Industry Telephone Seminars - Training Resources

Current Issues in Real Estate Title and Title Insurance ...tions. You'll gain insight into the workings of the title industry to better prepare you to anticipate problems and assist in developing solutions to ultimately close the transaction. This teleconference will progress from basic concepts to title problem solving and end with an analysis of complex coverage issues under the current ALTA policies and endorsements. This program is primarily  more...

Understanding the Apportionment Rules for Service-Based Businesses ... property. Thus, these rules focused on the manufacturing industry and were out of touch with service operations. Second, as our economy has shifted its focus to services and e-commerce, states are beginning to revise their apportionment rules to account for differences between the industries. These new rules, however, lack clear guidance thus creating uncertainty for taxpayers. This  more...

New Technology and the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act BenefitsThis teleconference will provide you with information regarding the interplay between the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the use of new technology in contacting debtors. The speakers will cover the use of voice mail, caller ID, email, text messages and faxes, and discuss recent case law addressing the application of this technology to the debt  more...

ConsensusDOCS Contract Fundamentals ...s and it has become important for all participants in the industry to understand what the ConsensusDOCS are and what they have to offer. Learning Objectives - You will be able to describe the overall approach taken by the ConsensusDOCS. - You will be able to recognize the ConsensusDOCS families of available contract documents, including the new contract forms for integrated project delivery. -  more...

IRC Section 41: Credit for Increasing Research Activities Update ...ur careers. Learn from some of the top technicians in the industry on what can and can't be considered research and development under IRS guidelines. Several topics that will be discussed include understanding the broad range of companies in many industries that can qualify for the research credit, potential pitfalls and significant opportunities to bring value to your clients by using the  more...

Opportunities for Recycling Construction Waste and Demolition Debris ...his 90-minute teleconference will teach you about the C D industry and the implementation of different programs nationally to deal with this interest, and the need and general benefits of C D reuse and recycling. Learning Objectives: - You will be able to define what construction waste and demolition debris are and how they fit in the national waste picture. - You will be able to discuss the  more...

Mortgage Fraud: An Epidemic BenefitsThe FBI recognized 2008 as the worst year ever for mortgage fraud. 2009 has seen the mortgage fraud epidemic spread even wider and deeper. This teleconference will focus on the most prevalent forms of mortgage fraud. Best practices for detection and prevention are outlined, with industry-specific recommendations for bankers, lawyers and mortgage professionals. We will conclude with a  more...

AIA Contracts: The Owner-General Contractor Agreement ... an integrated set of contract forms for the construction industry. While other industry groups independently have prepared their own competing set of forms and, more recently, some have banded together to create more of a consensus-based set of forms, the AIA forms remain the most widely used and accepted in the industry. Some owners and developers use the AIA forms without any changes and  more...

Telephone Collections: Do's and Don'ts - Surviving the Jungle ...industry has grown dramatically over the past 20 years. Creditors are faced with increasing challenges in making loans and extending credit. The collection staff members in these creditor settings face mounting customer difficulties and tighter compliance environments. This teleconference will help you understand the importance of developing an effective recovery strategy for optimum success  more...

Current Issues in Cloud Computing: Is There Sun Behind Those Clouds? ...an enormous, pervasive and game-changing technology. Tech industry heavyweights such as Microsoft , IBM and Google have each committed billions to developing and marketing it. Smaller players and startups are cropping up daily with new offerings. Yet, for all the hype, few people understand the technology nor the unique issues cloud computing poses - particularly when it comes to contracting  more...

Protect and Collect - The Effective Use of Engagement Letters ...industry, including professional service firms, looking at best practices to keep revenues steady and to decrease liability. The collection process has become more burdensome as cash flow tightens across the country. With more and more lawsuits arising against professional service providers and their firms, law firms, accounting firms and even bookkeeping/tax services are not immune from legal  more...

A Road Map to Greening Our Residential Buildings: National Green Building Standards Review ...al 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 have a new perspective on the importance of green building. Learning Objectives - You will be able to specify which systems will help save the most water and energy. - You will be able to define ways to save money and the environment together. - You  more...

Current Issues in Real Estate Appraisals ...risk of your real estate asset. This program will provide industry insider intelligence that will increase your area of expertise and communication by explaining the valuation methods required for proper federal and state regulatory compliance through the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. You will also be provided an overview of the global and U.S. markets with strategic  more...

Current Issues in Digital Billboards and Sign Regulations ...degrade aesthetics? What tricks are used by the billboard industry to secure permits from local officials to build or operate unlawful digital signs? How can local governments take steps now to protect themselves from being the targets of the sign code shakedown scheme? A bad decision for one municipality today can lead to even worse outcomes in the future for other municipalities. Please join  more...

Trucking Litigation BenefitsLitigation involving trucking and bus companies seems straightforward. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Come hear how to negotiate the waters and learn how the myriad of confusing federal and state regulations could torpedo your case. Hear from the former top U.S. D.O.T. trucking lawyer on how to utilize federal and state information to help bolster your case. You  more...

Case Study: What Makes Dixon Schwabl One of the "Best Small Companies to Work for in America" ...day workplace practices. No matter the size, geography or industry - any company can be a great place to work. Ms. Dixon will share how she implemented a strategic leadership and talent management initiative, expanded her headquarters in Rochester, New York, and grew her advertising business in one of the most challenging and rapidly changing industries in today's economy. She believes that  more...

Doing Business with Distressed Vendors and Customers: Strategies to Employ in Workouts, Litigation and Bankruptcy ...ns of the current economic crisis are being felt in every industry and at every point in the supply chain. More and more often, vendors are encountering distressed buyers and buyers are dealing with distressed suppliers. Attend this teleconference and you will learn to recognize the early warning signs of financial distress, and be armed with strategies that can be employed in consensual  more...

Billing and Collecting for the Health Care Industry BenefitsDon't miss this billing and collecting teleconference presented by Neltner Billing Consulting Services, Inc. During the teleconference, we will present an overview of coding, billing and auditing for evaluation and management services. We will discuss common billing errors and practical methods for ensuring compliance. We will also share specific techniques for claims processing, payment  more...

Loan Modifications: Available Programs, Issues and Fundamentals ...portfolios. Facing workouts or foreclosures, the mortgage industry must weigh its options to determine how to maximize its return. With likely foreclosure moratoriums, decreasing home values and governmental pressure, loan modifications are becoming a necessity. This teleconference will address the latest loan modification programs available, the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well  more...

Subleasing Issues In A Down and Recovering Market ... first learned in 1991 and 1992 when the savings and loan industry collapsed, and then again in 2000 and 2001 when the dot-com bubble burst, because subtenants now find themselves once more in a rare position: the driver's seat. Leases are being amended to accommodate tenants who need to hold in place and new leases are being negotiated; in both cases, the tenant has an opportunity to improve  more...

Construction Payment Remedies: Using the Right Tools ...ate payment critical concerns to many in the construction industry. The unique nature of the industry and the special remedies available to those in it make payment disputes matters of much interest to all involved in the construction process. The recession has only made resolution of these disputes more challenging. This teleconference will cover types of payment remedies, how they work, and  more...

Health Care Reform: Implications for Employers, Insurers, and Individuals BenefitsHealth care reform could have a more significant impact on the United States economy and on our personal lives than any federal legislation in the past 100 years. Beyond the partisan politics and media hype are the practical concerns of employers, HR professionals, attorneys, third-party administrators, and other consultants and professionals who work with group health plans and related  more...

Collective Bargaining and Construction Labor Contracts ...industry is rife with contractors who sign collective bargaining agreements and later find out that the agreements do not accurately represent the verbal understandings they had reached with the union. Many of these contractors soon learn they are bound to the collective bargaining agreements for longer periods of time than expected and that the agreements cover all projects involving work  more...

Current Issues in Cell Tower Leases ...industry has built more than 220,000 cell sites in the United States in the past 20 years. But many more cell sites are needed as the wireless industry expands coverage and extends the capabilities of cell phones and wireless devices into data, email, computer and video applications. New cell sites and significant modifications to existing cell sites will also be needed to facilitate the  more...

Obtaining a Portion of the Stimulus Grant Funding BenefitsThis past year the federal government has provided a significant economic stimulus program that has been primarily implemented through grant funding. The Recovery Act (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 signed by President Obama on February 16, 2009) is the economic stimulus package of $787 billion. Because of the national scope of the economic situation, stimulus money has  more...

Current Issues in Right-of-Way: Joint Ventures, Corridors and the Use of Eminent Domain ...ure are two of the hottest issues facing the right-of-way industry today. In this teleconference, you will learn about both of these issues and how they affect the right-of-way professional. You will also learn about the use of eminent domain to acquire right-of-way from two of the most knowledgeable attorneys in the industry. Learning Objectives - You will be able to discuss joint ventures  more...

Tax Treatment of Gift Card and Certificate Sales ...ised during an examination. The IRS announced, in several industry director directives, that it plans to focus on several specific issues in this area. Despite this emphasis on gift card revenue issues however, the IRS has provided little guidance in this area. The sale of gift cards also raises a variety of state tax and state law issues. This teleconference will help you identify and handle  more...

New Regulations for the Credit Card Industry: Prepare Now and Avoid Penalties ...ct of 2009 to regulate several aspects of the credit card industry. This is one of the most sweeping changes to hit the industry for quite some time. This new legislation amends the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, and places a number of restrictions on the credit card industry and consumer reporting agencies. Some notable changes in  more...

Dynamic Tips for Effective E-Discovery ...most important and prominent issues confronting the legal industry today. E-Discovery is the buzzword in litigation and it certainly has earned this status, but its notoriety can at times belie the legal community's tender grasp of its many complexities and implications. Paralegals and legal assistants - the 'case managers' during discovery - are perhaps the people most dramatically impacted by  more...

Infection Control Programs ...fections have moved into the forefront of the health care industry due to emerging and re-emerging issues, the human toll and reimbursement challenges. Central to this problem is the impact of the infection preventionist and the infection prevention function. This teleconference will help identify specific elements of an effective infection prevention program and promote the collaborative  more...

Practical and Legal Aspects of Real Estate Auctions nIn today's uncertain real estate economy, many real estate developers, investors and fiduciaries are holding surplus inventory with poor turnover performance and a grim outlook on return on investment. The carrying costs to maintain the property during a lengthy conventional brokerage sale weaken the asset's physical properties and investment potential. Real estate auctions have been a viable  more...

FCRA and FACT Act Regulatory and Litigation Update 2009 nIn the last year, new federal rules under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act have become effective. These rules restrict cross-marketing by financial institutions and other companies; impose new requirements on companies that use credit reports; and require lenders and others to establish new fraud prevention programs. In addition, a spate of federal court  more...

Preventing Workers' Compensation Abuse ...tionwide, workers' compensation abuse costs the insurance industry billions of dollars each year. It is sometimes called "The Hidden Tax" because each of us absorbs these monies in the costs of goods and services each year. This teleconference will give you a better understanding of workers' compensation abuse, keys to a successful investigation and how to avoid claim pitfalls. This  more...

Tenancies in Common - Legal and Practical Issues ...During the last five years, the tenant-in-common offering industry has grown to approximately $5 billion in annual equity raised. While specific data is hard to find, industry experts estimate that between $10 billion and $12 billion has been raised and spread across more than 2,000 offerings. In the last year, the number of materially under-performing TIC transactions has increased. As the  more...

Valuation for Gift and Estate Tax Purposes in a Troubled Economy nWhether we are in a recession or depression, the values of assets are not what they once were. If you are contemplating whether to consider gift and estate tax planning or executing a plan, what will the impact of this troubled economy be on your tax valuations? This teleconference provides up-to-date guidance on current market conditions, and evolving valuation industry practices and techniques  more...

2009 Updates to the International Residential Codes ...l Residential Code lie ahead for many in the construction industry. Some of the changes will be controversial as jurisdictions will have to choose whether or not to adopt the new codes, such as residential fire code provisions, as system manufacturers and installers work to keep up with the mandates. Some professionals view the changes as unnecessary, express technical concerns or unjustified  more...

Getting to the Root of Root Cause Analysis ...industry and occupation we are faced with failures. Failures of products, processes, systems and services abound. n nSome of us are tasked with fixing the processes that lead to failures. The customer wants "faster, better, cheaper" but we are delivering "slower, worse and costly." Failure can mean not meeting a customer requirement. It can relate to form, fit and function. Failure can also  more...

Writing Construction Specifications: Formats and Practices nAfter a facility's design is complete and construction products have been selected, construction specifications must be prepared that are clear, correct, complete and concise. Specifications also need to conform to recognized standards for formats in order to be expediently produced and used. This teleconference is an overview of current construction specification formats and writing practices,  more...

Understanding LEED. for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance ... corporations or trade associations in the green building industry. n nThis teleconference is based on publicly available information concerning the LEED® rating and certification system, and is not specifically endorsed or approved by the U.S. Green Building Council. n nLearning Objectives n- You will be able to discuss implementing LEED® for existing buildings and boosting your bottom line.  more...

Differing Site Conditions ... differing site condition claims and how the construction industry deals with those claims, both via contract and in the courts. By attending, you will be more prepared to keep on the look-out for those situations where differing site conditions claims might arise and understand what your various rights and remedies might be, whether you are an owner, general contractor or subcontractor. n  more...

FASB Statement 157 - Fair Value Update on Corporate Asset Valuation ...e've seen unprecedented turmoil in the financial services industry, capital markets and global economy. Perhaps an overused term, but "perfect storm" seems like an apt descriptor for the economic events of 2008. While implementing changes mandated by FASB 157 could be challenging for companies - and has been in some cases - the rule aims to make it easier to communicate value to shareholders.  more...

Key Provisions of Two New EJCDC Contract Documents ...industry for design and construction of public and private infrastructure projects, including bridge, highway and other transportation projects, water and wastewater treatment facilities, utilities, processing facilities, pipelines, landfills, and other engineer-designed facilities. This teleconference will provide a focused discussion of key provisions of the new editions of two principal  more...

Pros and Cons of Cost-Plus vs. Fixed Price Contracts ...rains on the construction market. Every project and every industry participant has felt the impact. In this environment, it is critical for owners and contractors to understand how the adverse economic climate may impact the legal rights and duties that apply to a construction project. n nLearning Objectives n- You will be able to recall factors to consider in choosing between lump sum and  more...

What You Need to Know About Section 404 Permits nAny proposed project involving wetlands or other waters of the United States is likely to require some type of permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As the federal agency responsible for regulating impacts to wetlands, the Corps' regulations and the permit process can represent a significant part of a project's development. The identification of wetlands or other waters on a project  more...

Problems and Risks Associated With Green Construction nThe benefits of pursuing green design and construction continue to expand, causing many diverse owner/developer groups and project types to embrace these technologies, design elements and operation models. Moving in the green direction without proper preparation may cause a development to see red in the form of red tape, interruptions and negative bottom-line impacts. In this teleconference, we  more...

Compliance With the PCI/CISP Credit Card Security Standards ...Industry Data Security Standard is now in its third year of existence and iteration. Derived from the original VISA Cardholder Information Security Program and MasterCard Site Data Protection program, PCI-DSS's now 245 distinct requirements have troubled merchants and financial institutions alike for years. This teleconference will help you understand how PCI-DSS applies to your organization  more...

Challenges and Contractual Issues With Sub-Subcontractors ...industry faces unique challenges and concerns - from dealing with a bid process that can lock in a bidding subcontractor without any written agreement, to subcontractor form contracts that are written largely, if not entirely, in favor of the general contractor. In addition to concerns in bidding and contract formation, a subcontractor must constantly evaluate and preserve its relationship with  more...

Effective Job Cost Reports in Construction Project Management ...-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 potential problems  more...

AIA and ConsensusDOCS Contract Documents: Comparison and Contrast ...industry when the parties involved in the construction contracting process encounter standard form contract documents. Two of the principal sources of such standard form construction contract documents have both recently issued the 2007 editions of their respective families of contract forms. The long established family of documents published by the American Institute of Architects has been  more...