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This story should be noteworthy to both consumers and traditional retailers alike.  NJ has lured online retail giant Amazon.com to set up distribution warehouses to the state by offering a package of tax incentives.  In return, NJ will be able to collect sales tax on Amazon purchases made by NJ residents.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20120531_Amazon_to_build_warehouses_in_N_J___collect_sales_tax.html

Happy New Year!  To help get your business off to a great start, here are some good suggestions from the Harvard Business Review.  They are inexpensive, simple to implement and can improve bottom line profitability.  Among the suggestions:  remember to recognize small successes, recognize milestones and set goals.

http://blogs.hbr.org/hbsfaculty/2011/12/start-the-new-year-with-progre.html

Here is information from the EEOC on compliance with the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA):     http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/genetic.cfm

It is recommended that some version of this language be included in ADA, FMLA and fitness for duty communications with your staff.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Safe Harbor language:

• The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) prohibits employers and other entities covered by GINA Title II from requesting or requiring genetic information of an individual or family member of the individual, except as specifically allowed by this law. To comply with this law, we are asking that you not provide any genetic information when responding to this request for medical information. “Genetic information,” as defined by GINA, includes an individual’s family medical history, the results of an individual’s or family member’s genetic tests, the fact that an individual or an individual’s family member sought or received genetic services, and genetic information of a fetus carried by an individual or an individual’s family member or an embryo lawfully held by an individual or family member receiving assistive reproductive services.

KPMG recently completed their Philadelphia survey of start-ups and venture capitalists.  There is strong optimism among those surveyed about hiring within their organizations.  Moreover, participants also identified the best investment opportunities going forward.  The hottest area for investment, identified by 34% of participants, was within applications and technologies for mobile devices.  Here is the story.

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20111205_PhillyInc__Venture_capital_still_on_the_upswing.html

This is a good primer for setting realistic expectations and ground rules starting in international trade.  Corporate governance, ethics and transparency should always be priorities for the success of your business, but even more so under the potential scrutiny of multiple government agencies.

http://www.smallbusinessnotes.com/small-business-resources/global-business-101-six-basics-you-need-to-know-to-be-a-serious-player-in-todays-business-market.html

As you may have seen, BOA and Netflix have both received unwanted publicity for recent changes in their fees and pricing.  Their actions help illustrate a couple things every company should consider.  Are you listening to what your customers are telling you? Have you considered all the risks and rewards of being “the first to act” in your market or industry?

Below are the stories on BOA and Netflix.   You can decide how well they are doing with these issues.

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111016/GPG03/110160648/Netflix-battered-by-more-competition

According to CNBC, there are millions of job openings despite the economic environment.   The article suggests several possible reasons for the unusual statistic including employee mobility (geography), limited job skills and losing unemployment benefits.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/44838614

The Pennsylvania “prevailing wage” law, which determines pay scale on many public projects, is likely to be changed in the coming months.  Here is the story.

http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-04/news/30242999_1_wage-law-prevailing-wage-union-wages

Here is a nice introduction to the basics of operations management courtesy of the Harvard Business School.

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/1460.html

The idea of requiring auditors to regularly rotate clients in order to maintain independence has received increased support but is still just a point for discussion right now.  The inherent conflict of the auditor being paid by the audited company continues to be a topic of debate among regulators and accounting boards.  Attached is a NY Times article with some background on the current debate.