Gene Marks
Columns by Gene Marks
My advice for workers in 2023: Get to work
Enough with the "quiet quitting." Stop doing your side gig on your employer's time. Scale back your work-from-home demands. Reconsider that big push to unionize your office. Published November 1, 2022
Small businesses are in for another lousy year come 2023
A new survey from PNC Bank caught my eye. The semi-annual report claims that small businesses are "still optimistic, despite inflation and recession worries." Ah, how sweet. Published September 23, 2022
Why Biden’s loan forgiveness program is a hardship for businesses
According to U.S. News & World Report, the average cost of a four-year private college is $38,185 per year and state colleges (for out-of-state students) is $22,698. Published August 30, 2022
Three items in the Inflation Reduction Act that will hurt small businesses
Here comes the Inflation Reduction Act, and none of my small business clients, Republican or Democrat, would argue with sound government action that aims to protect our environment. Published August 16, 2022
I had COVID-19 last week. I didn’t stop working
One of the greatest scams ever inflicted on the workplace in recent memory is COVID-19 hysteria. Test positive and ... boom! You've just received a get-out-of-work-for-free card. Published August 2, 2022
How Biden is killing business confidence
Inflationary pressures were occurring well before the Russian invasion of Ukraine or Chinese lockdowns. Published July 14, 2022
Impending recession will turn tables of the Great Resignation
The Great Resignation. Labor disruption. Worker grievances. Ghosted interviews. Higher pay demands. More benefits. More paid time off. Less days in the office. Same day pay. Published June 28, 2022
Philly small businesses: It’s time to kick out District Attorney Larry Krasner
To the voters of San Francisco on behalf of the small businesses in Philadelphia, I say: We salute you. You did it. You literally helped to fire your progressive district attorney. We are impressed. And we're jealous. Published June 14, 2022
When you attack firearms, you attack small businesses
Over the past decade, I've spoken at the Shot Show in Las Vegas about a half-dozen times. Ever been there? It's quite a spectacle. Published June 2, 2022
The real reason why small business economic expectations are at a 48-year low
This month the National Federation of Independent Businesses said that confidence among small businesses reached a two-year low in April. Published May 17, 2022
How Philly’s mayor is helping Republicans win the midterms
Did ya hear? Philly's masking up ... again. Seriously. Published April 14, 2022
Why the billionaire’s tax on unrealized gains is a fantastic idea
There's been a lot of debate this week over President Biden's latest budget plan, which includes a proposed tax on the unrealized gains of assets owned by billionaires. Published April 4, 2022
Are masks killing the Philadelphia Orchestra?
A few times a year, my wife and I enjoy seeing the Philadelphia Orchestra, one of the finest orchestras in the world. But unfortunately, not this year. At least not yet. Published March 22, 2022
Why your company’s tax return got 39 pages longer
When it comes time to sign your company's 2021 tax returns this year you may notice something: It's a little bit heftier. Published February 23, 2022
Workers, your businesses are replacing you
11 million unfilled jobs. The "Great Resignation." An unprecedented labor shortage. It's the biggest problem for American businesses today. Published February 9, 2022
Isn’t it time to end the worker classification debate?
Can we stop arguing over worker classifications already? Published January 25, 2022
Why Black-owned businesses aren’t as successful as White-owned businesses
According to the Small Business Administration, the majority of small business owners in this country are over the age of 55. Other research shows that 57% are over the age of 60. Published January 5, 2022