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February 2010 | Volume 1 | Issue 2 |
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A Message From the President: Anne Donovan |
What makes some organizations thrive, even in tough times, while others struggle to survive? One distinction that sets thriving organizations apart is their focus on performance management.
Performance management provides employees and managers with specific tools to ensure success, typically including processes for setting direction, communicating, and recognizing desired performance. When done well, a performance
management program can help define and support a positive workplace culture, resulting in improved organizational success.
But in today's business climate, many managers and executives find themselves focusing most of their attention on the crisis of the day, unable or unsure how to look beyond to these higher level managerial functions. If you've found
yourself in that spot, consider these steps to re-focus your organization on performance management:
Clarify expectations for your employees and managers; create a route for direct feedback. Maintain a high level of communication between employee and manager. Regular one-on-one meetings are a great tool for fostering open
communication between managers and employees.
Define the goals of the company and make sure each employee's personal business goals align with those of the company.
Seek ongoing training. Keep managers' and employees' education up to date by encouraging frequent training. Chances are that their level of engagement will increase when employees feel their professional development is a priority
for the organization.
If you already have a performance management plan in place, good for you! Keep it going and keep fine-tuning. If you don't, consider these steps to put your organization on pace to thrive. And as always, feel free to contact your Xenium
representative for help.
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Don't Get Bogged Down by Employee Issues |
Let a professional employer organization handle employee-related services such as HR and payroll.
By Doresa Banning,
Women Entreprenuer When Beaverton, Ore., business owners Christine and David Vernier's full-time human resources employee went on maternity leave 14 years ago, they contracted with a professional
employer organization, Xenium, to fill in. Although the employee returned, the Verniers kept the PEO on board and have used it ever since.
PEOs are business-to-business companies that provide services including human resources, payroll and related taxes, risk management, compliance and employee benefits.
"I recommend PEOs to a lot of businesses. I'm surprised that more don't use them," says Christine Vernier, chief financial officer of Vernier Software & Technology, an 82-employee company that produces hardware and software for data
collection in science classes.
"We can be a completely outsourced employer service for our clients who want one vendor who manages all those different programs," says Anne Donovan, president of Portland-based Xenium...
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Increase in Use of Electronics Creating "Intexticated" Workers |
By Teresa Long,
Institute of Work Comp Professionals
Xenium Note: On the heels of the most recent Oregon legislation,
House Bill 2377 regarding the use of cell phones while driving, we, at Xenium encourage employers to take action towards implementing handbook policy changes that address the use of cell phones while
operating vehicles.
The proliferation of personal technology, predominantly cell phones, Blackberrys and iPods, now infiltrates work life as well as liesure time. These devices are impacting job safety, a not-so-good vibratation being felt, literally, from
coast to coast.
A Boston trolley driver is distracted while sending a text message and slams into another car, injuring scores of passengers. Even more horrific is the operator of a commuter train in Los Angeles who, while looking down to send a text
message, hits another train and causes the deaths of 20 people.
Research by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute revealed that a truck driver looking down while texting for a mere six seconds while motoring at 55 miles per hour... |
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Client Spotlight: TFG Card Solutions |
 TFG Card Solutions, Inc. offers no cost paycard solutions that empower companies to increase direct
deposit participation. Xenium PEO client, TFG, regularly speaks to companies regarding the many benefits of increasing direct deposit participation including reducing payroll expenses, decreasing carbon footprints, disaster preparedness
planning, and empowering their employees.
During a disaster, the un- and underbanked employees are the group that is most affected. In recent weeks, we've seen extreme weather conditions hit across the country. What happens when the delivery mechanisms you rely on to get payroll
disbursed throughout the country are disrupted because of those very same conditions? What happens when paper checks are undeliverable because your employees are being forced to relocate during natural or manmade disasters? 1 in 4 US
households are
underbanked, meaning they do not have a traditional bank account. Your disaster preparedness plan that includes 100% direct deposit participation shows that you understand the underbanked community and are
committed to getting employees paid on payday – even if they don't have a bank account, avoiding any potential employee welfare problems. Payroll disaster preparedness through
TFG and Xenium is quick and FREE to implement. Everyone gets paid on payday – even when Mother Nature doesn't cooperate.
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Click here to visit TFG Card Solutions >
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After Measure 67, should your C corporation become an S corporation? |
By Peter Watts,
Jordan Schrader Ramis
With the passage of Measure 67, some commentators have encouraged business owners to convert their C corporations into S corporations to avoid the C corporation's gross receipt tax. While there are many benefits to operating as a
corporation under Subchapter S of the tax code, the conversion is not a step that should be taken without a full analysis of the actual and potential tax ramifications. S corporations have limitations on the type and number of
shareholders... |
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