What is sustainable investing, and should I consider it as part of my portfolio?
Your personal priorities govern the type of sustainable investing that will best align with your goals.
Updates to the RMD put-back rule: Should you return your distribution?
If you are 72 or older and have already taken the required minimum distribution (RMD) from an IRA account, you can reverse your withdrawal until Aug. 31. There may be advantages to doing so, depending on your financial situation.
Increasing liquidity through a capital raise
Despite a likely shift to a more risk-averse credit market, numerous potential financing sources can help businesses through this uncertain time, including traditional bank lenders, private debt funds, family offices, mezzanine funds and private equity firms.
Understanding sequence risk and its effect on retirement planning
There is a lot to think about when planning for retirement. While we have a degree of control over many of the choices involved, there is one big wild card we cannot control called sequence risk.
PPP loan forgiveness receives new flexibility: updates businesses need to know
Business owners should be aware of several integral changes under the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPFA), which loosened guidelines to ensure the program is more business-friendly.
Shaping the classroom of the future
Even before a shovel hits the ground, the impact of COVID-19 is changing the way we collaborate with schools.
Evolution of construction: public-private partnerships offer new opportunities
Public and quasi-public projects that might not have been viable in the past can be structured using today's P3 model to make them viable and sustainable projects.
Responding to COVID-19: new protocols and practices in the food manufacturing industry
One of the many significant impacts of COVID-19 has been the reallocation of necessary resources and capital, causing many industries to adjust and adapt their practices. New health and safety regulations, as well as pandemic-related closures, have led to changes in processes and priorities in the food industry.
Rockford Construction: What you may not know
At Rockford Construction, we’re more than a typical construction, development and property management firm. As a member of the Grand Rapids community, we strive to connect with our clients, community members and employees in ways that extend well beyond our work.
Crafted in harmony: construction and property management
It’s a rarity in our industry for firms to offer both construction and property management services. But that unique business model allows us to build with the knowledge of how our clients and customers say they plan to use the building and space through a property management lens.
The links between racism, health inequities, COVID-19 and the civil unrest across the world
The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many others are forcing America to revisit its historical pandemics of injustice.
Intentionally working with businesses of color
Part of being a business owner is about giving back to the community you operate in. It’s also about creating lasting, helpful relationships amongst other business owners.
College producing Giant Awards
A college that hosts an annual awards ceremony recognizing African-American individuals and organizations has announced this year’s honorees.The 38th Annual Giant Awards, hosted by...
State names West Michiganders as ‘top 25’ Latinxs
A governor-appointed commission has named nine West Michiganders among the Top 25 Latinxs in Michigan.The Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan, or HLCOM, announced yesterday...
Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses producing awards event
An African-American-focused economic development organization will toast black businesses and community leaders at an awards reception.Grand Rapids Area Black Businesses, or GRABB, will present...
What the disability rights movement and universal design can teach us about business and life in the age of COVID-19
The now tired tagline, “we’re all in this together,” may forever owe the COVID-19 pandemic for its fame, but it’s far from being a novel concept.
Focus on mental health as you return to work
As a mental health nonprofit focused on working with Michigan’s youth, we want to provide helpful tips that can be implemented to help mentally prepare you for your post-COVID-19 workplace.
Continuing healthy aging through motherhood and beyond
It is possible to feel good and be resilient in times of stress, including the stressful time of menopause transition.
Planning amid chaos: Why you should participate in National Healthcare Decisions Day
During times of uncertainty like we’re in now, it’s more important than ever to create a plan that leaves nothing to chance.
Seven daily habits to stay healthy and active during uncertain times
The Seven Essential Elements of Daily Success (SEEDS) can help you feel better through these stressful times while improving the odds of healthy aging.
Beware of stock drop litigation during times of crisis
Publicly traded companies should take steps now to prepare for stock drop litigation in the wake of COVID-19.We saw plaintiffs’ attorneys file these lawsuits...
Lease defaults and litigation are expected to rise in the wake of COVID-19
With Michigan’s lockdown now extending through May 15, many businesses are grappling with how to address rent payments due in May and the following months.
Could I be saving more of my hard-earned money?
If you have never looked at your property tax bill and cringed, I commend you. I know of no one who enjoys paying taxes...
What do I need to know about capital when starting my business?
Most individuals forming a new entrepreneurial venture have deep and meaningful expertise in their area of practice. However, many people need advice regarding elections...
Adult-use marijuana and real property uses
Robert Nolan, a parter at Warner Norcross + Judd, contributed to this post. Even though medical and recreational use of marijuana is allowed under Michigan law,...
Increase website conversions and customer satisfaction
In business and life, we have been told for years we only get one chance to make a first impression — so why is your website any different?
Should manufacturers sell directly to consumers?
A customer opens their wallet, ready to make a purchase. The big question is, who are they purchasing from? If you’re a manufacturer, the...
Send more leads: the digital marketing and sales breakdown
The story typically starts like this. We’re projecting fourth quarter revenue to be down by 35%, which could very well spill over and negatively...
4 to-do items for more successful Facebook campaigns
Facebook has done a great job empowering marketers and small business owners with the ability to set up and launch new Facebook and Instagram...
Own your local search presence
There are nearly 2 trillion searches being performed on Google every year. That’s approximately 5.5 billion searches that take place every single day.Given the...
Leading through a pandemic — and low inventory
As we roll through our fifth year of historically low inventory levels in West Michigan, will that trend continue?
Real estate’s ‘spring market’ shifts to summer
The real estate surge typical of March, April and May is now projected for June, July and August.
Holding strong and ready to rally
Somewhat surprisingly, real estate has remained relatively strong here in West Michigan, and there are positive indications that it will continue to get stronger and bounce back quickly.
A time of being nonessentially essential in real estate
During the past several weeks, even before Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order, we have all been aware of...
West Michigan real estate market poised for another good year in 2020
2019 was a banner year for real estate in West Michigan. Sale prices continued to rise in nearly all categories and locales. Demand from buyers...
How the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced businesses’ footprints
The coronavirus pandemic has, in many ways, rewritten the book on business practices.
Three tips to chart the course for long-term success
Among the strategic areas are three upon which companies must focus to move forward and thrive during these uncertain times.
The critical conversation: setting expectations with your workforce during a pandemic
Embracing what we can control, like having discussions about expectations, is a simple and free way to make a positive impact on the wellness of your teams.
Leading the isolated worker: dealing with conflict
Even with remote teams, we often don't know about issues that arise between co-workers until they erupt into major problems or missed deadlines.
Leading with a people-first focus: lessons from continuous improvement
In the world of continuous improvement and a people-centric business, investing in people should never be a question: it should be a way of life.
Three key post-COVID-19 trends in small business office technology
Three trends related to the rise in remote work could impact a small business’s technology environment in a post-COVID-19 world.
Three tips for optimizing your home office and virtual classroom internet performance
Regardless of your internet service provider, there are three easy ways to ensure your home-office and home-school network is running at full performance.
Protect your business from COVID-19 hackers
Now more than ever, protecting employees’ data and information is vital to business structures, overall bottom lines and the safety of valuable data and information.
Three health care industry trends driving the need for better network connectivity
As with every other business these days, reliable connectivity is a critical part of modern medical facilities. If a network fails, operations at an...
Cybersecurity for small business
Cybersecurity attacks have become a destructive and all-too-common occurrence. And the harsh reality is that no organization is too large — or too small...
