Employment “At Will” is an important doctrine that employers and employees alike need to know.  In simple terms, it means that either the employer or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason, or for no reason. There is a BIG CAVEAT to this though:  know that  various laws may restrict your ability to fire someone for wrongful reasons, such as those reasons related to race or sex.

As an employer, you have a responsibility to make sure your  at will policy is clearly outlined in your employee handbook and that  you take the time to explain that policy to any new hire.  One sure way to make sure you remain on the same page is to have the new employee sign a letter indicating that they understand and agree to the fact that they are an at will employee.  It may save you some headaches down the line.

VistaPrint, an online supplier of high-quality graphic design services and customized printed products for small businesses announced the VistaPrint Small Business Success Kit.   Available for free, the VistaPrint Small Business Success Kit provides a compilation of resources from several leading companies to help small businesses get ahead in today’s competitive marketplace.

The Small Business Success Kit offers access to valuable information and special offers geared to help a small business at any stage. For a new business, the kit offers business identity, training, accounting, tax information and more. For those looking to grow a business, the kit offers tips and guidelines to reach targeted prospects and acquire new customers in a cost-effective way through search advertising, direct mail and email marketing.

The Small Business Success Kit includes links to resources from leading product and service companies with tremendous depth of experience in helping small businesses grow. In addition to VistaPrint, here’s a small sampling:

• America’s Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC), the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the United States and its territories, with a network of 5,000 small business counselors.
• Constant Contact, the leading permission-based email marketing solution for small businesses, associations, and nonprofits.
• InfoUSA (Nasdaq: IUSA), the leading provider of business and consumer information products, database marketing services, data processing services and sales and marketing solutions.
• j2 Global (JCOM), the provider of communications services such as eFax and eVoice Receptionist that enable small businesses to cut costs while building a strong business presence.
• Palo Alto Software, makers of BUSINESS PLAN PRO, the best-selling business planning software in the U.S. retail market, according to NPD Intelect (formerly PC Data).

The Small Business Success Kit is free. For more information, small businesses of all sizes should go to www.vistaprintsuccesskit.com.

A recent SurePayroll survey finds that an increase in the federal minimum wage will not affect most small business owners. The survey found that of more than 300 employers polled, 91% said they already pay employees above the current federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. And, 79.5% said an increase would have no impact on their business.

Upon speaking with several of those polled, SurePayroll reported that the majority of small business owners supported an increase in federal minimum wage. Although 59% believe it would have a negative impact on the overall small-business economy, only 10% believed it would force them to close down.

Employee theft and fraud is an ongoing problem that costs businesses, particularly small businesses, big money.  In fact, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimates that  a typical business will lose an average of 6% of revenues from employee theft.  What is even more shocking is a a U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey which reported that one-third of business bankruptcies are due to employee theft.

Small businesses often have a more difficult time in addressing the issue because they simply lack the resources needed to detect fraud.  There are several steps a small business owner can take to limit their exposure to employee theft and fraud including:

1. Thoroughly investigating applicants prior to hiring.  Pre-employment background checks are an excellent way to cut down on hiring dishonest employees.  It may seem time consuming to have to check someone’s criminal and civil history for signs of theft and/or fraud, to check their driver’s license for serious or repetitive violations, and to verify their previous employment record and education, but its a small investment in terms of what it saves you in possible theft.
2. Implement the proper controls and reporting systems.  Every business should have a system in place that regularly assesses everything from the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations, to their compliance with laws and regulations, to how assets are safeguarded, and how accurate their financial reporting system is.
3. Investigate problems.  If there are allegations made by another employee or there is evidence suggesting a fraud or theft, thoroughly investigate the incident and gather all the facts to make an informed decision.  If left unaddressed, chances are it will occur again or grow worse.

Finally, create a positive work environment for everyone in the organization.  Encourage employees to follow established policies and procedures, to act in the best interests of the organization and to keep the lines of  communication open so that issues can be immediately addressed should they arise.

Plan on doing your own business taxes or do you have an accountant? Are you going to need an extension? These are just a few questions SurePayroll was asking small business owners in a recent survey.

Of those surveyed, SurePayroll found that:

• Nearly 88% of the small business owners have an accountant prepare their business tax return while 12% prefer to take a do-it-yourself approach.
• Of the small business owners who use an accountant to prepare their taxes, 38% do not use their accountant for any other services. The remaining 62% use their accountant for tax planning, financial planning, financial accounting, audits or financial analysis.
• 74% of small businesses will file their taxes on or before March 15, while 26% will get an extension.
• When asked if their accountant has ever given them specific advice that helped them pay less in taxes, 80% of surveyed small business owners say their accountant has provided such advice, while 20% say their accountant has never provided any advice that allowed them to pay less in taxes.
• When asked about Section 179 deductions that allow companies to deduct up to $108,000 for new asset purchases, 17% indicate that they will take a Section 179 deduction while 10% indicate they will not. 73% responded that they had never heard of a Section 179 deduction.

The face of small business owners will be changing. That’s the findings of the Intuit Future of Small Business Report.  By 2017, the report claims that the face of small business will dramatically change to become one of the most diverse pools of entrepreneurs ever seen.    The study that looks at the next 10 years finds that seasoned baby boomers, kids fresh out of high school, mid-career women, “mompreneurs” and new immigrants will play a dominate role in the small business arena.

The report expects to see five major trends emerging:

• Entrepreneurs will no longer come predominantly from the middle of the age spectrum, but instead from the edges. People nearing retirement and their children just entering the job market will set the bar as the most entrepreneurial generation ever.
• American entrepreneurship will reflect a huge upswing in the number of women. The glass ceiling that has limited women’s growth in traditional corporate career paths will send a rich talent pool to the small business sector.
• Immigrant entrepreneurs will drive a new wave of globalization. U.S. immigration policy and the outcome of the current immigration debates will affect how this segment performs over the next decade.
• Contract workers, accidental and social entrepreneurs will fuel a proliferation of personal businesses. Economic, social and technological change — and an increased interest in flexible work schedules — will produce a more independent workforce seeking a better work-life balance.
• Entrepreneurship will be a widely adopted curriculum at educational, trade and vocational institutions. As a result, artists, musicians and others not traditionally exposed to business education will learn not just their trade but small-business management skills as well.

A recent BusinessWeek article suggests that podcasting will grab more of the multibillion-dollar online advertising pie in the next five years.   The research firm eMarketer is soon to release a report that shows advertisers will spend more than $400 million on podcasting by 2011.  That is up from $80 million last year.

One factor motivating the growth is the expectation that Google will refine its podcasting services by developing the ability to insert audio ads, based on keywords, into audio podcasts.   In short, they will create some type of AdSense version for podcasting.

Another company making strives in opening podcasting up to advertisers is Podtrac which recently unveiled a free online service that enables advertisers to research audience information for audio and video podcasts based on demographics, size, and other characteristics.

Many mainstream media companies such as Clear Channel and CBS Radio are also moving to embrace the medium which many see as another positive in shifting podcasting more to the mainstream.  The ability to target a more specific market or niche definitely has its appeal for advertisers.

While most of us would like to open an office with brand-new, shiny office equipment, the reality is that the money is usually not in the budget.  That’s why its not unusual to purchase certain office equipment used.  Yes, I said used.  Nothing wrong with that.  Buying used can save you money and there are several places you can look to find good deals such as:

Auctions – Bankruptcy auctions often can  provide you with a great selection of high-quality, almost-new equipment for much less.  The Internet is another great resource for finding auctioned goods.

Liquidators – usually offer a wide selection of items and equipment from large corporate offices that have gone bankrupt.  Good place to start if you are looking for several pieces of matching furniture.

Second Hand Stores – are generally more pricey than a liquidator or auction site, but can be good places to find a distinctive chair for the reception area or trendy office furniture for an executive’s office.