When it comes to energy efficiency and green features in homes, there’s a large disconnect in the marketplace among consumers, real estate appraisers and the nation’s realty sales system. more

There’s another wave of health care reform mandates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly called “Obamacare,” that employers need to know about. more

When it comes to finding a great name for a business, brand, product or service, it really comes down to this: A good name should make someone smile or nod, not scratch their head in confusion. more

High-speed Internet, interconnected mobile, desktop and laptop devices along with Web-based tools and digital applications are making small firms more productive than ever. But all that online speed and efficiency can come at a stiff price if your website, financial information, social media accounts, business or customer data fall victim to cyber thieves or troublemakers. more

It’s an ongoing dilemma for millions of business owners: How to take vacations or other time off and still keep business on track. Not only do Americans take far fewer vacations than workers in other countries (hundreds of millions of vacation days go unused in the U.S. annually), but studies show that business owners take the least amount of time off of anyone. more

In our fast-paced, ever-changing business world, the notion of “prevention” – which generally means doing something you don’t absolutely have to do right now – often gets lost or set aside. But with so much riding on how smoothly things run at your business, that ounce of prevention can indeed far outweigh a pound of cure later on. more

Vicki Lee Blair, a 63-year-old former computer analyst from Westminster, Calif., had the surprise of her life. Blair went to a clinic seeking antidepressant medication. She said she was shocked when clinicians bombarded her with questions about a blood test in her file indicating thyroid problems and illegal drug use. more

Ahh, the joys of self-employment – being your own boss, setting your own hours, doing what you like, and, oh yes, establishing a life-long bond with your accountant. Being self-employed also means being responsible for a wide range of critical tax-related duties. more

When it comes to using technology, one thing is clear: Small businesses that embrace it are growing faster than those that don’t. From mobile applications to social media, and cloud computing to data management, “new” ways of doing business centered around technology are taking hold and becoming the norm for millions of small and mid-sized firms nationwide. more

Who says lenders need to charge you a cash down payment when you take out a mortgage in this era of hyper-strict underwriting? more