Gene MarksWhat I DoGene Marks is the founder and president of the Marks Group, a small-business consulting firm based in Bala Cynwyd.How Philadelphia-area businesses pay their salespeople — and keep them motivated | Expert OpinionLocal employers shared how they compensate salespeople to incentivize great performance. Gene Marks Nov. 3, 2026Link copied to clipboardWant to use AI for your business? Philly-area experts lend their tips. | Expert OpinionLeaders of Chop Dawg, Tashman Tech, and Curotec share advice for small businesses about how to implement AI.Gene Marks Oct. 13, 2026Link copied to clipboardWhen an employee requests a religious accommodation, here’s what employers should doWhen an employee asks for specific needs related to their religion, recent federal guidance provides a helpful framework, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Sept. 24, 2026Link copied to clipboardPermanent paid family leave is a boon for employees and employers | Expert opinionSmall businesses can get help from the federal government to bring this policy to their employees. Gene Marks Aug. 25, 2026Link copied to clipboardEmployers are grappling with their cannabis policies | Expert opinionAs cannabis becomes more widely used and legally allowed in more places, employers are adjusting their drug policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 4, 2026Link copied to clipboardSelling your business? Consider these two strategies to defer or reduce your taxes | Expert OpinionAn annuity can spread your income over time, and a donor-advised fund allows for a tax deduction, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 15, 2026Link copied to clipboardNeed a lawyer for your small business? These Penn clinics offer legal help for free | Expert opinionTwo programs offered by Penn Carey Law aim to help small businesses that create positive social and economic impact in Philadelphia communities.Gene Marks June 23, 2026Link copied to clipboardPhiladelphia’s new menopause protections take effect Jan. 1. Here’s how employers can prepare. | Expert OpinionSmall businesses generally are not exempt from the new requirements under Philadelphia's Fair Practice Ordinance.Gene Marks Oct. 27, 2026Link copied to clipboardWhen does an employee’s commute become paid work time? | Expert OpinionHybrid work arrangements have created more questions around what travel counts as work time, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Oct. 6, 2026Link copied to clipboardHow Philly-area businesses use employee bonuses to reward performanceCompanies like Chickie's & Pete's and Werner Bus Lines use extra pay to incentivize employees to help the business do well, Gene Marks writes. Gene Marks Sept. 15, 2026Link copied to clipboardICE workplace enforcement is increasing. Here’s what Philadelphia employers should do | Expert OpinionLocal immigration attorneys shared advice with Gene Marks about how to prepare for increased ICE enforcement at businesses.Gene Marks Aug. 19, 2026Link copied to clipboardThe Small Business Administration is offering new grants and up to $10 million in financingThe SBA is providing more financial resources, particularly grants, guarantees, and loans for a variety of business uses.Gene Marks July 28, 2026Link copied to clipboardMain Street is doing better than the headlines suggest | Expert OpinionDespite tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and other challenges, small businesses are doing pretty well this year, and many are expanding, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 7, 2026Link copied to clipboardHiring foreign workers has become more difficult. These options still exist. | Expert OpinionHiring an immigrant worker can be a long process, but it's not impossible, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 17, 2026Link copied to clipboardAhead of the midterms, Philly business owners report growth alongside financial pressure | Expert OpinionIncreased operating expenses and customers' own cost-cutting have created challenges for local business owners, who've found ways to be flexible and resilient.Gene Marks Oct. 20, 2026Link copied to clipboardPenn and Community College of Philadelphia launch an academy for West Philadelphia businessesThe program, aimed at businesses with a connection to West Philadelphia, is tuition-free and helps business owners make plans to grow.Gene Marks Sept. 29, 2026Link copied to clipboardNo tax on tips is here. What employers need to know for 2026 | Expert OpinionThe new deduction raises a lot of questions for employers and their staff. Gene Marks explains the finer points.Gene Marks Sept. 2, 2026Link copied to clipboardHow local contractors and construction companies are leaning into AI | Expert opinionThroughout an entire project, AI tools can help with accuracy and efficiency, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 11, 2026Link copied to clipboardPhiladelphia offers forgivable $50,000 loans to help small businesses expand | Expert OpinionPhiladelphia's Boost Your Business program provides funding and other resources for selected companies each year.Gene Marks July 21, 2026Link copied to clipboardGoogle Workspace can save small-biz owners time and money. Here’s how. | Expert opinionMost users are only scratching the surface of the powerful tool's capabilities, writes small-business expert Gene Marks. Gene Marks June 30, 2026Link copied to clipboardSee more stories
How Philadelphia-area businesses pay their salespeople — and keep them motivated | Expert OpinionLocal employers shared how they compensate salespeople to incentivize great performance. Gene Marks Nov. 3, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How Philadelphia-area businesses pay their salespeople — and keep them motivated | Expert OpinionLocal employers shared how they compensate salespeople to incentivize great performance. Gene Marks Nov. 3, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Want to use AI for your business? Philly-area experts lend their tips. | Expert OpinionLeaders of Chop Dawg, Tashman Tech, and Curotec share advice for small businesses about how to implement AI.Gene Marks Oct. 13, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Want to use AI for your business? Philly-area experts lend their tips. | Expert OpinionLeaders of Chop Dawg, Tashman Tech, and Curotec share advice for small businesses about how to implement AI.Gene Marks Oct. 13, 2026Link copied to clipboard
When an employee requests a religious accommodation, here’s what employers should doWhen an employee asks for specific needs related to their religion, recent federal guidance provides a helpful framework, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Sept. 24, 2026Link copied to clipboard
When an employee requests a religious accommodation, here’s what employers should doWhen an employee asks for specific needs related to their religion, recent federal guidance provides a helpful framework, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Sept. 24, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Permanent paid family leave is a boon for employees and employers | Expert opinionSmall businesses can get help from the federal government to bring this policy to their employees. Gene Marks Aug. 25, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Permanent paid family leave is a boon for employees and employers | Expert opinionSmall businesses can get help from the federal government to bring this policy to their employees. Gene Marks Aug. 25, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Employers are grappling with their cannabis policies | Expert opinionAs cannabis becomes more widely used and legally allowed in more places, employers are adjusting their drug policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 4, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Employers are grappling with their cannabis policies | Expert opinionAs cannabis becomes more widely used and legally allowed in more places, employers are adjusting their drug policies, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 4, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Selling your business? Consider these two strategies to defer or reduce your taxes | Expert OpinionAn annuity can spread your income over time, and a donor-advised fund allows for a tax deduction, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 15, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Selling your business? Consider these two strategies to defer or reduce your taxes | Expert OpinionAn annuity can spread your income over time, and a donor-advised fund allows for a tax deduction, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 15, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Need a lawyer for your small business? These Penn clinics offer legal help for free | Expert opinionTwo programs offered by Penn Carey Law aim to help small businesses that create positive social and economic impact in Philadelphia communities.Gene Marks June 23, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Need a lawyer for your small business? These Penn clinics offer legal help for free | Expert opinionTwo programs offered by Penn Carey Law aim to help small businesses that create positive social and economic impact in Philadelphia communities.Gene Marks June 23, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia’s new menopause protections take effect Jan. 1. Here’s how employers can prepare. | Expert OpinionSmall businesses generally are not exempt from the new requirements under Philadelphia's Fair Practice Ordinance.Gene Marks Oct. 27, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia’s new menopause protections take effect Jan. 1. Here’s how employers can prepare. | Expert OpinionSmall businesses generally are not exempt from the new requirements under Philadelphia's Fair Practice Ordinance.Gene Marks Oct. 27, 2026Link copied to clipboard
When does an employee’s commute become paid work time? | Expert OpinionHybrid work arrangements have created more questions around what travel counts as work time, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Oct. 6, 2026Link copied to clipboard
When does an employee’s commute become paid work time? | Expert OpinionHybrid work arrangements have created more questions around what travel counts as work time, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Oct. 6, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How Philly-area businesses use employee bonuses to reward performanceCompanies like Chickie's & Pete's and Werner Bus Lines use extra pay to incentivize employees to help the business do well, Gene Marks writes. Gene Marks Sept. 15, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How Philly-area businesses use employee bonuses to reward performanceCompanies like Chickie's & Pete's and Werner Bus Lines use extra pay to incentivize employees to help the business do well, Gene Marks writes. Gene Marks Sept. 15, 2026Link copied to clipboard
ICE workplace enforcement is increasing. Here’s what Philadelphia employers should do | Expert OpinionLocal immigration attorneys shared advice with Gene Marks about how to prepare for increased ICE enforcement at businesses.Gene Marks Aug. 19, 2026Link copied to clipboard
ICE workplace enforcement is increasing. Here’s what Philadelphia employers should do | Expert OpinionLocal immigration attorneys shared advice with Gene Marks about how to prepare for increased ICE enforcement at businesses.Gene Marks Aug. 19, 2026Link copied to clipboard
The Small Business Administration is offering new grants and up to $10 million in financingThe SBA is providing more financial resources, particularly grants, guarantees, and loans for a variety of business uses.Gene Marks July 28, 2026Link copied to clipboard
The Small Business Administration is offering new grants and up to $10 million in financingThe SBA is providing more financial resources, particularly grants, guarantees, and loans for a variety of business uses.Gene Marks July 28, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Main Street is doing better than the headlines suggest | Expert OpinionDespite tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and other challenges, small businesses are doing pretty well this year, and many are expanding, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 7, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Main Street is doing better than the headlines suggest | Expert OpinionDespite tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and other challenges, small businesses are doing pretty well this year, and many are expanding, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks July 7, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Hiring foreign workers has become more difficult. These options still exist. | Expert OpinionHiring an immigrant worker can be a long process, but it's not impossible, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 17, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Hiring foreign workers has become more difficult. These options still exist. | Expert OpinionHiring an immigrant worker can be a long process, but it's not impossible, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks June 17, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Ahead of the midterms, Philly business owners report growth alongside financial pressure | Expert OpinionIncreased operating expenses and customers' own cost-cutting have created challenges for local business owners, who've found ways to be flexible and resilient.Gene Marks Oct. 20, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Ahead of the midterms, Philly business owners report growth alongside financial pressure | Expert OpinionIncreased operating expenses and customers' own cost-cutting have created challenges for local business owners, who've found ways to be flexible and resilient.Gene Marks Oct. 20, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Penn and Community College of Philadelphia launch an academy for West Philadelphia businessesThe program, aimed at businesses with a connection to West Philadelphia, is tuition-free and helps business owners make plans to grow.Gene Marks Sept. 29, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Penn and Community College of Philadelphia launch an academy for West Philadelphia businessesThe program, aimed at businesses with a connection to West Philadelphia, is tuition-free and helps business owners make plans to grow.Gene Marks Sept. 29, 2026Link copied to clipboard
No tax on tips is here. What employers need to know for 2026 | Expert OpinionThe new deduction raises a lot of questions for employers and their staff. Gene Marks explains the finer points.Gene Marks Sept. 2, 2026Link copied to clipboard
No tax on tips is here. What employers need to know for 2026 | Expert OpinionThe new deduction raises a lot of questions for employers and their staff. Gene Marks explains the finer points.Gene Marks Sept. 2, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How local contractors and construction companies are leaning into AI | Expert opinionThroughout an entire project, AI tools can help with accuracy and efficiency, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 11, 2026Link copied to clipboard
How local contractors and construction companies are leaning into AI | Expert opinionThroughout an entire project, AI tools can help with accuracy and efficiency, Gene Marks writes.Gene Marks Aug. 11, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia offers forgivable $50,000 loans to help small businesses expand | Expert OpinionPhiladelphia's Boost Your Business program provides funding and other resources for selected companies each year.Gene Marks July 21, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Philadelphia offers forgivable $50,000 loans to help small businesses expand | Expert OpinionPhiladelphia's Boost Your Business program provides funding and other resources for selected companies each year.Gene Marks July 21, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Google Workspace can save small-biz owners time and money. Here’s how. | Expert opinionMost users are only scratching the surface of the powerful tool's capabilities, writes small-business expert Gene Marks. Gene Marks June 30, 2026Link copied to clipboard
Google Workspace can save small-biz owners time and money. Here’s how. | Expert opinionMost users are only scratching the surface of the powerful tool's capabilities, writes small-business expert Gene Marks. Gene Marks June 30, 2026Link copied to clipboard