No matter what business or organization you work in, the competition is becoming fierce.  Whether you are a not-for-profit attracting donors or a business in an extremely competitive industry, the time to make that first impression is shrinking. In addition, the method we engage with our customers is changing significantly.   

EHTC's Technology Solution Group had the opportunity to attend Microsoft Dynamics' largest annual event last week down in New Orleans. Around 12,000 users, partners, and vendors attended the 2013 Convergence for both Dynamics CRM and ERP solutions. The conference afforded everyone a chance to see where the product lines are headed, learn more about each solution, and network with many people in the Dynamics product ecosystem.

Thanks to the delay in passage of the "fiscal cliff" legislation, the IRS is granting penalty relief to farmers and fisherman who are unable to file the 2012 tax returns by the March 1 deadline. Continue reading for a summary of what you need to know.

If your business has a credit/debit card merchant account, accepts PayPal, or meets certain other criteria, you will receive a Form 1099-K reporting gross amount of reportable transactions for 2012. The IRS wants to make sure that the income that businesses receive via payment cards is reported on their tax returns. So the tax agency recently launched a new 1099-K compliance program. This article explains how the program works.

Has your organization begun to embrace inbound marketing strategies? Marketing leaders have been transforming their plans and initiatives to capture the attention of a new breed of consumer with Inbound Marketing practices. 

A. It depends on your income.

Here are some of the basic provisions of the American Taxpayer Relief Act, which was agreed to by Congress on January 1, 2013:

If you accept credit cards for payment, odds are that you're paying too much for processing. In fact, an estimated 85% of businesses could be paying less.

In our younger years, our parents provided for our needs and were able to receive favorable income tax treatment by claiming us as their dependents. But when the roles become reversed and we begin caring for our elderly parents, we may be faced with new financial responsibilities. Do those same tax benefits our parents once received now apply to us? You may be entitled to some tax relief if your elderly parent can be claimed as your dependent. Here’s how:

The signing of the December 17 Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 created a 2011 windfall for employees and more work for employers. This payroll holiday was extended through December 31, 2012 and, as of yet, there is no talk about extending it through 2013.

I have the opportunity in my role to talk with and listen to many people.  It is one of the most enjoyable aspects of my work.  Over the past few months, I have heard business "Thought Leaders" express one primary observation in today's business culture: Our interactions are in a state of fundamental change.