THRIVE, a Paychex Business Podcast

How do you protect your business when scams no longer look like... well, scams? Cybersecurity expert Iskander Sanchez-Rola of Gen breaks down the threats small businesses should watch heading into 2027. You’ll learn why AI has put every small business on scammers’ radar, how deepfakes can be built from a single photo, and why your security plan shouldn’t depend on employees catching every fake. Plus, Iskander shares quick takes on VPNs, password managers, multi-factor authentication, and keeping remote workers secure. Is your business covered if a cyber attack hits? Watch our on-demand webinar to find out: go.paychex.com/cyber Simplify your business operations. Learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include:00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction01:07 – Meet Iskander Sanchez-Rola03:06 – How modern scams target businesses05:57 – Detecting AI-driven scam communications07:10 – How scammers imitate voices and videos11:46 – Ransomware trends14:24 – Multichannel attacks: email, calls, and texts19:36 – Managed service providers security limits21:33 – VPNs, MFA, and password managers27:39 – Keeping remote workers secure29:03 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips#SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER:The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

It’s Cybersecurity Month, and the data around fraud and scams resulting from a lack of proper protection is mind-numbing: $20.8 billion in losses, including $3 billion in losses to business email compromise in 2025. Host Gene Marks says AI is making it harder with voice deepfakes on the phone. He encourages constant training of staff and multiple internal checkpoints. Also, the Fed meets twice more and has hinted at an interest rate hike, while a survey reveals that more than three-quarters of managers use AI to prepare an employee performance review, but only 16% of employees said they were aware the tech was used, leaving employers with a transparency issue. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 01:03 – Cybersecurity Stats and Tips 04:35 – The Fed and Interest Rates 07:34 – AI Use in Performance Reviews 10:25 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Cybersecurity webinar: https://bit.ly/cyber-insurance-web Prepare for year-end: https://bit.ly/ye-checklist DISCLAIMER:The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Employers are holding on to their workforce and working them longer hours, according to the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch data from September, all while inflation continues to outpace wages. Host Gene Marks poses a few questions for employers on what to do amid an economy that keeps sending mixed messages: increased growth, persistent inflation, and businesses expressing lower confidence than a year ago while 62% express optimism about revenue growth in 2027. In AI news, a partnership with OpenAI and the Small Business Development Council extends training on practical uses for AI while expanding resources and networking, including playbooks and access. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 00:31 – Paychex Year-End Payroll Checklist Promo 01:09 – Small Business Employment Snapshot (Paychex Report) 02:31 – Commentary: Wages vs. Inflation & Affordability 03:41 – Consumer Spending Implications 04:08 – Wall Street Journal / Commerce Dept. Data: Growth & Inflation 06:34 – Hiring Plans & Employee Benefits Snapshot 08:00 – AI News: SBDC–OpenAI Partnership Overview 10:05 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources Paychex Small Business Employment Watch: https://bit.ly/paychex-sbew Prepare for year-end: https://bit.ly/ye-checklist DISCLAIMER:The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

Buying or selling a business takes more than finding the right match. It takes good timing, realistic expectations, and a clear read on the market. Host Gene Marks talks with Bob House, president of BizBuySell.com, about where things stand today. You'll hear which businesses buyers want most, how private equity and search funds are reshaping the buyer pool, and why the seller financing gap can make or break a sale. Bob also shares what catches owners off guard at sale time and why preparation is the best move on either side of the deal. Simplify your business operations. Learn how Paychex can handle your HR and payroll so you can focus on what counts: https://bit.ly/3VtM6bs Have a topic idea? Share it at https://payx.me/thrivetopics Topics include:00:00 – Episode preview and guest introduction01:26 – How BuyBizSell works05:18 – The latest market report and the slow-rolling silver tsunami08:20 – Higher interest rates and the seller financing gap09:40 – Private equity, search funds, and who’s buying11:13 – Small business sentiment and rising costs15:11 – Hot sectors17:04 – Buying a business vs. starting from scratch19:24 – Where ESOPs fit in20:14 – What surprises owners when it’s time to sell22:31 – How businesses are valued26:05 – Bob’s top advice for buyers and sellers28:29 – Wrap up and thank you #BusinessPodcast #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #iHeartRadio #ApplePodcastTips#SpotifyPodcasts DISCLAIMER:The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.

With mortgage rates surpassing 7%, it’s created a ripple effect within the housing market for buyers, sellers, and even the industries that are directly tied to housing such as bankers, builders, and insurance professionals. Host Gene Marks says it’s not time to panic but it’s time to plan and budget and be strategic. Switching to retirement, there should be a little panic, especially after a report came out that shows 76.2 million U.S. workers lack access to an employer-sponsored workplace retirement plan. Learn what Gene has to say about the benefits for owners and workers if a 401(k) plan is in place. In AI news, the tech struggled with a finance test as only 43% got answers right. Listen to the podcast. Topics: 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Mortgage Rates Reshape Housing Market 05:03 – Retirement Gap Starts with Plan Access 08:45 – AI Failing on Financial Advice 11:30 – Episode Wrap-up Additional Resources HR Metrics Cheat Sheet: https://bit.ly/hr-metrics-formulas Does your state mandate workplace retirement plans? https://bit.ly/retirement-plan-access Learn about Paychex Retirement Services: https://bit.ly/payx-retirement DISCLAIMER:The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.