Dive Bole (at podium), Corporate and Real Estate Attorney with Pessin Katz Law. P.A. (PK Law) moderates the Biz Net + Learning Opp event held recently at the firm's Towson office. Presentations were given by (left to right) Justin Sandridge, Murphy Business Sales; David Burkhouse, PK Law; Jennifer Grossman, Mayer & Steinberg; Kristy Bayus, PK Law and (not pictured) Susan Bishop, Unlocked Box. Following a networking session, each speaker was given five minutes to make a presentation about their specialty topic. Additional networking followed. Highlights of the presentations included:

Danielle Jones-Ellington, La Qunita Inn & Suites; Sumair Abro, InnerGauge; David Pessin, PK Law; Nicole Ames; PK Law and Sandy Gurchik, Cummings & Co. Realtors

Justin Sandridge, Murphy Business Sales

“When selling your business, it is important to start the process at least three years prior. To maximize the value of the company, eliminate the payments to family members that are being paid to perform services that can be accomplished by others; keep annual revenues high; reduce business perks or expenses that may not be completely business-related and don’t get complacent with running your business.”

Steve Norris, Financial Fitness; Ellen Platt, The Option Group; Caleb Jackson, Moschel Capital and Kimberly Battaglia, PK Law

Jennifer Grossman, Mayer & Steinberg

“Businesses need to understand their risks associated with sexual harassment in the workplace, which is particularly prevalent in the restaurant industry. This can take the form of unwanted touches to the body between two employees, which is described as first party; or an in appropriate conversation with a customer, resulting in them feeling violated or verbally attacked which is considered third party coverage.”

David Burkhouse, PK Law

“The State of Maryland recently passed legislation that requires the disclosure of sexual harassment in the workplace, a law that takes effect on October 1. Companies with fifty of more employees will be required to report and describe any harassment claims to the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, which becomes public record. It is significantly easier to avoid these cases than to settle them.”

David Pessin, PK Law; Mary Ellen Morrison, Nordstrom; Angel Reichheim, M&T Bank and Kristy Bayus, PK Law

Kristy Bayus, PK Law

“It is important to consider your digital assets in the estate planning process. This includes your physical devices including computers and electronic devices, in addition to data and photographs stored on these devices and in the cloud. Items to take into consideration include the listing and safe storage of all digital accounts including banking, shopping and reoccurring payments, as well as the associated passwords.”

Diva Bole, PK Law; Dennis Gilbert, Progressive Commercial Finance and David Burkhouse, PK Law

Susan Bishop, Unlocked Box

“How can a company or individual differentiate themselves from competitors? It starts with a strong brand. A brand is not a logo or look but rather the perception other people have of the entity. Taking charge of that perception requires developing a strong brand platform that includes your Brand Purpose, Position, Promise, Essence, Values, Value Proposition and Personality. Employees, particularly younger ones, gravitate to companies that stand for something and strive to make a difference. This is why Brand Purpose (the reason your company exists beyond selling products/services) is so critical today. Additionally, research from CEB shows that today’s buyers are 57% through their decision-making process by the time they contact you. So having that underlying foundation of a strong brand platform to guide the development of your website will greatly increase your chances ofending up in the mix because you’ve already differentiated yourself from competitors by communicating deeper meaning and value – simply imperative in today’s world of commoditization."

Pessin Katz Law, P.A. (PK Law) is the ninth largest law firm in the Baltimore area and has been serving clients for thirty years. PK Law maintains full-service offices in Towson, Columbia, and Bel Air and is comprised of more than 50 lawyers. Practice areas include corporate and business law, real estate and zoning, education law, estate planning, elder law, labor and employment, litigation, insurance law and medical malpractice defense. For additional information, visit www.PKLaw.com