Member Articles
Articles on various business topics contributed by members of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce.
12 Steps to a Good Deal on Health Insurance
Want to buy health insurance, but don't know how to get a good deal, or even where to start? This article will get you started buying your health insurance, and help you from start to finish through a process designed to ensure that you know all your options and can get the best deal. Learn More »
Local Businesses Aren’t Taking Advantage of Local Internet Search Trends
Despite the explosion in localized internet search activity over the past few years, it seems that local businesses have yet to latch on to it as a powerful and cost-effective tool for attracting prospective clients and customers. Learn More »
How to Build an Online Store That Sells
For a physical store, having a dominating merchandise selection such as Target, or the lowest price such as Walmart, might be enough to assure success. Creating an online store poses a different set of challenges, some of which are unique to the Internet. In order to achieve success through this channel you need a strategy, plan and execution that will take these challenges into account. Learn More »
How Can Asking Three Simple Questions Enhance Your Cultural Diversity IQ?
It can be a big challenge to provide care to someone from a different cultural, economic, or spiritual background. We may make assumptions of others worldview which are wrong and could destroy our relationships and cause hostility. How can we correct this problem in an easy, yet relevant manner? Learn More »
A Resource for Families and the Elderly
Elders fear the loss of independence and control. Meanwhile, their adult children wrestle with multiple demands, conflicts, and possible guilt while trying to persuade their parent to take the best course of action. Where can a family turn for assistance in coping with the problems of later life? Learn More »
MS Blaster Worm and Microsoft
In the aftermath of the latest Microsoft Windows based worm you may be wondering "Why me?" If you're like the hundreds of thousands of other people who got infected with this worm you may be interested in a way to keep the next worm or virus at bay. While there are no fool proof or guaranteed (short of unplugging the computer) ways to prevent them there are a number of simple steps you can take. Learn More »
What to do When Health Insurance Premiums Go Up
There are two things that are certain in life, death and taxes, or so the story goes. Well, a third certainty seems to be coming on the scene, annual increases in health insurance premiums. For owners of small businesses that offer medical insurance to their employees, a major increase in group premiums poses a complex dilemma. There are a number of options you can consider, however. Learn More »
Work-Life Balance Programs for Orange County Businesses
Work-Life Balance Programs (WLBP) support a balance between the demands of work and personal life responsibilities for all employees in the workplace. In these difficult economic times, WLBP are one way to provide benefits and meet the needs of today√ïs employee with little or no cost to the employer. Learn More »
Why Do I Need to Have Health Insurance?
Webster defines insurance as: coverage by contract whereby one party undertakes to guarantee or indemnify another against a loss. Car insurance is purchased because the law requires automobiles to be insured, homes are insured because the Mortgage Lenders require property insurance to purchase a home. So why do I buy health insurance? Learn More »
One-Person and Small Businesses – A New Way to Save More for Retirement
The tax law passed in 2001 offers new opportunities for retirement saving for everyone from employees of big corporations to one-person businesses. If you own a business that employs only the owner(s), spouse or certain family members, and has no common law employees, there√ïs a new retirement savings vehicle that can help you put away even more for retirement while saving on taxes now. Learn More »
Lost in the alphabet soup of insurance?
As an employer choosing benefit designs for your company it is important to keep in mind the needs of your employees. If your company is small and all employees are based locally, it may be more cost effective to use a local HMO. On the other hand, if your company has one or more employees living, working or traveling out of state, a PPO would be a more comprehensive plan design for your company. Learn More »
Guidelines for Giving Employment References
Given some recent legal judgments against employers who gave negative references about previous employees, many employers are hesitant to release information about previous employees for fear of legal retaliation. How can you, as an employer, provide information about a previous employee‚Äôs work performance without making yourself vulnerable to legal reprisals? Learn More »
Business Owners – Why You Need an Estate Plan
Estate planning isn&rsquot an option, it's a necessity. And, that's especially true for business owners. If your business is a primary source of your family‚Äôs financial security, you need to develop a plan that will help you maintain that security‚Äîfor yourself during retirement, and for your family in case anything happens to you. Learn More »
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act Explained
Many small employers have questions regarding their responsibilities to their employees who belong to the various military reserve forces. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act pertains to ALL employers, regardless of the size of the organization. There are no employers exempt from this law. Learn More »
A Good Retirement Plan Is Good For Business
America has become a nation of entrepreneurs. It's true that the very nature of employment has changed with the advent of start-ups, telecommuting, and contract employment. If you are a sole proprietor, contract employee, or one of millions of the "new virtual workforce," you may be constantly juggling time, staff, and resources. Learn More »
Water Conservation: It’s everyone’s business!
Here are some basic water conservation techniques for Orange County businesses and residents from OWASA. Learn More »
Business Waste Reduction Tips
Dealing withsolid waste is everybody's problem. Learn what you can do personally, and through your business to combat the problem we all face. Learn More »