Here are this week’s links to a few good stories we found and selected. We feel they might add valuable insights and perspectives for small to midsize businesses.

The American sports junkie has plenty to pay attention to.

Beginning with the Super Bowl on February 4, followed by the Winter Olympics in Pyeong Chang, South Korea from February 9 to 25, and then March Madness from March 13 to April 2, there’s a lot going on—which means much sports attention will compete with workplace duties. This may well be a two-month period where American productivity takes a hit. In How Can Employers Compete with this Sporting Trifecta? The Super Bowl, Olympics, and March Madness Approach, Roger Grandgenett offers some suggestions employers may want to consider.

January job growth beat projections by about 50,000 jobs—and a good part of that growth came from the small business community.

According to Small Businesses Add 58,000 New Jobs, ADP Reports, businesses with 1-49 employees played a major role in the continuing trend of an improving economy. The report touches on some good news contributing to the trend. But, as always with a robust economy, inflation might become an issue, which could mean in increase in interest rates.

The cost of health insurance for the small business owner can be a challenge.

In 3 Ways Small Business Owners Can Save On Health Insurance, Chase Hunt speaks to the following:

  • Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)
  • Directing employees to health care exchanges
  • Wellness programs.

I would suggest a fourth: For many small businesses, partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) might make the most sense of all. Find out more about how PEOs benefit small businesses here.