Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast

President and CEO Emily Williams Knight helped guide the Texas Restaurant Association and its tens of thousands of members through the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to advocate for legislation that will help restaurants thrive. She shares stories about the industry association’s efforts on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, to educate and benefit members, as well as her thoughts on why transactional tipping is bad, swipe fees, t...

Who wouldn’t take an 88.5 on a test? It’s passing. Sadly, the National Federation of Independent Small Businesses Optimism survey isn’t a test – and 88.5 is not great. In fact, it is the 27th straight month that the survey has shown less than optimistic results. Gene Marks takes a look at what might be causing the steady dip, plus he talks about how employers have to prepare for the pending OT rule. Not everything is gloom: Women-o...

Cathy Engelbert has shattered a few glass ceilings in her career – first woman CEO of Deloitte and first WNBA commissioner – while still battling the gender imbalance in leadership roles. She shares her journey with Gene Marks on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, starting with her formative years, her decision to be a working mother while striking work/life balance, the mentorship she received. She also talks about confidence gap...

If you’re in the Midwest, job prospects have ticked up slightly – the first increase in 2024 – and every region has seen growth in all but one industry, according to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch. Gene Marks also highlights a study on manufacturing that points to a massive gap in the next decade of qualified and trained workers, especially regarding digital skills. He stresses that businesses can get potential tax cre...

Kent Smetters has experienced public policy on the economy from inside and outside the federal government. The economist and Wharton school professor helps us explore the use of economic modeling in influencing public policy and examines the potential impact of fiscal challenges and tax legislation changes. He joins Gene Marks on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, to talk about the many factors impacting economic growth, and how e...

Fast-food restaurants with a national footprint gain an exemption via the law as California raises its minimum wage. Gene Marks discusses the issues this could cause, but also says the state could be a model for others if its works. He also takes a look at a new Bank of America portal that streamlines the process by connecting access to funding sources, and he just can’t get over the fact that a bellwether for the check on inflatio...

What’s the economic outlook of the United States and what factors influence it? Columbia professor Brett House takes a deep dive focusing on growth rates, immigration, free trade, tariffs, deficits and much more – and how these impact small businesses as much as large corporations. Gene Marks and Brett discuss NAFTA, foreign markets, and other policies that will make an impact in 2024.

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Employers who want to retain good employees might have to buy them comfortable cushions for their long commute to work. Seems super-commuting – traveling distances of up to 300 miles one way per day – is becoming popular. Gene Marks offers a few tips on how to manage this trend. He also puts on his CPA hat to warn against scammers grabbing your data from public records to steal any potential tax refund. And even the latest employee...

What would you think about working one less day and 8 fewer hours each week plus be eligible for overtime pay on a daily basis and benefits? It’s been introduced in the U.S. Senate, but Gene Marks shares a similar view as its detractors – it would crush small businesses, who have also seen their contracts with the U.S. government fall by one-third over the past decade because of restrictive regulations and legislation. Any thoughts...

Actor, producer, recording artist, and entrepreneur Queen Latifah shares on this episode of Paychex Thrive, a Business Podcast, what she feels are the biggest challenges facing millions of women-owned businesses. She comments on the disparate funding from venture capitalists that direct less than 5% of all dollars to women-owned businesses and to the lack of recognition for women already in powerful positions. She advises women to ...

The gig might be up for gig workers. The DOL’s independent contractor worker classification rule went into effect March 11 and businesses using 1099 workers need to reclassify individuals properly – and possibly make them employees – to stay compliant. Gene Marks says it’s going to create some havoc before it’s all sorted out, including potential challenges in court. Small businesses did get a win when the SBA announced an improved...

After nearly a quarter century in the restaurant and hospitality business, Jeanne Cretella has seen major swings, and the President of Landmark Hospitality shares her thoughts with Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, on what works and what doesn’t in the industry. Cretella says restaurants and hospitality should always be about service, and that eliminating tipping and proposing steep minimum wage hikes will kill the industry. She ...

As the economy moderates, so too is job growth. Gene Marks offers some insights as to what the data from the latest Paychex Small Business Employment Watch is showing business owners. Fast-food restaurant chain Wendy’s announced the testing of dynamic pricing and customers weren’t happy, so Wendy’s flipped. Is dynamic pricing the future pricing model? How do you feel about a personal escort while shopping? One hardware store owner ...

Business owners cannot wait until AI is full-proof or they will be out of business, according to longtime technology journalist, author, and business owner Kara Swisher. Businesses need to get comfortable with what AI is doing now and can do for them, and then be adaptable as it changes. Swisher speaks with host Gene Marks on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, about the ever-changing business-tech landscape, including why AI is a ...

A recent survey finds that while the majority of small business owners are in favor of a minimum wage hike, half of respondents also feel that an increase would negatively impact their businesses. Host Gene Marks understands this paradox and explains why business owners would have these contradictory opinions. Gene also touches on the new workplace phenomenon called coffee badging and why one CEO isn’t opposed to this practice, as ...

Claire Jarrett is a businesswoman, author, and expert on digital marketing, and she says that data tracking is crucial to understanding how to craft your online ads, messaging, and campaigns. Gene Marks chats with Jarrett on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, about keywords, industry tools, consumer behavior, the shift on cookie tracking, and much more, and shares insights and ad-building tips that could help your business achieve...

A new law takes effect in New York state that requires businesses to be transparent about credit card surcharges while also capping what businesses can charge patrons who use credit cards. Host Gene Marks says he favors this approach and shares insights on this and a few other news items, including the potential expansion of Paid Family Medical Leave in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to include small businesses, and the push for the c...

In today’s ever-changing business landscape, understanding the economy, national debt, and their impact on your trade is a crucial tool. On this episode of Paychex THRIVE, former Federal Reserve economist, Bloomberg columnist, and founder of Sahm Consulting, Claudia Sahm, offers valuable insights to help listeners navigate the complexities of the U.S. economy. She discusses its key aspects, ranging from the role of treasury securit...

Unless you’re Taylor Swift, working for Taylor Swift, or dating Taylor Swift, your business might not be doing as well in the marketplace. At least that’s what recent numbers show, with job vacancies open but 14% of small-business owners indicating they aren’t hiring over the next three months. Gene Marks takes a look at a recent report, plus shares some poor productivity numbers following the Super Bowl and the astronomical econom...