In5Minutes Podcast: Introducing Intelligent Audit – Helping your clients get control of their shipping expenses

GreyStone Power Corporation, a vital part of its Georgia community for nearly 90 years, has a clear mission: “Making Life Better.” This philosophy guides every aspect of their work, from serving over 132,000 customers to fostering a workplace culture prioritizing employee well-being. Known for its exceptional employee retention—nearly half the national average turnover rate—GreyStone Power’s commitment to its workforce is unparalleled. Competitive benefits, including 100% employer-paid medical and dental premiums, reflect their dedication to supporting their employees as much as their community. “Having one company that hosts our system and supports all the companion products is invaluable. Net at Work ensures everything works seamlessly together, and there’s never any finger-pointing —just solutions.” But behind this success is a commitment to modern HR practices and technology. With more than 300 employees and plans for continued growth, GreyStone Power turned to Net at Work to build a robust HR technology stack that could keep pace with their needs while streamlining operations. Energizing Success When Rita Wilson joined GreyStone Power as HR Manager, she saw an opportunity to transform the HR department into a proactive, strategic force. She partnered with Net at Work to implement Sage HRMS, hosted on the Cloud at Work platform, along with companion tools like Sage Alerts & Workflows, training and recruiting solutions, and HR Analytics. “These tools have allowed us to stay ahead of our responsibilities and focus on what matters most—our people,” Wilson explains. “Net at Work introduced solutions that eliminated manual touchpoints and kept tasks moving.” Using Sage Alerts & Workflows, GreyStone Power has automated notifications for key compliance tasks, like I-9 recertifications, DOT physicals, and employee milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries. This automation frees up valuable time for the HR team and ensures nothing slips through the cracks. Real-Time Insights Drive Informed Decisions HR Analytics has become an essential tool for GreyStone Power’s leadership, providing real-time reports on workforce diversity, retirement eligibility, and succession planning. These insights empower managers and executives to make informed decisions, ensuring the organization is prepared for the future. “Our analytics tools allow us to see the big picture while staying on top of the details,” says Wilson. “It’s a proactive approach that keeps us aligned with our goals.” This integration of technology and strategy has made a significant impact, allowing GreyStone Power to maintain a lean HR team of just five full-time employees while managing hundreds of staff members and planning for growth. A Partnership that Delivers Hosting Sage HRMS on the Cloud at Work platform has further enhanced GreyStone Power’s efficiency by reducing IT workload and ensuring secure, reliable access to their systems. “Having one company that hosts our system and supports all the companion products is invaluable,” Wilson notes. “Net at Work ensures everything works seamlessly together, and there’s never any finger-pointing—just solutions.” Together, Net at Work and GreyStone Power form a true power couple, seamlessly blending technology and service to empower employees and drive operational excellence. Wilson praises Net at Work’s responsiveness and deep expertise. “Their team constantly asks how they can make things easier for us. They’re more than a vendor; they’re a partner we can trust to support our goals.” Empowering People, Driving Growth With Net at Work’s support, GreyStone Power’s HR team has built a foundation that aligns with the company’s mission of “Making Life Better.” From automating workflows to providing real-time data insights, the solutions they’ve implemented ensure GreyStone Power is prepared to adapt and grow without compromising its commitment to employees. “Our employees are the face of the company,” Wilson concludes. “When we take care of them, they’re empowered to care for our customers. With Net at Work, we have the tools and support to keep delivering on our mission.” Download the full Net at Work success story to read more about GreyStone Power Company’s pathway to operational excellence.

We are excited to welcome Jeannie Huckstep and her team at Huckstep & Associates to Net at Work! Earlier today Net at Work announced the acquisition of Huckstep & Associates and the formal launch of the Net at Work Nonprofit Practice. Huckstep and Associates are leading providers of accounting, HR and software implementation services to nonprofit and governmental organizations, and a leading Sage Nonprofit (formerly Sage MIP) and Sage HRMS business partner. The Huckstep team brings unmatched expertise and understanding of the inner workings and needs of nonprofits and government agencies, and the right opportunity for Net at Work to establish a dedicated nonprofit practice. Jeannie will serve as Net at Work’s Nonprofit Practice Director, and with her team will remain headquartered in Springfield MO, with an office in Okemos, Michigan. For more details please access the News Release available here.  

Starting a new business in Mexico or expanding your U.S. business into Mexico is a hot topic right now. The benefits of doing business in Mexico include a lower cost of living, lower operational costs, participating in the 15th-ranked world economy, and being close to the center of trade for the Americas. But if you’re considering expanding or starting a business in this bustling Central American country, you should know ahead of time some of the challenges you may face. Establishing Yourself in a New Market While setting up a new business in Mexico can be complicated, it’s much harder in many other countries. According to the Doing Business 2019 report, Mexico received a score of 85.6 out of 100 for ease of starting a business compared to other countries. Before entering any new market, whether it’s domestic or international, a smart business owner will research the new market, their buyer persona, trading laws, customs, and more. Be sure to research all of the local building permits and business permits that apply, and go through the appropriate federal offices to submit applications, obtain certificates, and set up inspections. New Customs and Culture With any new business or market, it’s wise to not make assumptions about your buyers. Mexican buyers and business owners prefer close relationships with regular, direct communication. Do your research on popular channels of communication in order to nurture and develop these strong relationships, and be open to new customs that you should apply to your business practices. Paying Taxes Before starting a business in Mexico, you should research the tax laws, fees, and exclusions in place in both Mexico and the U.S. Whether you’re doing business in both countries or you’re a U.S. citizen only doing business in Mexico, you’ll have to understand Mexican tax management in addition to U.S. tax management. Reporting your income to government authorities in both countries is required by law, so it’s best to seek the advice of a professional tax authority so that you can report your finances accurately. Trading Currently, trade between Mexico and the U.S is protected under NAFTA, and as of 2019, Mexico is the biggest trading partner of the U.S. Businesses operating in Mexico with the hopes of trading with the U.S. will have to adapt to any regulation changes that may occur under the current U.S. leadership. A business that does trade between the two countries, or with other countries as well, must pay a number of fees. Therefore, it’s important to understand your trading costs before making any assumptions about your finances. As with any new venture, there are positives and negatives to doing business in Mexico. Business owners should weigh the pros and cons before jumping in. Though there are challenges to setting up a business in Mexico, they’re not insurmountable, and many small business owners are taking advantage of the booming market down south. Learn about localized versions of ERP business management software for Mexico that cover taxation requirements, local business practices and compliance reporting. The system Sage X3 ERP provides pre-configured parameters to ensure compliance with legal regulations and local accounting rules.