North Bay Business Journal

In stressed economy, planners see perks for succession planning

NORTH BAY — While orchestrating a graceful transfer of a company’s assets to its new owner is only one part of a comprehensive succession strategy, business succession experts in the North Bay said that their clients are finding ways to do so smoothly and profitably despite the turmoil of the recession.

Two-year window in estate-tax increase good time to plan

NORTH BAY – Estate tax and law experts are telling clients that the time to plan is now, while there is some clarity on a long-contentious issue that could easily change again in the not-so-distant future.

People: Week of June 13, 2011

People items submitted by North Bay businesses for publication in the Business Journal

Spotlight: Law firm managing partners

Listed alphabetically by firm name

‘GRAT’ may soon not be so great

NORTH BAY – The House Ways and Means Committee has approved HR 4849, and if it is enacted, there will be a new stipulation on Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, a way for people to transfer interest in their business to their heirs in a tax efficient way.

Spotlight: Litigation Attorneys and Mediators

(Listed alphabetically by firm name)

Growers, buyers look for ways to work out contracts

NORTH COAST – With the change in sales of higher-end wine in 2009, some winegrape growers found that the wineries they were selling to had more commitments to purchase grapes than the rate of case sales would warrant.

Marketing minefield for wineries

NORTH BAY — The industry has been looking to consumer product promotional know-how from outside the business for fresh ideas, particularly as producers of higher-end wine look to move slow-selling inventory in an economy with high unemployment and trimmed expense accounts.

Behavior, transparency said keys to reducing health costs

SANTA ROSA, NORTH BAY –Employers occupy a vital role in transforming the U.S. health care system, not only as a payer but also with its influence, attendees were told Wednesday at the Business Journal’s annual health care conference.

Curbing costs at heart of health care event; registration closes Friday

NORTH BAY – With, without or despite reform, businesses are finding ways to become more than helpless bystanders to climbing health care costs.

During the Business Journal’s Health Care Solutions that Work event next week, attendees will learn about one such nationally commended strategy – that is more than a wellness program – and hear a comprehensive panel featuring a current assessment of the reform bills, implications for small business and how access to care has and will change.

Deadline to register is Friday, Nov. 6.

Curbing costs at heart of health care event

NORTH BAY – With, without or despite reform, businesses are finding ways to become more than helpless bystanders to climbing health care costs. During the Business Journal’s Health Care Solutions that Work event next week, attendees will learn about one such nationally commended strategy – that is more than a wellness program – and hear a comprehensive panel featuring a current assessment of the reform bills, implications for small business and how access to care has and will change.

Health care conference to focus on solutions for employers, patients, providers

NORTH BAY – In the midst of one of the greatest debates ever on health care, the Business Journal will hold its annual Health Care Conference on Nov. 11 at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek in Santa Rosa.

A keynote speaker and panel of experts will tackle some of the key issues at the heart of this discussion, focusing on information that small businesses, patients and health care providers will need to help reduce costs and improve health in the North Bay.

Registration for the event will be 7:30 a.m., with the program from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $49 per person or $510 for a table of 10, including company name on the table. To register, call 707-521-5264 or go online to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com.

Employee-related cases increasing, rise particularly in disability suits

NORTH BAY – Local attorneys confirmed federal reports last week that employee-filed lawsuits have increased with the number of unemployed in recent months, and business owners should be especially cautious when complying with labor laws, especially when implementing work force reductions.

Estate-tax audits by IRS may increase

NORTH BAY – With the increase in the estate-tax exemption to $3.5 million this year, fewer filings are expected due to fewer people being subject to the tax.