HIGH DRAMA AT THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

by HLF Editor on January 19, 2012

By Robert S. Halagan, Halagan Law Firm, Ltd.
Are we ever going to elect any adults to Congress?  While there has been much discussion over voter identification laws in many states, maybe it’s time for a minimum intelligence standard for those people we send to Washington.  Idiocy and incompetence seem to be the standard currency of [...]

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BUDGET FOR PROFIT

by HLF Editor on January 19, 2012

As small business owners, most of us are familiar with the term “Budget.”  According to wiki, a budget is “a list of all planned expenses and revenues  that ‘enables the actual financial operation of the business to be measured against the forecast.’”  Yet where is the reference to “Profit?”  Given the [...]

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WHY ARE MY HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE RATES INCREASING!

January 19, 2012

By Gary Sorenson, CEA, CLCS, PLCS, President, Insurance Brokers of Minnesota
Here are interesting facts from:

Insurance Federation of Minnesota
It May Not Be a Coastal State, but MN is No Stranger to Catastrophe

Severe Weather Reports in Minnesota, January 1—October 25, 2011

Total Severe Weathers Reports in Minnesota  = 552
Tornadoes = 30
Hail Reports = 192
Wind Reports [...]

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ESTATE PLANNING BASICS

January 19, 2012

By Kevin Lanigan, Carlson Estate Planning
There are a number of good reasons to consider putting together an estate plan or recommending estate planning to your friends and family. This is especially important if you live in Minnesota and your assets, including your home, exceed $1 million. That’s when Minnesota’s estate tax kicks in. Fewer people, [...]

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CHANGES TO UNITED STATES PATENT LAW – WIN, LOSE OR DRAW FOR SMALL AND STARTUP BUSINESSES

January 19, 2012

By Michael S. Sherrill, Sherrill Law Offices, PLLC
The Federal Government instituted sweeping changes to United States Patent Law this past fall with enactment of the “America Invents Act”.  While many of the substantive changes do not take effect until fall of 2012, it is important to understand the likely consequences, both intended and unintended, of [...]

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A FRESH START: JANUARY 2012

January 19, 2012

By Ted LaFrance, Wright County Economic Development Partnership
Welcome to 2012! 2012 promises to be a great year for the Partnership and our region. As you read in December’s newsletter, the unemployment rates have been decreasing for Wright County. Three new members have joined with the Partnership for 2012 thus far, GREATER MSP has been requesting [...]

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PREVIEW 2011 > 2012

January 19, 2012

By Robert Sicora, Sicora Consulting, Inc.
I wanted to take a moment and get you updated on where things are for Sicora Consulting, Inc (SCI).
We have had numerous exciting opportunities throughout 2011. From those experiences, we are positioned to make even a greater impact in 2012 helping organizations maximize their human potential and receive the greatest [...]

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TAXES……TAXES – WHAT TO KNOW FOR 2012

January 19, 2012

By Roben D. Hunter, JD, CPA, CVA, CFFA, Hunter Advisors, PLLC
Although much of the tax returns look the same as last year, there are a few items that you should be aware of that will affect your 2012 tax planning.  The following tax provisions for individuals have been extended through 2012:

Capital gain tax rate of [...]

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TRADE SECRETS: HOW TO PROTECT YOURS? WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF A NEW HIRE BRINGS SECRETS WITH THEM?

November 23, 2011

By Robert S. Halagan, Halagan Law Firm, Ltd.
You have a key employee who knows all the business secrets of your organization; how do you make sure he doesn’t take them to your competitors and potentially cripple your company?  A key employee from a competitor is looking for a job and you’d like to hire her; [...]

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EXCUSE ME, MAY I BUY THAT CUSTOMER PLEASE?

November 23, 2011

By Kelli Hoskins, ActionCOACH MetroNorth
Preposterous! Buy a customer? Outrageous! Begging for customers, pleading for new clients, laying out breadcrumbs to lead unsuspecting customers in the door… Just how do you see bringing new customers into your business?
Have you ever just put an ad out there, whether it be on the radio, on TV, in a [...]

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2012 YEAR-END TAX PLANNING IDEAS

November 23, 2011

By Casey A. Mattson, Johnson+Mattson, P.A.
Year-end tax planning is especially challenging this year because of uncertainty over whether Congress will enact sweeping tax reform that could have a major impact in 2012 and beyond. And even if there’s no major tax legislation in the immediate future, Congress next year still will have to grapple with [...]

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ARE BANKS LENDING?

November 23, 2011

By Steven J. Huston, President, BANKWEST
I often hear the comment that banks are not making business loans. While I understand my perspective may be slanted from the banker’s side of the desk, I want to offer some clarification as well as information that should be helpful to the small business owner.
In recent economic times, the [...]

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CHAPTER 4: WHEN TO PATENT

November 23, 2011

By Michael S. Sherrill, Sherrill Law Offices, PLLC
You’ve just come up with an idea for a new product or process or an improvement on an existing product or process.  You’re convinced that if this invention works the way you think it will, you’ll be rich beyond your wildest dreams.  You know that you need to [...]

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BUSINESS VERSUS TECHNOLOGY

November 23, 2011

By Brian Zarzycki, MP Integrated Solutions
Did you know that not all computer consulting firms are the same? Most people would say that is a true statement. I usually ask those same people why they believe that statement is true, and many believe that most consulting firms are different due to their hourly rate. Lots of [...]

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HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT RULES FOR 2012

November 23, 2011

By Gary Sorenson, CEA, CLCS, PLCS, President, Insurance Brokers of Minnesota
A Health Savings Account or HSA is tax advantaged medical savings account that is owned by the individual.  They are designed to be used in conjunction with a High Deductible Health Insurance Plan.  The money contributed to the account is not subject to federal tax at the [...]

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