A Conversation on Compliance: W2 Employees vs. Independent Contractors

In this episode of the R-Value podcast, IDI’s Marketing Manager Blake Moreau, IDI’s HR Operations Manager Brenda Mattson and special guest Maddie Hollis dive into the essential aspects of running a compliant and profitable business. They explore the intricacies of employee state laws, overtime requirements, hiring practices, and the importance of transparent communication within the workplace.

Whether you’re a small business owner or part of an HR team, the insights shared on wage and hour violations, proper documentation, and the potential fines for non-compliance will be invaluable to you.

Join the conversation as Maddie Hollis, author of the HR blog “HR Department Of One,” shares her expertise on providing advice to small business owners, while Brenda offers her perspective on employment records and company culture. From the complexities of exempt positions to the significance of workers’ compensation insurance, this episode is packed with practical advice and tools to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of employment law. Tune in to find your true value with R-Value and become an industry leader in your market!

1:39 – Why should you care about being compliant?

4:04 – Why Maddie calls her blog HR Department of One

5:24 – Top 5 things a business owner should do when hiring employees.

7:49 – The importance of transparent, factual communication

12:51 – When do you need to start withholding taxes for employees?

14:54 – Adhering to minimum wage and overtime laws.

19:39 – The difference between salary exempt and non exempt.

21:39 – Comp time vs. Overtime.

26:20 – Transparency and expectations for new hires

28:40 – When will you follow up with the employee?

Get to Know Your HERS rater

Building standards and regulations have changed A LOT recently. It can be difficult to keep up with and communicate all of the changes, leading to failed inspections and lost revenue. The pace and volume of change is a major challenge for builders across the country and non-profit organizers are stepping into the maze to help solve the problem.

People like Cardice Howard, Deputy Director of RESNET. RESNET is a not-for-profit, membership corporation that created and maintains the HERS® Index to allow for easy comparison of energy performance of homes. Their mission is to make the energy use of all homes transparent, thereby driving residential sector energy use toward net zero.

Cardice has 27 years of operations management experience as an insulation contractor in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas market along with her passion as an insulation Industry advocate for the RESNET team. Cardice has developed and maintained cohesive relationships with builders, code officials, sales and operations staff over that time. She also has built teams to support over $2 million in sales per month in the Dallas/Fort Worth market, focusing on business development and strategic planning.

Ken and Cardice discuss how the HERS rating can be used as a standalone compliance pathway to meet state energy codes, helping builders to qualify for significant tax credits and making green building practices more economically viable. They also talk about software solutions that help achieve energy efficiency requirements in construction projects, prescriptive vs. performance building processes and the importance of unity and collaborative efforts among builders, insulators, code officials, and third-party raters in achieving overall project success.

In this podcast…

1:00 – How Cardice’s wide range of contracting experience and outside-the-box approach helps her help builders dealing with a number of on-site challenges.
8:40 – How RESNET is working to simplify compliance for builders in the United States
12:00 – The dynamics of the HERS Index and a discussion about new regulations and ratings, including how HERS raters can act as code officials in some jurisdictions
17:45 – How RESNET is working closely with distributors and manufacturers in the construction industry to educate them on the latest standards and regulations.
26:38 – What if I’m working on a project that doesn’t have a HERS rater?
31:56 – BONUS: Cardice shares her experiences with projects that she knew would be improved by a HERS rater

Alignable is a Powerful Local Business to Business Marketing Resource with Chuck Casto

In this episode of The R-Value Podcast, IDI Distributor’s Ken Allison sits down with Chuck Casto, Alignable’s business development guru and Head of Content Marketing. Alignable, often described as the largest online Chamber of Commerce or the Facebook for business owners, is a platform that allows small business owners to connect with one another and share resources, ideas, and advice. Ken and Chuck discuss the many advantages for contractors and builders of being on Alignable, such as networking events, a marketing contest, and the visibility that a business can achieve through participating in the platform.

Learn more about Alignable at https://www.alignable.com

Chuck provides valuable insights into the many ways Alignable can help small business owners make meaningful connections, grow their clientele, and establish a strong reputation in their community. With a range of trade groups, contractor groups, and even specific industry sectors like health and wellness, Alignable enables users to learn from and collaborate with like-minded professionals. Whether you’re new to Alignable or have been using the platform for a while, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their business, broaden their network, and take their visibility to new heights.

In this podcast…

1:15 – Alignable as a networking platform for small businesses. At the beginning of the episode, Ken Allison and Chuck Casto discuss Alignable and its benefits. Alignable is a platform where small business owners can connect with each other and share resources, ideas, and advice. The platform offers networking events, the marketing contest, and increased visibility for businesses who actively participate.
4:00 – Marketing Networking Contest. Chuck talks about the marketing networking contest, which he brought to Alignable five years ago. These contests celebrate people who help other small businesses by offering them networking opportunities, providing a platform for non-salesy interactions.
8:40 – Joining and participating in groups on Alignable. Chuck and Ken discuss the importance of joining and participating in groups on Alignable to increase visibility and trust. These groups allow users to learn from each other, ask questions, and provide advice. There are specific industry sector groups within Alignable, catering to businesses in health and wellness, construction, and more.
21:45 – How Alignable’s Event Hosting program can get you visibility with potential clients. Alignable offers an Event Host Program where participants can host virtual meetings to educate others about their expertise or industry. This program encourages sharing knowledge and helping others while potentially turning them into future clients.
30:45 – Advice for new Alignable users. Towards the end of the episode, Ken suggests new Alignable users should at least join two to three groups, participate in polls, start or join forums, and check out the activity feed. Chuck adds that joining the platform and actively participating in it will provide opportunities for users to connect, learn, and grow their businesses.