business interruption

In many cases, the reasons for letting someone go are quite obvious and difficult for employers to ignore. This includes things that can be measured, like a decline in performance made clear by shrinking sales numbers and frequent absences. Then there are the ones that are witnessed or reported from other workers, such as poor team dynamics and low overall morale.
Continue Reading...

Business is a great way to supplement your income, pursue your passions, or build a foundation for a future full-time venture. However, it's important to be aware of the risks involved before you take the plunge.
Continue Reading...

Both business owners and employees have likely heard of OSHA, which stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a federal agency that sets and enforces safety regulations to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for employees.
Continue Reading...

No matter what part of the country you live in, summertime is when service industry businesses are in full swing. The nice weather brings people out, it's when many try to tackle home improvement projects, kids are out of school, and families tend to travel more it's an action-packed time of year.
Continue Reading...

Now that the tax deadline for 2022 has passed, as a business owner, you might be left thinking about ways to make it easier when the next one rolls around. Since many are busy enough actually running the business, it's easy to push the accounting work to the side, which is fine... until tax season approaches. By then, you have a mammoth job ahead of you.
Continue Reading...

As a business owner in North Carolina, you have the option of hiring contract or permanent employees – and many more businesses are using contract workers while sorting out the uncertainty in the economy. A contract employee is essentially a freelancer who has agreed to work for you for a mutually-agreed upon period of time, which may be extended if you see fit. A permanent employee has been hired with the understanding that he or she will go on working for you until a termination or a resignation. Both types of employees have their advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages of contract employees, however, are illusory.
Continue Reading...

Successful small businesses are often the result of the proverbial blood, sweat, and tears of the owner. They require no small measure of risk, sacrifice, and commitment. Long hours, unpredictability, increased responsibility, financial insecurity, and a host of other factors all make running a small business a challenging and taxing endeavor.
Continue Reading...

Over the last decade, there's been a shift in the workplace, one that prioritizes the health and happiness of employees. For large corporations, like Facebook and Google, that might include time allotted to working out each week in an on-site facility, and for most, it's meant a shift in work schedules from in-person office time to hybrid models. This new "business as usual" allows increased personal freedom and an improved work-life balance for many. However, for managers, it has necessitated an overhaul of procedures to ensure traditionally effective business standards are met.
Continue Reading...

There's no getting around the fact that many jobs require desk time, and for many people, that means eight-plus hours a day just sitting. In an ideal world, a life complete with regular yoga practice, chiropractic adjustments, strength training, constitutionals, ideal nutrition, and relaxing massages might be the obvious solution. But few can support such luxuries. Still, adjustments must be made to the sedentary necessities of the grind if it's to continue, well, grinding. Here are a few simple solutions to the desk debacle:
Continue Reading...

The appeal of freelance, contract work, and work-from-home careers is broad and deep, including the unlimited opportunity for financial growth, unfettered freedom, flexible schedules, the pursuit of personal goals, and the list goes on. And, while that's all as true as the day is long, so is the lack of structure and unmitigated personal accountability. For freelancers, time management is of the utmost importance. Without a strong commitment to making and keeping deadlines, responsibly managing workflow, and sticking to some sort of structured daily schedule, freelancing can spell personal and financial disaster.
Continue Reading...

The "Great Resignation" and labor shortages throughout 2021 made recruiting and retaining employees a challenge for businesses across the country. And, while 2022 remains an employee's market, there's room for hope. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' April 2022 jobs report showed that both the unemployment rate and participating labor force closely mirror pre-pandemic numbers, remaining steady at 3.6 percent and 62.2 percent, respectively.
Continue Reading...

An impending lawsuit is never good news. Not only are they costly, but, perhaps worse, they can permanently damage a company's reputation, an expense no business can easily afford during highly competitive consumer and employee markets like the current. While companies are sued for a range of reasons, there are a few recurring culprits that can be avoided with appropriate planning, clear communication, and due diligence.
Continue Reading...

When COVID-19 shut the entire world down two years ago, many wondered how businesses would pivot and persist. As closures and restrictions continued far beyond anyone's initial projections, it became obvious that "business as usual" was going to be anything but. And, while the transition to a remote model for schools and businesses throughout the world was an unprecedented shift with no real map for structure or outcomes, many made the adjustment with relative ease and found the remote model was not without benefit. Now, as the corporate world attempts a return to what was, it faces a number of concerns and considerations, not the least of which being a pool of employees that might rather remain remote.
Continue Reading...

Business travelers, and the travel managers who plan for them, have different concerns when it comes to addressing unexpected inconveniences. Corporate travel insurance policies can be a great fit for any business looking to mitigate expenses related to company travel, including non-refundable costs associated with emergency flight or hotel changes, necessary medical treatments for traveling employees, and equipment or property loss. While canceled flights, missed connections, baggage delays, and medical emergencies are difficult for any traveler, there are unique considerations for corporate travelers and specific provisions for the business travel insurance policies that cover them.
Continue Reading...

The New Year is a time to start fresh. And that doesn't have to only apply to your personal life. You can also take advantage of the energy and momentum around New Year's to make improvements to your company. If you want to take your business to the next level, here are five New Year's resolutions to commit to in 2022.
Continue Reading...

Whether you're a business owner, contractor, or employee, most likely you take job safetyand on-the-job injuriesseriously. But many people have incomplete or incorrect information about Workers Compensation Insurance, which is designed to support both employers and workers when an injury does occur. Take the time to read about some common misconceptions about Workers' Compensation Insurance, and set the record straight.
Continue Reading...

Extreme weather is becoming more and more common these days, but even run-of-the-mill heat, rain, or snow can ruin an event or make it very difficult to carry out certain business operations, like construction. And when you have put thousands of dollars into a multi-day festival, film shoot, wedding, outdoor sale, or any type of activity that can be negatively impacted by the weather, it can be devastating to have to cancel or postpone due to intense heat or a dangerous storm. Even worse, you might not be able to recoup your costs, unless you have weather insurance.
Continue Reading...

For a small business owner, having to let go of employees is never easy. When employees have become like friends or even family, it can be especially tough to make a decision to do what's right for your business. So how do you know when it's time to let people go, and how do you downsize in the most humane way possible? Here are some things you should consider before downsizing, and some tips for going through the process.
Continue Reading...

So your business is growing, and that's a great thing. But as you add employees, assets, services, or any other elements, your business operations naturally become more complex. In addition, as your business grows, different laws and regulations may start to apply. If you're at a point where it's getting hard to keep up with all the rules you're supposed to be following and monitor whether your employees are fulfilling their legal and ethical responsibilities, it might be time to look into hiring a compliance officer.
Continue Reading...

After a year of living through a global pandemic, many people's work lives look much, much different. While many of us are excited to get back to the office, others actually worry about returning to the demands of a nine to five schedule away from home. Employees and employers alike are wondering: is remote work here to stay?
Continue Reading...

As a small business owner, you want to keep your business, employees, and customers safe. Whether you're a new business owner or a veteran who just wants to make sure you're doing things right, here's a checklist of things you can do to promote a safe and healthy working environment.
Continue Reading...

Training employees can be costly and time-consuming. Even if you don't work in an industry with a high turnover rate, we now live in an era where many people switch careers multiple times in their lifetime, making it harder to find employees you can really nurture and invest in the long term. So how do you decide how much time, money, and energy to invest in training new employees? Consider these things to help you decide how to develop your workforce in a way that makes the most sense for your business.
Continue Reading...

If you're a small business owner, chances are the pandemic has been especially tough on you and your family. You may have had to change your business model, lay off employees or worse, close up shop indefinitely. But what about your employees? If you're a small business owner looking to support your staff through the pandemic, here's what you need to know.
Continue Reading...

In theory, as a small business owner, you hire some employees because of their skills and expertise, and others for their labor and ability to learn. But there's no getting around the fact that both types of staff will need at least some training, and both will benefit from clear expectations and guidance.
Continue Reading...

Working virtually has become the norm, but that doesn't mean it's gotten easier. Many of us are still struggling to be productive, take time for ourselves, help our kids with online school, and make sure our pets don't crash our work Zoom meetings. So how do you make the most of your day when there seem to be so many things working against you?
Continue Reading...

For small business owners, hiring and managing employees can be a rewarding but stressful part of the job. During uncertain times, maybe you need extra help but are thinking twice about committing to an official employee. So when should you hire, and when might an independent contractor or outsourcing company be a better fit? Here are some tips to guide that decision.
Continue Reading...

For business owners, operating during a pandemic is complicated to say the least. You want to do the right thing by your staff and customers, without losing the business you love. In many cases, there is a lot you can do to make patronizing and working at your business safer for everyone.
Continue Reading...

This fall, we're heading into an unknown future with the COVID-19 virus. While some schools are doing their best to re-open, other schools and some parents have decided it's best for kids to stay home, at least for now. As adults, we know how to social distance, wash our hands, and do whatever we can to minimize our risk of infection, but these practices are harder to enforce with kids and teens. Whether or not your kids are going back to school in the fall, here are some things you can do to keep them healthy.
Continue Reading...

So your business has grown enough that you have full time employees and want to start offering benefits, including paid time off. How do you craft a vacation policy that works for you, your business and employees? There's not a one-size-fits all solution, but here are some things to think about and tips for getting started.
Continue Reading...

Deciding to sell your small business is no small decision. Whether you're moving on to a new opportunity, shifting your professional focus, or just handing over the reins to an owner with fresh enthusiasm, it's always bittersweet to let go of something that you undoubtedly poured yourself into. Here are some things you can do to ease the transition and leave on a positive note:
Continue Reading...

Whether you use a single vehicle or an entire fleet for your business, keeping them running smoothly is critical to fulfilling your business goals. And if employees are using those vehicles, that adds in another layer of complexity. Here's what you need to know about how to keep your business vehicles well maintained, and keep your employees safe on the job while using them.
Continue Reading...

Although the idea for Inland Marine Insurance was inspired by Ocean Marine Insurance, which protects cargo and equipment while in transit on the ocean, it doesn't actually have anything to do with the sea. Inland Marine Insurance is a specialized coverage that can cover equipment, tools, project materials and other items while they are being transported on land, or while they are off your property. This type of insurance can benefit a wide variety of business and provide protection in some common situations that wouldn't normally be covered by insurance. So does your business need Inland Marine Insurance?
Continue Reading...

Continue Reading...

Owning a business means that you're responsible and often liable for the welfare of your staff and clients. Winter can bring extra hazards and increase the possibility of accidents and injury.
Continue Reading...

Some small business owners in North Carolina can hardly keep apace with the holiday rush; other businesses slow down to a near crawl during this time of the year. So how do you make the most of the season, regardless of which end of the spectrum you're on?
Continue Reading...

Most people assume that having replacement value property insurance means that even if something happens, they're in good shape. After all, replacement value should pay for a brand new version of whatever you lost, right? But when it comes to buildings, including homes, both new and old, this isn't always the case. If you're a property owner, it's important to know about ordinance or law coverage and how it applies to you. Failure to understand when and where ordinance and law coverage is necessary may mean that if your home or commercial building is damaged, you don't have the coverage you need.
Continue Reading...

Many companies are saving money by outsourcing instead of hiring in-house positions. How does outsourcing work and when does it make sense?
Continue Reading...

The term "catastrophe" brings to mind an event so disastrous, so "out there," that the odds of it happening to us are very, very low. Hail, wildfires, tornadoes, winter and tropical storms and man-made disasters like explosions can all qualify as catastrophic events. Yet none of these normal occurrences (depending on where you live) are covered by a standard home or business owner's insurance policy. Keep reading to find out whether catastrophe insurance makes sense for your home or business:
Continue Reading...

Hiring and training new employees is exhausting, time-consuming, and can cause your business to operate at a level below what's acceptable. So it makes sense to put energy into keeping great employees around.
Continue Reading...

Spring is just around the corner in North Carolina. With it will come melting ice and snow, rising waters, and an increased potential for serious water damage due to flooding. Most standard insurance policies do not cover flooding, and that includes business and commercial policies. So should you spend extra to protect your business from flooding? Here are some things you should consider.
Continue Reading...

When a natural disaster or major emergency strikes, it's a good possibility that many of those affected will be on the job. That's why it's important for business owners to have a well thought out emergency plan, and to take precautions that will keep employees safe should a crisis occur.
Continue Reading...

At school, home, and in the corporate workplace, taking the time to create an emergency preparedness plan is common; but for busy small business owners in North Carolina, this seemingly non-urgent task can easily take a backseat to more pressing concerns. However, by neglecting this task, your small businesses could be at greater risk of serious negative impacts.
Continue Reading...

Business Interruption Insurance (BII) is an often overlooked insurance coverage that protects against exposures to loss every bit is vital as fire or litigation.If your business is forced to close your risk is not limited to temporary loss of income, which can be devastating in and of itself.You also run the risk of losing customers who turn elsewhere for their product or service needs.You may have difficulty paying key suppliers during an income interruption causing further long term loss as those suppliers sever their business relationship with your company.
Continue Reading...

Twenty five percent of the businesses forced to close due to a disaster or emergency never reopen. Smaller businesses are especially vulnerable because they do not typically have the resources to cover continuing expenses if income is interrupted. A business can greatly reduce the chances of a disaster becoming a death sentence for you business by planning ahead. Here's what you need to have in place.
Continue Reading...