Emergence of the ‘dependent contractor’
A recent decision by the California Labor Commission has greatly shaken the California business community. The ruling found that an Uber driver is an "employee" and not an "independent contractor" as the entire industry had previously presumed. Although this decision only pertains to that specific case, it could end up changing the entire business model for this rapidly growing industry now known as "sharing economy." Sharing economy refers to a ...
Moving toward privatizing our courts
California courts have been devastated by deep budget cuts. In California, over 50 courthouses have been shut down and over 250 courtrooms are now closed. Fewer courtrooms and fewer judges mean that it takes longer to get into court and that could be highly relevant to any business seeking legal redress from damage caused by the oil spill that affected the Gaviota Coast shortly before Memorial Day. These victims are ...
Is It Better to Lease or Buy Office Equipment for Your Small Business?
By: Nick I. Iezza, as featured on Direct Capital's leasing blog Nick Iezza and other industry experts share advice on the key factors to consider... "#1 factor small business owners should consider when leasing office equipment is..." Consider cash flow when buying or leasing office equipment. Although the interest rate paid on the lease is usually high, the monthly payments are quite often very attractive and it requires very little ...
Shadow banks are coming out of the shadows – and gaining popularity
The financial world we inhabit today is vastly different from the one we lived in before the financial meltdown of 2008. The marketplace has narrowed extensively due to so many business failures. It has also become extremely difficult to borrow money. Anyone who has tried to obtain a bank loan to start a new business or to get a line of credit for their existing business knows this first hand ...
Digital Signatures Have Become Big Business
The days when a signature was not considered legally valid unless it was an original signature signed in blue ink are a thing of the past. Digital signatures have now surpassed handwritten ones as considered to be more reliable. How is that possible? In order to understand how this is possible, you must understand what a digital signature is and how it is created. Do not mistake a digital signature ...
Tis the season to borrow money from family and friends…Ugh!
As published in the Pacific Coast Business Times (December 12, 2014). For most people, it is hard enough to make ends meet during the year with all of their normal expenses. During the holidays, when people need to buy gifts, plane tickets to travel home and find themselves eating out more frequently, they often run short on cash. The quickest and easiest source of extra money for most people is ...
