Department of Labor Guidance on Independent Contractors

Who Can Be Deemed an Independent Contractor under DOL Scrutiny? by M. Anthony Sacco of Stratalyne The Department of Labor (DOL) ruled (7/15/2015) to change the qualifying rules for deeming an outside resource as an Independent Contractor therefore affecting overtime, taxes, and benefits considerations that in the past have been primarily based upon employer "control" or …

Is Entrepreneurial Passion Overrated

Entrepreneurial Success by M. Anthony Sacco of Stratalyne Business Solutions LLC In the July-August, 2015 Harvard Business Review we find an interesting short article ("Entrepreneurship - For Founders, Preparation Trumps Passion", Dholakia, Herzenstein, & Sonneshein) reporting research findings regarding entrepreneurial success factors.  The article compares success of entrepreneurial organizations as related to passion for the …

Discrimination in the Workplace?

Discrimination in the Workplace 2015? What would the case be in your organization? An article I read in HR Magazine dealt with the responsibility of HR leadership for championing a non-discriminatory culture. The article specifically relates a mistake made by the author 20 years ago while interviewing a pregnant applicant (“Why HR Must Go Beyond …

Discrimination in the Workplace 2015?

Discrimination in the Workplace 2015? What would the case be in your organization? An article I read recently in HR Magazine dealt with the responsibility of HR leadership for championing a non-discriminatory culture. The article specifically relates a mistake made by the author 20 years ago while interviewing a pregnant applicant (“Why HR Must Go …

Value or Value Added Sales Strategy

Value Based Sales Strategy There's a section in Jeff Gitomer's The Little Red Book of Sales Answers entitled "What are the best ways to add value?" (Section 47 p. 93)  Gitomer doesn't mince words so right up front he puts the typical "Value Added" packages in the general category of smoke and mirrors.  His take is that …

Model for Strategic Engagement

Leadership of Strategic Engagement has some Parallels in the Performing Arts This morning as I was driving to the gym in my trusty Toyota Prius, listening to the CD "Duetto" (Alvarez & Licitra, Sony Classical, 2003) which is Italian vocal classics sung by tenor voices in duet.  As I listened, I was thinking about my experiences …

Strategic Communications Planning

Strategic Communications Planning A parallel activity to strategic planning initiatives. Several times over the past I have had the opportunity to play at communications as it relates to behavioral preferences. You probably have too. You know the drill, there are some that use animals to denote types, some categorize into four some eight some more, and …

2015 Greatest Leaders

Leadership Reflection on the 2015 Fortune Greatest The April 2015 issue of Fortune Magazine features a cover article about its choice of the greatest leaders ("The World's 50 Greatest Leaders", Becoming Tim Cook, Lashinsky, A., p 60). I like these lists that come out from which I can compare leadership traits on a prearranged level …

Unintended But Predictable Outcomes

Unintended Outcomes I was doing some research and, in the process, found in the July 2015 issue of Scientific American, an article entitled "Evolution From Wolf To Dog" (Morrell, Virginia, p. 60) and it reminded me about how intentional goals can end up with some unintended and unexpected outcomes.  The article explains that the dog was …

Unintended But Predictable Outcomes

Unintended Outcomes I was reading the July 2015 issue of Scientific American, specifically an article entitled "Evolution From Wolf To Dog" (Morrell, Virginia, p. 60) and it got me thinking about how our intentional goals can end up with some unintended and unexpected outcomes.  The article explains that the dog was the first domesticated animal but …