NOW EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 1

ABC Baltimore’s Small Business Coach Verna Karolenko has assembled a team of financial, operational, HR and regulatory experts to offer to members a free “check-up” – a safe, non-judgmental place where companies can ask their questions and get their problems solved in the very complex world of running a construction company in Maryland.

This is a free service to ABC Baltimore Members in good standing.

This is a live individual conversation for you and your team members to have one-on-one with a content expert of your choice. Live conversations will be set up via conference call or ZOOM teleconference software – information on the meeting will be sent out following registration. You will be able to schedule meetings with the following experts:

Verna Karolenko, Small Business Consultant, ABC Greater Baltimore (Financial)
Dick Asher, Director of Regulation & Compliance, ABC Greater Baltimore (Regulatory)
Tina Miceli, Director, HR Consulting, Clearview Group, LLC (HR)
Scott A. Livingston, Rifkin Weiner Livingston LLC (Legal)
Gene Cobb, ABC Greater Baltimore Safety Director (OSHA Guidelines and Jobsite Safety)

There is no cost to schedule these calls. ABC is offering these on-line Check-ups in 30-minute blocks. Each member is allowed two-free blocks. Additional blocks are available at a nominal cost to cover our expenses. These services are available on a first-come, first serve basis. This is meant to be a pilot program. If the participation merits, we can add more training blocks down the road.

You may invite as many of your team members to join the chat as you would like. Once you have completed your online registration an ABC representative will reach out to you with instructions for using the ZOOM software or with conference call details. This information can be shared with your team members that would like to be a part of the conversation. We can also host a training session prior to your 30 minute session to test out the ZOOM software upon request.

All entries become the property of ABC Greater Baltimore and may be used for publication and promotion.

Any licensed general contractor, subcontractor or construction management member of ABC Greater Baltimore may enter.
Submittals should be located in the metropolitan areas, including: Baltimore city and county; Anne Arundel, Carroll, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties.
Eligible projects must have been completed between August 1, 2018 and September 1, 2019. (Some exceptions are allowed.)
Previously entered and judged projects are not eligible. Projects deemed incomplete are ineligible for refund of the entry fee.
There is no limit to the number of entries per member. However, a general contractor may not enter the same project in more than one category.
The entry fee must be paid at the time of registration.
The board of directors reserves the right to change the category as it sees fit.
All trade categories entered must be self-performed by the company entering the project.
Digital photos are required for each submittal and must be included in the application. Points will be deducted for late photo submittals and the project will not be eligible for Project of the Year. Acceptable photo formats are JPEG, TIFF or GIF.
All entries must be submitted by the specified deadline: November 15, 2019 close of business.

*Joint venture projects must be noted on the application. Both parties of the joint venture must be an active member of ABC Greater Baltimore.

Topic Ideas for Q&A Session

Financial Statements- Understanding the Concepts

Balance Sheet- the company’s statement of Net Worth
Income Statement (or Profit & Loss)- the report card on the company’s performance

Audits- How to Navigate Through the Process

Insurance Audits- Worker’s Comp, Liability & Auto
State Agency Audits- Unemployment, Certified Payroll, Sales & Use Tax, etc.

Contractor Compliance- Record Keeping and Reporting

Lien Waivers
Certificates of Insurance
W-9 forms

Tax Reporting- Minimize cost and avoid excess taxation

Personal Property Tax- planning ahead and accurate reporting
Payroll Taxes- accuracy and timing
1099s- Who gets a 1099, and who doesn’t

Job Costing- Why it’s important and how to track costs

Measurement of job profitability
Estimated costs compared to actual costs

Accounts Receivable & Accounts Payable- Accuracy is critical

Progress Billing preparation
Avoid common errors

Successfully On Boarding New Employees – what are we missing?
Are we I-9 Compliant?
Performance / Disciplinary management
Harassment / Bullying issues? What do I do?
How do I reduce my Unemployment Claims?
How do I increase retention (why is our turnover rate so high?)
Exempt vs Non Exempt – Are your Employee’s correctly classified – Are you tracking/ paying overtime?
I do not have a dedicated Human Resource professional on staff. What are my biggest areas of risk?

Key Dates

October 23, 12-1:30
“How to submit an award winning project?” Lunch provided
November 15th
Completed applications are due by close of business
December 5th
Judging Day. *Please be sure to make your owners aware
January 17th
Awards announced
April 16th
Excellence in Construction Awards Ceremony at the Renaissance Harbor Place Hotel

Call for Judges

We’re always looking for judges. This is a great opportunity to network with your fellow members, while getting an insider’s view of recently completed projects in the region. Contact Danielle Hardy (dhardy@secure.abcbaltimore.org) for more information.

Please choose a time that works best for you and your team.

Each half-hour block is limited to ONE Coach.

Schedule Q&A with Verna Karolenko (Financial)

Schedule Q&A with Tina Miceli (Human Resources)

Schedule Q&A with Dick Asher (Regulatory)

Schedule Q&A with Scott Livingston (Legal)

Schedule Q&A with Gene Cobb (Safety)