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Five Ways to Grow in Any Market

These are difficult times… but “Best Practice” businesses continue to thrive in any market economy. What are their secrets? Here are easy five ways to get your entity back on the path of growth. 1. Strengthen your value proposition. Make it stronger and promote it. These days people can buy anything anywhere but only a local professional can offer people highly personalized, consultative service. 2. Never offer one product or service; sell packages. Customers expert advice. 3. Increase your lists of prospects. Sources of new business prospects: your existing clients, previous clients and third party claimants. S 4. Seek referrals… Read More »Five Ways to Grow in Any Market

Seven Benefits of Non-Compete Agreements

Small and midsize businesses can more effectively protect their trade secrets and customer relationships by requiring employees to enter into non-compete agreements. 1. Non-Compete agreement can enhance the value of your company 2. With non compete clause you can qualify for trade secret protection 3. Non-compete agreements do protect your customer relationships and enhance your clients’ confidence 4. Require all training employees to sign the non-compete agreement to protect your investment 5. Make sure you clarify expectations with employees 6. With a non-compete agreement signed you prepare the rules of a potential litigation 7. Although hard to prosecute, your competitors… Read More »Seven Benefits of Non-Compete Agreements

Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

When working outdoors in hot weather, workers who do not take precautions can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures and Inadequate fluid replacement. Heat stroke is the most severe of heat-related problems. It is potentially life threatening because the body’s normal mechanisms for dealing with heat stress, such as sweating and temperature control are lost. The following are the symptoms of these diseases and the steps needed to help the victim. Heat Exhaustion Symptoms: The first signs of heat exhaustion are dizziness, weakness, headache, blurred vision, nausea, and staggering.… Read More »Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Hurricane Shelter Plan

The creation of new public faculties across Florida has contributed to a significant increase in the number of storm shelter spaces, according to a plan approved this. The Division of Emergency Management presented its updated statewide crisis plan to the cabinet at a meeting held at a Florida Keys elementary school. A combination of hurricane shelter surveys, retrofitting existing schools and building new schools to meet shelter design criteria has created more than 939,000 public shelter spaces over the last 12 years, emergency management officials said. More than half of those spaces were created through the construction of new public… Read More »Hurricane Shelter Plan

Moving Scams in Texas

Texas officials say that illegal moving companies are operating statewide, putting consumers at risk for losing their belongings or paying a ransom for getting them back. To operate legally, a moving company must display a valid TxDMV or United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) license number on the truck. Movers should never be hired from free Internet advertising sites. In March, the Houston Police Department arrested two men suspected of using hostage tactics in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin. The pair ran an unlicensed moving operation that promised cheap moves, but held customers’ household goods hostage, demanding hundreds of… Read More »Moving Scams in Texas

Good Laptop Ergonomics

You see them everywhere carrying their laptops. They are businesses’ “Road Warriors” with offices-on-the-go.  These offices on-the-go are allowing people to work all hours of the day and night. And from anywhere: their company; their homes; libraries; at customer sites; while traveling in planes, cars, trains, and buses; and even while taking in some sun on the beach! Laptops are increasingly becoming the equipment-of-choice for employees on the go. Improving Comfort when Using Laptops The main feature that makes laptops the equipment-of-choice is their compactness. While standard desktop computer units consist of three basic and separate components – the keyboard, the screen, and the… Read More »Good Laptop Ergonomics

Tax Time Tips

With taxes due soon and the IRS’ deadline looming, many consumers are scrambling to get their taxes filed in time. Scammers are also busy this time of year so it’s important to remain vigilant in the practices you use when filing. There are many email scams circulating. These emails, known as phishing, involve the scammers impersonating the IRS or a financial institution in order to gain the victim’s sensitive personal information. Keep these tips in mind as you square up with Uncle Sam this year: Any unsolicited email purporting to be from the IRS is likely a scam. If you… Read More »Tax Time Tips

Risk Transfer: Managing 3rd Party Relationships

Introduction: Case Scenarios – A painter’s scaffold collapses resulting in severe injury to the painter and a pedestrian. The painter had no insurance. The building owner is held liable for all losses. – A cabinet installer puts a long screw into a wall. It punctures a water pipe causing water damage. The installer’s insurance policy was not renewed. The homeowner’s insurance company sues and recovers the damages from the cabinet retailer who recommended the installer. – A small motor manufacturer, to get the business of a big new customer, agrees to sign a contract which the customer requires of all… Read More »Risk Transfer: Managing 3rd Party Relationships

Most Cargo Theft Risk Countries

Mexico, Brazil and South Africa are most at risk for cargo theft, FreightWatch International (USA) Inc. said Monday in a report. Total cargo thefts in Mexico increased 13% in 2011, with more than 10,000 hijackings occurring on roads and highways reaching an estimated value of losses of $9 billion, according to the Austin, Texas-based logistics security agency. 21% of all theft incidents targeted the food and drink industry. The overall average loss value per theft incident increased 23%, to $189,510 from $154,000, during the 2010-2011 reporting period. Paperless Advise: your ocean marine and inland marine cargo insurance policy will provide… Read More »Most Cargo Theft Risk Countries

Small Business Smartphone Use Policy

Employers who allow use of smartphones for business have approximately a 30% higher risk of being victims of identity theft and about 60% of smartphone users do not password protect their devices. It is vital that the sensitive data often stored on these tiny devices is protected: PASSWORD: The most important way to ensure that your mobile device is secure is to password protect it, and to keep track of where it is at all times. REMOTE LOCKING: Download features that provide remote locking of the device, and allow data to be erased from the hard drive. These services vary depending on… Read More »Small Business Smartphone Use Policy