Setting Bolder Goals in 2020

Have a seat! Our world is SO rushed. Everything we do seems to be at a speed where there's little time for self-reflection. We seldom ask ourselves amidst all of our perceived obligations - "What do I want?" Take the time to pause, sit with yourself and come back to your center and regroup within yourself. What are the things you've always wanted to do? What dreams did you give up on too quickly? What goals did you set last year and not reach? What will ultimately make you the happiest?

Updates to Law in Illinois: 8 New Laws You Need To Know

Single-occupancy restrooms are now required to be marked as all gender and designated for single-use occupancy, family use, or assisted use. No gendered signs can be posted for these facilities. (Patch.com). We recommend designating at least one restroom in your facility as a gender-neutral restroom for the purpose of inclusivity. B: Non-Binary Gender. New laws allow those in the Queer community to designate their gender identity as "female", "male", or "non-binary" on their official identification. As an employer, it's important to recognize that non-binary people do exist, and do work. Consider introducing a training on gender and orientation sensitivity and review pronouns and procedures that may currently be gendered.

Business, Business News, MarketTEIL Firms, LLCFebruary 27, 2020Business News, Business, Laws, Local Law, Illinois Law, Politics, Equity, Equality, LawComment

In The Year 2020 - A Lot Has Changed

If your contracts and policy manuals have not been updated, move it to the top right along with your fiscal year planning. If you are one of those companies where planning was done last year or years before for this new decade, congratulations, we are trying to keep up with you, but if you have not yet put those goals and ideas down on paper and discussed them with your department heads (which could be you and all your many hats) then let's get the ball moving.

We join the world in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

It's true that the world is in need of repair. Could Dr. King be proud of the state of our world? We think that he would be tremendously pleased to see the rapid rate at which the truth and information spread. We think he would be delighted to see how hard organizers and youth around the world are fighting for the tomorrow he-too believed in. We think he would be elated to know how the world is changing - that we have a deeper awareness of the ties that bind us, the things that divide us and that we are working to break them.

Opinion Pieces, PoliticsTEIL Firms, LLCFebruary 27, 2020Politics, History, Black History Month, Black HistoryComment

Looking to Expand Internationally? There's One Simple and Effective Way to Protect Your Mark ™️ Overseas

In your application, you are able to directly designate the countries in which you'd like your Trademark to be protected. You can designate any number of countries as long as they're a member of the Madrid System. The registration for international Trademarks will last for 10 years and all associated fees are paid to the WIPO.

Like any nearly "perfect" system - the System has its flaws - namely that all nations globally are not a member of the Madrid Agreement. The benefits far outweigh the disadvantages by far. Even in the event you wish to register in a country singularly that is not included- you're able to file one application for many other countries in bulk.

U.S. and India Exclusive Trade Partnership: A New Endeavor

The U.S. Ambassador to India - Harsh Shringla - released just yesterday (January 8, 2020) that the United States and India are in talks about an exclusive trade agreement. The agreement would grant business owners of both nations preferential market access. Shringla, the now-former ambassador is set to take on his role as India's next foreign secretary later on this month.

His comments state that there has been success in bridging the gap during the latest trade talks for new trade packages. The current conversations are setting a stage for a much bigger bilateral trade agreement.

Coronavirus: What You Need To Know

It causes flu symptoms - and passengers on planes could expect to be temperature tested upon entry and being quarantined if the traveler displays symptoms. The CDC urges people having recently traveled to Wuhan in the past two weeks to seek medical care immediately in the event of fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing though the symptoms should present most prominently and most quickly in older adults or in anyone with underlying health conditions as they may be at greater risk and only if they’ve come into contact with someone who recently returned from China (in the last two weeks)

Trump Impeachment: TRIAL (Fun Facts)

The impeachment process for Donald J. Trump began on September 24th of 2019. Today - January 23rd - we’re just getting into the Trial portion of impeachment. Among the discoveries in American households when impeachment began was that it doesn’t *actually* mean an automatic unseating of the president. In-fact, in the other rare circumstances of Presidential impeachment, the President has been acquitted.

U.S.-China Deal: Predictions Coming True

January 15th, the United States and China signed a Phase 1 Deal, but a lot of people are concerned about what it will mean for international traders in both countries. According to the National Law Review, the existing Tariffs for goods on List 4A would be reduced from 15% to a mere 7.5% by Valentine’s Day.

China, too, has imposed some tariffs - but there is no information thus far on exactly when this will happen - though it is said to be a necessity.

China's Impact on the Global Economy

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the world has stayed attached to their mobile devices and computers, waiting for updates in real-time on the growing epidemic that many fear could become a global pandemic that makes the SARS outbreak of 2003 appear tame. The world was frankly - not prepared for a global pandemic, and speculation is flying on what it could mean…

Looking For Some Extra Cashflow?

Business, Business Structure, Market, Opinion Pieces, Online BusinessTEIL Firms, LLCFebruary 27, 2020Business News, Business, Side HustleComment

Africa's New Trade Deal

What the AfCFTA has the ability to do is putting systems in place to reduce the trade issues in intra-African trade. These larger integrated markets could make outside investment more prevalent and it could lead to new tech and new learning.

As with all international trade - tariffs play a large role, and though trade within African borders is low, revenue from tariff collection is essential to governments, and to protect domestic industry through limitation of import competition…

International Business, Market, AfricaTEIL Firms, LLCFebruary 27, 2020Africa, African Trade, Trade, AfCFTA, TariffComment

Happy Black History Month! Black Business Past, Present, & Future

TEIL will celebrate through highlights of significant events or change-makers in Black American History.

Defamation & Libel: What To Do

So, as you feared, the worst has happened. You've turned on your mobile device, and there it is - the slander or libel that you were hoping wouldn't arise from your latest brush with the media.

You're panicked and uncomfortable - and the timing could not be worse. The truth is, there's never a good time to receive news that you're under siege. Before you wave your white flag and feel defeated, here's some good advice to prepare you for any kind of public defamation.

Business, Defamation, Business NewsTEIL Firms, LLCDecember 23, 2019Christmas, Days of Christmas, Defamation, Image, Slander, Libel, What To DoComment

End Of Year Reviews

Business News, BusinessTEIL Firms, LLCDecember 20, 2019End-Of-Year, Review, Business, Business NewsComment

Closing The Wage Gap: What Businesses Should Know About Governor Pritzker's New Law Aimed At Gender Equity

This new law means for employees seeking to earn a fair wage in proportion to their worth and earning potential - they'll earn what they're worth - not just a few dollars up from their last role. Many employees, namely women, are held down under what is commonly known as the "wage gap".

Diversity & Inclusion...What Does It Mean Practically?

Women, Business Structure, Business, Business News, Opinion PiecesTEIL Firms, LLCSeptember 24, 2019D&I, diversity and inclusion, inclusion, descrimination, workplace ethics, ethics, workplace descrimination, Diversity, Inclusion, Corporate, Corporate Structure, Corporate CultureComment

Claim for 2.3 Million? What New Licensing Laws Could Mean for Musicians

There is absolutely no contest that if Perry was inspired by the ditty she should have contacted Flame in regards to a sampling credit - but this case threatens the already shaky ground that music licensing laws stand on in that it was won on the grounds that those four notes - in that order and rhythm exclusively belonged to Flame.

Litigation, Valuation, LicensingTEIL Firms, LLCSeptember 17, 2019Licensing, Music Licensing, Legal Dispute, Intellectual Property, Music, Copyrights, CopyrightComment

Trademark Changes Are Coming: Here's How You Can Weigh-In

Branding, International Business, BusinessTEIL Firms, LLCAugust 30, 2019USPTO, Trademark, Intellectual Property, New Business, Business News, Branding, Brand, Business, United StatesComment

Trademarks, Copyrights, or Patents?

Patents and Copyrights live for a certain number of years, and you have to renew them. They can actually be in effect for the life of the product/service/company. Your registration does require filing and fees paid at regular intervals to ensure it stays in effect forever.

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