poll during late summer 2014. Additionally, the survey shows the importance of technology to small businesses of all kinds.

“More than ever, small businesses rely on technology to make more happen every day,” said Alison Corcoran, senior vice president, North American stores and online, Staples. “Staples offers an expanded assortment of the latest technology products in store and online, as well as Staples EasyTech™ services to help our small business customers so they can focus on running their business.”

The survey also shows that this is a crucial season for small businesses, with 62 percent looking forward to fall as the start of the holiday. Overall, about a third (31%) plan to invest in online marketing this fall.

Additional facts revealed in the Staples Small Business Owners Survey include:

• Drive profits: Small business owners want to improve business by increasing promotional marketing (26%), developing social media (21%) and managing inventory better (14%).


• Technology focus: 71% of small business owners say the computer is the most crucial piece of office equipment.


• Everyday focus: 63% of small business owners don’t have a five-year plan.


• Buying decisions: 96% of small business owners are involved in purchasing products for their business.


• Omnichannel shoppers: More than half (53%) of small business owners use the convenience of shopping both channels, with 82% shopping in store and 66% shopping online.


• More efficient:  Small business owners plan to “get smart” increase efficiency this fall by focusing on marketing and advertising (28%), cash flow management (26%) and social media use (26%).


• Fall clean-up: 56% of small business owners actually plan a fall clean-up.

To help small business customers prepare for the busy fall and holiday seasons, Staples is celebrating small businesses throughout October with special savings and business tips. For small business expert tips and details on savings visit: http://www.staples.com/Small-Business-Main/cat_BI823623

Methodology

This Staples SBO Success survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Duffy & Shanley and their client Staples, between August 26 – September 2, 2014 among 510 U.S. small business owners, in each of the 4 regions (East, Midwest, South, and West). This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

About Staples:

Staples makes it easy to make more happen with more products and more ways to shop. Through its world-class retail, online and delivery capabilities, Staples lets customers shop however and whenever they want, whether it’s in-store, online, on mobile devices, or through the company’s innovative buy online, pick-up in store option. Staples offers more products than ever, such as technology, facilities and breakroom supplies, furniture, safety supplies, medical supplies, and Copy and Print services. Headquartered outside of Boston, Staples operates throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples (SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.

Benefits of Video Conferencing for Small Businesses

According to Huffington Post, the average manager in the workforce spends about half of their day in virtual meetings. This is a huge difference from the actions of corporate leaders a few years ago who rejected or didn’t really understand the significance of integrating video conferencing in the workplace. Now, with executives singing a new tune, the business world is expected to keep evolving, in terms of technology and the addition of even more efficient features as time goes on.

While big corporations are expected to delve into the video conferencing phenomenon, many small businesses are still warming up to the how much these platforms could actually benefit them. Obviously, costs and going outside of a tight budget is mostly being taken into consideration by companies that are still on the rise. Still, Blue Jeans Video Conferencing features should be viewed as a worthwhile investment that’ll eventually pay off in numerous ways.

• Environmentally Friendly

In the last few decades, the use of paper in companies has gradually become a big no-no. This is especially true for individuals in corporations that promote taking better care of the ecosystem by recycling or being mindful of using paper only in dire circumstances. As a small business owner, you’re getting the most out of new wave corporate practices while simultaneously endorsing a meaningful cause that many people take to heart when you choose to invest in Blue Jeans Video Conferencing.

• Less Time-Consuming

You also have the freedom of keeping more flexible hours. Figuring out a time when everyone can physically meet can be an unnecessary hassle, not to mention all of the meaningless small talk that people use in conventional business meetings. Granted these are sometimes effective ways to break the ice or transition into the next agenda item in a smooth fashion, but there’s a tendency of getting carried away with idle conversation.

• Boosts Productivity

That said, online meeting participants are less likely to lose interest due to unproductive talks. Consider the times you’ve stared at a speaker’s face without fully processing his or her words because mentally, you’d already went into your own world of thoughts. Don’t feel bad because everyone’s had a similar feeling at some point in their career.

Unfortunately, this is a normal response that indicates the lack of engagement in many face-to-face meetings. Virtual conferences, on the other hand, help you stay focused on the bigger picture. Corporate webinars force people to get to the heart of their meeting’s outline without rambling or digressing.

This, in turn, triggers a higher participation level that has better chances of wooing people into speaking up and voicing their opinions. Keep in mind that some people are still very self-conscious when it comes to speaking in public, but with this kind of approach, more people feel at ease about contributing to the conversation.

• Promotes Versatility

There’s basically no limit to the amount of features that are present in online meeting platforms. Small business leaders should take this factor for what it’s worth and try to get the most out of the tools that equip them to carry out spectacularly structured discussion. Believe it or not, the large assortment of features available keeps your audience stimulated as well. There’s simply no time to yawn or entertain wandering thoughts when you have the opportunity to learn art of bi-directional document sharing or how to manipulate video layouts of a certain speaker.

• Saves Money

Don’t get left behind in the dinosaur world of outdated business processes that sometimes plague the corporate sphere. Shareholders and top executives yearn for change and innovation. One of the top ways to show them that you’re on board with their ideals is to integrate Blue Jeans Video Conferencing systems into your daily work routine. Make the mark of a lifetime in your chosen profession by taking control of the advantages the online meetings that are within your grasp.

• Promotes a Health Work/Life Balance

Have you ever felt like you’re the majority of your life during the week was spent in conference rooms? It’s not a good feeling to dwell on, as this brings up a very important point: if you’re stuck in an office conversation during most of your days, you really don’t have time or energy for anything non-work related.

In addition, excessive travels can put a damper on your spirits and drain you since it’s not done in moderation. When this happens, you’re no good to anyone, and you tend to get less work done because you’re focused on how bad you feel.

Online video conferencing gives you the power to dictate your work/life balance. Managing interactions on this platform gives you more time to put your energies toward your personal life and the activities that you enjoy doing outside of work.