The number of people using social media worldwide is staggering.  In the United Sates alone, three quarters of online adults use social media and for teens and millennials, that number is significantly higher according to the Pew Internet Project.  Not only is it impressive how many are logging on, but according to Business Insider, almost 20% of total time spent online in the United States is on social platforms. 

Social media has become a modern version of networking, referrals, knowledge sharing and purchasing power.   West Bend, as an organization, wants to be a part of the conversations going on about our company and you should too.  What if you’re a small business and/or don’t have someone dedicated to social media, what should you do? 

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We’ve all seen the claims – plumbing line cracks causing water damage, light fixture short circuits  causing electrical fire, and roof leaks causing internal damage.  While these are not always 100% preventable, oftentimes these claims result from older equipment malfunctioning or just breaking down over time.

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We hear it all the time and know it to be true: “Time is money.” This is great if you’ve mastered the discipline of time management, but otherwise, not so much. I think back to discussions I’ve had with agents about new business opportunities that were missed due to lack of time, or employees in service roles who expressed challenges in efficiency and effectiveness. I’ve also thought a lot about my own performance as a regional sales manager and how various professional and personal outcomes might have been different with better use of time.

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Checking Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) as part of your pre-employment process, where allowed by law, is an ideal way to identify candidates with unsafe driving records. 

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First impressions are important.  Time, effort and budget all go into finding the right person for the job.  And, once you do, keeping him/her is key.  No matter the size of your company, a smooth onboarding process will help your employees feel welcomed and poised for success.  Here are some simple ways your company can excel at onboarding.

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An important topic insurance companies and independent agents frequently talk about is having enough coverage for your business personal property.  If you have seasonal inventory changes or a peak sales time each year, you need to ensure your business personal property limit is adequate year round.   

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I saw an ad today for Black Friday deals.  Social media posts and TV commercials are counting down the days until the holidays.  Retailers have been planning for months for the holiday shopping season.  While it brings joy to many people, it can be challenging for retailers as payment fraud is on the rise. 

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It’s that time of year when sneezes and coughs fill the air.  I turned on my essential oil diffuser a few weeks ago as one way to combat falling ill.  Catching the flu or a cold is only one reason for absenteeism at work.  Other mental and physical ailments can affect your employees and your bottom line.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), productivity losses linked to absenteeism cost employers $225.8 billion annually in the United States, or $1,685 per employee. 

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Every employer would like to reduce the chances of Worker’s Compensation claims.  We all want employees to stay happy, healthy and injury-free.  Today, we are sharing real-life Worker’s Compensation claims from our insureds (employers) to show how pre-employment best practices may have prevented some claims.   

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 Iowa was affected by severe flooding last week and is continuing to clean up.  Can you imagine how a flood or other catastrophe would affect your life?  Your home or business could be under water. All of your focus would be on the cleanup and getting life back to normal.  What if your insurance premium was due during this time?  Can mail, email, or other communications even get to you?  You definitely need coverage and don’t want it to lapse or, worse yet, have it cancelled.    

 

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