3M is a company that truly innovates: It invented sandpaper in 1904, masking tape in 1925, transparent tape in 1930, electrical tape in 1945, surgical drapes in 1950, and synthetic running tracks in 1963. And what is cool about 3M is that it gives its employees the room to do just that. 3M has a policy that allows everyone in the company to pursue what they call "15 percent time projects." That is, everyone at 3M is allowed to use 15 percent of their time to follow their muse and innovate.

Whether operating a small retail shop on Main Street or running an Internet business from home, every small businesses owner faces the same challenges when it comes to paying taxes and staying abreast of the latest federal tax information.

Freddie Mac, the taxpayer-owned mortgage giant, has placed multibillion-dollar bets that pay off if homeowners stay trapped in expensive mortgages with interest rates well above current rates. The trades give Freddie a powerful incentive to do the opposite of its charter — to make home loans more accessible — highlighting a conflict of interest at the heart of the company.

New home sales in 2011 were the worst on record for U.S. home builders, dampening optimism that the housing market was poised for an immediate comeback. The Commerce Department said recently that sales fell 2.2 percent in December, falling to annualized rate of 307,000 home sales, the lowest since 1963.

Struggling homeowners are set to get more help from the federal government as the Obama administration extends its key foreclosure prevention plan for a year. The administration also will expand those eligible for the program to include investors and will increase incentives for large banks to modify more troubled mortgages.

A soft economy prompted some homeowners to take a new look at their existing footprint. Even as housing-market conditions turn a little brighter, many homeowners still opt to stay put and update their current quarters instead of selling at lower prices.

What are the hot trends for bathrooms this year? And why should you care? If you're planning a remodel, building a new home or creating a bath addition in 2012, you'll want to take advantage of new features that enhance your enjoyment and functionality, while also potentially increasing your home's value.

We would like to thank those attendees who completed the follow up survey. Each year we gain terrific insights from attendees on what they liked and what they felt could be improved, and we incorporate these ideas into the planning for the next InspectionWorld. For those who were unable to attend, we offer two opportunities to still be a part of the conference — conference photos and conference education sessions. We invite you to review the collection of photo highlights on the InspectionWorld website, and very soon we will be adding many of the session recordings to the ASHI e-Learning Catalog — we will let you know when these are available.

New Plans Offered by Aflac and for Long Term Care Insurance from Mutual of Omaha Now that we have made available two new member benefit programs, we invite all ASHI members to check into these programs — and into all the member benefit programs that you will find on the ASHI Endorsed Vendor page. Aflac — Supplemental Health Insurance Products Aflac is insurance for daily living. It pays cash benefits directly to you, unless assigned, to help with daily expenses when you're sick or hurt. The benefits are predetermined and paid regardless of any other insurance you may have. Aflac is affordable, with a range of products that fit most budgets. Aflac processes claims quickly — usually within four days. Norris Pacholick Benefit Advisors (NPBA) — Long Term Care Insurance Program offered through Mutual of Omaha Planning ahead for future health care issues is something many people do not think about — but how would you handle this? People think Medicare will provide coverage, it does not. Do you want to have choice and financial independence? Do you want to avoid burdening family and friends with your care? Do you want to have access to quality care? Do you want to preserve the wealth you've worked so hard for over your lifetime? Long-term care insurance helps you achieve these goals. Norris Pacholick Benefit Advisors specializes in long term care insurance provided by the best insurance carriers available. And they deliver free consulting and education. Click here to link to NPBA's website.

Consumer confidence is expected to rise in January, extending the gains of the previous two months amid signs of an improving economy. Economists surveyed by FactSet expect The Conference Board to report that its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 68 from 64.5 in December. That would be the highest level since February 2011, when it reached 72.

Consumer spending stalled in December as Americans took advantage of a jump in incomes to restore depleted savings, indicating households remain focused on repairing finances. Purchases were little changed after rising 0.1 percent the prior month, Commerce Department figures showed.