Remember the time America began checking their Wendy’s chili for rogue fingers? Denny Lynch does. As the senior vice president of communications at the time of the crisis, Denny and his team was not only responsible for helping disprove the claim, but to maintain the brand’s image and reputation as one of the nation’s premier fast food restaurant brands. On episode 39, “the infamous ‘finger in the chili’ incident,” Denny and Mark discuss crisis communications and why clear, consistent internal and external communication strategies are critical when businesses have to protect their brands from unforeseen crisis situations. Go behind-the-scenes and find out what happened the night of March 22, 2005, when Denny received the call to inform him that a woman had found a “body part” in her Wendy’s chili and that a local San Jose, Calif., TV station was perched at the restaurant, poised to go “live” within the hour. And find out how he arrived at an answer to the simple, but profound question: “What are we going to do?” Listen to episode 39 now to hear a first-person narrative outlining the essential steps Denny and his team took to navigate the crisis communication maze in an effort to respond with proper brand authority and authenticity. Then start thinking about what you would do if faced with a crisis unique to your business. Do you like listening to unsuitable on Rea Radio? We want to know! Tell us what you think about this episode and the podcast in general in the comment section below. Or, if you don’t have a lot to say, “like” this episode or give it a high rating on iTunes. You can also email questions or suggestions for future episodes at [email protected]. For additional information about this episode and others, visit http://www.reacpa.com/podcast. Thanks for listening 

Long days, vacations, barbecues, baseball … what’s not to enjoy about summer?! It’s also the time of year when we celebrate what it means to pursue the American dream, which is rooted in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, for many, this dream materializes in entrepreneurship and, going a step further, buying American-made products as a way to support a strong domestic economy. Today on unsuitable on Rea Radio, Kyle Stemple, principal and director of manufacturing services at Rea & Associates, talks about the value of “buying American,” and the direct impact consumers have on America’s marketplace and the quality, customer service and product support we receive from domestically-run businesses. In the recent past, there were many legitimate reasons why a U.S. manufacturer might turn their sights abroad, including cost and labor issues. For many years American companies suffered from an insufficient labor source in certain areas of production, explained Kyle. Oftentimes, they were forced to look for a better, more dependable labor pool in foreign countries. Fortunately, the re-shoring of American manufacturing is returning, due to the increasing demand of better quality products. Kyle paints the future of manufacturing in America as self-sufficient and self-reliant. Then, he argues, supply, demand and the free market will round out the economic influence. Even as more companies find their way back stateside, labor concerns continue to pose a threat. Kyle points to a legal citizen immigration process as a potential solution to the American workforce deficit, specific to manufacturing. Due to our economy, tax structure, creative capitalism, and work ethic, America is clearly a global leader in innovation and technology, and there are a wide variety of tax incentives available for those business owners who invest here at home. Learn more about the benefits available to businesses in the U.S. as well as what you can do to further support our domestic economy. Visit our website at www.reacpa.com/podcast.

Attention parents! Nobody ever said raising children was easy … or cheap, which is why the IRS provides a variety of tax breaks for families to help ease the financial burden. Ashley Matthews, mother of three and a tax manager at Rea & Associates, has some insight you are going to want to hear. On episode 37, The World’s Cutest Tax Deduction, Ashley joins Mark Van Benschoten, to discuss the various forms of tax relief available to parents, particularly when it comes to putting money aside to offset the cost of higher education. For example, if you claim the American Opportunity Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit on your taxes, you can receive a break on your out-of-pocket expenses – not to mention the deductions you can receive to help pay for tuition and fees. Additionally, Ashley explains that financial aid and scholarships are always 100 percent tax free – so don’t fear the tax man when you learn that your son or daughter just received that full ride you’ve been working toward since their infancy. Then, of course, we couldn’t talk about college savings strategies without bringing up the popular College Savings Plans or the 529 Plan, which gives parents and others the opportunity to save the funds today to receive tax-free growth of those funds over the course of 10-15 years (for example). It’s also important to note that most of these tax incentives are applicable to those seeking post-secondary education, trade and technical training or a professional degree. If you are struggling to hold down a full-time job while raising young children, you will be happy to learn that incorporating a Dependent Care Account into your financial strategy, can give you a little relief as well. This type of account allows married couples and single parents the opportunity to set aside $5,000 and $2,000 respectively, per household, per year, pre-tax. Additionally, Ashley explains, Dependent Care Expenses provide you with a dollar-for-dollar qualified credit on your tax return! A word of caution. … Navigating an optimized educational tax savings strategy can be difficult due to its complex nature. Therefore, it’s advantageous to consult with a tax expert on the matter to best weigh options that can help you optimize your family’s short- and long-term tax strategies. If you enjoyed this episode and you want to learn more, visit http:// www.reacpa.com/podcast for even more, including additional episodes, helpful resources, valuable insight and complete transcripts.

When it comes to the volatility of the oil and gas industry and its impact on our daily lives, we tend to have more than a few questions. This week’s guest is fluent on the topic and will provide listeners with expert answers and insight. David Shallenberger, CPA, director of oil & gas services at Rea & Associates, joins Mark to discuss the geopolitical nature of the industry, the connections that ultimately impact our world and what we might expect the future to look like. From an international perspective, David takes a moment to compare various international oil production strategies, including Iran’s evolved role as an independent producer to Russia’s tactics fueled by economic hardship. There are many incremental, economic variables to oil and gas production besides sunk costs, including geological formations, extraction methodologies, refinement processes and end-product classes. David takes a little time to talk about each variable and how these global tactics ultimately influence businesses and oil production back home. Then, as we consider Ohio’s shale plays, we learn that there is a lot at stake in the buckeye state. David discusses the close-to-home oil production trend that has escalated in recent years due to the fracking of the Marcellus and Utica shale plays from historical independent producers in Wooster, Ohio, to today’s shale boom. But wait … there’s more! Did you know that the oil & gas industry’s reach spans far beyond the production of fuel? Nearly 90 percent of products we use every day originate from an oil & natural gas derivative, which makes that much more important to understand the state of the industry and how it can directly and indirectly impact businesses nationwide. David, in particular, follows industry news very closely because, as he puts it, the more he can examine, understand and communicate to his clients the key impacts the oil and gas industry has on their business, the better advisor he can be to them as they seek to overcome future and existing challenges. Visit www.reacpa.com/podcast to learn more about Ohio’s stake in the oil and gas industry. Don’t forget! You can also send your questions, comments and suggestions to [email protected]. We always love hearing from our listeners! ___ If you liked this episode, let us know! Please rate this episode in iTunes or SoundCloud or leave a comment! Thanks for listening!

Do you want a better work-life balance; one that is not only productive, but fulfilling? Start listening to episode 35 of unsuitable on Rea Radio with Kaitlin McNeish, senior accountant at Rea & Associates to find out how she maintains a healthy work-life balance. On this episode of the podcast, “enjoying the journey: how to achieve a better work-life balance,” Kaitlin talks to Mark about why she actively volunteers and gives examples of the various nonprofit organizations and community initiatives she supports. This week’s episode dives into the many reasons to volunteer and why serving others is a great way to maintain a fit and balanced work-life balance. In fact, to Kaitlin, volunteering her time and resources to individuals and organizations in need has helped her find even more fulfillment in her professional career. Fitness, Kaitlin explains, is not just about making a physical commitment. Mental and social “fitness” is just as important. Serving others is a great way to stay mentally and socially fit. To help illustrate this concept, she shares a few personal stories with Mark; including one in which she was put in a position where she was left re-evaluating the importance of striking a healthy balance between her career and the joy she feels when she is able to help others. Oftentimes, she says during the episode, you can utilize your existing skills as a means to inspire and assist others or you can challenge yourself to learn new skills that address a specific need. Kaitlin’s involvement working with high school seniors as a Junior Achievement volunteer led her to assist students who were seeking help completing the complicated FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. The episode stresses that volunteering helps all of us recognize the need for compassion towards others. Furthermore, these experiences can ultimately you become a better, more effective professional. Kaitlin said that teaching financial literacy as a volunteer with Junior Achievement helped her understand the importance of layman’s terms, especially with regard to taxes. This important takeaway has allowed her to better serve her clients while facilitating a greater connection with prospects. Volunteerism, she argues, has personally and professionally aided her in her employment at Rea & Associates, due to the fact that it simply makes her a happier individual, and therefore a more fulfilled employee to better service Rea clients and the community as a whole. This is a great episode to listen to if you are interested in learning more about how volunteerism can help you find greater success in your career and personal life or if you are looking for ways to further inspire your team. Listen now and start achieving a better work-life balance today! Want to learn more about the importance of community service and how your volunteerism effort deliver personal and professional results? Visit www.reacpa.com/podcast for articles and insight. Don’t forget! You can also send your questions, comments and suggestions to [email protected]. We always love hearing from our listeners! ___ If you liked this episode, let us know! Please rate this episode in iTunes or SoundCloud or leave a comment! Thanks for listening!

On Episode 34, we’re joined by our guests Ryan Dumermuth, a Principal at Rea & Associates and Kirk Spillman, the President and CEO of Eagle Machinery. The podcast shares the importance of advisory trust and an ever "evolving“ relationship, as key pillars of essential professional services during the process of evaluating and buying a business. The session emphasis that regardless of the nature of business you are considering to acquire, its important to examine the many types of consultative services you may need, which are not directly related to your product line, or customer base. Kirk recounts his entrepreneurial journey to buying a business, while Ryan discusses the risks and unique challenges for buyers who are not flush with cash, and are certainly not eager to dish out more money on professional services, beyond what they must spend for the cost of the business itself. The podcast warns that when buying a business it is important to know what you don’t know, as Kirk shares even though he was competent in the business, he was ignorant to other critical assets of buying a business, such as business entity, organization and formation, and purchase structure. The session promotes the power of having a true professional partner with resources, support, advice, and experience, that an aspiring business owner may not have. The podcast also shares the significance of strength and stability that family can have on such a challenging undertaking. Lastly, the session ties together the investment in the business to its most valued asset – the employees that run and sustain that business and its future growth. In such cases, a committed workplace in force is the value of the business. Ryan and Kirk conclude that their genuine relationship and “honest” conversations helped to sustain and build the business over the last 15 years. Like what you heard? Check out recent posts about this topic to learn more.

Thanks to the manufacturing industry, many of us are familiar with Lean Six Sigma. But did you know that the basic concepts behind this practice can be applied to any other industry you can think of? Information technology, healthcare, professional services, not-for-profit … the list goes on and on. This week, on episode 33, Chris Liebtag, PMP, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Gold Practitioner for process efficiency at Rea & Associates, joins Mark to discuss how Lean Six Sigma can be successfully applied to the “back office” settings of many other businesses. He notes that the discipline is particularly effective when metrics are compiled and used to confront a myriad of business challenges such as response times, deliverables and even invoice efficiencies. Even though the Lean Six Sigma terminology tends to favor manufacturing, the theories, concepts and principles transcend all industries because understanding and driving client value is tenant of the discipline that applies to all business, enterprise or industry. Specifically, Chris points to the parallel between client value and patient-centric care in the healthcare industry, delineating key attributes such as, professional interaction, minimal wait time and environmental organization for medical professionals’ increased efficiency – which cumulatively work to add value to the patient experience. The episode points to the importance of quality through consistency, thereby reducing variations of outcomes, while moving the organization’s focus of quality of all operations, toward the front of their processes, versus the end. The higher the quality you start with, the greater the quality product or service you will ultimately produce. Chris argues that Lean Six Sigma has a direct effect on cash flow, therefore the more business leaders can reduce cycle time, the faster the return of invested resources. Want to learn more about Lean Six Sigma and how it can be applied to your business? Message us at [email protected]. For additional information and insight on this topic, visit http://www.reacpa.com/podcast. ___ If you liked this episode, let us know! Please rate this episode in iTunes or SoundCloud or leave a comment! Thanks for listening!

This week, on episode 32, Peddle Fast So The Future Is Not Your Fault; Default Into Savings Now, we receive some critical insight from Paul McEwan, Rea’s principal and director of benefit plan services – if the private sector doesn’t take control of America’s retirement problem, sooner or later the government will. Business owners play a huge role when it comes to ensuring the retirement readiness of their employees, and there are a variety of incentives out there to those who are proactive. The best way to promote retirement readiness in your business is to use your company’s plan document as a strategic tool; understanding that individual employee financial wellbeing holistically enhances the future financial stability of the company as a whole. In the 1980s, the American retirement process underwent a dramatic transformation from defined benefit plans that were paid for by employer contributions to employee contributed 401(K) plans – effectively shifting the financial responsibility of future savings from the employer to the employee. Unfortunately, employees and employers alike appear to be struggling with understanding the new responsibilities that have resulted due from this transition. Not only have we learned that employees, when left to their own devices, are unlikely to save for retirement on their own behalf; government statistics show that 53 percent of U.S.-based companies do not sponsor retirement plans. Furthermore, even when a company does offer a retirement plan to employees, the plan still fails to garner a meaningful participation rate (68 percent of eligible employees opt out). How can business owners educate employees about the importance of saving for retirement while encouraging improved participation? Start using your retirement plan document as a strategic tool that promotes a holistic approach to retirement readiness. Paul says that one way businesses can optimize the retirement plan is to embrace the science of behavioral finance with inclusion and participation. This can be done by “defaulting” employees into your company’s retirement plan while pushing longer term, voluntary investments. It may also be wise to begin offering plans with low administration costs, such as SEPs and SIMPLEs. Then, as the company becomes more profitable, you can begin utilizing more sophisticated, or qualified, retirement plans. Start listening to episode 32, peddle fast so the future is not your fault, on unsuitable on Rea Radio to discover more tips and incentives to help your business and your employees thrive. Want to learn more about optimizing your company’s retirement plan? Visit http://www.reacpa.com/podcast for additional articles and insight. ___ Like this episode? Give it a “like.” You can also ask a question, request more information or tell us what you think in the comment section! Thanks for listening!

How you define success in your business is greatly influenced by your organization’s unique objectives, finances, project initiatives, culture, values and ongoing employee education. But on episode 31 of unsuitable on Rea Radio, Jeremy Senften, Rea & Associate’s chief operating officer, encourages you to “bet on your business by scoring your success.” This week, listeners will get a glimpse into the importance of measuring success by leading and lagging indicators – don’t worry, there will be examples. Jeremy and Mark also discuss the benefits of communicating your business’s progress with targeted team members in your organization, which helps facilitate greater buy-in – motivating them to want to do more to contribute toward a specific outcome and overarching strategic plan. Additionally, Jeremy talks about the benefit of tracking the organization’s success in a variety of ways, such as by department, and then share the weekly/daily results with your team to determine what they can do to help influence the results. Want to start driving measurable success in your company? First, define what makes yours a successful business. Then identify who can help you achieve your goals and drive greater success. Finally, maintain flexibility throughout the process – plan for change. Need more tips and insight? Start listening to this episode now and start learning from the pros. For even more insight into achieving business growth and continued success, visit http://www.reacpa.com/podcast. ___ Like this episode? Give it a “like.” You can also ask a question, request more information or tell us what you think in the comment section! Thanks for listening!

This week on unsuitable on Rea Radio we learn why business leaders should approach recruitment and staff development from a whole new perspective if they want to harness and optimize their company’s most valuable asset – people. On episode 30, Don’t Just Make A Hire, Build Leaders For A Lifetime, Annie Yoder, a principal with Rea & Associates, and Don McIntosh, chief leadership officer at the firm, talk about why adopting a leadership development strategy is important to the overall success and sustainability of a business’s success these days. As leaders of The Rea Academy, Annie and Don speak about the importance of a structured training and development program for proper leadership cultivation from first-hand experience. Beyond compliance and technical skills, the duo emphasizes the importance of “raising up leaders” who contribute and create opportunities for the future. The first step, of course, comes in the form of a business’s recruitment strategy and the plan to retain top talent. Listeners are warned that insufficient training of a business’s employees will ultimately lead to a bankrupt culture and high turnover. Instead, you are encouraged to devise a structured training strategy specifically designed to fit your company’s unique sets of personnel, while working to incorporate the development of both technical and soft skills. While developing a leadership strategy for your company may seem daunting, Annie and Don provide listeners with some insight into how you can get started to make your unique journey a little easier and what can be done to promote continued buy-in throughout your organization while improving the overall quality of the business, increase profitability and stabilize employee retention. Start listening now! You can also visit the episode’s page at http://www.reacpa.com/podcast to learn more about this topic and access additional articles and insight to help you find success in your efforts. ___ Like this episode? Give it a “like.” You can also ask a question, request more information or tell us what you think in the comment section! Thanks for listening!