By Frank Mayer

Many human resources professionals are struggling to fill open positions these days. At the same time, the tuition cost for individuals who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees is daunting. One solution that may be a “win-win” for employers and employees is an educational assistance plan.

An educational assistance plan involves the employer agreeing to pay on behalf of, or reimburse, the employee for tuition costs when the employee is taking certain qualifying courses. If structured properly, employer-paid educational expenses may be excluded from the gross income of an employee if provided to the employee under an Internal Revenue Code, Section 127 educational assistance plan, commonly referred to as a “127 Plan,” or if the expenses qualify as a working condition fringe benefit to the employee, under Code Section 132.

This type of educational assistance is a much greater benefit to the employee, and a better retention tool, if the employee doesn’t have to pay income tax on the amount of assistance they receive.

Section 127 Plan. A properly drafted 127 Plan provides an exclusion of up to $5,250 annually from an employee’s gross income for the payment by an employer of certain educational expenses incurred by or on behalf of an employee. The amount excluded from the employee’s gross income includes the cost of tuition, fees, books, supplies and certain equipment.

While the excludable coursework does not need to be job related, no exclusion is available for education involving sports, games or hobbies (unless the education involves the business of the employer or is required as part of a degree program). In addition, no exclusion is available for the cost of meals, lodging and transportation or any payment for the cost of tools or supplies that may be retained by the employee after completion of a course. A qualifying 127 Plan must be a separate written plan and must satisfy certain employee nondiscrimination requirements.

By Dr. Diane MacDonnell

There is a silent epidemic of inflammation that wears many masks and goes by many names. Cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, asthma and a host of others diseases all have a major inflammatory component.

Every major disease, those diseases that steal our wellness, our vigor and sometimes our very lives, are fueled by inflammation and a resulting immune dysfunction.

Autoimmune disease, which can be considered inflammation gone unchecked for a lengthy period, occurs when the immune system is so reactive and overwhelmed by toxins such as food allergies, environmental toxins, undiagnosed viral or bacterial infections and stress, that it begins mistaking the body’s own tissue as “the enemy” and produces antibodies against thyroid, gut, joint, brain or other tissue. This “friendly fire” leads to tissue damage and the evolution of autoimmune disease. It is estimated that 24 million people in this country now suffer from autoimmune disease.

Physicians are trained in treating this inflammatory response without necessarily getting to the root cause of the inflammation. Conventional medicine does not recognize autoimmune disease as a disease of the immune system as a whole; rather, patients will typically see a specialist who focuses on the organ that is being affected: an endocrinologist for thyroid disease and diabetes, a rheumatologist for rheumatoid arthritis affecting the joints, a dermatologist for psoriasis and eczema, a gastroenterologist for celiac and inflammatory bowel disease.

By Kym Hance, CMC

There are a number of myths regarding aging. Some people may mistakenly believe that aging only means getting sick or disabled, while others may think that all adults face memory loss in their later years.

Even more people believe that once you reach a certain age, there is less that you can contribute to society and that you are done learning. All of these beliefs are absolutely false. In fact, many people find that the years following retirement are filled with health, vitality, and meaning.

Since we are all going to get to those golden years eventually, here are a few tips to consider that may help to make that stage of life some of the best years you’ll ever have:

1. Active Mindset. Keeping the brain active and fit is imperative to the health of older adults. Not only does it help stave off memory-loss illnesses like Alzheimer’s and dementia, but it also fosters executive function. Try word games and recall exercises. For example, find 5 red objects during a walk in the neighborhood and recall them when back home. Routines limit brain stimulation so introduce new foods or new ways of eating the same food. For example, replace canned peaches with freshly sliced ones. Also, try taking a different route to the grocery store or shopping center.

2. Balancing Act. In addition to exercises that build strength and improve flexibility and cardiovascular endurance, make sure to add balancing activities to the daily routine. Good balance requires maintaining a center of gravity over the base of support. Tai chi, yoga, walking on challenging surfaces and water exercises all enhance overall balance.

If you have ever not made a sale, you wondered why.  “What could I have done differently?”  Or, “Why did they pick them?” My colleague, Allan Tsang (an international negotiation trainer), says ‘How can you lose what you never had?’ The first mistake we all make is, assuming a sale. It is a mindset that allows us to make mistakes.

Why did the prospect make another choice?  A pollster did a survey asking prospects why they did not buy.  They also asked the sales reps why they did not win.  Salespeople said they lost for price and customer stupidity.  Buyers, on the contrary said that they were concerned about the company or more simply- they did not like the sales representative!  They never mentioned price!

Sales opportunities start to go south when sales reps forget a simple axiom.  “We are all born with two ears and one mouth.  Use them proportionally.”  The eagerness to sell something overcomes our desire to solve a prospect’s problem or pain point.  Then we talk about things that may not be at the heart of the prospect’s need.

To get at the real need, it is important to ask more, and better questions.  Never assume you know what the prospect wants.  And, when you think you know, make sure you confirm what you think the need is.  All too often, despite the fact that you are sure, you will be corrected after you present your understanding.  People buy when they feel heard, and trust you to deliver.  Most of us want value.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded $754,700 in STEP funding to New York State Empire State Development to increase the number of small businesses that begin to export and increase the value of exports for small businesses that currently export.

The funding will be used to assist New York State small businesses in: participation in foreign trade missions, foreign market sales trips, subscription services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, website and/or marketing material translation services, export trade show exhibits and international trade workshops that align with the program objectives.

STEP is designed to increase both the number of small businesses that begin to export and the value of exports for small businesses currently exporting.  Expanding the base of small business exporters and making the process as easy as possible is a key component of the Administration’s small business strategy.

“The awards will provide a solid foundation for small businesses planning to enter and set them up for success,” said SBA Administrator Linda McMahon.