In the “gig economy,” it is increasingly common for companies to engage independent contractors. Yet, is simply calling someone a contractor and having them signing an independent contractor agreement enough to make them a contractor? Misclassifying workers can have significant consequences both to workers and to companies. Employees who are misclassified as contractors may be improperly excluded from participation in employee benefit plans and incur tax withholding complications. The IRS could assess penalties on employers for failure to withhold and remit appropriate taxes for misclassified workers. The Department of Labor and other federal and state government agencies also may penalize employers for misclassification. Greg Daugherty and Nicole Mayo from Porter Wright will help explain how to determine whether a worker is a contractor or employee and steps your family business can take to achieve the desired classification. ... read more

Coaching and mentoring are key components of a strong organizational culture and key to attracting and retaining talent. Research shows that a strong coaching and mentoring program contributes to increased engagement and productivity, improved employee well-being, enhanced D, E & I, and better stakeholder experiences. Surveys show that the consistently top-ranked “wants” of today’s employees include frequent and constructive feedback and career development opportunities. Join us for this Human Resources Roundtable to discuss best practices and great ideas when it comes to implementing coaching and mentoring into your organization as a retention, engagement, and recruiting tool. ... read more

Let’s address total compensation and discuss ways to weave in creative leave strategies as a benefit to attract and retain employees. The term ''leave'' covers any paid or unpaid time off you may want to offer your employees. We’ll discuss various leave options available to Ohio employees and have candid conversations on their impact to your business. We’ll also discuss what you should put in writing regarding leaves to reserve your rights as an employer and set up employee expectations. This discussion will also include the good, bad, and ugly about “unlimited” leaves! ... read more

The phrase ''lonely at the top'' refers to the sense of isolation and exclusion that highly successful people in a particular field eventually face. Being a CEO is isolating; being the CEO of a family business can be like walking a tightrope. Come learn from our panelists on how they cope with the challenges of navigating family and shareholder governance, the weight of final decision making, working on the business and not in, and how they maintain family/business harmony. We'll cover peer and association groups, advisory boards, family offices, and other techniques and support systems available to family business CEOs. Panelists: John Ness, CEO ODW Logistics Facilitated by Clayton Hall, Windsor Advisory Group ... read more

We hear time and time again that being a spouse or in-law in a family business can be challenging. Not only are they impacted by decisions made by the business, but they, too, have a “pillow talk” effect. Our panelists will discuss the highs and lows of being on the outside looking in and how it affects their relationships with their partners, the family business, and their Thanksgiving dinner table gatherings. Panelists: Derek Lichtfuss, Director at Newmark; Spouse & In-Law (married to Katie Ricart Licthfuss of Ricart Automotive) Dustin Wilshire, Co-CEO at Reitter, Inc; In-Law (married to Fritz Reitter's daughter, Rachel) Facilitated by Bea Wolper, Co-Founder & Board President, Conway Center for Family Business; President, Emens Wolper Jacobs & Jasin Law Firm Sponsored by GREENCREST ... read more

Prioritizing Mental Health: Coping with the Pressures of Family Dynamics - Running a business is hard. Adding family dynamics to the mix makes it that much more challenging ? and rewarding. Our panelists will discuss ways in which they help themselves and their employees cope with the added pressures of mixing family and business. From EAPs to mental-health days, panelists will share best practices on creating a culture that prioritizes the well-being of all members of a family-owned business. ... read more

Taking Over Unexpectedly 50% of business owners leave involuntarily: death, disability, divorce,distress/departure, or disagreement. What is the impact of these involuntary departures and how does a family business recover? Join us for a discussion with family business leaders who have faced such scenarios. You'll learn from their experiences and glean what steps you can take to prepare for the unexpected. Panelists: Kent Johnson, 4th Gen CEO from Highlights for Children Nick Trifelos, 5th Gen Sales Manager from Anthony Thomas Candy Co. Donna Van Horn, President from Bloomingburg Spring & Wire Forms Facilitated by Isaiah Stidham, Budros Ruhlin & Roe Sponsored by GREENCREST ... read more

Things I Wish I Would Have Known Everyone has at least one lesson they learned the hard way that they wish they would have known before joining or starting a family business. Good or bad, happy or sad, our panelists will discuss those things that a crystal ball might have helped them with along the way. Join us for this candid discussion with: Steve Harmon - second generation President of Spartan Logistics. We'll find out what advice he gave his own son when he officially joined the family business and what Steve wishes he'd known - and maybe had done differently - when he joined Spartan 20+ years ago. Angela Petro - Founder & CEO of Together & Company and Sweet Carrot. She will let us in on the ups and downs of her family business journey and lessons she learned along the way. Donovan Wahl is a second generation family member of Classic Plumbing who recently decided to leave the family business. Donovan will discuss why she chose to enter - and exit - and the things she wishes she'd have known from the start. Facilitated by Jim Bishop, Morgan Stanley Generously sponsored by Huntington Bank ... read more

Google has already stopped updating its Universal Analytics (UA) platform and will be sunsetting it completely in 2023, replacing it is the new Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This is the first major update to analytics in years, and it is a major change. Is your company ready to make the switch? Join Greg Stockmaster, GREENCREST digital marketing manager, as he walks us through what this change means for businesses and how and when to make the switch at your company. You will learn: Why Google is making the switch Key differences between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4 The benefits of migrating to GA4 How to make the switch Why you should be migrating to GA4 now! The importance of analytics in digital marketing ... read more

Succession Planning 101: Where to Begin? If you know you need a plan but don’t know where to start, join us at the next quarterly Succession Planning Roundtable where we will discuss the basics: What kind of owner are you? Operating? Captive? Burdened? Benevolent Dictator? There are several types of owners and identifying which you – and other stock-owning family members - is a great place to start. What are your criteria for next gens to join the business? When, along with compensation and expectations – all important considerations. We’ll cover best practices on this sometimes-controversial topic! Buy-Sell Agreements: Who needs them and the important reasons behind them. Seven Keys to Family Business Succession: It’s more than signing over ownership! We’ll tackle the succession of ownership, management, leadership, authority, relationships, and values & respect. ... read more

EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System, book 'Traction') is a holistic business system with a simple set of practical tools that help leadership teams gain traction and move the business forward. One of the Key Components is People - ensuring that you have all the right people in all the right seats – including family business members. Ryan Yeoman, a Professional EOS Implementer and business coach, will give us a brief high-level overview of the EOS model. He will then take a deep dive into the People component of EOS and take us through the exercise that can be used for existing employees and for hiring new employees, as well as for reviewing, rewarding, and recognizing employees. Whether you are already using EOS, curious about EOS, or just want a tool to help hire/retain great people – join us to find out how! ... read more

Year-End Tax Update Join the team from Meaden & Moore as they discuss key tax law changes and strategies that will help put your family business on the right track as a new year begins. Introduction – Jonathan Ciccotelli, Partner   Greg Gibbons, Senior Manager, Federal Tax 1. Tax Law Changes Bonus depreciation Section 163(j) Interest Expense Limitation Net Operating Loss Carryforwards 2. R&D Credit and Section 174 Expenses 3. Inflation Reduction Act   David Harris, Senior Manager, State and Local Tax 1. Ohio Pass-Through Entity Tax 2. House Bill 515 Questions* (5 - 10 mins) REGISTER now and join us for this live webinar on Wednesday, 12/7. You'll have the opportunity to submit questions during the session* and view a recording post session. * Questions can be submitted through the Q&A and chat during the webinar but to ensure we address your specific questions, please SUBMIT to the team by 12/5. ... read more