As the president begins to walk back on some of the tariffs with China, Gene Marks says what will remain after negotiations are still significantly high percentage rates on goods coming in from China, which will still impact many U.S. businesses. He also shares insights from economists looking at interest rates and how a risk of recession and lost jobs caused by tariffs might push the Federal Reserve to nudge the rates down. And for entrepreneurs, the best place for start-ups is Florida, which has five of the top six cities based on certain criteria. Sunny days ahead in the Sunshine State. Listen to the podcast.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Tariffs are a major concern for some major industries and confidence is waning, with 40% of contractors worried about slowdowns to profit margins and auto dealers seeing rapid sales declines. Gene Marks says negotiations between nations could resolve much of this, but China remains an issue. He also shares insights to work on culture and employee check-ins as more than half the nation showed up in a study as sufferers of “quiet cracking” – a slow and steady dissatisfaction with the workplace. Gene also agrees with tech analysts that in the fast-paced AI world, businesses should take a slower approach to rolling out the solutions to ensure more understanding and governance. Listen to the podcast.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Immigration compliance is a hot topic that businesses simply can’t afford to ignore. With increasing scrutiny from government agencies and hefty fines on the line, staying on top of your I-9s has never been more critical. This week on THRIVE, Gene sits down with John Fay, immigration attorney and director of Product Strategy at Equifax Workforce Solutions, to cut through the noise and break down exactly what business owners need to know. You’ll learn about common mistakes, the consequences of making them (hint: they’re costly), and practical advice for protecting your business. Don’t miss this timely conversation — it’s essential listening for any employer.

Get an in-depth tutorial on how to prepare for a surprise audit during this on-demand webinar: https://bit.ly/3GeFI3x

[Frequently Updated] Here’s your guide to all things Form I-9: https://bit.ly/3Y98pFp

Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and welcome 00:55 – Introduction to John Fay and his expertise 01:17 – Form I-9 overview 05:09 – Employer verification process 06:34 – Document retention and review 08:13 – Challenges in document verification 10:00 – Advice for employers amid increased scrutiny 12:26 – Employee protections and obligations 14:14 – ICE inspections and potential penalties 19:19 – E-Verify overview 23:20 – Future of immigration compliance 26:09 – Wrap up and thank you

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

As the on-again, off-again, and then partial pause on tariffs dominate the news, Gene Marks level sets which ones are in effect and what businesses need to know moving forward. Also, as corporate bankruptcies hit their highest number since 2010, Gene points to a specific industry – trucking and logistics – and the ensuing layoffs that could tell us more about the economy than other data. And the Spotify CEO’s announcement on AI and hiring is a misstep, according to Gene.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

U.S. Labor Department data shows job starts exceeding expectation in March, while the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch indicates job levels are consistent with previous months. Does this indicate a better outlook? Gene Marks talks about it in this episode, but also says the economy might be influenced by the 14% of employers who are decreasing salary offers and another 20% are scaling back on raises. Businesses with loans from the SBA also must contend with changes in programs that include increased fees for popular 7(a) loans. Listen to the podcast.

Resources:

Paychex Small Business Employment Watch - https://bit.ly/4lG7hTV

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Is complexity holding your team back? On this episode of THRIVE, Gene Marks chats with Lisa Bodell, keynote speaker, author of Why Simple Wins, and CEO of FutureThink, to explore how simplifying business processes can spark innovation and boost engagement. Lisa shares actionable strategies to make your workplace simpler and more productive — from cutting down on unnecessary emails to rethinking meetings and decisions. Plus, discover her powerful “Kill a Stupid Rule” exercise, a proven method that has helped businesses save time, resources, and improve employee satisfaction. Simplicity isn’t just a trendy idea — tune in to hear why it’s the secret to business success.

Looking to simplify HR? Consider the benefits of outsourcing: https://bit.ly/42JG7mr

Learn how AI can help streamline the daunting task of recruiting: https://bit.ly/3FX9tpv

Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and welcome 00:55 – Overview of Lisa’s work and clients 02:48 – Addressing email overload 04:27 – The process of simplifying an organization 05:54 – Role of AI in simplification 08:19 – Areas in business prone to complexity 09:06 – Simplification in different business sizes 12:00 – Good friction vs. unnecessary complexity 14:01 – Gene and Lisa talk to-do lists 16:56 – Surprising clients 22:17 – Measuring simplicity’s impact 24:10 – Tips for more effective meetings 24:58 – Wrap up and thank you

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

On this week's episode of the Paychex THRIVE Week in Review, host Gene Marks talks about key news items affecting small businesses. Recent surveys from MetLife, the US Chamber of Commerce, Viking Cloud, and the US Census Bureau, focus on three main topics: a slight decline in the small business index due to softening in business health and cash flow; cybersecurity concerns, notably a report that 40% of cybersecurity teams haven't disclosed breaches, risking compliance and increasing vulnerability; and a looming succession planning crisis as many business owners near retirement age without clear plans for their businesses' futures. Gene emphasizes the high concerns among business owners about inflation, particularly its record-high impact, and the urgent need to address these trends.

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

The outlook from the Federal Reserve is that everything is on target, so they aren’t budging interest rates. Not great news, according to Gene Marks, for small business trying to secure cheaper funding, but at least they feel the economic outlook is good. Over at the EEOC, executive orders from the new administration have businesses scrambling around DEI activities. Plus, Paychex releases a report on small business sentiment around AI, finding 72% have a good attitude toward its use. And any excuse you are using to get out of work might have been used 3,200 years ago. Listen to podcast for more details.

• AI for Small Businesses: Impact and Sentiment - https://bit.ly/4liZCuz

DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.