The Retail Employer

Anxiety over the new H1N1 flu may have eased during the summer, but the federal government has reminded us that seasonal and H1N1 flu may again command concern with the coming of fall. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anticipating a spread of the H1N1 flu, has released new guidelines (available at http://www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/guidance.html) to help businesses and employers prepare now for the impact seasonal and H1N1 flu could have on employers, employees and operations.

The CDC warns, “The severity of illness that 2009 H1N1 influenza flu will cause (including hospitalizations and deaths) or the amount of illness that may occur as a result of seasonal influenza during the 2009–2010 influenza season cannot be predicted with a high degree of certainty. Therefore, employers should plan to be able to respond in a flexible way to varying levels of severity and be prepared to refine their pandemic influenza response plans if a potentially more serious outbreak of influenza evolves during the fall and winter.”

The guidelines urge employers to work with employees to develop and implement plans that can reduce the spread of flu. They push for the preparation of plans that address such points as encouraging employees with flu-like symptoms to stay home, operating with reduced staffing and, where feasible, having employees who are at higher risk of serious medical complications from infection work from home. Employers also might cancel non-essential face-to-face meetings and travel, and space employees farther apart in the workplace, the guidelines say.

The CDC, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Homeland Security have provided “A Communications Toolkit for Businesses and Employers” on this topic (available at http://www.flu.gov/plan/workplaceplanning/toolkit.pdf).

OSHA also has suggested a number of measures to protect employees in the event of a flu pandemic. It recommends that employers develop pandemic flu plans specifically tailored to the needs of their worksites (see http://www.osha.gov/Publications/influenza_pandemic.html).

David Nagle and other Jackson Lewis attorneys are available to assist with any questions you may have or assistance you may need in developing a plan specific to your workplace.

Questions on this and other labor/employment law topics may be directed to David E. Nagle, a partner in the Richmond office of Jackson Lewis LLP. Jackson Lewis LLP is a national workplace law firm with over 500 attorneys in 40 offices across the nation, all dedicated to representing management in workplace law and related litigation. For 27 years, David has counseled and represented employers in Virginia. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America, and Chambers’ Leading Lawyers for Business. He can be reached at david.nagle@jacksonlewis.com or (804) 648-4077.

Calls requesting information on the Employment Law Information Program should be directed to Preston Perrin with the Retail Merchants Association at 804-662-5500.

Member News & Events

Reporting Local: Reaching Global

Tuesday, September 1, 2009, 6:30–8:00 p.m

The Richmondbizsense panel is composed of local business journalists who have worked for publications including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Virginia Business, Inc., Fortune, and Black Enterprise. The discussion will be moderated by the editor and founder of our publication, Aaron Kremer. The panel will be discussing how business media find their sources and stories. This event is intended to help small-business owners and public relations and marketing professionals learn how the business media thinks, and how their companies can get more press.

There will a networking reception with light refreshments at 6:30 p.m. before the discussion begins. After the discussion there will be time for questions from the audience. The event is free of charge. For more information: http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/08/17/reporting-local-reaching-global/

NAWBO Annual Open House, Cocktail Soiree & Silent Auction

National Association of Women Business Owners
Tuesday, September 15, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Jefferson Hotel (Empire Room)

Learn about NAWBO and our programs for the year (including our highly acclaimed Executive Dialog Program)
Bid on the many fantastic items at our Silent Auction
Build your business with Exceptional Networking

For more information: http://www.nawborichmond.org/Open_House.html

BIZ LINC 2009

September 23, 2009, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Richmond Raceway Complex

BIZ LINC features an efficient way to connect with a diverse crowd of exhibitors, attendees and presenters through unlimited networking opportunities, new product demonstrations, Ignite Speed Networking and a celebrity appearance from Bill Rancic, Donald Trump's original apprentice.

FREE Admission & Parking. Visit www.GRCC.com > BIZ LINC or call (804) 783-9368 to register

Don’t miss your chance to meet Donald Trump’s original apprentice! Bill Rancic will make an exclusive appearance at BIZ LINC 2009—12:00 pm. Speaker brought to you by Arnett & Associates.

“Marketing Performance—Business Building Strategies”

September 23–24

An advance invitation for RMA members to a seminar called “Marketing Performance—Business Building Strategies” in Richmond at the Marriott West in Innsbrook on September 23-24. It is designed for small business owners interested in growing their business. (There is only room for 50 students.)

The Wizard Academy www.wizardacademy.com located in Austin, Texas, is a 21st Century Business School. The faculty of Wizard Academy studies what gifted people do when they're feeling inspired so they can reverse engineer their unconscious methods. They teach you how to do consciously what a gifted person does unconsciously.

The Wizard Academy has now taken their seminars to targeted cities, like Richmond, billed as “Wizards on the Road”. Seven presenters from the Academy will share the teaching duties on a variety of topics in marketing, advertising and creative strategies that are pertinent to small business owners. The cost is $99 for the two day seminar (a bargain for sure). The following website describes the course material and presenters in more detail: www.wizardsontheroad.com.

“Please take a moment to view the website and consider signing up. Make today the day that you take the challenge to grow your business. If you do sign up, I am confident you will find this seminar valuable.”
—John Marklin, Marklin Financial Services, LLC, 12257 Shore View Drive, Richmond, VA 23233, (804) 467-2182, jvmarklin@marklinfinancial.com, www.marklinfinancial.com

Tots-on-the-go to Hold Auction Benefit for ASK
(Making life better for children with cancer)

September 26th, 10:00 am–4:00 pm

Everyone is invited to help celebrate tots-on-the-go’s first year anniversary by giving back to the community. Help us spread the word. For more information, please visit www.totsonthego.com/HelpingASK.html

3rd Annual Ronald is Rockin’ The House That Love Built

Monday, September 28, 2009

6:00 - 10:00 P.M. at the new Westin Richmond on W. Broad Street

Join us for the 3rd Annual “Ronald is Rockin’ The House That Love Built” Auction and Celebration.

The House that Love Built, the slogan for the RMHC House, is our most important fundraising event of the year—an opportunity for Richmond’s community to show their support for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond.

Enjoy the wide variety of cuisine options presented by many well-known local restaurateurs and caterers. Each adult ticket includes access to the open bar. Some of the participating restaurants include Morton’s Steakhouse, Buz and Ned’s, Croaker’s Spot, P.F. Chang’s, Inoteca, Weezie’s Kitchen and Nacho Mama’s.

In addition, many items will be available during a silent and live auction, last year over 100 items were auctioned off ranging from unique sports memorabilia and equipment to vacation packages and restaurant certificates to some of best locations in and around Richmond.

Tickets are $75 for one and $125 for two and can be purchased by calling RMHC of Richmond at 804-355-6517 or visiting www.richmondrmhc.org. All proceeds directly benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Richmond.

HTML, Google, meta-tags, Twitter, You Tube, Blogs, Facebook…Where should your business start?

September 30, 8:15–9:30 a.m. at RMA, no cost

In today’s economy, your business needs an effective online strategy to be competitive. Many businesses have invested in a website, but have not fully realized the benefits of that investment. Addison Clark Online is a leading eMarketing firm in Richmond, VA (and an RMA member) that specializes in helping businesses make their online strategy a key part of their business success. Join Addison Clark Online as they introduce the basics of developing and utilizing an online strategy to attract and convert customers.

After the session you should:

Understand the basics of an online strategy – the 4 P’s and why they are important
Be able to attract more customers to your site and location
Understand the importance of tracking and monitoring the effectiveness of your online marketing
Be able to implement programs that extend the sales relationship with customers

Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to learn about the basics of creating an effective online strategy, and to get your questions answered by the leading online marketing experts from Addison Clark Online!

Jeff Allen is a Managing Partner with Addison Clark Online, a full service online marketing and consulting agency focused on bringing the power of the World Wide Web to local and regional businesses. ACO offers a full suite of online services, including: website development, search engine marketing, web analytics, and business and strategy consulting. With a strong background in direct to consumer marketing with various Fortune 200 companies, Jeff takes an analytic approach to delivering effective solutions in the online space. Please contact Jeff at: jeff@addisonclarkonline.com, or call 804-387-1016 for more information.

Andrew Rountree is also a Managing Partner with Addison Clark Online. With extensive experience from multiple Fortune 200 companies, Andrew focuses on analytics and creative problem solving to help clients translate business goals into an online strategy. Please contact Andrew at: andrew@addisonclarkonline.com, or call 804-363-2090 for more information.

Portraits of Love Project Aims to Send 10,000 Free Family Portraits to Deployed Soldiers This Holiday

Robert Thomas Photography Volunteering

The PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA) along with Soldiers’ Angels, a grassroots volunteer organization, announced the Portraits of Love Project, a volunteer effort aimed at sending family portraits to soldiers around the globe this holiday season.

The project is utilizing the talents of over 150 volunteer photographers across the country who are offering free family portraits to military family members who have a soldier deployed overseas. The portraits will be uploaded to a website, www.pmdaportraitsoflove.com, and a print will be sent, free of charge, directly to the soldier in Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever they are deployed around the world. The goal of the project is to send 10,000 free family portraits during the month of September.

“It’s incredible how motivating a simple family photograph can be to a soldier who is far from home,” said Sergeant First Class Toby Nunn, who has served two tours in Iraq and has worked with Soldiers Angels on a number of projects. “This volunteer effort is one more way that we can help our soldiers cope with their situation,” he said.

As part of this project, Robert Thomas of Robert Thomas Photography has opened his studio during the month of September to take professional family portraits of soldier’s families. Military family members call them at (804) 266-5458 to make an appointment. You will have to show a valid military ID to be eligible for this offer.

Dominion Payroll Services (DPS) Recognized For Growth and Security

DPS has been recognized as one of the fastest growing payroll companies in the nation. It has earned the platinum award for achievement from the Payroll Associates, an industry technological leader, for five of the past six years. DPS has also met the standards for Statement of Auditing Standards Number 70 (SAS 70) accreditation. A SAS 70 is the only acceptable method allowed by the Sarbanes-Oxley act for a third party to assure a service providers’ internal controls. CEO David Gallagher notes, “It is rare for a local firm to meet the requirements, so this is going to fuel our continued growth. Having the SAS 70 allows DPS to find clients from a much more diverse pool.” For additional information, contact Gardner Meadows, gmeadows@dominionpayroll.com.

The Retail Employer August 2009