The 12 Best Business Management Books in 2013

Whether you enjoy books on work strategies or leadership strategies, this list shares some of the best books that were out in 2013.  From Cheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead to Tom Rath and Barry Conchie’s book Strengths-Based Leadership, here are some of my favorites that can also be found on www.barnesandnoble.com.   Any you’d like to share?

1. Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
2. The ONE thing: The Surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results by Gary Keller
3. Sometimes You Win – Sometimes you Learn: Life’s greatest lessons are gained from our losses by John C. Maxwell
4. Decisive: How to make better choices in life and work by Chip Heath
5. The Map and the Territory: Risk, Human Nature, and the Future of Forecasting by Alan Greenspan
6. To Sell is Human: The Surprising truth about moving others by Daniel H. Pink
7. How Successful People Lead: Taking your influence to the next level by John C. Maxwell
8. Before Happiness by Shawn Achor
9. Great Work by David Sturt
10. Mission in a Bottle by Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff
11. Strengths-Based Leadership by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie
12. Winning from Within by Erica Fox

Obamacare Employer Mandate Delayed Until 2015

According to the Treasury Department, employers who don't provide health insurance will be spared penalties of up to $3,000 per worker until 2015.  This is a one-year delay of a major component of President Barack Obama's health care reform law.  What are you thoughts?  Click on this link to read more about.

Patient Care Act - 2014 Key Elements

What you need to know do!

We are at the half way mark – with 6 more months to go.  So, what are you doing about the Patient Care Act.  Is your company ready?  Are your employees ready for these changes?  Is it your job to inform them?  HHS.gov provides a good rundown on items that are coming around the bend.  It’s probably a good idea to start thinking about and planning for this.  For details of what’s to come, please see below.  This information can also be accessed by going to the Health and Human Services website: www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/timeline/timeline-text.html#2014.   Like it or not, its coming.  Such is life, such is change, be prepared.

2014 

NEW CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

• Prohibiting Discrimination Due to Pre-Existing Conditions or Gender.  The law implements strong reforms that prohibit insurance companies from refusing to sell coverage or renew policies because of an individual’s pre-existing conditions. Also, in the individual and small group market, the law eliminates the ability of insurance companies to charge higher rates due to gender or health status. Effective January 1, 2014. Learn more about protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions.
• Eliminating Annual Limits on Insurance Coverage. The law prohibits new plans and existing group plans from imposing annual dollar limits on the amount of coverage an individual may receive. Effective January 1, 2014.Learn how the law will phase out annual limits by 2014.
• Ensuring Coverage for Individuals Participating in Clinical Trials. Insurers will be prohibited from dropping or limiting coverage because an individual chooses to participate in a clinical trial.  Applies to all clinical trials that treat cancer or other life-threatening diseases. Effective January 1, 2014. 

IMPROVING QUALITY AND LOWERING COSTS

• Making Care More Affordable. Tax credits to make it easier for the middle class to afford insurance will become available for people with income between 100% and 400% of the poverty line who are not eligible for other affordable coverage. (In 2010, 400% of the poverty line comes out to about $43,000 for an individual or $88,000 for a family of four.) The tax credit is advanceable, so it can lower your premium payments each month, rather than making you wait for tax time. It’s also refundable, so even moderate-income families can receive the full benefit of the credit. These individuals may also qualify for reduced cost-sharing (copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles). Effective January 1, 2014.
• Establishing the Health Insurance Marketplace. Starting in 2014 if your employer doesn’t offer insurance, you will be able to buy it directly in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Individuals and small businesses can buy affordable and qualified health benefit plans in this new transparent and competitive insurance marketplace. The Marketplace will offer you a choice of health plans that meet certain benefits and cost standards. Starting in 2014, Members of Congress will be getting their health care insurance through the Marketplace, and you will be able buy your insurance through Marketplace too. Learn more about the Health Insurance Marketplace.
• Increasing the Small Business Tax Credit. The law implements the second phase of the small business tax credit for qualified small businesses and small non-profit organizations. In this phase, the credit is up to 50% of the employer’s contribution to provide health insurance for employees.  There is also up to a 35% credit for small non-profit organizations.  Effective January 1, 2014. Learn more about the small business tax credit.

INCREASING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CARE

• Increasing Access to Medicaid. Americans who earn less than 133% of the poverty level (approximately $14,000 for an individual and $29,000 for a family of four) will be eligible to enroll in Medicaid. States will receive 100% federal funding for the first three years to support this expanded coverage, phasing to 90% federal funding in subsequent years. Effective January 1, 2014.
• Promoting Individual Responsibility. Under the law, most individuals who can afford it will be required to obtain basic health insurance coverage or pay a fee to help offset the costs of caring for uninsured Americans.  If affordable coverage is not available to an individual, he or she will be eligible for an exemption. Effective January 1, 2014.

Source: Health and Human Services, http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/timeline/index.html

Executives who tweet!

Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) made news this week as she decided to join twitter.  

The news came as a surprise as most people thought that she would take some time to relax having just completed her position as the former Secretary of State.  Now that she’s on twitter, we’ll see and hear even more of Hillary and perhaps get to know her more personal side, thoughts and expressions (in 160 words or less).  What comes to mind is Execs at companies that decide to join social media accounts like Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and share their thoughts with the world.  How will their thoughts and expressions go over with the general public?  Is this a decision that needs to be fleshed out a little bit more with the communications team to ensure that they are in line with the organizations values, culture and brand?   I think so!  Just as some companies have a dedicated social media person that updates the companies twitter account, so should your company Executive.  I’m 100% sure that at some point Hillary Clinton will use one too.

As always, prioritize, set boundaries and live!

USCIS releases I-9 form today

According to many sources, the long awaited new version of the I-9 form will be coming out today.   According to LawLogix.com, some of the new details include:

New data fields, including employee’s foreign passport information, telephone and email address;

Clarifying the form’s instructions; and

Revising the layout of the form and expanding it from one to two pages.

The Federal Register is set to announce the news.  Stay tuned for the form! 

http://www.lawlogix.com/electronic-i9/announcements/uscis-releases-official-revised-new-two-page-form-i-9/  

As always, prioritize, set boundaries and live!

Call for Human Resource Apps!!

I'm researching for another post on Human Resource Apps but wanted to get your take on the best HR Apps that you've seen or used.  Send me a message and let me know why they make your life easier.  I'm looking forward to your suggestions.

As always, prioritize, set boundaries and live!

Blunt Cover Letters

What's the best way to get noticed when applying for a job?  By sending a blunt cover letter apparently.  Check out this news story from Yahoo Finance.  #Millennials
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/kid-sends-perfectly-blunt-cover-letter-for-wall-street-internship--and-now-tons-of-people-are-trying-to-hire-him-151518002.html