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Gene Marks

Gene Marks is a columnist, author and small business owner. His company, the Marks Group PC, provides technology and financial management services to SMBs in the US and abroad.

May 2023

  • Original Film Title: METROPOLIS. English Title: METROPOLIS. Film Director: FRITZ LANG. Year: 1927. Credit: U.F.A / Album<br>P05X41 Original Film Title: METROPOLIS. English Title: METROPOLIS. Film Director: FRITZ LANG. Year: 1927. Credit: U.F.A / Album

    The brief Age of the Worker is over – employers have the upper hand again

    The pandemic ushered in an era of ‘quiet quitting’ and ‘bare minimum Mondays’ but workers have since lost leverage

April 2023

  • A Tibetan restaurant in New York. ‘The high rates are causing many to re-think their inventory purchases, investments and hiring.’

    The biggest challenge facing US small businesses? Rising interest rates

  • ‘When the scammer calls you, he’ll sound just like your loved one.’

    It sounds like science fiction but it’s not: AI can financially destroy your business

    Gene Marks

March 2023

  • ‘The federal government’s intervention is a controversial move that leaves a lot of unanswered questions.’

    Consider yourself lucky if your small business worked with Silicon Valley Bank

    Gene Marks
    Yes, there were some scary moments, it was poorly regulated and your bank failed to protect your money – but you got it back
  • glass tip jar at checkout counter<br>cash tips: uncertainty in wages &amp; income post pandemic

    ‘Guilt tipping’: is there any escape from the gratuitous rise in gratuities?

    Gene Marks
    Have you had a point-of-sale device spun round after minimal service inviting you to add a tip starting at 20%? You are not alone
  • US-IMMIGRATION-VENEZUELA-LATAM-ELECTION<br>Gustavo Mendez poses prepares food at the restaurant where he works, in the Queens borough of New York City, on October 18, 2022. - The American dream is materializing for Venezuelan Mendez, who arrived in New York, a sanctuary for immigration, two months ago. "If you can dream it, you can have it," he says by way of a declaration of intent in his Whatsapp status. (Photo by Ed JONES / AFP) (Photo by ED JONES/AFP via Getty Images)

    A four-day week can work for US small business owners. Hear me out

    Many of my clients are doubtful of a four-day work week. But embrace it – it’s a carrot to dangle, and it’ll help you attract talent

February 2023

  • A street vendor in San Francisco, California.

    Why aren’t more small business owners taking advantage of government help?

    Gene Marks
  • Laptop on a table in someone's home

    My company has been virtual for 18 years. Remote working is tough

    Gene Marks

January 2023

  • Britain's recession may be worse than originally predicted<br>epa10425151 A person walks past empty chairs outside a restaurant in London, Britain, 23 January 2023. Forecasted recession for the UK could be twice as bad as previously thought according to EY consultancy company. The UK's economic outlook is worsening due to less government support and higher taxes, according to the expert economists. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN

    I love the UK. But I’m glad I’m running my small business in the US

    Gene Marks
  • Black woman sitting at desk in office and typing on keyboard of her tablet computer<br>2HME9F2 Black woman sitting at desk in office and typing on keyboard of her tablet computer

    Unlimited holiday time for workers is good for business – even small ones

    Gene Marks
  • Crowds of people visiting the French pavilion during the 2023 International CES at Las Vegas, Nevada.

    It’s business as usual as in person conferences catch up to pre-Covid levels

  • ‘There’s no pomp and circumstance with online transactions. We’re digitizing the emotional experience of this time-honored business transaction, one EFT at a time.’

    The writing’s on the wall for the paper check – but I’m still going to miss it

    Gene Marks

December 2022

  • ‘Pursuing non-compete violations is a costly, time-consuming, distracting and disruptive exercise.’

    Do small businesses really need non-compete clauses? Not really

    Gene Marks
    These types of restrictions serve a purpose, at least for some companies of a particular size – otherwise, let workers go where they please
  • ‘Anyone running a business for more than 20 years – like me – knows it’s all been done and seen before.’

    For US small businesses, interest rates are next year’s key issue

    It’s going to be a painful year for many business owners. But there is good news – this won’t last for ever
  • A fence stands at Elmore Correctional Facility in Elmore, Ala., June 18, 2015.

    I have no problem hiring ex-offenders. But they’re being let down

    I don’t care if a candidate for my company’s open position has a criminal record. But I do care about something more important

November 2022

  • ‘Customers see it, and feel like they’re being duped into paying for something they didn’t agree to.’

    Life’s tough for small business owners, but forced tipping is a bad idea

    There are many ways to tackle rising costs and a slowing economy – but automatic gratuity is not one of them
  • ‘'Thanks to our stubbornness, much of our technology is still steeped in the 1970s.’

    OK boomers, the small business world is ready for you guys to move on

    Gene Marks
    Boomers have overseen one of the greatest expansions of wealth in history – and created problems for the generations to come
  • Prospective employers and job seekers interact during a job fair in 2021 in the West Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

    Employers are now ‘ghosting’ applicants in tight labor market – and that’s not all bad

    Gene Marks
    It’s rude to end a relationship in radio silence, but it provides insight into a company’s culture and how it treats its employees

October 2022

  • ‘We’re all trying to figure out where the economy is going. Right now it’s a mixed bag but overall trending down. How can I tell? By relying on actual data from actual companies.’

    Ignore US government economic figures – base your decisions on actual data

    Gene Marks
  • ‘Who complains when a business owner is struggling to make their establishment safe for their workers and customers? Idiots, that’s who.’

    My advice to restaurant owners: don’t apologize for a bad Yelp review

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