By Megan Wargacki: Globally, 46% of online consumers use social media when making a purchase decision.[1] So, if your business isn’t advertising on social media, it probably should be…but you must know what you are doing because the FTC has rules about online advertising. Thankfully, in March 2013, the FTC published a guide for businesses […]
By Megan Wargacki: Economic espionage, cybercrime and trade secret theft against U.S. businesses has doubled in the last seven years from 1988-199, doubled again in the nine years between 1995 and 2004 and is slated to double again by 2017. Business’ trade secrets are vulnerable to disloyal employees, neglectful employees, competitors, hackers, or even foreign […]
According to a recent article by the New York Times, unpaid internships are proliferating. Given the continuing uncertainty of the economy, this shouldn’t come as a great surprise – it’s hard to beat the allure of free labor. However, employers need to be wary about how they structure any offered internships; otherwise, they could run […]
All employers with employees working in Seattle, even those who only work in Seattle occasionally, need to read-up on Seattle’s Paid Sick/Safe Time ordinance (PSST for short). If PSST applies to your business, it establishes minimum standards for paid sick leave and safe time for most of your Seattle employees. These minimum standards do not apply to […]
In Washington State, being socially conscious doesn’t mean choosing between doing good and doing good business. Incorporating or reorganizing as a social purpose corporation (SPC) allows socially conscious businesses greater flexibility to support social and environmental goals. What makes this emerging corporate entity unique is that maximizing the financial bottom line isn’t a social purpose […]
The Crowdfund Act is an amended version of the JOBS ACT that will permit the SEC to allow for certain types of investments by individuals who don’t normally qualify as qualified investors under the SEC to make investments through SEC Approved websites. The Act has successfully passed both the House and the Senate. There is […]
With the New Year in full swing, it’s a good time to consider new laws that will take effect in 2012 (and to be reminded of some that remain in effect). Effect of Washington State’s new liquor law on local restaurants, bars, and craft distilleries. The annual adjustment of Washington’s minimum wage. New employment-related changes […]
Before becoming dead set on adopting a particular word trademark, make sure it is worthy of protection first. Doing your homework can both inspire during the naming process and later decrease the chances of discarding a weak word mark. This is where the spectrum of distinctiveness comes into play. The spectrum of distinctiveness illustrates the […]
If you are a Startup and you are headquartered here in the State of Washington, more often then not, you are better off incorporating in the State of Washington. Yes, I do know that Delaware has strong case law and VC’s and angel investors may be more comfortable with Delaware but it does not mean […]
The University of Washington Business and Economic Development Center is currently offering a business certificate program for local business owners. I enrolled in the program and although I do have a business background I have found it very valuable. Last week the instructors were from the Department of Labor and Industries. They spoke in great […]