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Lowering the Risk of Sexual Harassment in Your Organization

UPDATE 08/30/2022: As of today we offer abuse and molestation coverage to all professions and services. Follow the link and answer only 2 questions to receive your accurate premium indication: Get Instant Abuse Insurance Indication Now

Lowering the Risk of Sexual Harassment in Your OrganizationAllegations of sexual harassment have made headlines across virtually all areas of society: churches, entertainment, politics, businesses, non-profits, sports, and education. In October 2017, the #metoo hashtag was used by more than 4.7 million people on Facebook during the first 24 hours to disclose stories of harassment and abuse. Time magazine even named “The Silence Breakers” as its 2017 Person of the Year, recognizing those who came forward with their stories to help spark a nationwide movement to break the silence. The movement has resulted in countless executives being fired, public figures disgraced, and even criminal charges.

While the details of the sexual harassment allegations being brought to light may vary, the extent of sexual harassment in the workplace is significant. In a November 2017 poll by Quinnipiac University, 60% of women reported they had experienced sexual harassment, with 69% of those incidents taking place at work. Men have also been victims, with 17% of sexual harassment claims filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) coming from men.

Four Steps to Reduce Risk
How can an organization lower the risk of sexual harassment in their workplace? PHLY recommends taking the following steps:Read More »Lowering the Risk of Sexual Harassment in Your Organization

6 Questions to Ask Before You Buy into the Next Big Tech Thing for Your Small Business

Next Big Tech Thing

In the small tech world, it seems like there’s always some software, hardware, service, or gadget that is claiming to be The Next Big Thing. You know the kind of technology that promises to revolutionize your business and the world. The problem is, it can be hard to figure out early on if The Next Big Thing is the real deal (think: iPhone), or just unmerited hype (think: Google Glass).

It can be especially hard for a small business owner to decide if it’s worth spending money on the new technology. So, how do you distinguish the hype from the truth? We’ve collected six key questions you can ask yourself the next time you hear about The Next Big Thing and find yourself wanting to hop aboard.

1. “What Will the ROI Be?”

As a small business, you need every dollar you spend to provide a return on your investment. You don’t have the cash flow of a Fortune 500 company to gamble on investments that might not pan out. When The Next Big Thing’s (let’s shorten that to from now on) hype machine is hard at work, you’ll hear a lot of vague promises and marketing speak about what it can do for your business. Ignore it. Do your own homework and ask questions. Speak to those who have tried it. Try it yourself. Make projections. Consult your accountant. Before you spend anything, make sure you know exactly how TNBT is going to make your money back and how soon.Read More »6 Questions to Ask Before You Buy into the Next Big Tech Thing for Your Small Business

How product liability claims are handled

In this 1 min 54 sec video licensed USA – California attorney and insurance agent Diana Motseniat will will review the how product liability insurance claims are handled. Get started with your product liability insurance here. [tvideo type=”youtube” clip_id=”dG2AlZMx8uE”]

Customizing Product Liability Insurance Policy

In this 2 min 15 sec video a licensed attorney and insurance broker Diana Motseniat will provide an overview of the available customization options of product liability insurance policy. Get started with your product liability insurance here. [tvideo type=”youtube” clip_id=”wFPtJCFyMzA”]

25 Best Businesses to Start Right Now

25 Best Businesses to Start Right NowStarting your own business requires a giant leap of faith, and the type of business you open could mean the difference between a dream deferred and a thriving business of your own. Forget the fancy degrees and bank loans — you can now start a profit-generating venture with a WiFi connection and a little seed money.

While launching a new business of your own is risky and requires long hours and sacrifice, you can soon be reaping the benefits of being your own boss and perhaps making more money than in your former 9 to 5. Depending on the economic climate and current trends, certain industries and types of businesses may prove more successful than the 10 worst businesses to start right now.

(Download our free eBook: Opportunity Knocks: How to Find and Pursue a Business Idea That’s Right for You)

Here are 25 small business ideas you can start right now. While they span industries, audiences, and financing, they’re all within reach for someone who’s determined to climb out of their cubicle.

1. Mobile Food Business

Forget the Golden Arches, we’re in the Golden Age of the Food Truck! All across the U.S., families and the hungry lunchtime crowd are flocking to food trucks for fresh, affordable local eats and the fast, convenient dining experience. Born out of a slow economy in the late aughts, when people were hard-pressed for time (longer hours, fewer breaks) and looking for a quick, cheap bite, the mobile-food concept is now more appealing than ever.

Market size has skyrocketed from $615 million in 2012 to $2.7 billion in 2017 — solidifying mobile dining as the fastest growing segment in the food industry. Startup costs are a fraction of opening a restaurant, so if you have a knack for whipping up delicious eats and a desire to keep on trucking, consider meals on wheels as your next venture.Read More »25 Best Businesses to Start Right Now

Stressed? Not Sleeping? Here’s What Science Says About Sleep and How Much You Need to Be a Productive Small Business Owner

Be a Productive Small Business OwnerRunning a small business can be demanding, and you’ve probably found yourself working late into the night on more than one occasion or unable to sleep due to the stresses of the day. Naturally, this can erode your ability to be a small business owner.

If so, you’re not alone. More than one-third of American adults are sleep-deprived.

But to give each day their best, adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Getting less than the required amount of sleep can affect your health, your mood and your brain’s ability to function—and the longer you go without the sleep you need, the more the harmful effects compound.

So it pays to make sleep a priority every night of the week, even if you need to cut back on your work time to do so. Here’s what science has to say about sleep, why you should make it a priority and how to make sure you get the ZZZs you need.Read More »Stressed? Not Sleeping? Here’s What Science Says About Sleep and How Much You Need to Be a Productive Small Business Owner

Difference Between General and Professional Liability

The terms general and professional liability insurance are often confused. General liability helps cover the costs of damages and lawsuits if your business is held responsible for things like property damage, bodily injury, libel, and slander against another. Professional liability helps cover the costs related to claims your business committed errors or omissions in the advice or services it provided. It’s more important than ever to know how to protect your business from a lawsuit. According to the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, in 2008 (the most recent data available), small businesses paid out more than $105 billion in tort liability costs. Unfortunately, small… Read More »Difference Between General and Professional Liability

Summer Camps: Preventing Potential Claims

Summer Camps: Preventing Potential ClaimsAs warmer weather begins to hit many areas of the country, many people look to spend more time outdoors, enjoying nature at camps. Whether a camp operator provides lodges and cabins for guests, or campsites for tents, there are common risks for these operators to be aware of and has recommendations for preventing potential claims this camping season.

From a recent three-year review of camp operators, Philadelphia Insurance Company found high severity liability claims predominantly fell into one of four categories:

  • Falls from heights – camp guests falling from trees, towers, roofs, climbing walls, etc.
  • Playground and challenge course injuries – camp guests being injured while playing on recreational equipment, such as playground equipment, jumping pillows and pads, and swings
  • Aquatic losses – injuries and drownings from diving, swimming, boating, or other water activities
  • Trees and tree limbs falling onto campers

Read More »Summer Camps: Preventing Potential Claims

How to Conduct Reference Check Before Hiring New Employee

Before you sign a contract with a third-party logistics provider or even with a new cleaning service, you probably ask for some case studies, read reviews online, or at least check their BBB rating. Even when choosing a lunch spot for that important meeting with your soon-to-be big account, you would tap Yelp to see how many stars it has and read a review or two. Same approach is needed to reference check before hiring anew employee.

Any time you hire a new employee, you gain an opportunity and a risk. They could end up being your best team member, making a huge difference at your company… or they could be a bad hire that costs you time, money, and morale. Before you take the leap and extend an offer, asking the right reference check questions can help you make an educated decision. Follow this formula:

 

[process_steps type=”horizontal” size=”small” number=”5″] [process_step title=”get context” icon=”address-book”] [/process_step] [process_step title=”verify facts” icon=”drivers-license”] [/process_step] [process_step title=”give context” icon=”newspaper-o”] [/process_step] [process_step title=”uncover red flags” icon=”flag” icon_color=”#ff003f”] [/process_step] [process_step title=”assess fit” icon=”universal-access”] [/process_step] [/process_steps]

Gain Context and Verify Facts: Questions to Ask References First

Let’s say you’re about to hire Jane, but you’re wise and decide to call her references before extending an offer. After exchanging greetings with the reference and explaining why you’re calling, start with the following introductory questions to gain valuable context:

  • How do you know Jane?
  • In what capacity did you work with Jane?
  • How long did you work with Jane?

These questions should help you determine how heavily to weigh each reference’s answers in your hiring decision. Once you understand the person’s relationship to Jane, you can decide whether it makes sense to ask them to verify these important facts: dates of employment, job title(s), responsibilities, why Jane left (if applicable), and if Jane is eligible for rehire at that employer.

The aim here is to ensure that Jane has been truthful, but don’t just stop there. Head to the next section to uncover whether her references’ perceptions of Jane line up with her own ideas about her performance, strengths, and weaknesses.

[icon style=”lightbulb” color=”yellow”]Pro Tip: [/icon] Depending on the circumstances, and the reference’s relationship to your candidate, they may not have all the answers you need. If none of your candidate’s references can verify facts such as tenure and job responsibilities, you can usually call past employers’ main lines or HR departments to do so.

Assess Aptitude, Skills, and Fit: Five Types of Reference Check Questions

You can make a more informed hiring decision by asking the five types of reference check questions below. Insights from people who have worked with Jane can help you decide whether to hire her, better understand how to manage her, and plan for her first months on the job. Listen not only for red flags, but also for valuable nuggets on how to play to her strengths and plan for her weaknesses.

1. Offer Context (question 1)

Before you jump in, give the person some context about what you’re looking for by asking them the following question. This will set them up to answer the rest of your questions with a full understanding of what you need:

  • I’m considering Jane for [job title]. She’d be responsible for [responsibilities]. Do you think she could perform well in this role, and why or why not?

Read More »How to Conduct Reference Check Before Hiring New Employee