0 Environment Telephone Seminars

Payroll Recordkeeping: What You Need to Know BenefitsIn recent years there has been an explosion in the number of lawsuits and claims for overtime and unpaid wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Did you realize that liability for FLSA violations can be enormous? Recent reports estimate that over the last few years companies have collectively paid out more than $1 billion annually to resolve FLSA claims! Learn the role of the FLSA and  more...

HIPAA Security Compliance Challenges after the HITECH Act BenefitsEveryone who handles any electronic patient information should attend this live audio conference on compliance with the HIPAA security regulation. All entities covered under HIPAA must take special care of electronic patient health information, including establishing policies and taking regular actions as part of a security management process. Under new regulations due to the HITECH Act  more...

Portal to Portal Act: Determining Hours Worked at the Start and End of the Work Day BenefitsEmployees and their counsel continue to pursue class action claims for off-the-clock work and unpaid overtime wages at a fever pitch. Thousands of wage and hour class actions asserting violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act or parallel state laws are filed each year and the costs of defending these matters and the damages claimed and paid, whether through trial or settlement, are  more...

Portal to Portal Act: Determining Hours Worked at the Start and End of the Work Day BenefitsEmployees and their counsel continue to pursue class action claims for off-the-clock work and unpaid overtime wages at a fever pitch. Thousands of wage and hour class actions asserting violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act or parallel state laws are filed each year and the costs of defending these matters and the damages claimed and paid, whether through trial or settlement, are  more...

Strategies for Successful Mixed Use Development BenefitsThe ideals and reality of mixed use as the preferred urban form are still in their relative infancy as part of the 21st century development vocabulary. Ironically, the ideals behind the tremendous push for this development form reference the urban fabric of our oldest cities. The driving factors behind the attraction to the mixed use model include current trends and attitudes toward a more  more...

Economic Development Financing Update Benefits'In the space of two days I had evolved two plans, wholly distinct, both of which were equally feasible. The point I am trying to bring out is that one does not plan and then try to make circumstances fit those plans. One tries to make plans fit the circumstances.' - General George S. Patton, Jr., War as I Knew It, page 116 (1947) Those localities that have not planned for the current  more...

Exit Strategies for Section 42 Affordable Housing Tax Credit Properties BenefitsThe affordable housing tax credit program was created in 1986 to encourage the private sector to develop and own affordable rental properties throughout the United States. Tax credit properties completing their initial 15-year tax credit compliance periods face several business, legal, tax and accounting issues that must be addressed before a property can be successfully repositioned.  more...

Electronic Control Weapon and Legal Liability BenefitsThis live audio conference addresses the use of force, investigation and legal liabilities associated with the use of electronic control weapons (ECWs) in a law enforcement environment. Learn about the realities and myths associated with ECWs as well as current use of force federal case laws pertaining to the use of ECWs. Familiarize yourself with 'best practices' responses, uses of ECWs  more...

AIA Document D503(TM) - 2011: Guide for Sustainable Projects BenefitsThe movement toward a sustainable built environment is rapidly evolving, significantly impacting the way buildings are planned, designed, constructed and used. Different and potentially competing forces, such as owners' goals, code requirements, and basic liability considerations, can impact the sustainable objective targeted for a project and the sustainable measures needed to achieve the  more...

Understanding the Basics of Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Terminology BenefitsThe current economic environment makes bankruptcy a particularly timely and relevant topic. Whether you are forced to deal with bankruptcy issues as a debtor, secured or unsecured creditor, lessor or lessee, or investor looking for distressed-asset opportunities, this live audio conference will give you a road map to understand the bankruptcy process. This live audio conference is  more...

Understanding the Durbin Amendment's Impacts and Implications BenefitsThe Durbin Amendment was game-changing legislation for the debit card industry. Certain Durbin Amendment impacts have been immediate but the industry will continue to evolve for some time in response to the longer-term implications of these new requirements. Attendees at this live audio conference will engage with the speaker on an overview of the various provisions of the Durbin  more...

International Tax Forms and Reporting Requirements BenefitsTo compete in today's economic environment, U.S. businesses - large and small - must be able to compete globally. As the growth of U.S. businesses conducting business abroad increases at an exponential rate, many tax professionals must complete a number of IRS forms that have not been previously encountered. This live audio conference will deal with those IRS forms that tax professionals  more...

How to Use LinkedIn as the Best Sales Tool Ever Invented BenefitsLinkedIn is the world's best business networking platform with more than 70,000,000 users. Many salespeople are looking for ways to increase their prospecting and sales effectiveness by using social networking tools. In a more competitive and fast-paced sales environment, it's becoming harder to connect with quality prospects and sales opportunities. LinkedIn is a tremendous business  more...

Social Networking and Electronic Communications: Issues for Public Schools BenefitsYou will examine teacher and student use of social media and social networking, and the intersection of individual rights with the school's authority to regulate the school environment. You will learn how student and employee policies should address teacher and student use of social media, including discipline of teachers and students, respectively. During this live audio conference, we  more...

Sales and Use Tax Determination Headaches BenefitsSales and use tax professionals are faced with the legal and practical challenges of learning as many as 50 different state sales and use tax laws and regulations. No one could possibly learn all of the different state requirements and yet our jobs demand it! The purpose of this audio conference is to reveal the secrets to working in a multistate environment. You will learn about the four  more...

Current Issues in Sales and Use Tax Reserves BenefitsSales and use tax reserve practices remain a real concern for corporate tax departments. This uncertainty is heightened by proposed changes to ASC 450 (fka FAS 5) which could require enhanced disclosure of certain loss contingencies, including sales and use tax reserves. When evaluating whether a loss contingency may exist in today's business and regulatory environment, all aspects of  more...

Positive Strategies For Dealing With Problem Performers BenefitsAre you still experiencing problems with employees even though you've tried progressive discipline? Is your company still using punishment as a means to discipline employees? Are you wondering why your disciplinary strategies don't seem to work? If you have these questions, attend this audio conference and learn about more positive strategies and approaches in dealing with problem  more...

Current Issues in Legal Holds: Are You Prepared? BenefitsIf there ever was a honeymoon on preserving discoverable documents and data for litigation ... it's over now. The stakes are higher than ever, and so are courts' expectations for parties and their lawyers. Organizations simply must have in place a compliant legal hold process that effectively preserves discoverable documents and data. This audio conference will help you understand the  more...

Commercial Landlord Tenant Law in California BenefitsToday's leasing environment in California is extremely challenging. Unemployment remains at its highest level in recent history, credit is tight and many commercial properties are under water. Nobody is sure what the future holds and this keeps a lot of people on the sidelines. This audio conference is geared to help you understand the current market dynamics, what kind of deals are  more...

Reactive Attachment Disorder BenefitsAttachment to a loving caregiver is the foundation for healthy brain development. Trauma, abuse, neglect and loss derails normal neural connections. Chaotic inappropriate behaviors result when this occurs. Nancy Thomas is renowned for keeping audiences on the edge of their seat as she brings home the powerful message of hope and healing for children struggling with the challenges of  more...

Digital Manufacturing: Improve Productivity, Lower Costs and Compress Delivery Times BenefitsToday's globally competitive environment is forcing manufacturing companies of all sizes to rethink and better integrate their overall approach to product development, from concept to product design to manufacturing engineering and beyond. As a result, many companies are seeking new ways to improve their competitive position through the proper adoption of digital manufacturing and other  more...

Reengineering Revenue in Today's Market BenefitsThe days of simplicity in bank income have long past. Recently, staying on top of noninterest income has become even more complex with the migration to electronic transactions, changes to Reg E and current economic conditions. As bankers adjust to these changes, they have to be more creative with how to oversee NII. This teleconference helps you understand the exact impact the current  more...

Best Practices in Electronic Invoices and Electronic Payments BenefitsIt may seem impossible to escape the paper-heavy processes in your AP department and achieve the coveted paperless status, but pulling off this caper is not a feat reserved for only paper mavericks. Instead, we can show you there is a way to achieve a paper-free environment and realize your ROI. In this teleconference, e-invoicing architect Henry Ijams will discuss your options for a  more...

Obtaining Surety Bonds for Construction Projects BenefitsThe current heightened risk environment caused by increasing contractor failures have raised concerns in the surety markets, however underwriting standards have not materially changed. What has changed is that sureties are more closely scrutinizing contractors' balance sheets and underwriting information to meet these standards and this trend will remain until the construction industry  more...

How to Save Millions in Claims Through Ergonomics and Injury Prevention BenefitsWe all know how to do our jobs, but no one has ever taught us how to work 'safely.' While there have been attempts to federally regulate ergonomics, these have failed in all but one state, California, which has the only active OSHA regulation to protect workers from repetitive motion injuries. With this in mind, employers are encouraged to voluntarily support an active ergonomics process  more...

Sale Leaseback Transactions Today: Monetizing Real Estate Assets BenefitsA troubled economy and a chilly borrowing environment require a re-thinking of how capital and debt are used in your business. Monetizing real estate assets by sale-leaseback transactions may free up needed capital to invest in your business, particularly if the real estate is undervalued. This teleconference will help you understand when and where sale-leaseback transactions on real  more...

Drafting Clear and Enforceable Contracts BenefitsCommercial contracts have become increasingly complex in our litigious society. Why can't contracts just be written in plain language with the common words (and sentence structures) we use in everyday conversation? The truth is - they can! This teleconference is an introductory course on drafting clear and enforceable contracts in a business environment - using language that everyone can  more...

Assessing and Avoiding Lender Liability Claims: Don't Let Borrowers or Guarantors Turn the Tables BenefitsContinued economic uncertainty and unrest in the credit markets has resulted in a dramatic increase in loan defaults and corporate bankruptcy filings. These events have precipitated a resurgence of lender liability claims as borrowers, guarantors and bankruptcy trustees have become more aggressive in asserting such claims in an effort to increase their leverage in workout negotiations and  more...

Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Application to Condominiums and Single-Family Homes BenefitsIn today's environment, many purchasers of condominium units and homesites are trying to back out of their purchases. Learn how to keep your hard-earned condominium unit sales and single-family home sales from slipping away. Many condominium developers and home builders who are subject to the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act do not understand how to comply, or perhaps  more...

Medical Necessity - The Collaborative Partnership Approach BenefitsHospitals constantly struggle with reducing financial exposure due to noncompliance with medical necessity in the ordering and performing of diagnostic tests on both the inpatient and outpatient business environment. Current hospital business processes and medical staff mind-sets do not lend themselves and promote financial efficiencies in the performance and reimbursement of diagnostic  more...

Screening Commercial Tenants: Priorities and Pitfalls BenefitsIn this economic environment many commercial landlords are experiencing increasingly high default and vacancy rates while the value of their assets is, in many jurisdictions, plummeting. The Congressional Oversight Panel recently released its Commercial Real Estate Losses and the Risk to Financial Stability report confirming many industry experts' fears of a looming commercial real estate  more...

Current Issues in CEQA BenefitsWhile others chose to fight over the reality of climate change, those of us who work on new development or projects in California only have time to fight to keep up with the enormous changes in California law and jurisprudence concerning climate change. This teleconference will provide an update on the proposed changes to the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for mitigation  more...

Strategies and Techniques for International Debt Recovery BenefitsGlobalization has taken business and industry to new levels of competition. To stay in the game, successful organizations need to adjust to the demands of an international market. Most foreign buyers expect to receive credit terms. However, once popular tools, like the letter of credit, are becoming too expensive and complicated for the quick pace of today's international business  more...

Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance: Current Topics and Key Issues BenefitsIn the era of the subprime mortgage crisis, directors and officers are acutely aware of the potential for liability and the importance that directors' and officers' liability insurance afford sufficient coverage to provide for a defense and indemnity for any settlement or judgment. This teleconference will provide you with insight into common issues and trends that arise during a claim for  more...

Rewards Transformation: A Unique Approach to Total Rewards Strategy and Design in the Current Economy BenefitsIn the current economic environment, organizations are concerned with reducing costs while retaining top talent. Total rewards costs can often exceed 40 percent of company's revenue and in many cases it is difficult to demonstrate ROI. This teleconference presents a unique approach to total rewards strategy, design and cost management called rewards transformation. Rewards transformation  more...

Improve Productivity While Staying Compliant: Implementing Quality Procedures BenefitsMany organizations with customer delivery and quality problems (high reject rates across the supply chain) are unaware of the increased costs of tracking, repairing, scrapping and redelivering key products. When the discussion whether lean, six sigma and/or supply chain techniques are singularly the most effective way of dealing with quality problems, you miss the opportunity of using a  more...

Pros and Cons of Cost-Plus vs. Fixed Price Contracts BenefitsLump sum and cost-plus contracts for construction projects offer different protections and incentives for both owners and contractors. With today's economic pressures, it is important that project participants know the factors to consider in choosing between these pricing approaches and to understand the advantages and disadvantages to each. The current economic situation has imposed  more...

Top 5 Joint Employer Questions Answered BenefitsIn an economic environment where business must find creative staffing solutions to get work done, how do they recognize the hidden dangers in having workers with different types of working relationships? This teleconference helps responsible employers understand the different types of employment relationships, the pros and cons of each, and how to avoid unknowingly changing an individual's  more...

Understanding LEED for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance BenefitsThe U.S. Green Building Councils' LEED for Existing Buildings Operations Maintenance program goal is obtaining higher performance in buildings that have already been constructed and are currently in operation. LEED EBO M emphasizes maximizing operational service and efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. The system addresses whole-building energy and water use, indoor comfort  more...

A Road Map to Greening Our Residential Buildings: National Green Building Standards Review BenefitsIn this teleconference, you will uncover the hidden opportunities across our largest environmental problem areas in residential buildings. We will uncover how we are missing substantial ways to save energy, water and money, and discuss the new national green building standards that will affect you and your industry. You'll be exposed to new data and connections you've never seen before and  more...

Developing, Managing and Analyzing a Budget: Understand and Implement an Effective Budget for Better Management and Financial De BenefitsThis teleconference will show how proper planning and budgeting are the keys to success, and operating without a plan or budget is an invitation to fail. This concept holds for businesses - no matter how large or small - nonprofits and governments. Budgeting is a dynamic process, not a static one. By knowing the types of budgets and processes that have worked for others, one can create an  more...

Current ERISA Fiduciary Issues for Financial Institutions BenefitsFinancial institutions have long been faced with difficult and complicated issues under ERISA's fiduciary rules. The current economic downturn has given rise to a new round of legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding ERISA's fiduciary rules and has more generally affected the manner in which ERISA may affect financial institutions. In addition, the regulatory environment continues  more...

Employee Engagement in Troubled Times BenefitsEngaging and retaining valued employees is particularly critical amid periods of economic uncertainty if organizations are to maintain product and service quality, and lay a foundation for future growth. Yet while challenging economic environments make employee motivation more critical, they also make employee engagement more difficult to achieve. Belt tightening often results in  more...

Medical Identity Theft: Why You Must Prevent and How to Minimize Its Occurrence BenefitsMore and more patient information is being captured electronically, both within the provider setting and remotely from the patients themselves. Additionally, an increasing number of myriad touches of this data occur on a daily basis by various known and unknown entities, not all of whom are authorized or have a specific need to know. In this environment, ample opportunity exists for  more...

Employer's HIPAA Privacy and Security Responsibilities Benefits strong New Mandates Under HIPAA and State Laws Create Obligations for Employers /strong Personal and company confidential data, exceedingly valuable assets, are under siege. Organizations across the country and locally have experienced significant data breaches resulting in unauthorized access to a vast amount of personal and company confidential information. At the same time,  more...

Pay-for-Performance Redefined BenefitsA bevy of proposed regulations, a more active investor community, and unprecedented media attention continues to change the environment in which compensation committees operate. The pace and direction of change is volatile and while committees focus their attention on design efficacy and business results, the landscape is such that the historical pay-for-performance perspective is no  more...

Understanding the Basics of Lean Accounting BenefitsAs mid level manufacturing firms migrate to advanced manufacturing processes, they have become uncertain about the ability of traditional cost accounting tools to provide meaningful and accurate measurements. This teleconference outlines a hands-on view of the process needed to evaluate, establish and maintain lean accounting in a mid-level manufacturing environment. While lean accounting  more...

Avoiding Costly Mistakes In Harassment Policies and Investigations BenefitsSexual and other forms of harassment remain a significant problem for employers. Courts and legislatures continue to create new obligations for employers and continue to increase the potential for liability for employers. Many employers continue to have policies and procedures for harassment that are outdated or that actually create potential liability. This teleconference will help you  more...

Health Care Facility Design and Development BenefitsDeveloping or expanding a health care facility is particularly challenging in the modern economic and regulatory environment. Health care administrators are looking for project delivery models that ensure excellence in planning and delivery. Incorporating thought leadership in design, operational efficiency and sustainability, as well as efficient project delivery are important  more...

Green Building: LEED Water Efficiency Credits BenefitsFew things are more important in determining the long term sustainability of any habitat than the availability of water in sufficient quantity and quality. Through the ages civilizations have always sought to locate next to reliable sources of fresh water. In contemporary times the availability of water has become a major design driver and, in some cases, a limiting factor in development.  more...

Building Performance Benchmarking Strategies BenefitsGovernmental entities and private corporations in the United States and worldwide, face an enormous challenge to improve the performance of the built environment. The CO2 and energy reduction targets that are being discussed in pending legislation will require huge investments in the existing building stock over the next 25 years, whereas the performance targets for new buildings will far  more...

Green Building Design Basics BenefitsGreen buildings are structures that more efficiently use valuable resources such as energy, water, materials and land compared to buildings constructed to basic building codes. Green buildings are better for the environment and provide healthy, comfortable and productive indoor spaces. This teleconference will give you an introduction into incorporating green building design in your  more...

Medical Professionals and Social Media: Privacy and Security Issues BenefitsIf you have any users of social media in your organization, and chances are you do even if you don't know it, don't miss this teleconference on the privacy and security issues that surround the use of social media by medical professionals. As more and more new physicians and other professionals enter the health care workplace, they are bringing with them the tools and technologies that  more...

Using Purchasing Metrics to Drive Bottom and Top Line Contribution BenefitsThe role of sourcing and procurement managers has become increasingly critical to the bottom line performance of companies in today's complex and dynamic environment. Yet most procurement organizations focus metrics on cost and productivity rather than business value added and risk. Without appropriate metrics, managers cannot quantify their business impact or allocate resources to the  more...

Current Issues in Development Impact Fees BenefitsDevelopment impact fees, mitigation fees, connection charges and similar exactions imposed as conditions of approval for development activity continue to multiply and play an increasingly dominant role in the development approval process. Public agencies, from cities to regional air quality regulators to local sanitation districts, increasingly depend upon fee-type revenues not only to  more...

Paperless Payroll: Essentials to a Seamless Transition BenefitsIn today's economic environment, every organization is looking to reduce costs. Paperless processes have the potential to be a healthy boost to the bottom line without eliminating employees. The notion of paperless payroll has come a long way since the introduction of direct deposit in the 1970's, but despite the advances, most companies are still distributing paper checks, pay advices and  more...

Statement on Auditing Standards No. 104 - No. 111 Risk Assessment Standards nThis teleconference will provide experienced and inexperienced auditors a concise summary of the risk assessment standards. In addition, this will provide auditors recommendations on how to become more efficient and effective in their application of these standards leading to less time required to implement the standards and a greater realization on audits. Since the majority of auditors may be  more...

Design Codes and Standards for Noise Control nAcoustics strongly affects the human response to our environment and yet noise rises to the top of any list of user complaints in buildings. Complaints relate to poor hearing conditions, annoyance from neighbors, inadequate privacy, noisy mechanical equipment and a plethora of other issues. This teleconference will provide you with information on how to use building design to control sound and  more...

IRS Form 1040 - Schedule D Update nUnited States taxpayers are experiencing many challenges in our current economic environment that will have major effects on their tax returns. The collapse of the housing market, home foreclosures and worthless securities has affected most taxpayers. Preparing the 1040 Schedule D is challenging for even the most efficient tax professional. By attending this teleconference, you will be reminded  more...

Patients' Rights Update nHealth care providers, particularly long term care providers, mental health providers and hospices, have become increasingly aware of patients' rights concerns in recent years. Many states have passed bills of rights for their residents living in mental health, skilled nursed or other health care facilities. These bills of rights cover basic and not so basic concerns. From the right to be treated  more...

Tax and Practical Aspects of Business Succession Planning nClosely held family businesses are often as important to the owners of that business as are their own children. With business failures increasing in today's economic environment, the importance of a well planned, dynamic and long-term succession plan is vital to the continuation of the family business as it is passes from generation to generation. Tax considerations are one part of that plan, but  more...

Mitigating the Impact of Construction Projects: Hurdles to Project Success nAll construction projects have impacts on their surroundings, including neighbors, businesses, communities and the physical environment. These impacts frequently are the center of controversy surrounding a project and can lead to unnecessary delays, lost productivity, added project costs and bad public relations. This teleconference will provide you with practical strategies for identifying and  more...

Estate Planning Opportunities in an Uncertain Environment nMotivate the reluctant client; freeze the estate value to reduce the estate tax load. How many of us have clients waiting on the sidelines to decide what to do after experiencing 2008? The uncertain times and uncertain market have actually created the perfect time to use some of the advanced planning tools in the estate planner's arsenal. Depressed values for good assets open up the opportunity  more...

Begin With the Brain: Three Things Educators Need to Know! nThis engaging teleconference will provide valuable information about three key elements of brain-compatible teaching and learning. Recent research about how student's brains grow, develop and respond to the environment should influence our classroom practices. Understanding some brain basics can give you guidelines to help you design truly brain-compatible classrooms and school environments. When  more...

Current Trends in Green Lending nDon't let the housing market slow down get you down. Learn an exciting new business opportunity while aiding the environment. Green lending, also known as Energy Efficient Mortgages, have been around for more than decade but have been seldom used. With the growing concerns over the nation's addiction to imported oil and climate change there is a new push to create a greater market demand for this  more...

Overcome Your Competition: Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace nYear in and year out, sales professionals invest their time and their organizations' money along with leveraging high-priced resources in sales pursuits, but walk away with no fruit for their labor. This percentage varies from company to company, but on average the percentage of opportunities pursued and not closed is well over 50 percent! Extensive studies have proven this excessively high  more...

Obtaining and Sustaining a Tax-Exempt Status nIn today's environment, the pressure on tax-exempt organizations to comply with the tax rules is greater than ever. In this teleconference, you'll learn the difference between nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, how an organization qualifies for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, how to distinguish between private foundation and public charities, how to understand the benefits of public charity  more...

Effective Job Cost Reports in Construction Project Management nIn today's fast-paced and complex construction environment, construction industry professionals require immediate access to timely and accurate information. One of the most important management tools available to project teams is the job cost report. Properly designed and used, the JCR can be a powerful document that provides an up-to-date snapshot of the project status that also highlights  more...

Alternatives to Reductions in Force nLayoffs spawn headlines, adverse publicity and labor relations challenges. While the economic crisis has caused numerous companies to consider restructurings in response to a turbulent business environment, there are compelling business and legal reasons to consider alternatives to layoffs. This teleconference will address the legal and business cases for considering alternatives to layoffs and  more...