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  • Now that we’ve said goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016, we’ve moved on to a whole new year of big goals. Unfortunately, it can be hard to focus on the work ahead after having spent a large part of December in holiday mode. Here are some tips on how a business can help keep employees from getting into a rut after the holiday season ends.

    Motivating employees after the holidays.

    Easing into a Non-holiday Work Week

    The first few work weeks following the holidays can be a pretty jarring experience for employees. After having a few shortened work weeks through December – plus whatever paid-time-off or sick days were used – going right back into full five-day, 9-to-5 schedules can be a difficult transition.

    If you see that employees are struggling, consider allowing them to occasionally work from home during the winter. This would save them from making a winter commute and get them away from their desk while they can still complete their work.

    Get Outside (If the Weather Allows)

    If the weather cooperates – which can be a fairly big “if” depending on your location – don’t be afraid to enjoy the outdoors. Even if it’s a quick walk around the block or a staff meeting in the sun, going outside can get an employee energized. 

    If it’s just too cold, windy, snowy, or all of the above, try mixing things up by holding meetings or other office rituals in different locations. Even moving to a room with a window…. more windows and sunlight can help break up the monotony and give your employees a boost.

    Celebrate When You Can

    It’s hard to match the joy of the holidays, but the early months of 2016 can have a few celebrations as well. Energize employees with special occasions, whether it’s a lunch break, a birthday party, or a little happy hour get-together once a month. Even an occasional celebration can help break up a post-holiday rut.

    Taking Care of Employees with GMS

    Happy employees can make a big difference. These tips can help you combat the first few weeks of the year when workers can suffer from a lack of motivation.

    Another way to provide a morale boost for employees is by teaming up with a Professional Employer Organization. Group Management Services can provide you and your team big-business HR management, partnering with you to take care of your company. Contact GMS today to learn more.

  • Oftentimes, when a two-term President is entering into the last year of his presidency, he can become a lame duck. His issues don’t get addressed by a congress whose members are worrying about their own re-election. Some begin doing victory laps for their last seven years. Some are dealing with scandals while others are just trying to ride it out without any more problems. Any thoughts of the current office holder being one of those went out the door in 2015.

    According to a recent article from the NFIB , President Obama’s administration broke a regulatory record in 2015 by adding over 82,000 pages of regulations to the Federal Register. 545 pages of those deal directly with small businesses. Among those regulations are things like the easing of restrictions on unionization, the changes in minimum wage laws, and the NLRB’s attempts to expand the boundaries of the National Labor Relations Act. All of these have been addressed in my blogs before.

    PEOs can help small business owners stay compliant with regulations.

    How New Regulations Affect Business Owners

    What makes things more challenging for the small business owners is that many of these regulations were pushed through by executive orders or other ways that circumvented public hearings. Simply put, many people won’t know of these rules until they violate them.

    Most large companies have compliancy officers on staff whose sole responsibility is keeping tabs on federal, state, and local regulations to make sure that a company stays within the law. Most small business owners have to rely on themselves or their legal counsel. Legal counsel relies on having attorneys on retainer and being confident that they stay up on things and keep you aware of them as well.

    The Benefits of Partnering With a PEO

    What if you don’t have someone to rely on? What other options does a small machine shop or data gathering office have? Well, those that partner with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) like GMS have someone who’s working for them on government compliance while also helping in other areas of Human Resources. That same PEO has their clients’ back by also having some skin in the game with them.

    If you would like to learn more about how a PEO like GMS can help your business, contact us today to see we can keep your business up to speed with new regulations while providing premium HR services.

  • Group Management Services is a Professional Employer Organization founded by Mike Kahoe in 1996. This summer I was fortunate enough to be one of three interns at the GMS National Headquarters in Richfield, Ohio. 

    I absolutely love my job, and if you were to step into our office you’d find 90-plus people that would say the exact same thing! Here are the top five reasons I’m having the best summer ever, and why you would too, at GMS:

    Image of a happy office. Find out five reasons why GMS is a great place for a sales and marketing internship.

    5) The Perks

    This is not your average internship. Just as our sales representatives receive a base salary and commissions, GMS interns earn an hourly wage plus a weekly bonus based off of performance. Not to mention all the other perks that they offer.

    4) The Chickens

    I bet you weren’t expecting to see this on the list! GMS Headquarters has their very own chicken coop stationed right next to a gigantic organic garden in our own backyard! Fresh eggs, fresh fruits, and veggies go hand-in-hand with a company-wide wellness initiative. GMS encourages a healthy and happy lifestyle in more ways than one, which includes our own fitness center, outdoor yoga classes, health screenings, and healthy lunch challenges, all while we compete in the Cleveland Corporate Challenge!

    3) The Energy

    A stimulating, healthy environment doesn’t only create overall wellness and reduce health risks, it also maintains a productive, active workforce. GMS is filled with young professionals with a positive, competitive spirit. It’s a contagious attitude that keeps you motivated throughout the day.

    2) The Experience

    The experience you gain from working in a location, industry, or specific position you’re interested in is the entire purpose of an internship. GMS can offer attractive testaments to all of the above! Our Richfield Headquarters is only 30 minutes from Downtown Cleveland. There are also other GMS locations in Ohio, Virginia, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Nevada. 

    No matter which location you’re at, the experience of an industry that works with a variety of different businesses makes for a new and exciting challenge every day. Being a sales and marketing intern has allowed me to gain experience directly related to what I hope to pursue after graduation. I’ve also learned more about internal departments like Risk Management and Benefits to understand just how our company is able to offer the services we do. 

    1) The People

    The No. 1 reason you should intern at GMS is because of the people that make up this company. From day one it was clear that everyone is not only willing, but excited, to help in any way they can. GMS has built their culture on a foundation of personable individuals that encourage the success of their peers. I have never felt unwelcome, unappreciated, or undervalued both inside and outside of the workplace since joining the team!

    If you’re interested in applying for a position at GMS, check out our openings and apply today!

  • I’ve never worked in an office before. For so many summers, all I did was work the typical jobs you’d expect from a kid in high school. Swim clubs, gas stations; my summers were reminiscent of Dante’s life from the 1994 movie Clerks, complete with me saying more than just once or twice, “I’m not even supposed to be here today!”  

    I grew up in a small town in central Pennsylvania, but was born in Cleveland. Upon graduation, I took a note from LeBron and decided to come home. I’m currently going into my senior year at Cleveland State, and this summer I decided to change things. I figured it was time to leave the lifeguard stands and gas pumps behind in Smallville and get myself an office internship. That’s how I found GMS.

    Image of a gas pump. Learn how one intern went from jobs at gas stations to a summer PEO internship.

    The PEO Internship Experience

    I’d never even heard of a Professional Employer Organization until I found GMS. I had heard of the company before and seen their sales reps and their cars driving around, but never understood what they were or what they did. After doing some research into PEOs, I saw what the industry was about. PEOs are the ultimate asset to any business owner looking to focus on what they excel in instead of dealing with all the administrative paperwork and the headaches that go along with them. Even with that description, I didn’t fully understand just what set GMS apart until my very first day as an intern. 

    Everyone here, not just at headquarters but at all locations, is dedicated to the client. It’s something every place says they do, but at GMS they mean it. Sales reps maintain relationships with clients. Risk management experts handle any workers’ compensation and safety issues. Benefits professionals ensure that employees are taken care of and that their company saves money doing it. Payroll specialists make sure employees are paid and that everything is running smoothly. The entire GMS team is working for their clients and going above and beyond what you’d find anywhere else.

    A Fulfilling Internship Environment

    Working at GMS has really been a treat. The coworkers and the environment couldn’t be better, with everyone knowing each other and creating such a fun workplace that it feels like I’m not just another intern, but a fellow coworker. The work has been fulfilling with everyday holding something new, whether it be calls, projects, sales rep meetings, or something entirely unexpected. 

    There’s a lot going on at GMS, but everyone manages to handle it and succeed. I no longer feel like Dante from Clerks; I’m supposed to be here. Check out GMS openings to join in on the experience.

  • You always hear intern horror stories of Randy the errand runner, Carlin the coffee-getter, solitude Sally, bossy Becky, moody Mandy, lazy Larry, and sob story Serena. But not many have heard or met supportive and studious Sara, reliable and radiant Rafael, or ambitious and adaptable Alexis. 

    We are the three interns here at GMS. As a PEO, GMS is not like most companies. A PEO… what is that? Not many have heard of a professional employer organization because it’s unique to the business world, special in a sense that it helps small to mid-size businesses save time and money.

    Image of a happy intern. Learn about the cummer internship experience at GMS.

    Learning from a GMS Internship

    Being an intern at GMS is not like most intern stories you have heard. I’ve gotten real world experience being a sales rep, discovered what it takes to get an appointment, and learned about the industry. Mostly I’ve learned about GMS and why others love it.

    I’ve never worked for any company that I get as excited to come to work for as GMS. I get to learn about new techniques on how to sell or just how to become the best version of myself. It’s truly a humbling experience and an honor to intern for GMS, and I am one of the lucky ones. 

    I could not be happier with this internship. I’ve become more comfortable making cold calls, learned how to better communicate with those around me, and enhanced my skills at GMS. I like the challenge and the growth that GMS encourages me to find. People are lucky to work here. If you want to join the GMS team, check out available openings and apply today.

  • It can be hard to seek help when you don’t know who you should ask. Business owners can spend countless hours trying to manage their business’ HR functions. Fortunately, PEOs can help save them time and money while offering professional management services that can strengthen their business. The important part is to find the right PEO partner for your business. Here are some questions that owners should ask when looking for HR help.

    Image of a business owner contacting a PEO. Learn about questions business owners should ask PEOs, including “what is a PEO?”

    What is a PEO and How Does It Work?

    Nobody should jump into something they may not understand, so kick off your search for HR help with a single question: Exactly what is a PEO? A PEO is a Professional Employer Organization that works with your company to make HR functions more efficient and effective for you and your employees.

    According to the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations, “PEOs enable clients to cost-effectively outsource the management of human resources, employee benefits, payroll and workers’ compensation.” PEOs have been around for decades, providing important services for companies big and small. Every business is different, so the key is finding a PEO that can suit your specific needs.

    How Can a PEO Save My Business Time and Money?

    A PEO can make your business more efficient. Let’s face it; the average business owner isn’t the person who should be spending hours dedicated to managing payroll, benefits, and  other back office functions. They should be utilizing their time on areas where they can make a greater impact so that their company can grow. Of course, HR functions are a critical part of every company, so you need somebody who can help.

    PEO experts are just those people. A PEO employs specialists in all different areas of HR. This gives you the experts that can professionally manage areas like benefits, payroll, and other HR functions for potentially less than what it would take for the average owner to try and do on their own or to hire someone internally. Also, PEOs have a greater buying power than a small business, allowing your company to receive beneficial rates thanks to the economy of scale.

    Is My Business Big Enough for a PEO?

    You don’t need to run a big business to get quality HR management. As a premier PEO, GMS has helped everything from small, 20-person shops to companies with several hundred employees.

    GMS has been in business for 20 years and has helped over 1,000 clients make their company simpler, safer and stronger. Contact GMS today to see why we’re the right PEO for you and your business. 

  • Business jargon is everywhere, but that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily helping your employees. Jargon is a way to condense interesting ideas into short sound bites so that business people could easily convey messages without lengthy explanations. Unfortunately, using jargon doesn’t always work out that way and can end up negatively affecting your employees.

    Image of bored employees. Read about the problems of business jargon and how a PEO can help keep your employees informed.

    What Does It Mean?

    Not everybody knows what you know and vice versa. When a person speaks in jargon, there’s always a chance that the message can be misunderstood.

    Some employees are better than others at keeping up with business jargon. Others may not have a clue or only a slight understanding of what someone is trying to convey when they throw around terms like “mindshare.” Employees aren’t likely to stop someone and ask what they mean for fear of looking uninformed, even if they’re not the only person who’s confused.

    If you think that someone might not be picking up on jargon, it might be best to just explain it in common language. This will keep your employees in the loop and save you from having to explain your message again at a later date.

    Jargon Relatability

    Jargon can lead to more than confusion. Author James Sudakow speculates that too much jargon can make normal work conversations feel inauthentic. Instead, it relies on business clichés to speed up discussions and explanations in place of language that may better connect with employees.

    This doesn’t mean that jargon doesn’t have its place. Succinct explanations can be worthwhile in moderation. However, if a jargon-heavy conversation is leading to some blank stares, it might be time to switch to more simplified language. 

    Less Jargon, More Information

    Confused employees are not going to be nearly as effective as they could be with clear communication. Like jargon, human resources can often be a source of confusion for your employees. Unfortunately, you may not have all the answers that your employees are seeking.

    A Professional Employer Organization like Group Management Services can offer HR management that can benefit your company by simplifying complex topics. A PEO can manage important functions like payroll, HR, risk management, and benefits, all while keeping your employees up to date. Contact us today to learn how partnering with a PEO can strengthen your business and keep you and your employees on the same page.

  • A good meeting can help steer a business toward success. Unfortunately, not all meetings turn out to be all that helpful. According to Inc.com, roughly two-thirds of meetings are seen as unproductive, which ends up hurting businesses more than helping them. Effective, efficient meetings are critical, so here are three ways you can help your business succeed in the conference room.

    Image of a business meeting. Read our tips for successful meetings.

    Think Ahead and Be Prepared

    A meeting without a plan is like trying to find a needle in a haystack; you might eventually get to the point, but it can take a while. Impromptu, aimless meetings are likely going to waste people’s time and accomplish little.  However, unnecessary meetings are even worse.

    Before you schedule a meeting, always consider if it’s necessary. If a quick phone call or an email will suffice, stick with those options. If a meeting is still the best option, make sure you set some goals. Consider why you need a meeting and arrange it so that you can achieve your objectives, whether it’s to gather information or take action on something.

    Finally, invite only the people who need to be in the meeting. If someone has something important to provide for the meeting, make sure that they’ll be involved. Time is money, so making someone sit through a meeting in which they’ll have little to contribute is a waste of resources.

    Be Timely and Stay on Point

    Like we said before, time is money. This means that overly long, meandering meetings aren’t great for business. Jerry’s vacation sounded like a lot of fun, but having to schedule and go through another meeting because people were too busy talking about Jerry’s mishaps in Mexico is a waste of time.

    A meeting agenda can help you keep the meeting on topic and efficient. Allot specific amounts of time for each subject and keep tangents to a minimum. Send the agenda out to a day before the meeting so that people can properly prepare their points. The people attending the meeting need to stick to the agenda, as well. Multitasking is one of the leading causes of unproductive meetings. Keep those phones, laptops, and tablets away unless there’s a specific reason that it helps the current meeting.

    Also, please make sure that everyone shows up to the meeting on time. It seems like common sense, but lateness can help derail a meeting right away, as well as waste the time of others.

    Sum It Up Into Actionable Info

    Valuable info isn’t very valuable if nobody remembers it. The ideas or decisions made in meetings can’t just stay in the conference room. Meeting recaps can help people remember the important details discussed in meetings and make it more likely that people will follow through on action items. Send out a recap email or create some kind of reminder system so that the meeting can matter after it’s completed.

    Stay Organized and Succeed

    Even efficient and effective meetings take up time that could be spent elsewhere. As a Professional Employer Organization, Group Management Services can help business owners free up their time by taking on administrative burdens.

    Like meetings, payroll administration, human resource management, and other important functions can take up a lot of time. As HR experts, we can manage these functions efficiently and effectively, freeing you up for other important tasks and potentially saving you money in the process. Contact GMS today to schedule an HR audit and see how we can help you steer your business for even more success.

  • The holidays can be a lot of fun, but they can also lead to a lot of stress for business owners and employees. Between the family events and changing schedules, holiday season can be pretty hectic. Here are a few tips to help business owners come out on top.

    Image of a n office during the holidays. Contact GMS about HR management from a Professional Employer Organization.

    Plan for More than the Holiday Party

    Figuring out a time, date, and place for the annual company party is not even close to the most important thing owners need to plan for during the holiday season. Office time may be at a premium thanks to a combination of days off from observed holidays and paid time off (PTO) days used by employees. This means you need to plan ahead and make sure that your business won’t fall behind on anything because of the limited number of work hours in the holiday months.

    Your employees won’t be the only people with fewer work days. Your clients and customers may be less available than usual thanks to the holiday season. Don’t wait until the middle of December to contact people if you can get a hold of them earlier than that.

    Take Advantage of the Holiday Season

    While the holidays mean extra days off, it can also afford some extra opportunities. Depending on your business, there may be marketing opportunities or various trends that you can use to your advantage. Holiday sales or specials can be a nice little incentive for your customers, even if you’re not a toy store or some other retailer. Don’t be afraid to get creative and use the season to your advantage.

    Learn from Past Mistakes

    Those who don’t learn from their past mistakes are doomed to repeat them. Take a look at your performance from the last year or two and note any trends or issues. This can help you identify problem areas and make the necessary adjustments, whether it’s more seasonal help, a better system for keeping track of time off, or any other factors. Plus, there are always the mistakes people can make during the office party. For tips on that, please refer to this helpful post on company parties.

    Treat Your Employees (and Yourself) with a PEO

    Nobody wants to deal with HR headaches. Even without any holiday party issues, managing HR can be a big pain for businesses. A Professional Employer Organization like Group Management Services can help you protect your business from HR issues and offer your employees greater benefits such as paid time off and other perks. Contact us today to learn how partnering with a PEO can strengthen your business this holiday season.

  • Happiness can be very lucrative for a business. Unfortunately, unhappy employees can hurt bottom line and make it harder for businesses to grow. Employee morale can be affected by a number of factors, including work conditions, coworkers, and personal matters, but regardless of the reason, disengaged workers can lead to future issues for business owners.

    Image of an unhappy employee.

    How Unhappy Employees Can Hurt Your Business

    Unhappy employees cost businesses a lot of money. Gallup found that actively disengaged employees cost U.S. businesses roughly half a billion dollars per year, affecting everything from small businesses to large corporations. 

    These losses can come from a variety of reasons, ranging from small offenses to serious problems. On the lower end, a disinterested employee can skirt their responsibilities. This can result in a loss of productivity due to a lack of motivation and happiness. In extreme cases, the employee may start to even steal from the company. Either way, your company gets hurt.

    What Happy Employees Can Do

    While unhappy employees can cause serious financial damage, happy employees are a boon to business. Studies have shown that actively engaged, happy employees are more productive than normal workers, making for better results for their bosses. Happy employees also have less incentive to leave their jobs, which can benefit your business since employee replacement can be quite costly.

    What You Can Do About Unhappy Employees

    Sometimes it doesn’t take much to inspire some unhappy employees. Good benefits and opportunities can be enough to support your workforce. It’s also important to hire people who make sense for your company and fit into your company culture. Initiatives like a workplace wellness program can also help your employees improve the quality of their lives – and potentially their happiness.

    These are all services that a Professional Employer Organization can provide for your business to help support your workforce and strengthen your business. Contact us today to talk to an expert at GMS about how improved HR functions and benefits can improve company morale.