Sunday, July 19, 1998
Finding and hiring workers during times of tight employment is just one challenge faced by small businesses in the late 1990s. Paying federal taxes for the employees who are eventually hired is another.
A free small-business tax workshop sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Taxation will occur 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 29 at Fifth Third Training Center, 200 W. Benson St. The focus is tax obligations of new business owners.
"Many times, people go into business because they have a product or service," said Jean Wetzler, public affairs specialist for the Cincinnati district headquarters of the IRS. "Their interest generally is not going to be in the tax aspects of the business but in the business itself and the profit or enjoyment they gain. We want to give businesspeople a head start to help them make informed decisions, like whether to hire a tax expert or do it themselves."
For information on the seminar, contact the IRS taxpayer education office at 684-2828.
HRC develops diversity program
HRC Inc., a Cincinnati-based consulting firm, has developed a diversity training effort to encourage recognition of unique backgrounds, experiences and skills -- particularly among people with shared ethnic backgrounds.
The course, titled "Unlocking the Power and Potential of Our Diversity" has been presented to more than 1,700 employees of Hamilton County and the city of Cincinnati.
"The course is not designed to divide people. We get away from old approaches that dwelled on differences and could lead to a backlash," program developer and trainer Wayne J. Owens said.
It is available in a variety of formats and lengths. For information, contact HRC at 762-7667
Survey: Internet good selling channel
Many businesses ignore the Internet as a selling tool at their own peril, an Ernst & Young survey indicates.
The firm questioned more than 850 consumers and 150 retailers and manufacturers and found that 64 percent of online shoppers are 40 to 64 years old, well educated, with money to spend. Online shoppers are most likely to buy computer-related products, books, travel, clothing and recorded music. And Internet shopping satisfaction grows with experience.
Businessman touts biblical approach
John D. Beckett, president of R.W. Beckett Corp. in Elyria, Ohio, a manufacturer of oil burners, has co-founded Advent Industries, which offers job training for hard-to-employ workers, and wrote the book Loving Monday: Succeeding in Business Without Selling Your Soul (1998; InterVarsity Press). Mr. Beckett outlines a biblical-based approach to business in his 176-page book.
