An Android phone, Gmail, and 500-plus followers on Twitter. That doesn’t sound like the typical description of an HVAC contractor, but it sums up Rob Benefiel in a nutshell. In an earlier era, Benefiel, owner of Certified Comfort Heating and Cooling, would not have been able to start and run his business the way he does today.

It is no surprise that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is not a fan of medical marijuana, which has been legalized in 15 states and the District of Columbia. According to the DEA, the campaign to allow marijuana to be used as medicine is a maneuver in a strategy to legalize all drugs. But thousands can now use marijuana legally in order to treat various maladies.

For many employers, properly calculating overtime can feel like an unending process. Factoring in break times can be complicated. Employees who may seem exempt from overtime may actually be entitled to it under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unfortunately, miscalculating overtime can be costly for companies in terms of fines and lawsuits.

Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has always required employers to walk a fine line. The guidelines aren’t always clear, every disability and particular situation involve a unique set of factors, and the laws are constantly developing. Many are still trying to sort out the implications of the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA).

It may be hard to believe, but Apple launched its iPad less than a year ago. Since then, its popularity has soared. As the iPad has taken the world by storm, it has also made its way into the HVAC industry. Read this article to learn how a contractor and a distributor are pioneering the use of the iPad as a key tool in their businesses.

Gas prices across the nation have been on a steep upward trend, and the end of price hikes is not yet in sight. From mid-February to the first week in March, national average gas prices rose $0.33. By the middle of March, AAA reported that the national average price for a gallon of regular gas was approximately $3.553 and diesel was $3.93.

It’s a story that’s playing out across the country - cash-strapped governments are scrambling to balance their budgets while hamstrung by the contracts of current and retired public union workers. Without the ability to renegotiate contracts or get concessions from unions, governments are left to increase their tax rates and cut services.

Consumers are on social media - are you? Social media is an important part of your marketing plan. You can start conversations, answer questions, share testimonials, and deal directly with customer service issues.

There are 168 hours in a week. How do you use them? There are 1,440 minutes in a day. How do you use them? Most people waste endless minutes and hours without ever realizing they are doing that. Are you keeping track of your time and using it with purpose?

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is predicting continued recovery for 2011. So is Ben Bernanke, chairman of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, and so are many of the contractors with whom The NEWS discussed 2011 predictions late last year. These contractors offer economic and industry predictions, as well as business tips for first quarter 2011.