Category: Business

What’s Really at Stake in the Verizon Union Strike?

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Verizon unions along the East Coast are at their wits’ end with the company due to lengthy negotiations over cost cutting measures that they believe will threaten their job security. The old contract had expired as of August 1st, but no work stoppage has been initiated yet. If talks continue in the same manner, the unions have stated that they may have no choice but to strike.

What’s at Stake?

Unions are claiming that the top Verizon executives have been awarded a quarter of a billion dollars in the last few years and, as a whole, the service provider has made $18 billion in profits over the last year and a half. When bargaining started on June 22nd of this summer, Verizon proposed to raise health care costs by thousands of dollars, and threatened union workers’ job security by eliminating constraints on hiring non-union workers. It has been stated that the company wants to reduce overtime pay, as well as remove any restrictions on their ability to offshore union jobs. The company’s administration has expressed frustration that both parties have still not come to a concise resolution following a recent legitimate rebuttal to the union demands.

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Preparation Movements During Talks

The Communications Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, who represent about 37,000 Verizon employees, are not ready to back down. They claim that Verizon has been planning for this by training managers and hiring contract workers throughout the negotiation process, demonstrating that they are anticipating a long strike. But, for now, union workers will continue to be on the job despite Verizon’s apparent preparations.

The Next Step

Unions will continue to put the pressure on Verizon to decide on a fair contract soon. The negotiations for the last contract went on for 16 months, and both parties want to avoid a repeat experience. This agreement only applies to wireline technicians and call center staff from Massachusetts to Virginia. It also affects 150 employees of Verizon Wireless that are part of the Communications Workers of America union. If the bargaining continues much longer without an agreement, both sides are ready to stand against each other.

Massachusetts Cracks Down on Misclassified Independent Contractors

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Economic growth and the power of the Internet have ignited rapid proliferation of startup companies across the US. Services like Uber have typically been filling their ranks with drivers who are employed as independent contractors rather than full employees. However, in Massachusetts the law regarding the classification of workers as independent contractors is relatively strict, and it seems many of these new age business moguls have been cutting corners in the hiring process, which raises some interesting questions about the legality of their employment models.

What Separates an Employee from an Independent Contractor?

proceed with cautionBusiness of all sizes tend to prefer independent contractors for several reasons. Workers hired as IC are not entitled to benefits like health insurance, overtime, and paid sick time or vacation; which saves the employing company a significant amount of money year over year. On the other hand, workers are willing to forego the usual employee benefits and sign on as independent contractors because their paychecks will not have taxes withheld by employers. The lack of immediate taxation has motivated the US Department of Labor, the IRS, and the state of Massachusetts to begin investigating misclassified workers with more zeal.

Massachusetts requires independent contractors to fulfill three conditions in order to be classified as such:

(1) the individual is free from control and direction in connection with the performance of the service, both under his contract for the performance of service and in fact

(2) the service is performed outside the usual course of the business of the employer

(3) the individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession or business of the same nature as that involved in the service performed.

To qualify as an independent contractor, all three conditions of the law must be met. The problem is that many companies are hiring “independent contractors” who do not meet one or any of these criteria. This might save money at first, but could also incur heavy financial penalties. For instance, a cable company recently had to pay $1.075 Million for misclassifying cable installers, while a texting service had to hand over $1.3 Million for misclassifying “special agents” who answer text messages from web users.  Misclassifying independent contractors also leaves the business at the mercy of their workers who may be legally savvy enough to pursue a claim in the event of a disagreement.

Businesses Are Getting Busted

pinocchioIn fact, thousands of charges have been brought up against companies for misclassifying employees in response to complaints filed by workers who were seeking to collect unpaid overtime. The US Department of Labor has created a Misclassification Initiative website where workers can file a complaint. Several industries are squarely in the crosshairs as the most notorious misclassification culprits, including construction, nursing, internet services, transportation, cable, security, landscaping, and car services such as valets or limousines.

Several growing companies have begun to alter their hiring model, converting independent contractors into full or part-time employees. Luxe Valet, an on-demand parking service, recently re-classified their workers as employees, though the decision was apparently not motivated by the flood of lawsuits that many employers are facing. There are also a few recent exceptions to the classification rules.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the provisions of the real estate licensing and registration scheme outweighs the state law regarding independent contractors. Massachusetts state law was once again overruled in July when a court decided that delivery services are entitled to hire independent contractors as drivers, despite the fact that delivery would fall under “the usual course of business of the employer.”
While Massachusetts law may be stricter than any other state requirements, it does not mean there is no place for independent contractors in the Massachusetts economy. The goal is not to eradicate this type of hiring, but to ensure that it is not being abused. Workers should be wary before signing a contract that would label them as an independent contractor, while companies would do well to remember how much it would cost if their “frugal hiring” strategy were ever discovered by the state.

TechSandBox Targets Unusual Demographic of Entrepreneurs with the Techubator

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Hopkinton may soon be the home to a new start-up program for entrepreneurs, inviting not at the expected demographic of up-and-coming Millennials, but rather their parents, to join the startup revolution. This bucolic haven, snuggled in a collection of small communities and serene lakes, might not seem like a likely place for business innovation— but it is already home to one of the area’s biggest tech companies, EMC, and start-up accelerator program, TechSandbox. Barb Finer, founder of TechSandbox, is currently in talks with angel investors to gather together the $1 million necessary to get the newest program up and running.

The new program, called Techubator, would target entrepreneurs in their 40s and 50s, rather than the usual crowd of recent college graduates. The structure is loosely based on a similar company, Techstars of Boulder, Colorado. In exchange for a 6% equity, eight startups would be given 3 to 4 months of training, a co-working space, and an investment of $18,000. Employees for each venture are provided with educational programs and mentorship opportunities.

TechSandBox understands the difficulties facing new business creators. Their Piranha Pond concept has already made strides in helping entrepreneurs from the Metrowest area over the past three years. The new Techubator initiative would specifically target middle-aged entrepreneurs in the process developing prototypes for tech products.

Techubator will be designated to help a demographic that may not have the same advantages as the Millennial crowd when it comes to growing up in an entrepreneurial environment. Younger entrepreneurs have the advantage of being more at home with a typically younger crowd of business investors.  Some of the older entrepreneurs Techubator will target are launching start-ups late in life because they lost a job in another industry. Some are “reluctant entrepreneurs,”; people who have ideas but delayed pursuing investors because they don’t feel that they “fit in” with the typical innovation crowd. Serial entrepreneurs who have been around the block, but may need that little extra help to get initial momentum are also the perfect candidates for this program.

TechSandBox is working hard to make this exciting idea a reality. The company has set a fundraising goal of $1 million to support its new program, as well as an additional $500,000 to expand Techsandbox’s “makerspace” where entrepreneurs can work on prototypes and hardware. Estimated launch time for the Hopkinton Techubator program is  January 2016.

Massachusetts Wealth is No Accident

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This year has been a period of positive growth for the bay state. Unemployment has declined to a low of 4.8% as of March and current economic reports show that we are no longer in a recession. With just under 7 million workers at its disposal and a growing economy in many industries, the highly productive and profitable state of Massachusetts is set to achieve a new level in its wealth creation prospects. The resulting positive economic fallout will create a great deal of opportunity for development properties.

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the unemployment rate of Massachusetts is steadily going down. This is a great sign for future development prospects. The state saw a rise of about 12,000 jobs in some of its most important sectors, including healthcare, education, hospitality, science, leisure and professional business services. The positive growth has not happened by accident, and state initiatives have been a huge boon in helping the state move forward out of the recent recession.

Among other efforts by the state of Massachusetts, the ReadyMass 100 initiative is a very efficient way to promote site expansion opportunities for companies that are in the area. It is an initiative for companies, located anywhere in the US, who may be considering a move to or within Massachusetts. The site provides images and information regarding available commercial locations and highlights their most profitable features.

The ReadyMass 100 initiative is a public and private partnership. Massachusetts created the effort in conjunction with MassEcon along with the private real estate community as well as many other regional development groups that are focused on the economy that is within the state. There are many other efforts that private companies have started that are undergoing separate RFPs for the state as well.

Overall, the economic growth of the state of Massachusetts is an encouraging sign for business as a whole. If you are looking for an opportunity to develop properties, then this is definitely one of the best times to be in your shoes. Look for places that encourage growth and development such as Massachusetts. You will have a great chance of success with this type of backing from the state.

Solar Debate Heats Up As Massachusetts Raises Net Metering Cap

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The Massachusetts Senate convened last week and responded to on-going pressure by solar supporters with a vote to raise the solar power net metering cap. Net metering, part of the incentives offered to consumers to encourage clean energy development, allows utility users to sell their excess energy back to the grid. The cap represents a percentage of the peak energy usage and limits the amount of energy that solar power users can amass and sell back. Utility companies have argued against attempts to raise the limit, on the basis that consumers without solar power end up paying the difference. The decision to raise the cap was made to help facilitate the state’s goal of developing 1,600 megawatts of solar power by 2020.

The solar energy stipulation was a component of an expansive climate change preparedness bill, sponsored by Senator Benjamin Downing, who believes that the passage of the bill would approximately double the cap. The current cap limits net metering to 4% of a utility’s peak load for private consumers and 5% for public consumers with no limit on residential.

“There’s been a lot of discussion in the theoretical, but not enough in the actual, and the hope is that this is something concrete for people to react to, and I would hope that if the House or if the administration has a different way of going about this that they would put it on paper and we can get to what is our broadly shared goal,” Downing commented to reporters. The bill, which advocates the development of a plan for reacting to the potentially damaging effects of climate change and cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions, is headed to the House of Representatives. Its prospects remain unclear.

Regional utility companies have proposed that Massachusetts legislators support the imposition of a minimum fee on all electrical bills to include customers who generate most or all of their own energy in the cost of maintaining the electrical grid. If the bill is passed, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities would have the authority to disperse the costs associated with additional solar energy generated to other providers and service regions, thus relieving any single utility of the burden of the overall expenditures. The legislation would also shrink the gaps between service areas.

Currently, the cap has already been reached by National Grid, with Eversource close behind. According to Downing, the lines drawn between service territories are fairly arbitrary, and solar development in one county has the ability to benefit nearby towns covered under other service zones. Since the net cap was met this spring, green energy advocates have warned that enthusiasm and available solar projects may begin to disappear, putting Massachusetts at risk for losing its leadership position in the solar industry.

Since solar production began in 2007 under Governor Duval Patrick, the state has added 860 megawatts of solar energy to the power grid. With the end goal of 1,600 megawatts still looming, the solar community has been advocating for a lift to the net metering cap. Although unrestricted residential projects continue to move forward, larger projects for private and public properties have been put on hold. Janet Besser, vice president of the New England Clean Energy Center, has stated that while the sudden increase in solar power was not entirely expected, it is a good sign for the future, and her organization will work diligently to convince House lawmakers they would be prudent to encourage solar power expansion in the state by lifting the cap.

Massachusetts Economic Growth Is an Encouraging Sign for Businesses

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At the recent Economic Summit breakfast, hosted by Randolph Savings Bank, economic expert Dr. Elliott Eisenberg confidently declared that the state of Massachusetts is not in a recession. Corroborating data shows that since the beginning of 2015, Massachusetts economic growth is moving at a steady pace that exceeds the national average.

According to Eisenberg, the chances of a recession in the next six to twelve months is less than 5%. Although the change has not been a drastically positive one, the economy is still moving steadily forward. The trend in growth is a positive sign for growing businesses in the area, despite some factors that remain a point of concern. The number of experienced baby-boomers retiring from the work force, deteriorating fiscal conditions, income inequality, and the negative after-effects of a brutal winter could be troublesome if not resolved carefully.

However, the rising trend in financial growth sheds a positive light on the future. There has been a significant increase in job opportunities thanks to thriving industries such as technology and software development. Many experienced workers are re-entering the workforce and a population boom has provided additional able bodies to fill available positions.

For business owners, this is the perfect time to lay the foundations for growth. The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston has been kept under pressure to maintain current interest rates in order to nurture financial growth in the state. Experts anticipate that any raise in rates would be gradually implemented as inflation requires, as opposed to previous hikes that were made in an attempt to quell a boiling economy.

The current financial atmosphere smacks of opportunity. Businesses considering expansion, either by hiring more personnel, constructing new venues, or investing in new equipment are being encouraged to act now. For those who are not quite ready to push forward, experts advise securing capital for growth objectives before interest rates increase. Massachusetts is now leading the US economy in terms of growth, and Massachusetts businesses stand to gain significant financial ground if they take advantage of the opportunity.

Piranha Pond Investing Opportunity—Entrepreneurs Latch On

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Hopeful entrepreneurs and established businesses are always looking for more money to develop and expand. Finding investors through pitching to “angels” has become a popular way to make the connections necessary to learn the ropes and get the money necessary to make it big with a great idea.

When it comes to finding investors, television has brought the idea of sharks to the forefront of the entrepreneurial mind, but it can be very hard to find the people in everyday life that have that kind of influence and backing. That is where the Piranha Pond investing opportunity comes in. It is a program developed to encourage new entrepreneurs and help them meet with the movers and shakers who have the power to make their dreams come true.

Bringing Entrepreneurs and Sharks Together with a “Pitch Party”

For the third time, the annual “Pitch Party” gives hopeful entrepreneurs the ability to talk with investors. For a $50 application fee, worthy business owners can submit a resume for their business online for the chance to connect with venture capitalists with the money to finance start ups and business expansions.

The TechSandBox CEO, Barb Finer, worked with her team to create the Piranha Pond. Every year the program gets up to 40 applications from a nationwide pool of entrepreneurs. They are filtered through an approval process that determines eight finalists who will then have the opportunity to face a panel of five angel investors who, if their interest is peaked, compete to finance the business.  This year, the numbers were strong enough that there were nine companies chosen: Femme Forte, Enflux, SmartDiet, Intagora, Innoblative Technologies, ThinkInsite, Fremont Scientific, Rumi Spice and Ridgewing.

How the Piranha Pond Works

Applications are submitted via an online application form that allows entrepreneurs only a  one paragraph description of their idea to grab the interests of the investors reviewing the applications. The finalists are chosen from that pool of applicants. Prior to the entrepreneur’s official pitch to the Piranha Pond’s panel of investors, there is a Pitch Practice Session. This allows the presenters to practice their full presentation and receive feedback from a panel of experts about how to make their pitch more effective and successful. Though participating in the practice session is not a requirement for the process, it is highly recommended that applicants take the opportunity to fine tune their presentations.

The next step is just like the famous television show “Shark Tank.” The finalists from the TechSandBox applicants face the panel of investors, the entrepreneur has five minutes to pitch their idea or developing business. After which, the investors let the presenters know if they are interested in backing the idea or not. If the investors chose to back an idea, then the presenters are given the opportunity to meet with potential stakeholders at the end of the pitch session.

Learning Business Methods

One of the most difficult parts of getting funding can be gathering the courage to approach investors. Piranha Pond investing helps by providing feedback and experience. The Piranha Pond pitch meeting is open to the public with tickets ranging from $28 for TechSandbox members and $35 for the general public.