November 22, 2019
Published by 
Stephanie Ramsey on November 22, 2019
Stephanie Ramsey on November 22, 2019HR Case Study #16 Scenario: Rossi Funeral Service is a single location business owned by Adrian Rossi serving 250 families a year. The business employs more than twenty-five full-time and part-time employees. Currently, they have several full-time licensed funeral directors who are all male and one female apprentice, Janice. Adrian is very pleased with Janice and sings her praises. Recently a post was made on social media that was ultimately identified as belonging to Janice. Although Janice did not identify who she worked for, she provided many details about her work situation. While she claimed she was working her dream job, she complained that she was paid a low hourly wage. Further, she stated that she was required to work most of the removals both day and night, meet with families, and handle family services more than the licensed funeral […]
November 20, 2019
Published by 
Dan Isard on November 20, 2019
Dan Isard on November 20, 2019Promoting service fees, not merchandise, is the only way to survive as a business. You are reading my second submission for this month’s column because the first was rejected by my editor. And, like any good pouting 8th-grader, I have begrudgingly taken his rejection and done as admonished. The editor wrote me after reading my first draft: “Daniel Mark Isard, you go back to your desk and complete this assignment right now!” The original article, I admit, was the shortest I’d ever written. My editor didn’t like that; he said he felt I didn’t explain myself thoroughly. Of the more than 500 articles and thousands of words I’ve written for this profession, this was the first I wrote that was just five words (an average article is between 1,200 and 2,000 words). I thought I had given quality advice in […]
October 2, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on October 2, 2019
Dan Isard on October 2, 2019Long time industry expert re-joins former company Daniel Isard, managing partner of The Foresight Companies is proud to announce that Curtis Rostad has rejoined Foresight. “My relationship with Curt has spanned three decades. I believe Curt is a true professional that understands funeral service from every angle,” Isard said. “Curt has taught me so much about what it is like to live and work in a funeral home. I am grateful that he is coming out of retirement to work with us,” Isard added. “Returning to The Foresight Companies, I’m excited to see a company that has not only expanded in size, but also in the scope of services it provides to its clients. I’m looking forward to working with Dan and Doug in helping clients be successful, compliant, and more profitable in the future.” Rostad said. Curt was an […]
September 25, 2019
Published by Dan Isard on September 25, 2019
Dan Isard on September 25, 2019Planning to retire is one thing. Planning to retire and be financially independent is quite another. A commentary By Daniel M. Isard I find it fascinating that this study covers such serious topics, but I have to wonder whether respondents are taking them as seriously as they should. Its keystone statement, in my opinion, is “[to determine] how well members are prepared for retirement.” But a response rate of 7.6%? That is just ridiculous! Everyone plans to retire. Of all the people we bury or cremate, 80% die after age 65. Therefore, we should all be aware of it, we should all be concerned with it, and we should all be investing our money and time to play the odds that we will indeed be “among the numbers” of this great majority who die after retirement. Actually, the results of […]