As your career grows, your network, ideally, should grow alongside it. A professional network ultimately expands your opportunities, helps you achieve your goals and introduces you to people across industries and experiences. Board positions are a crucial element of any professional network.

I sat on my first board as a preteen when I served as a member of one of the first youth credit unions in my hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts. It was a Black-owned venture that was owned and managed by young people; it showed me the power of people coming together to pursue a goal and share ideas.

Flash forward to now, and, among my other board positions, I currently sit on the National Women’s Business Council, a nonpartisan federal advisory committee serving as an independent source of advice and policy recommendations to the United States President, Congress and the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. From this position, I can influence the government on issues of importance to women business owners and entrepreneurs.

As I’ve built out a decades-long career as an entrepreneur and thought leader, I’ve seen the power board positions can have on one’s professional life and influence, especially when you’re starting out. More than just a résumé booster, these opportunities can pivot your career in new directions. They can grow your confidence and skills. And, if you’re an entrepreneur, they can attract funding and advisors for your own ventures.

Conversely, companies with more diverse boards tend to outperform their less diverse counterparts. A recent McKinsey Insights report about corporate diversity shows that companies with diverse boards of directors, across genders and ethnicities, financially surpass less diverse companies. I see those results in my day job as the executive director of the Frank & Eileen™ Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Babson College. It’s as imperative as ever for boards to seek out new individuals for these positions.

Board positions can include advisory boards for nonprofits and community organizations, boards of directors or trustees for startups and other organizations, as well as government and commission boards. Even if your stint is short or doesn’t feel fruitful in the moment, there are benefits to reap from the experiences. When looking for positions, keep these factors in mind.

Related: Thinking of Joining a Board? Here Are 3 Things You Must Consider First

Think outside your personal box

From commercial businesses to higher education institutes to community organizations, there are dozens of board opportunities to explore. Some boards I sit on now are ones I would have never considered early in my career. Those experiences have only expanded my skill sets and networking opportunities. Don’t let your current role or interests dictate your board position search.

When searching for board positions, pay more attention to the job description than the industry. You can adapt your skills across fields; it’s more important to ensure you get what you want out of the position.

Look at company websites and traditional job boards such as LinkedIn to find what’s out there and how the organization describes the position. Also, see how different organizations define board members vs. directors vs. committee members to determine the level of commitment. From that research, you can see how your viewpoint and skill set could provide value to an organization.

Build on opportunities

The most coveted board positions are paid, but they aren’t usually available at square one. Starting small doesn’t mean you will always be small, though. As you sit on boards, you learn how they function — as well as how you function within them. Each board position is an opportunity to upskill and prepare yourself for the next one.

Your first board position should give you perspective into five key areas:

1. How these opportunities can fit into your schedule
2. What effort you can feasibly extend
3. What training you need (this includes board-specific training)
4. What areas of expertise you feel comfortable guiding people in
5. How a board position can shape your short- and long-term goals

With that knowledge, you can sketch out the positions you want. It’s a great exercise in professional self-discovery, as well as advocacy for yourself, your skills and your influence. The sooner you start, the sooner you can find the optimal board opportunity.

Related: What You Should Know Before Joining a Board

Consider everyone your network

Don’t wait for people to come to you. Your community is a great place to seek out opportunities, especially for young leaders and entrepreneurs. Let it be known that you are looking for new opportunities with everyone in your professional network, and even personal, if you feel comfortable. That includes community organizers and leaders, mentors and former managers, coworkers, people you meet at conferences and clients. Keep in touch with people and inquire about organizations and companies they are a part of.

It’s important to confidently convey how you can leverage your background and skill set when seeking board opportunities. Make sure you know how to sell yourself to these people. Keep your professional branding and social media up-to-date, concise and consistent across platforms.

Also look for positions that let you provide mentorship. Although you may not feel prepared to be a mentor early in your career, one day you will probably want to tap into that role. An advantageous board position will provide both clarity and insights about your professional life and potential ways to give back to your community and networks.

It’s never too early to start building out a portfolio and seeing what board opportunities are available to you. Ideally, your next board position brings you something new, whether it’s a funding opportunity or business partner, an untapped skill or a sense of accomplishment and community.

It’s graduation season, and although hiring is cooling, it’s still possible to find entry-level roles with six-figure median salaries for those right out of college or graduate school.

Fox Business looked at which jobs had the highest entry-level pay based on a Glassdoor analysis of salaries submitted between May 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024. Each job had at least 75 salaries provided by Glassdoor users.

The result is a list of the top 15 highest-paying jobs based on median salary.

Seven engineering positions made the list. The other eight roles were in consulting, medicine, or law.

The latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that employers added fewer jobs than expected, and than the average, in April. Bloomberg noted that the 175,000 overall job gain was the smallest recorded by the BLS in six months.

Related: ‘The Employment Situation’ Report for April Shows Employers Are Taking Hiring Down a Notch

Here are the top 15 jobs with the highest median salaries.

1. Primary Care Physician

Median pay: $130,000

2. Pharmacist

Median pay: $120,000

3. Software Architect

Median pay: $120,000

4. Product Manager

Median pay: $110,000

5. Software Engineer

Median pay: $100,000

6. Data Engineer

Median pay: $93,472

7. Attorney

Median pay: $90,000

8. Hardware Engineer

Median pay: $85,000

9. Information Security Specialist

Median pay: $83,000

10. Chemical Engineer

Median pay: $82,000

11. Management Consultant

Median pay: $82,000

12. Actuarial Consultant

Median pay: $81,150

13. Electrical Engineer

Median pay: $80,500

14. Design Engineer

Median pay: $78,000

15. Mechanical Engineer

Median pay: $75,500

In today’s digital landscape, a strong Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy is crucial for businesses to thrive. SEO helps websites rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs), driving organic traffic and boosting online visibility.

However, the world of SEO is also riddled with myths and misconceptions that can lead businesses astray. Let’s debunk some of the most common SEO myths and separate fact from fiction.

Myth 1: More keywords mean better rankings

Gone are the days of stuffing your content with every keyword imaginable. Google’s algorithms have shifted towards natural language processing (NLP), prioritizing content quality and user experience above keyword density. While keywords remain important, focusing on keyword intent and strategic placement throughout your content is far more beneficial than keyword quantity.

Fact: Research relevant keywords related to your target audience and their search queries. Use those keywords naturally within your content, focusing on providing informative and engaging information that fulfills user intent.

Related: Ultimate SEO Guide On How to Get 100,000 Visits Per Month From Google

Myth 2: Meta tags don’t matter anymore

While meta tags may not hold the same weight they once did, they’re far from irrelevant. Title tags and meta descriptions are like billboards for your content, serving as the first impression users see in search results. Compelling and informative meta tags can significantly improve click-through rates (CTR) and user engagement.

Fact: Craft clear, concise, and keyword-rich title tags that accurately reflect your content. Similarly, write engaging meta descriptions that entice users to click. Keep your title tag under 60 characters and your meta description around 160 characters to ensure they display fully in search results.

Myth 3: Social media directly influences SEO rankings

Social media shares and likes don’t directly translate into higher search rankings. However, social media plays a vital role in online visibility and brand awareness. Strong social media engagement can drive traffic back to your website, indirectly contributing to SEO by increasing user engagement and potentially influencing click-through rates.

Fact: Utilize social media platforms to share your content and connect with your audience. Encourage social media followers to share your content further, expanding your reach and driving more visitors to your website.

Myth 4: Backlinks are no longer relevant

Backlinks, or links from other websites to yours, remain a cornerstone of SEO. High-quality backlinks from reputable websites act as a vote of confidence for your content, signaling to search engines that your site is trustworthy and authoritative. This can significantly boost your domain authority and improve search rankings for relevant keywords.

Fact: Focus on acquiring backlinks from relevant websites within your niche. Create high-quality content that others will find valuable and link to naturally. Avoid spammy link-building tactics, as they can actually harm your SEO efforts.

Related: 9 SEO Tips to Help You Rank No. 1 on Google in 2024

Myth 5: SEO is a one-time effort

If you think you can optimize your website once and reap the benefits forever, think again. Search engines constantly update their algorithms, and SEO is an ongoing process. To maintain strong search rankings, you need to stay on top of SEO best practices.

Fact: Regularly update your website content with fresh, informative, and engaging material. Review your keyword strategy periodically and adapt to changes in the search landscape. Stay updated on the latest SEO trends and best practices to ensure your website stays relevant.

Myth 6: Mobile optimization doesn’t matter

With the majority of web searches now conducted on mobile devices, having a website that’s optimized for mobile browsing is no longer optional. Search engines prioritize mobile-friendly websites in search results, ensuring users have a positive experience when accessing your content.

Fact: Make sure your website has a responsive design that adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices. Ensure fast loading times and easy navigation for mobile users.

Myth 7: Paid advertising can replace SEO

While paid advertising (PPC) can be a valuable tool to drive immediate traffic, it’s not a replacement for SEO. The benefits of SEO are long-term and sustainable, with organic traffic continuing to flow to your website even without ongoing ad spend.

Fact: Develop a strong SEO strategy alongside your paid advertising efforts for a well-rounded digital marketing approach. Organic traffic can provide a more cost-effective source of website visitors in the long run.

Myth 8: Focusing on local SEO doesn’t matter if I sell online

Even for e-commerce businesses, neglecting local SEO can be a missed opportunity. If you have a physical location or offer local delivery, optimizing your website for local search terms can significantly increase your visibility to potential customers in your area.

Fact: Claim and manage your Google My Business listing to ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date. Utilize location-specific keywords throughout your website content and target local search queries.

Conclusion

Staying informed about SEO best practices is crucial for optimizing your website and achieving success in the digital marketplace. Don’t be swayed by outdated myths or quick-fix SEO schemes. Focus on creating high-quality content, building a strong backlink profile, and staying updated on the latest SEO trends.

For many people, the dream is to make good money doing something that helps other people, and is good for the planet. Unfortunately, in the trenches of capitalism, opportunities like this are not always obvious.

But back in 2020, Zach Cavacas stumbled upon one such venture. And soon, thanks to a wave of legislation aimed at sustainability, many people across the U.S. will have a chance to follow in his footsteps.

Related: The Author of ‘Million Dollar Weekend’ Says This Is the Only Difference Between You and the Many ‘Very, Very Dumb People’ Making a Lot of Money

Women’s History Month comes around every March, and this year, it led me to reflect on my relationships with fellow successful women. There’s an urban saying that suggests, “There’s a place in hell for women who don’t support each other.” But why is that? Should women be obliged to assist other women simply because of their gender? No.

However, they should support one another if they possess the capability, drive and desire to thrive — and if the other women can provide solutions such as mentorship and connections.

The reality is that there are numerous official and unofficial “boys’ clubs” and societal perceptions that make it challenging for women to access capital, attain promotions or “break the glass ceiling.” A study done by Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management professors Brian Uzzi and Yang Yang and Nitesh Chawla of the University of Notre Dame discovered that successful women maintain close inner circles of female contacts, leading to leadership positions with authority and pay levels 2.5 times higher than their peers lacking such networks.

Conversely, women who mirror successful men’s networks often secure lower-ranking roles. Another study highlights how formal women’s business networks (FWBNs) — structured groups that support and empower women entrepreneurs — significantly support them by providing vital resources and opportunities. Especially amidst challenges like the pandemic, FWBNs emerge as essential platforms for networking, shared interests and accessing resources, emphasizing the need for further examination and support.

These studies just strengthen the reason why I manage my networks the way I do. I am a part of both mixed-gender circles and women-only circles, and I’m privileged to be part of several prominent and influential women entrepreneur circles across different countries. Here’s what I’ve learned about being a part of successful women’s circles and how they essentially become a secret weapon for each other’s fulfillment — both socially and professionally.

Related: Women Entrepreneurs Need More Than Capital to Succeed. Here’s What They Also Want

1. We build a culture of support

What I love most about these women’s circles is that we’ve established a safe space where we genuinely compliment, acknowledge and support each other’s growth. We openly recognize each other’s achievements, discussing recent news articles and sharing personal experiences — like when one of our members’ potential clients expressed doubt about her business capabilities simply because she has three kids — and seeking advice from the group on how to handle such situations. We also share valuable resources and tips, including AI hacks that streamline our work. The heart of these communities is celebrating each other. The culture we’ve built is based on acceptance and support, and we carefully select women who align with these values to maintain the group’s integrity.

If you are a part of such female groups or looking to start one, encourage values of acceptance, support and opening up about struggles and failures. To build such a culture within your circle, it only takes one woman to be radically honest and open up, which usually makes the rest feel comfortable to do the same.

2. We can open doors to success for each other

As they say, “People do business with people,” and this rings true in women’s circles where deeper connections lead to increased support. Being part of a women’s circle allows us to strengthen relationships collectively and individually. This deeper connection helps us learn about each other’s strengths and what we’re working on, which often leads to opening doors for each other.

For instance, as an adviser for an external UN-NGO Committee, I had the privilege of inviting accomplished professional women whom I believed could contribute to our gatherings. I feel it’s important to bring qualified individuals to the opportunities I have access to. A colleague from a large tech company began utilizing services offered by several of our group members after connecting with them through our circle. My advice to you is to consider where you can open doors for others — think about qualified women you know who could benefit from similar opportunities. Leverage your influence and support your network.

Related: This Is Why We Still Need Women’s Networking Groups

3. We ditched the notion of competition

Unless you are living in a small village and running an offline business with limited customers, there is always ample opportunity for abundance in business. Remember, clients choose you over others because of your unique differentiation in the market. Sometimes, you may find yourself in a group with women offering similar services to yours. This can be a great opportunity — but only if both parties have the right mindset. In one circle I belong to, there are four women offering the same services that I specialize in. Instead of competing or gossiping about each other, we embrace openness. We share how our approaches differ, learn from one another, publicly acknowledge each other’s strengths and even collaborate by offering jobs to one another when we are unavailable. This perspective on competition is refreshing, and I encourage all women to adopt the same mindset.

4. We become a herd of lionesses when needed

Another hallmark of the circles I’m part of is our refusal to stand idly by in the face of injustice towards other women or causes that matter. We have this unwritten rule that we should lead by example, and as women in our 30s and 40s, we want to pave the way for the younger generation. If one member initiates a project to address an issue, the rest rally behind it, offering their time, resources, network access, social media exposure and more.

One of the group members initiated a campaign against sexual abuse in women, and the group quickly transformed into a functioning business: the PR expert took on the role of spreading news in the media about the cause, the designer contributed her skills and the salesperson found donations. Suddenly, this project was supported by several women from the group. We recognize our responsibility to our fellow women, leveraging our collective power and unity to advocate for what’s right for our sisters.

Going back to the studies outlined about the impact of women’s circles, now you can see how valuable being involved in a women’s circle can be to fulfill yourself and grow personally and professionally.

Related: Seven Lessons For Women In Business (From Other Women In Business)

If you’re not already part of such a group, consider joining these groups by asking your friends about the Facebook groups, female-based communities and WhatsApp groups they are a part of (there are so many out there, both official and unofficial) — or consider creating one yourself. The advantage? You can craft the values and character of the group and invite the right women who can create this amazing ripple effect of impact, joy and special bond.

Additionally, if you’re keen on learning more about how successful women entrepreneurs communicate and achieve their goals, I invite you to watch the webinar I hosted here together with Entrepreneur.com for Women’s History Month.

A Los Angeles couple who own the property where famed starlet Marilyn Monroe spent her final days is suing the city, alleging they are being blocked from demolishing the house so the city can turn it into a historical landmark.

On Monday, Brinah Milstein and her husband Roy Bank, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing the city of “illegal and unconstitutional conduct” after being told that they could not demolish the Brentwood, California, home once owned by Monroe, as it is in the process of being declared a historical landmark.

Related: For $3.05 Million You Can Buy the Luxury Apartment Marilyn Monroe Shared With Arthur Miller

According to the lawsuit, the owners were given a demolition permit shortly after purchasing the property in July 2023. The couple purchased the property for an estimated $8.5 million and planned to knock down the home to expand the residence next door, which they also own.

“All of these backroom machinations were in the name of preserving a house which in no way meets any of the criteria for a ‘Historic-Cultural Monument,'” the lawsuit reads. “For 60 years through 14 owners and numerous remodels and building permits issued by the city, the city has taken no action regarding the now-alleged ‘historic’ or ‘cultural’ status of the house.”

The Helena Drive property was the site of Monroe’s death at age 36 in 1962. She had been living in the home for six months before her death.

“There is not a single piece of the house that includes any physical evidence that Ms. Monroe ever spent a day at the house, not a piece of furniture, not a paint chip, not a carpet, nothing,” the lawsuit says.

In September 2023, the Los Angeles City Council halted the demolition and began the process of declaring the property a historical landmark, much to the excitement of history buffs and Monroe fans.

The application to make the property a landmark received approval earlier this year from the city council’s Cultural Heritage Commission and the Planning and Land Use Management Committee.

Related: Teens Busted for Breaking Into the Homes of Hollywood Stars

The lawsuit claims that the city council has caused “irreparable damage” to the couple, including $30,000 in demolition-related expenses and stripping them of their “vested rights as owners of real property.”

The final decision on the property receiving the Historical Monument certification will happen by mid-June after the application goes before the full city council.

Most people are using AI at work, whether their bosses know about it or not. Meanwhile, company leaders are simultaneously looking for non-technical talent with AI skills.

A new joint report from LinkedIn and its parent company Microsoft released Wednesday revealed the almost contradictory state of AI at work, as employees discreetly use AI tools and employers seek out candidates with those skills without the majority investing in internal training or tools.

The survey took in responses from 31,000 people across 31 countries between February and March drawing from research that Microsoft conducted with its Fortune 500 customers to add an employer dimension to the survey.

Company leaders showed in the survey that they overwhelmingly favored job candidates with AI skills, even non-technical talent that could use generative AI like ChatGPT.

In the report, 66% of the leaders stated that they would not hire someone who didn’t have AI skills and 71% said that they would probably hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced one without them.

Related: These 4 Words Make It Obvious You Used AI to Write a Paper, According to New Research

Despite employer demand for AI knowledge, lower percentages have provided AI training (39%) or invested in AI tools (45%) for employees.

Regardless of whether employers provide training, more employees than ever have adopted AI tools and are reaping the productivity benefits, even as they fear losing their jobs to the technology.

Three in four knowledge workers, defined in the study as employees who work from a desk, use AI to help get things done at work. The main reason 90% of these respondents reported using AI was to save time.

About half of the group (46%) that use AI recently started using it, within the past six months, and the majority of them (78%) are using AI tools at work “without guidance or clearance from the top.”

At small and medium-sized companies, the percentage of workers taking this “bring your own AI” approach is even higher: 80% of employees use AI discreetly, without a go-ahead from higher-ups.

The trend applies across generations — 73% of boomers and 85% of Gen Z reported using AI tools not provided by their companies.

Related: JPMorgan Says Its AI Cash Flow Software Cut Human Work By Almost 90%

At the same time, about half of the employees (45%) said they were worried that AI could replace their jobs.

Companies, like $7 billion “Buy Now, Pay Later” Klarna, have indicated that AI would pick up the responsibilities of laid-off workers. Klarna stated in February that its AI chatbot “is doing the equivalent work of 700 full-time [customer service] agents.”

The reason why employees are turning to AI tools, despite fears of AI replacing them, could be that they are dealing with higher workloads. The majority surveyed in the report (68%) stated that they find it hard to keep up with the amount of work they have to get done. Nearly half (46%) report feeling burned out.

“The data is clear: People are overwhelmed with digital debt and under duress at work— and they are turning to AI for relief,” the report reads. “The opportunity for every leader is to channel this momentum into ROI.”

Have you ever said the two little words, “good enough” or “I’m good?” The word “good” has become a common cop-out for moving beyond the status quo. But saying to ourselves, “Business is good enough” can be the lock on the door leading to greatness.

In a way, good is really not good at all. It’s a false sense of achievement that is wrapped up in complacency. When I realized that being okay with “good” was not going to help me achieve my dreams, I changed my mindset and my business’s plan of attack.

Last year, I decided nothing would get in the way of our expansion and hitting the next level.

I increased my marketing budget by 5% from 2022 to 2023, and as a result, our revenue increased by 8%, adding over $7 million that year. And that decision is still paying off — revenue is up about 20% so far this year.

Here are some key moves I’ve made that helped us reach our highest annual revenue ever last year — $104.6 million.

Related: How to Turn Marketing into a Sales and Revenue Engine

Direct mail leads generate 600% more revenue per lead than digital sources

I’ve mailed postcards to advertise my business, PostcardMania, every single week since I started in 1998, and I’ve only ever increased my mailing quantity — with one exception. The only time I cut back was in 2008, and it was a total disaster. Our revenues plunged about 15% the following year.

Direct mail takes up a large portion of my marketing budget. It isn’t the cheapest way to generate leads, but it’s absolutely irreplaceable in my marketing mix. Postcards generate the highest quality leads among all other lead sources, from organic search to pay-per-click to social media.

Here’s the proof: In 2023, we generated $229.41 in revenue for every postcard lead while we only generated $37.09 in revenue per lead from pay-per-click. That’s a massive difference of 519% — and six times more revenue! And that’s only taking new orders into consideration, not repeat orders from customers who know and love us.

And that’s just the revenue we can track directly back to postcards. There are so many more leads that come in from an “organic search” or another source that has been getting our postcards in the mail for years. It’s my belief that there’s a lot more revenue from postcards that’s incorrectly attributed to other sources, but we can save that for another time.

If you want to take your revenue to the next level, I encourage you to bump up your marketing spend — a 5% spend increase resulted in a 7% revenue increase for me — and consider adding direct mail to your arsenal to 6x your revenue per lead.

Adding and continually improving live chat increased sales conversations by 16%

Fewer and fewer people are willing to reach for the telephone these days when they need something. In fact, studies show that most consumers (63%) prefer to use live chat to interact with a business.

We added live chat to our website in 2016, and it improved our sales conversations (people willing to talk directly to a sales rep) by 16%. However, I don’t advise that you throw up a chatbot and call it a day.

The success of our live chat system is rooted in the fact that we have real human beings on the other side of the screen. If you’re using bots — even fancy, AI-trained bots — you’re going to run the risk of upsetting prospects and customers who want answers and not a rote regurgitation of the FAQs they can find on your website.

Last live chat tip: Don’t set it and forget it. Play around with colors, messages and placements, and see which combinations elicit the best response from your website visitors. We replaced a generic message on our thank you pages with a live chat prompt, and it had a great impact on reducing the lag time between when a prospect is on your website and when they’re on the phone with a sales rep.

Related: 4 Marketing Budget Hacks That Will Boost Your Business in 2024

Include video in your Meta ads to increase social media leads by 105%

If you’re a social media user, you’ve probably noticed more and more videos making their way to your main feed. In fact, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed during a recent earnings call that 50% of all people’s time on Meta platforms is now spent consuming video.

Catching on to this, we decided to put our 139 video case studies — real business owners talking about their successful campaigns — to work for us on Facebook and Instagram. We uploaded lists of our current clients and prospects and generated lookalike audiences similar to our own lists to target with our video ads.

As a result, our social media leads doubled. In 2022, our average number of social media leads per week was 174, and then in 2023, the average lead count increased to 356 a week! That’s a 105% increase.

The research is conclusive — video returns are outpacing static images. One recent report found that videos drove almost 30% more clicks than simple static image assets. Another study found that video ads drive 48% higher sales rates than static ads.

Studies prove it, I’ve tested it myself, but you may be wondering if you have the budget to execute it. There are opportunities for you to incorporate more video advertisements in your marketing strategy at a low cost. We just began offering video ads on both social media and Connected TV channels like Netflix at small business prices.

By working with the right marketing agency, it is possible to execute a video advertising plan that won’t overwhelm your marketing spend. Plus, the amount of revenue that these video ads are going to be bringing in for you will be well worth the upfront investment.

Related: 3 Marketing Blind Spots That Are Holding You Back (and How to Fix Them)

So, are you going to take the blue pill of staying good this year or take the red pill and journey down the more challenging path to greatness? I challenge you to take a closer look at the hard reality of where you can improve for better results and a better business.

As anticipated, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has appealed the Eastern District of Texas’ ruling overturning the expanded Joint Employer Rule. Particularly in light of President Biden’s May 3 veto of a bipartisan resolution that would have killed the expanded rule (and curbed the NLRB’s ability to make future drastic rule changes), this isn’t good news. But the franchise-crushing expanded version of the rule is still not in place, and the International Franchise Association continues to oppose it.

“The courts made clear that the Joint Employer Rule exceeds the scope of the NLRB’s authority and should not stand,” says Michael Layman, IFA’s senior vice president of government affairs. “IFA will not stop fighting to protect franchised businesses from the harm the NLRB’s overreach will bring, so franchising can continue to be one of the greatest avenues for business ownership and job creation.”

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

‘Landmark win’

In addition to the legislative pressure leading to the now-vetoed bipartisan resolution, a coalition led by the IFA, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, filed a lawsuit in 2023 challenging the legality of the expanded rule in the Eastern District of Texas. A federal judge ruled in the IFA’s favor in March and struck down the expanded rule in what IFA President and CEO Matthew Haller called a “landmark win for franchising.”

Related: The NLRB’s New Joint Employer Rule is So Extreme That Even California Rejected a State-Level Version of the Franchise-Killing Policy

NLRB appeal

The NLRB has now appealed the Eastern District of Texas decision. This means that, although the expanded rule is still not in effect, it will get another look, this time by a the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. That court could reverse the Eastern District’s decision and reinstate the expanded rule or confirm the decision.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is also challenging the rule in court, arguing that it is too narrow. The same coalition from the Texas case, led by the IFA, intervened in the D.C. lawsuit, and the court is currently considering a motion to dismiss.

Related: How the NLRB’s New Joint-Employer Rule Will Affect Franchisees and Franchisors and Redefine Franchise Relations

Protect your business

According to Alex MacDonald, an attorney at labor relations firm Littler Mendelson, franchisors can do some simple things today to start protecting and preparing their businesses for a revived expanded Joint Employer Rule. MacDonald spoke during the IFA’s April 23 webinar, “Joint Employer: Are Franchise Companies In the Clear?“

First, MacDonald recommended thoroughly reviewing all contracts (with vendors, franchisees, etc.) for indirect or reserved control specifications, such as:

• Direct training requirements
• Right to exclude workers
• Background check requirements
• Minimum qualifications
• Specific staffing and coverage level requirements

Business owners can counter these risks by clearly assigning responsibility for as many essential terms and conditions as possible to the employer.

Next, scrutinize your business arrangements: Emphasize brand standards over individual worker standards when you do need service requirements in contracts or in-house reporting and inspections. Minimize your involvement in recruiting, timekeeping, record keeping, pay policies and other operations.

If a franchisor must inspect a site, MacDonald again recommended focusing on brand standards, not individual worker standards. “You want to be watching for things like cleanliness,” he said. “Is the brand label displayed in the right place? Are they clearly communicating that they are a franchisee? Are the products stocked? Rather than on how many employees are working at the desk and how those employees are acting. Those kinds of things can start to look like supervision as opposed to protecting your brand standards.”

Additionally, reduce your reliance on nonessential vendors — especially if they need to be on-site — and train your supervisors on how to interact with vendors. But most of all, MacDonald said, “Pick reliable partners. If you end up contracting with a vendor who is operating on the borderline, then these rules make it more likely that you could be responsible for that vendor’s misconduct or mistakes.”

The IRS is reminding over one million Americans who have yet to file their 2020 tax returns that they have less than two weeks left to claim a total of $1 billion in unclaimed refunds. The deadline is May 17.

According to an IRS news release this week, Americans have “a little more time than usual” to file their refund claim for 2020 tax returns because of the pandemic. The deadline usually falls around tax day on April 15 three years after returns are due.

“We want taxpayers to claim these refunds,” said IRS commissioner Danny Werfel in an earlier announcement.

Related: Filing Your Taxes Is About to Get Cheaper in 13 States. Here’s Who’s Eligible.

The midpoint refund amount that an individual filer can receive for 2020 is $932, per the IRS.

The IRS has free resources available to help with the tax filing process. The agency introduced a free tax prep software this year called Direct File and piloted it in 12 states. As of April 21, the Direct File pilot is closed.

Americans who filed their taxes this year from January through early April received more than $200 billion in refunds, with the average refund being $3,011 — up from the $2,878 average last year. New York and Pennsylvania have the highest refund midpoints.

Here are the top five states with the most people who haven’t filed their 2020 tax returns, along with the midpoint and total refunds they could claim, according to the IRS.

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1. Texas

Estimated number of people who are due a 2020 income tax refund: 93,400

Median potential refund: $960

Total potential refund: $107,130,200

2. California

Estimated number of people who are due a 2020 income tax refund: 88,200

Median potential refund: $835

Total potential refund: $94,226,300

3. Florida

Estimated number of people who are due a 2020 income tax refund: 53,200

Median potential refund: $891

Total potential refund: $58,210,500

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4. New York

Estimated number of people who are due a 2020 income tax refund: 51,400

Median potential refund: $1,029

Total potential refund: $60,837,400

5. Pennsylvania

Estimated number of people who are due a 2020 income tax refund: 38,600

Median potential refund: $1,031

Total potential refund: $43,412,900