Business Columns
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BBB investment scam reports reach three-year high. Here’s what to look forSep 10, 2024 11:00 am - Since 2020, investment scam reports to BBB Scam Tracker totaled more than 4,000, reaching a three-year high in 2023. Scammers blended aspects of various scams, including romance and cryptocurrency, to trick targets into handing over large sums of money.
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Does Illinois have a path to public pension reform?Sep 08, 2024 5:12 am - Illinois’ worst-in-the-nation pension crisis shouldn’t come as a surprise. For years economists have been sounding the alarm that Illinois’ pension problem is growing from financially painful to potentially unsolvable.
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Transforming 401(k) plans for small businesses: New tax credits, Roth options and moreSep 04, 2024 9:47 am - According to a recent study from benefits provider Sharebuilder, only 24% of small businesses offer a 401(k) retirement plan for their employees. This is despite retirem...
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Gains in private sector union membership show a labor revival is possibleSep 01, 2024 5:45 am - On this Labor Day, unions in Illinois are organizing new industries and boosting job quality despite dealing with an economy in transition and persistent legal and politi...
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BBB tips for launching a successful customer loyalty programAug 25, 2024 5:29 am - Implementing a customer loyalty program can be a fantastic strategy to enhance customer retention and drive recurring revenue. In many instances, such programs can significantly boost your business’ bottom line, says Steve Bernas of the Better Business Bureau.
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Flourishing and marketing go hand in handAug 21, 2024 9:58 am - During a recent visit to The Research Triangle area of North Carolina I began thinking about the word “flourishing.” It’s a great word that conveys a sense of vitality an...
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O’Donnell: Bears’ focus groups spark ire and dismayAug 21, 2024 6:00 am - Jim O’Donnell: The recent focus groups on the Bears’ proposed lakefront stadium sparked ire and dismay among season ticket holders.
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Are you seeing more security in restaurants?Aug 20, 2024 1:45 pm - I’m seeing restaurants and bars move away from the traditional bouncer toward professional security. Why? It’s a question of not only guest safety, but also the survival of the business.
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The race to pass legislation next year already has begunAug 18, 2024 5:25 am - With all the lip service directed at the small business community, one would expect good, common-sense policies that support small businesses to sail through the Illinois legislature. That is not the case, however.
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Today’s employees are different — and not in a good wayAug 14, 2024 7:51 am - Hospitality is a tough industry, no question about it. But it’s being made tougher by a new breed of employees, more of whom are coming to us post-COVID with unrealistic expectations and a sense of entitlement — even if they have zero experience.