When you began working for yourself, you probably didn’t account for the tax reporting work that will fall on your shoulders each year. If you’re a freelancer, independent contractor, or business owner, filing your taxes is not as simple as uploading your W-2 form into some online tax preparation software. Most self-employed people need to complete a W-9 as a step for accurately reporting their earnings to the IRS. Below, you can learn how to fill out a W-9 and when to submit it. 

What is a W-9 and How to Fill One Out

Understand what you need to know to fill out a W-9 form correctly - from type of business, exemptions to address, tax ID and more. Be sure to read all instructions carefully and consult a tax pro if needed to avoid penalties. Ensure you submit the form via PDF in an encrypted email to protect sensitive data.

With the state of the economy still uncertain, 2023 is expected to be approached with much anticipation. Human Resource leaders have many concerns, including how they will manage to accomplish their goals with budget belts already getting snug. Let’s look at some of the factors that the new year is projected to bring for HR and how to prioritize budgets to reach human capital objectives.&nbsp;

Tightening the HR budget in 2023

2023 is a year of anticipation for HR leaders. Prioritize budgets for Talent Acquisition, Onboarding, Compensation & Benefits and invest in tech tools for streamlining HR functions. Ensure executive buy-in for success with a well-planned budget, emphasizing positive outcomes and research.

In a world where words and phrases rule daily communication, you may wonder why non-verbal communication is important. Whether you realize it or not, you communicate more with nonverbal actions than you do with verbal communication. When you interact with your peers, people are reading your body language, facial expressions, voice, and many other factors that help fill in blanks that words can't fill. 

Why is Non-Verbal Communication Really Important?

Nonverbal communication is more than just words; it plays a crucial role in daily communication. From facial expressions to body language, nonverbal signals can help you build trust, appear authentic and increase your chances of memorable interactions. With the pandemic, nonverbal communication has become even more important, so here’s how to maximize it for success.

Covid was a catalyst for change in the work environment. Keeping people safe and helathy was the initial goal for employers, but the unintended result was the considerable demand in remote work. Now, onsite work has been dramatically altered to remote work, which is now transforming into a combination of the two: hybrid work. 

Making Hybrid Work More Efficient

Hybrid work is transforming the way we work, allowing employees to experience greater flexibility and maintain work-life balance. Employers can save costs, increase efficiency, and improve employee engagement and wellness by implementing hybrid and remote work options. With the right policies and systems in place, organizations can ensure their hybrid work program is successful and efficient.

Human resources' rapid adoption of technology has led to new ways of streamlining human capital management. Based on the IEE Global Study, these technologies changed how HR handled recruitment and retention in 2022. This includes tech like

How Can HR Technology Help Retain Employees?

HR technology is rapidly evolving and in 2023, retention will become a bigger priority than recruitment. Companies must focus on engaging with employees to reduce turnover, learning tech to improve retention rates and communication solutions to stay in touch with remote workers. It's time to prioritize retention and make sure you have the right technology in place.

We’ve all been there before. What starts as a relaxing evening scroll quickly becomes a full-blown binge. You blink, and it’s midnight - throwing off your entire next day before it even starts. And at its worst, this indulgence might leave you feeling behind on things you planned to finish that night. This is why time management is important. 

Why is Time Management Important? 10 Crucial Importances of Time Management

Time management is an essential skill for achieving goals and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It involves goal orientation, effective planning, and organization to use time wisely and maximize productivity. With good time management, you can reduce stress, make better decisions, and foster meaningful relationships. Start today and unlock your potential!

The salary transparency trend continues. Last year, Colorado passed its Equal Pay Transparency Rules, which required employers to include compensation in job postings, notify employees about promotional opportunities, and record job descriptions and wage records. Soon after, states like Washington, Nevada, Maryland, and Rhode Island followed suit. 

Making the Move to Salary Transparency

Salary transparency is becoming a global issue, with the US leading in closing the pay gap. Companies now must provide more explicit wages and disclose their "good faith" pay range. Pay transparency builds trust and helps address biases in the workplace, allowing for greater fairness and satisfaction for employees.

People's initial perception of your organization is also known as your brand reputation. Your brand rep either encourages or discourages people from engaging with your company. This means the way people view your company will affect sales and even recruiting efforts. 

Brand Reputation 101

Brand reputation is essential in recruiting and sales. It's important to monitor and maintain a positive brand rep, from internally managing expectations to proactively addressing small issues. Also, stay connected and collect feedback to keep a clean online brand rep and make sure your company is seen as a desirable work place.

A paralegal job is a great stepping stone to a legal career. As an expert in legal research, paralegals must be organized, strong writers, and a team player with others who require the assistance of the paralegal’s work. Sometimes known as legal assistants, paralegals are a critical part of a legal team’s work. Paralegals work across law firms, corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Paralegal Resume Templates, Examples, and Tips

Paralegals are an essential part of a legal team, working in law firms, corporations, nonprofits and government agencies. Learn how to craft the perfect paralegal resume with our templates, examples and tips. Leverage internships, research projects and leadership roles to stand out and land the job!

The beginning of a new year is often a time for reflection and introspection. Millions of people use this time to come up with new resolutions to help them live happier and healthier lives. Pursuing our career ambitions is among the top five, right up there with exercising more and eating better.

How to Successfully Make a Career Change in the New Year

Ready for a career change? Make 2021 the year you take control and turn your dreams into reality. With the right mindset and tools, you can make sure your professional resolutions come to fruition. Make sure your online presence reflects your career change, seek out mentors, and don't miss out on opportunities! Take our quiz to see if you're ready to make the switch!

Neptune Medical is a Silicon Valley based, venture capital funded medical device start-up that is designing, building, and commercializing category-defining next-generation manually and robotically operated systems for flexible endoscopy.. Jupiter is a Silicon Valley based, venture capital funded medical device start-up that is designing, building, and commercializing category-defining next-generation systems for cardiovascular procedures.. Establish a rapport and a trusted working relationship with executive management and company personnel at all levels to encourage and continue the proactive use of in-house legal counsel.. J.D. degree, as well as membership in good standing of at least one state bar; and must be admitted, and in good standing, to practice before the USPTO.. Our headquarters is in Burlingame, CA adjacent to the Millbrae BART and Caltrain stations.

vice president

Title: Vice President of IP Summary: Neptune Medical is a Silicon Valley based, venture capital funded medical device start-up that is designing, building, and commercializing category-defining next-generation manually and robotically operated systems for flexible endoscopy. Jupiter Endovascular was spun-off from Neptune Medical in June of 2024. Jupiter is a Silicon Valley based, venture capital funded medical device start-up that is designing, building, and commercializing category-defining next-generation systems for cardiovascular procedures. The two companies work together closely, sharing history, people, technology, and a large IP portfolio. We have fantastic teams, technology, and investors. Neptune and Jupiter are now seeking an experienced VP of IP. This individual will be a core part of the executive team responsible for leading both the maintenance and expansion of the company's IP portfolio. The ideal candidate would display the ability to perform to the below requirements with a high level of individual responsibility. The ideal candidate would act with passion, intensity, integrity, inventiveness, wisdom, and urgency as the leader of a VC-funded medical device start-up that is fast-paced, collaborative, and driven to change standards for medical care. For the right person, this position will be a tremendously exciting and career-defining opportunity, making core contributions to a genuinely new type of medical device technology. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: <ul> <li>Lead the company's global corporate intellectual property portfolio. </li><li>Maintain existing patent portfolio and work to continue expanding it. </li><li>Develop strategies around certain key technology areas to ensure broad ownership. </li><li>Work closely with engineers to understand key inventions and how to capture their salient ip as part of invention disclosures. </li><li>Work closely as a team with existing counsel. </li><li>Work closely with business leaders to understand market and business needs as they relate to ip opportunities. </li><li>Drive policies that further the company's culture of innovation. </li><li>Draft patent applications. </li><li>Perform FTO searches. </li><li>Draft office action responses. </li><li>Conduct examiner interviews. </li><li>Monitor competitor portfolios. </li></ul> <ul><li>Prepare non-infringement and invalidity opinions. </li><li>Manage corporate IP opposition procedures and/or litigation. </li><li>Conduct, evaluates and provide counsel on IP due diligence for business development projects. </li><li>Represent us WRT IP in acquisition negotiations. </li><li>Define and manage the budget. </li><li>Trademarks: Oversee and manage the global trademark estate. </li><li>Agreements: Provide strategic input into contracts involving licensing, acquisitions, third party collaborations, material transfer, sponsored research, third party research services, consulting, confidentiality, and related contract matters. Negotiates and draft patent licenses and other related agreements. </li><li>Review, provides counsel, and set policy to protect company intellectual property interests in all publications, presentations originating either internally or with third party collaborators, communities and/or suppliers. </li> <li>Conduct and evaluate literature, patent, and file wrapper searches on all subject matter relevant to the company for patentability, validity, and freedom to operate issues. </li><li>Establish a rapport and a trusted working relationship with executive management and company personnel at all levels to encourage and continue the proactive use of in-house legal counsel. </li><li>Provide day-to-day legal advice regarding a wide range of activities and programs. </li> </ul>Qualifications: <ul> <li>Roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic. </li></ul> <ul><li>J.D. degree, as well as membership in good standing of at least one state bar; and must be admitted, and in good standing, to practice before the USPTO. </li><li>A bachelors in an engineering discipline, preferably mechanical or electrical. </li><li>At least 15 + years of related experience, with 10 years in-house legal or related experience and proven track record in IP management of a medical device. </li><li>Successful management and negotiation skills. </li><li>Good working knowledge of liability issues. </li><li>Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to communicate concisely to scientists and business partners, to integrate legal and business knowledge and to provide balanced advice regarding risks. </li><li>Experience partnering with and supporting fast-paced internal partners and business development initiatives to complete transactions; strong organizational skills to prioritize and manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously. </li><li>Experience recruiting, managing, retaining, motivating and leading diverse, high-performance teams. </li><li>Ability to effectively bring out the best in the team and enhancing a culture where people love to work, grow their capabilities, and do their best work in pursuit of an ambitious vision. </li><li>Willingness to work hard with a driven outlook and a strong desire to succeed as an individual and as a team leader. </li><li>Experience with, and comfort within, a fast-growing start-up. </li></ul>Please Send Us: <ul> <li>A short cover letter showing us that you have read this document and are responding to our needs. This really matters! Tell us, briefly, why you could be great in this role. </li><li>Your resume. </li><li>Ideally, some samples of your work. This could be a link to a website, a portfolio in PDF or word, some JPGs or whatever you think can give us a sense for what you have done. </li></ul> Our headquarters is in Burlingame, CA adjacent to the Millbrae BART and Caltrain stations. We are primarily a WFO (Work From Office) company. The starting base salary for this role is between $215,000 and $250,000 depending on experience. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: education, training, transferable skills, work experience, and business needs. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for equity, benefits and 401(K) with matching. Neptune Medical provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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