Podcast
THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast
Hosted by Paychex, Inc. · EN
Designed for those who crave the inside scoop on everything from people to policy to profits, each THRIVE episode transforms complex business and HR topics into clear, actionable advice. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or an aspiring leader, this podcast is your go-to source for cutting through the noise and gaining a competitive advantage.
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Producer Price Index Worrisome, World Cup Pitch on Tipping, Claude SMB Training
6d ago00:10:46Tap to summarizeA sharp spike up to 6% for the Producer Price Index has podcast host Gene Marks expressing concern over the pending price hikes for goods for the remainder of 2026. He offers some suggestions to help employers and their employees. As the World Cup soccer tournament nears its start in North America, one U.S. host city’s restaurant group is proposing a mandatory tip percentage so staff don’t get stiffed by visitors from non-tipping cultures. And Anthropic launches Claude for Small Business, which Gene notes is a great way to help implement AI. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:51 – Producer Price Index Spikes 03:50 – Tipping Proposal for World Cup Events 06:48 – AI Training by Claude for Small Business 09:24 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →The World Cup Is Coming, Is Your Business Ready?
1w ago00:29:04Tap to summarizeBig events bring big opportunities, but the businesses that win are the ones who prepare. Host Gene Marks sits down with Connie Kinnard of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau to talk World Cup prep, small business strategy, and what it takes to turn a surge in visitors into lasting revenue. From optimizing your online presence to building the right relationships, the tips she shares here apply to any major event, anywhere. Take the conversation further with The 39-Day World Cup Playbook. It's your guide to staffing smart, managing overtime, and protecting your margins from kickoff to the final whistle: https://bit.ly/48Dpah4 Simplify your business operations: Visit paychex.com/MeetPaychex to learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts. Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 01:21 – Connie’s career path: From Nashville to Miami 04:08 – What a convention and visitors bureau does 06:47 – Training managers to support employers 08:16 – Preparing for the World Cup and other big events 12:01 – Online presence, search, and AI: How visitors find you 14:27 – Safety and security considerations for big events 16:08 – Tailoring marketing to international visitors 19:38 – How the World Cup differs from other major events 24:47 – Last-minute World Cup advice for local businesses 28:06 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →Tariff Refunds, Hiring Is Steady, Financial Forecast on Agentic AI Commerce
2w ago00:10:51Tap to summarizeBusinesses that paid illegal tariffs under the Emergency Economic Powers Act could get a windfall if they follow the process to request a refund. Host Gene Marks shares some tips to facilitate getting your money back. He also says the latest Paychex Small Business Employment Watch reveals that employers are being cautious about hiring but aren’t cutting back on the practice amid economic uncertainty. Optimism abounds in the agentic AI commerce arena, where experts forecast that it could drive more than one trillion dollars in U.S. retail in the next four years. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Tariff Refunds 04:13 – Small Business Employment Watch 05:46 – Agentic AI Commerce Forecast 09:29 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Paychex Small Business Employment Watch: https://bit.ly/paychex-sbew DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →Employee Retirement Options, Fed’s Interest Rate Map, and Free SMB AI Training
3w ago00:11:33Tap to summarizeA new Executive Order from the White House aims to expand participation in retirement savings for lower-income workers, which brings supporters and critics. It also looks to connect these IRAs to the Saver’s Match for eligible recipients. Gene Marks highlights this in this episode of the Week in Review, along with a possible new course for the Federal Reserve to map out rate hikes that could impact funding options. Plus, national outlets such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring free AI training sessions to small businesses. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Executive Order on retirement accounts 04:38 – Federal Reserve maps out rate changes 07:59 – Free AI training being offered 10:15 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Free AI training: https://bit.ly/ai-training-for-free DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →What Small Business Leaders Get Wrong About Workplace Mental Health: MHA VP Suzi Craig
3w ago00:32:26Tap to summarizeIs your team truly showing up or just going through the motions? Suzi Craig, VP of Workplace Mental Health at Mental Health America, joins host Gene Marks to uncover what small business leaders can improve when it comes to supporting their teams. From building a culture of trust and psychological safety to spotting struggling employees before they walk out the door, Suzi delivers actionable advice every business owner needs. Plus, hear why AI anxiety is the new workplace mental health crisis. Learn more about Mental Health America's resources and programs at mhanational.org Turn today’s insights into action. Here’s your step-by-step guide to building an employee wellness and mental health program: https://bit.ly/48Dpah4 Simplify your business operations: Visit paychex.com/MeetPaychex to learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts. Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 01:26 – Mental Health America overview 03:20 – Building a culture of trust 07:08 – Training managers to support employers 11:32 – Psychological safety: definition and origin 13:50 – Generational differences in workplace mental health 16:42 – Stop guessing: using employment input and data 19:15 – Hidden struggles of employees 21:10 – Having a plan around leave 23:34 – AI and technology anxiety 27:05 – Individual mental health strategies 31:18 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →Worker Classification Alert, Labor and Immigration Impact, AI and Yelp Bookings
4w ago00:11:41Tap to summarizeThe pro-business aura of the current administration shouldn’t lull owners into a sense of invincibility, says Gene Marks, as he cites a major ruling by the Department of Labor against a restaurant in Oregon. Fines at the federal and state level can be financially devastating, plus misclassifying workers is a black eye on one’s reputation. The immigration crackdown hasn’t shorted the labor market nor has it produced wage gains. In AI news, Gene points to the AI tools being used by Yelp to increase bookings and Google Maps, urging businesses to lean into AI for insights for B2C businesses. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 01:04 – Worker Classification Scrutiny 04:17 – Impacts of Immigration Crackdown 07:16 – Yelp’s Use of AI Tools for Bookings 10:25 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Worker classification: https://bit.ly/exempt-vs-nonexempt Small business and AI: https://bit.ly/ai-and-small-biz DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →Optimism and Pause from Banks and Manufacturing, Google Lauds AI Ad Tools
Apr 2300:09:29Tap to summarizeWith banks making money and reporting solid consumer spending and stable credit while several manufacturing reports indicate renewed momentum in the industry, there is a positive glow on the U.S. economy. However, host Gene Marks says that as much as this news is good, there is a growing voice around risk associated with energy prices, inflation, and credit balances, not to mention tariffs and unpredictable policy shifts that could bring it all to a halt. In AI news, Google touts its AI ad tools as a way for its customers to improve sales and help campaigns but others are wary. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:18 – Bank Earnings and Economy 02:34 – Manufacturing Optimism 06:07 – Google Says AI Ad Tools Boost Sales 08:22 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →Gen Z Using AI for Polywork, Cyber Crime Losses Spike, Copilot’s AI Oops
Apr 1600:09:47Tap to summarizeArtificial intelligence is working for and against Gen Z, hindering their first job searches while also enabling them to manage workloads as they engage in polywork. Gene Marks looks at the latest trend of the new generation of workers, as well as what this eventually could mean for the labor market. In other news, cybercrime is costly – nearly $22 billion in losses in 2025, according to an FBI report. Gene suggests training and other precautionary steps for businesses. Plus, a Microsoft mea culpa. Its Copilot AI terms of service state it is not reliable and should not be used for important decisions, but the tech giant claimed those were out of date. Do your due diligence. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:18 – Gen Z, AI, and Polywork 02:28 – Cyber Crime Financial Costs 05:55 – Microsoft’s Copilot “mistake” 08:35 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Cybersecurity Plan: https://bit.ly/cybersecurity-plan DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →What Your Org Chart Reveals About the Health of Your Business: OrgChart CEO Tom McCarty
Apr 1400:23:34Tap to summarizeThink org charts are just boxes and lines? Think again. Gene Marks sits down with OrgChart CEO Tom McCarty to explore how a living, data-connected org chart can transform workforce planning, boost company valuation, support AI-readiness, and give employees a clear path forward. From 30-person shops to enterprise teams, this conversation will make you rethink how you manage your most valuable asset. Simplify your business operations: Visit paychex.com/MeetPaychex to learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts. Check out OrgChart and more trusted partners in the Paychex Marketplace: https://bit.ly/41uO9zk Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include: 00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction 01:18 – Why org charts matter beyond spreadsheets 03:48 – Org charts as career paths and transparency tools 05:16 – Succession planning, exits, and M&A 07:08 – Org charts as the foundation for HR 10:01 – What OrgChart does 14:07 – Why not just use ChatGPT for org charts? 17:30 – Using your org chart for strategic decisions 21:24 – OrgChart pricing, wrap up, and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartSummit #ApplePodcasts #SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →Selectivity Cools Job Market, ADA Lawsuits Increase, Trust in AI Accuracy Wanes
Apr 900:09:10Tap to summarizeJob growth and wage growth have cooled, according to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch and even Homebase, but the overarching theme is that small businesses continue to be resilient in an ever-changing landscape. Gene Marks points out that businesses are being more selective when hiring and cutting costs rather than jobs. In other news, lawsuits around accessibility – mainly concerning websites – under the Americans with Disabilities Act have risen 37%, and Gene offers some tips for owners. Businesses continue to adopt artificial intelligence at a rapid rate, but among users there is a diminished trust in the accuracy of AI’s output. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:49 – Jobs and Wages 03:00 – ADA Accessibility Lawsuits 05:20 – AI Accuracy and Trust 07:55 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Meet Paychex: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Paychex Small Business Employment Watch: https://bit.ly/paychex-sbew DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.
Transcribe →