Tag Archives: HR

New IRS Resource helps Employers Understand the Health Care Law

By Black Mountain Software | Published September 28, 2015

by: The United States Internal Revenue Service

The following article can be posted on your websites and used in other communication vehicles to help employers get the facts about the new IRS web page for applicable large employers.

The new ACA Information Center for Applicable Large Employers page on IRS.gov features information and resources for employers of all sizes on how the health care law may affect them if they fit the definition of an applicable large employer.

The web page includes the following sections:

  • What’s Trending for ALEs,
  • How to Determine if You are an ALE,
  • Resources for Applicable Large Employers, and
  • Outreach Materials.
Read more >
Posted in Accounting Basics, BMS Products, Government Accounting Standards, Office Efficiency, School Software, Small Cities, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Ease the Pain of ACA Reporting Requirements

By Black Mountain Software | Published September 14, 2015

The_Affordable_Care_Act

It’s every agency’s nightmare: more, new or changing federal reporting requirements. The Affordable Care Act, or ACA, reporting requirements are in effect, and we have until the beginning of next year to determine how to effectively and accurately report a variety of health care and employee information or face penalties and excise taxes.

In order to successfully fulfill the ACA reporting requirements, it is important to understand what ACA reporting is, when it is required, what it involves, and what your software vendor is doing to assist with an easy transition. This most certainly will affect your administrative process, and the software tools and support to comply will be more important than ever. Read more >

Posted in Best Practices, BMS Products, City Clerk Cafe, Government Accounting Standards | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dealing with Personality Type A and B in the Workplace

By Black Mountain Software | Published August 31, 2015

Which is better, personality type A or B? Well, that probably depends on your own personality type and job function.

From the time we pick up our first color crayon, to the time we wave goodbye into retirement, we are taught to accept and applaud all personality types. But that can be difficult in a tight office where A’s and B’s commingle throughout the day on various tasks and projects.

How do you know if you are a Type A or B? Let’s take a quick look!

“A” stands for…

Ambitious, Aggressive, Achievers. People with Type A personality traits are ambitious go-getters, but their way of doing things can often come off as controlling or aggressive. Read more >

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The Dreaded Rate Increase – How Can Your Team Better Deal With Customer Fallout?

By Black Mountain Software | Published July 20, 2015

As the two most dreaded words for a utility billing professional, “rate increase” stands as a polarizing and frustrating situation for both the customers and the front-line city workers. With the changing economy, our cities, towns, and municipalities face the struggle to provide the most affordable services to the public, while also maintaining the best equipment, standards and practices. However, we also must realize that, despite economic recovery, many of our customers still feel misplaced resentment toward any entity that they perceive as adding to the conundrum of their rapidly decreasing take-home pay. While rate increases are inevitable for long-term service quality, your team also needs an action plan to best address customer concerns and frustrations. Read more >

Posted in Small Cities, Uncategorized, Utility Billing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Small Towns and City Clerks—The Unique Challenges You Face When Everybody Knows Everybody

By Black Mountain Software | Published July 13, 2015

We’ve all heard the saying that life is just different in a small town. It seems to move at a more leisurely pace, and places emphasis on the community as a whole. Everyone knows everyone, and even everyday business interactions are peppered with social connections. These qualities are what give small towns their charm.

For city clerks, however, managing their duties within a smaller community sometimes comes with a unique set of challenges. Here are the common high-maintenance customers you may see throughout your week:

  • The “My Way” Customer—These are those tough residents who never seem to pay on time, always question their bills, and generally make you feel like you are pulling teeth with every interaction.
Read more >
Posted in Office Efficiency, Small Cities, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Your Workspace Dragging You Down? That Unsightly Mess May Be Why You Feel Stressed

By Black Mountain Software | Published July 6, 2015

For city clerks and office personnel, on-the-job stress is a common factor. From customer service headaches to technology failures, you are constantly bombarded with situations that test the limits of your patience. While you can’t change that irate customer’s behavior or drop-kick your IT person for another computer crash, you can find out if other factors are only adding to your stress level and hampering job performance. One of the biggest contributors to how you feel throughout the day is right under y our nose, and you may not realize that your desk and office environment are dragging you down.

A messy and disorganized workspace triggerFrustrated_man_at_a_desk_(cropped)s unconscious stress, and contributes to those feelings of being overwhelmed, behind in your work, or claustrophobic. Read more >

Posted in City Clerk Cafe, Office Efficiency | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Black Mountain Software Helps Greet A New Hire

By Black Mountain Software | Published April 20, 2015

It’s done, and now it’s begun. The recruitment process–over. The first impressions–in the distant past. The acceptance agreement–signed and done. And now your new employee is at the front desk, reporting for the first time. What is going through their head? What are they feeling?

This may depend on what has already transpired between her/him and your company. If your workplace culture has made the employee feel warm and welcome throughout the hiring process, it is likely the new employee is positive and excited! And if they felt the environment was warm and inviting, it’s probably an indication that you are positive and excited as well! Read more >

Posted in Best Practices, City Clerk Cafe | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

How To: Have A Positive Attitude in 32 Words

By Black Mountain Software | Published April 13, 2015

positive thoughtsA Guest Blog for Your Enjoyment…

Have you ever wondered why some people get sick more often than others? Stress has long been attributed to both mental and physical health, but some believe there’s even more to it.

In fact, in my small little spiritual circle, there appear to be members who are immune to everything. This sort of immunity seems to suggest we have a little more control over our mood and destiny than we commonly believe.

In the last century, a Japanese gentleman named Mikao Usui developed a modality to help the willing student realize his potential to help others with healing. Read more >

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Helping A New Employee Transition

By Black Mountain Software | Published January 26, 2015

7K0A0868We recently posted an article about transitioning to a new job, and techniques for new hires that will help them make a successful transition into their new position. But what about the other side of the coin? What about hiring managers who are preparing for a new employee, or maybe even a new grad who has never worked before and is entering their organization?

If you have a new grad or new hire in your organization, there are a few techniques that can help make their transition more successful, allowing for a shorter transition time and more workplace satisfaction.

How to Help a New Hire With The Transition

  • Get to Know Your New Hire.
    • Read more >
    Posted in Best Practices, City Clerk Cafe | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

    Transition: Preparing for the Workforce

    By Black Mountain Software | Published January 15, 2015

    7K0A0879Whether you are a post-grad student looking to enter the workforce for the first time, or in the process of making one of the seven (on average) career transitions most people make in a lifetime, transition can be a very difficult and nerve-racking undertaking.

    Transition is physical, psychological, and mental. A successful job transition means functionally succeeding at all the following factors:

    • Adopting the organization’s culture, vision, and methods
    • Making new relationships
    • Establishing your credibility, knowledge, and skill set
    • Learning a new job
    • Establishing and meeting the expectations of a new supervisor
    • Learning to manage your time
    • Setting new goals, objectives, and deliverables
    • Seeking feedback
    • Understanding cultural norms of a new organization (how meetings are conducted, understanding schedules, adapting to new management styles, and learning how to fit in)

    With so many factors that contribute to a successful immersion, it’s no wonder it can feel overwhelming starting a new job! Read more >

    Posted in Best Practices, City Clerk Cafe | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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