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robintek

Jan 01
Love0

DESPERATE TIMES CREATE DESPERATE EMPLOYEES

By Your Employee Matters

At a recent HR presentation for CEOs, three of the 15 executives present reported that an employee had embezzled from them or engaged in other financially destructive activity during the past few months. We’re getting similar questions on Hotline calls from Members. Here’s the reality: If you don’t have significant checks and balances around your money, you’re conducting a social experiment and making your business easy prey for the desperate, greedy and villainous.

In one of these cases, a new HR director told the payroll company that she was given a substantial raise only days after joining the company, the payroll company never questioned it, and she made off with thousands of dollars. As the Russian proverb states, “Trust, but verify.”

Jan 01
Love0

HR WISDOM

By Your Employee Matters

In light of the discussion about change and enduring wisdom, here’s what I consider the wisdom available to HR managers:

  • Great HR practices generate a competitive advantage, whether you have five or 5,000 employees.
  • The “tipping point” in human resources is the hiring process, which has a greater impact on productivity, teamwork, constant improvement, profitability, and compliance than any other factor.
  • According to the HR That Works Cost Calculator, there’s at least a 10% cost or variance of payroll in your human resource practices. For example, if you have a $1 million payroll, your cost or variance is at least $100,000. You’ll need to bring in, at a minimum, $400,000 to put that $100,000 back to the bottom line.
  • The greatest risks in employment practices are uninsurable. Despite all the noise of the legal community, poor hires, high turnover, and lack of productivity left on the table every day have the greatest impact to the bottom line. Every company should cap its employment practices liabilities by purchasing Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI).
  • You need to find HR exciting to be any good at it — even if it’s only one of three hats you’re wearing.
Jan 01
Love0

EDITOR’S COLUMN: YESTERDAY’S OVER WITH, SO DON’T BE A DINOSAUR

By Your Employee Matters

The past is gone. Poof. No mas! The challenge is that most of us are deeply rooted in the past and find a great deal of comfort in it – whether it was good or bad. We hear ourselves saying to both loved ones and people in the workplace, “When I was young…”

It’s frightening to go through today’s rapid change. As Buckminister Fuller stated, we’re going through a period of “accelerating acceleration” in which things are happening faster and faster — at a faster rate. Today’s rate of change is generating a significant amount of dislocation, uncertainty, and fear — and that doesn’t feel good.

For the first time in generations, we’re looking to those younger than us for advice — primarily in technology. We’re living in a technological age. It’s not just about production and information, but how technology affects every aspect of our lives.

What are you or your company doing to drive past this fear of change? Have you set out to learn from younger workers? Have you invited them to educate and enlighten you on today’s technologies? Will you and your company embrace the need for this invitation or will lose out to competitors who do?

Change makes us uncertain about what we can contribute and how this contribution can create job security and personal growth. If we can’t do things the “old school” way, then what are we going to do? For example, many employees somehow feel affronted when their company decides to offshore everything, from data management to customer service. What’s left for us to do?

How do we drive past this fear? How do we choose not to play victim to the great change? Fundamentalist religion has blossomed worldwide as one answer. In a sense, we’ve decided to prohibit change. I’ve seen bosses and employees take a fundamentalist view about their work too, doing everything they can to block, sabotage, and resist change. The problem is that when we look backward hoping for a sense of security, we can turn into pillars of salt. Although we might not die physically, we’ve surrendered in our minds. Now all you have to look forward to is retirement — and it can’t come fast enough.

I remember speaking to a top executive at a billion-dollar organization about an opportunity in her business. Her entire conversation was about the lack of support she received from other corporate departments and the retirement she’s looking forward to with her husband. When I asked, “what’s your edge?” she didn’t have one. I can tell you that her department will be going in only one direction — and it’s not one that will please shareholders.

It’s very difficult to break up a relationship with another person, especially when this person is the “former me.” The past provides a false sense of strength in the familiar.

I was speaking with a 63-year-old human resource executive who was laid off from a major corporation and then hired by one of my business partners to help implement our program. This man called our customer support service because he didn’t know how to download and open a Word document. Two days later, he called me to ask a question he could have easily found the answer to on the HRThatWorks web site. When I began to try to show him where he could get the information, he cut me off and told me that he didn’t “like all this new technology” and wasn’t very interested in using it. He actually asked me if I could send him a three-ring binder with the materials from the web site!

The role of Wisdom within all of this change is to understand and communicate what is continuous or cyclical. For example, long-term investors warned novice dot-com and real estate investors about the rule that cuts across investing: “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.” If these novices listened to the wisdom of the Warren Buffets, they wouldn’t be in a financial mess today. We need to listen to the wisdom that things will always change. Then we have to project our will firmly into the future. We must be open and invite new ideas. We have only begun our life’s story — and many exciting chapters lie ahead.

Here are some steps you can take to reach this goal:

  1. Identify those things that you wish could have remained the same. You might wish there were no cell phones or electric cars, then recognize the past is over with, give it its proper funeral, and run like heck to embrace what has replaced it.
  2. Invite an Innovation and Wisdom Dialogue among your workforce. What timeless lessons and cutting-edge technologies can be shared? How can we allow the people in our organization whose strength is wisdom to utilize this ability? How do we empower those whose strength is technology to make full use of those abilities?
  3. Realize that if you don’t embrace change, you will — or should be — be let go. I’ve seen too many employers face paralysis in letting employees go because they were once productive in the old way of doing things.

We need to force the hand of change. You can create your own game plan for embracing change and moving forward, have your managers do it for you, or start planning an early and unfulfilling retirement. The choice is yours!

Jan 01
Love0

THE BEST SELF-EMPLOYMENT DISABILITY INSURANCE

By Life and Health

Self-employed individuals who work from home usually don’t think about purchasing Disability insurance. However, the few individuals who do consider it receive positive feedback about the idea from an insurance agent. Those who have researched this type of coverage usually find that policies are expensive. In addition to this, not all Disability insurance companies are willing to work with self-employed individuals. Many policies aren’t enough to replace regular income. There are a few important things to know in order to get the coverage needed at a good price.

How Much Insurance Is Needed? The purpose of Disability insurance is to replace regular income for a long period of time. The disability might last a few years. However, disability income might be needed until retirement age. Although disability policies for self-employed individuals rarely replace gross income, they can replace a considerable portion of it. To get a better idea of how much to aim for in a policy, consider how much is paid each year in taxes. That amount should be deducted from gross revenue and expenses. It’s best to find a policy that allows this amount of compensation. If there are licenses or other business expenses that must be paid to keep current in the event of a disability, it’s best to add a Business Operating Expenses policy to the LTD coverage. BOE policies are limited, so it’s important to speak with an agent to understand exactly what they cover.

How Much Coverage Costs. Disability coverage can be costly. In most cases, a good policy’s monthly premium is slightly more than 10% of gross monthly income. Keep in mind that smaller premiums mean less coverage. There are ways to save a little money without skimping on coverage. First, consider buying a policy for a set number of years instead of the full term between current and retirement age. Another way to lower costs is to extend the benefit waiting period. Settling for a smaller payout is another option. The most optimal option is to buy into a group policy. Individuals who belong to a professional organization should contact an agent or the organization to see if there are group policies offered. Agents might also know of other resources available to some individuals.

How Qualification Is Determined. Since a LTD policy replaces income, it’s important to prove income. To do this, copies of tax returns from the past five years are often required. Insurance agents might also make a home visit to analyze a work area. Their goal is to ensure that individuals are truly earning a living the way they say they are. If agents suspect that work performed at home is part-time or irregular, there may be issues with qualification. Obtaining the proper licenses for the type of work chosen is very beneficial. For example, an accountant should have the proper licenses for practicing accounting and running a business. Keeping the working area properly separated from the living area of the home also helps. Freelance workers and other independent workers who don’t have licenses face the biggest qualification challenges. Written contracts, proof of a steady income and tax returns are the best tools for such individuals to prove qualification.

The Most Important Policy Details. Be sure to ask an agent if the policy replaces income from all types of work or a only current profession. Some policies are set up to encourage workers who lose the ability to do one task to do another similar task. However, some policies pay disability benefits to a worker who can’t do their specific job anymore even if they qualify for a different type of job. This usually becomes an issue if the alternate job choice pays significantly less than the current position. If the disability policy pays more than an alternate form of work would, it’s best to keep the policy. Most policies have a waiting period between 60 and 90 days. Some waiting periods restart if an insured individual attempts to work during that time. Be sure to understand the terms of the policy thoroughly. Contact one of our agents with any questions.

Jan 01
Love0

PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION WITH SURVIVORSHIP LIFE INSURANCE

By Life and Health

Most people view Life insurance as merely a death benefit for their dependent children or surviving spouse. However, Life insurance, specifically a type called Second-To-Die or Survivorship insurance, can additionally be a very effective asset preservation tool for estates of all sizes.

This type of Life insurance covers two individuals (most often spouses) through a single Life insurance policy. The premium for Survivorship insurance is usually much less expensive than other Individual Life insurance policy options and the policy respects martial estate tax deductions that defer estate taxes until both insured spouses are deceased. The benefit will not be paid out until both individuals on the policy are deceased.

Survivorship Life insurance can be very beneficial in a number of estate transfer circumstances. Here are five scenarios where survivorships might be considered:

Avoiding Taxation Eating Away at Retirement Account Assets. Many are surprised to learn that the 401 (k), IRA, or other retirement account that they’re planning on leaving to their children, grandchildren, or other loved ones can be cut in half by the time all the applicable taxes are applied to the money. In order to avoid tapping into this money to pay these taxes, you may buy a survivorship policy equal to the estimated taxes on your retirement account assets. This way the survivorship policy negates the tax burden.

Ensuring Charitable Contributions Are Dollar-For-Dollar. Just as with retirement accounts, you may use a survivorship policy to ensure that your charitable donations to qualified non-profit organizations are received dollar-for-dollar upon your death. In the meantime, if you name the non-profit organization as the owner and beneficiary of the policy, then you’ll be able to deduct the survivorship policy premiums from your annual taxes.

Keeping Non-Liquid Assets Intact. You might have assets that aren’t liquid, such as a family business or real estate, and that your beneficiaries don’t want to sell to pay the estate taxes. The benefit from a survivorship policy can be used to pay the estate taxes and keep your non-liquid assets intact. The survivorship policy can also be useful in cases where you have multiple children or grandchildren, some of whom might not be interested in ownership of the involved real estate or business. Those interested in the asset(s) can use their portion of the Life insurance benefit to buyout the other involved parties.

Gaining Insurance for a Spouse with Poor Health. Your spouse might have been told he/she is uninsurable due to a poor health condition. A survivorship policy can generally be obtained so long as the other spouse is in relatively good health.

Caring for Children with Special Needs. Ensuring that your child with special needs is cared for after you and your spouse die is a daunting process to say the least. A survivorship policy is one cost-effective way that you can ensure your special needs child has a large death benefit to provide for their care once you and your spouse are deceased. This is usually done aside a special needs trust to ensure that the funds are properly managed and to retain the child’s ability to receive government funds like SSI.

In closing, for the survivorship policy to have the desired impact, it must be excluded from the estate of the insured parties. If you and your spouse have separate estates, then it must be excluded from both. Neither spouse can have ownership rights on the policy. You might choose to assign the rights of the policy to an adult child, setup a trust, or such. It’s best to consult with your estate lawyer to ensure the structure is congruent with your estate planning needs and goals.

Jan 01
Love0

SIX EASY STEPS TO PREVENT MEDICATION ERRORS

By Life and Health

Despite America having one of the best health care systems in the world, medical mistakes are still a reality. Medication-related errors are among the most frequently occurring preventable medical mistakes. A report by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies found that at least 1.5 million individuals are harmed each year as a result of medication errors in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or outpatient settings. Another study by the Agency for Health Research and Quality estimates that adverse drug reactions result in over 770,000 deaths and injuries per year and cost each hospital involved around $5.6 million dollars.

To say the least, the medication error statistics are shocking and disturbing for patients and consumers. However, there are some very simple things that you can do to help prevent finding yourself in a medication error situation. Play it safe with your medications by following these safety steps:

1. Keep a detailed list of all the medications you take. Write down the name and dosage of each medication you take, including vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and prescription medications. This list should be brought with you each time you go to a doctor, pharmacy, or hospital. You might keep the list in your purse or wallet so that you don’t forget to bring it. If you don’t make a list, at least collect all of your medications and bring them with you.

2. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about your drug allergies. Even if you have a long-standing relationship with your doctor and pharmacist, don’t forget to mention your known drug allergies when you’re prescribed a new medication. Also, check that new prescriptions are safe to use with all the medications you’re already taking.

3. Check your prescriptions for errors. Make sure that you’ve received the correct medication and strength each time you pick up new and refill prescriptions. Additionally, note if the refill’s packaging or the pill’s shape, size, or coloring has changed. Patients are often the first to notice a medication error. Do point out anything that seems amiss to your pharmacist before you take the medication.

4. Ask questions. You should take the time to ask your doctor and pharmacist questions about any new medication. You might want to take notes on what the doctor and pharmacist tell you about your medications, or bring someone else with you to help you keep track of the information. In any event, make sure to ask for clarification on any medical terminology that you don’t fully understand. If you can’t get clear answers on the medication, you aren’t comfortable with your provider, or he/she doesn’t take time to listen and address your concerns and questions, then it might be time to seek a different provider.

5. Know how to use the medication. Some medications come with specific instruction on how it should be taken – such as, with meals, with or without a particular fluid, avoiding the sun, not driving, not consuming alcohol, and so forth. Some medications must also be measured or taken multiple times per day. It might cause you to get the wrong dosage or lead to health issues if you don’t follow the instructions. If you have any doubt about how you should take, store, or use a medication, then you should always ask your pharmacist and doctor to clarify the instructions.

6. Know the side effects. The list of potential side effects that accompanies a new prescription more often than not gets a brief glance and then hits the trashcan. The side effects of a drug can range from bothersome irritations to life threatening medical emergencies and drug allergies. So, it’s vital that you know what the potential side effects are for all the medications you take by reading the list of side effects enclosed in your medication’s packaging -and- by asking your doctor and pharmacist what you might expect while taking the medication. Remember to stop taking the medication immediately and contact your health care provider if you develop signs of a drug allergy or serious side effect.

Considering that medication errors can have life and death consequences, these six simple safety steps shouldn’t be too difficult to follow.

Jan 01
Love0

DON’T LET DRIVING EMERGENCIES TAKE YOU BY SURPRISE

By Personal Perspective

There are two golden rules to remember when driving – expect the unexpected and be ready for anything. Many agencies, such as the National Safety Council, have compiled listings of the most common road emergencies and the ways that drivers can best handle them safely. Let’s look at six of them:

1. Blown Tire. Don’t over-steer, but do maintain a firm, steady grip on the wheel to keep the vehicle going in the desired direction until you’re able to slow it down. Keep in mind that a front blown tire will cause the vehicle to pull toward the blowout’s side, while a rear blown tire will cause the vehicle’s rear end to weave. Apply your brakes smoothly and slowly enough that you can pull the car to the side of the road at a safe speed. Never immediately swerve to the side of the road or jam on the brakes as you could lose control.

2. Blown / Malfunctioning Headlights. Slowly brake and come to a stop on the right shoulder. Try to get as far away from passing traffic as possible. Turn on your emergency flashers, if they’re still operational, and place road hazard markers or flares at least 300 feet from the rear of your vehicle. If you don’t have a cell phone to call for roadside assistance, then you can open the hood and try to scrape the battery cable’s lead terminal posts and the inside of connector lugs. This might provide a better connection and enough intermittent light to make it to a phone. As a last resort, you could use your emergency flashers as an intermittent light source if they’re on a separate circuit.

3. Skidding Vehicle. Remove your foot from the gas. Steer into the direction of the skid until you feel your rear wheels get traction again. Now, straighten the wheel. Never jam on the brakes or over-steer during the skid. To avoid skidding to one side when you need to come to a sudden stop, you can rapidly jam and immediately release the brakes. For those with anti-lock brakes, keep your foot on the brake and continue firm pressure while steering.

4. Engine Failure. Turn your right signal on and let the vehicle’s momentum carry you to the shoulder. If this isn’t a possibility, then remain in your lane or along the right side. Pump your brakes and turn your emergency flashers on to let other drivers know you’re in trouble. Once you’ve come to a stop, you’ll ideally exit the vehicle on the side without traffic flow. You can alert other vehicles by placing reflectors or flares; keeping your taillights on; and placing a white cloth around your handle, spoiler, or antenna. Use your cell phone to call for help or flag down a law officer. There might be an emergency call box on long bridges.

5. Stuck Accelerator. Turn off the ignition and apply the brakes. Keep in mind that your power assist feature will no longer work and braking and steering will be more difficult. Never lean down to handle the gas pedal, but you can try to lift the pedal with your toe if the pedal and throttle linkage have a positive connection. 6. Brake Failure. If your brakes still functioning properly, but you have a system light indicating a brake failure, then you should slowly take the most level route to a service station or mechanic shop.

If your brakes don’t feel normal, but are still offering some resistance, then pump them rapidly. This action could build enough hydraulic pressure to slow your vehicle down. You might be lucky enough to have a clear road and be able to coast to a stop or roll and apply your parking brake. Use your horn and flash your lights to alert pedestrians and other vehicles. You might need to carefully sideswipe hedges, snow banks, parked cars, and/or guardrails to help your vehicle stop if your on a downward, steep roadway. Never swerve to the left of a vehicle in your path unless it’s your only choice. If you’re headed straight for another vehicle, firmly press the brakes; head for a shoulder, ditch, or open ground on the right side; and try to alert others with your horn.

Driving emergencies are hard to think through as they’re happening. For the best outcome possible, you’ll need to know what the potential emergencies are, know how to safely deal with them ahead of time, and make the subjects part of your family’s safety discussions.

Jan 01
Love0

AVOID THE DAMAGE OF WINTER

By Personal Perspective

Many disasters caused by winter weather conditions can be prevented by taking a few simple steps. Although it’s hard to think about such things during warmer months, it’s important to be prepared when the colder weather arrives. It’s hard to predict the weather in the future. However, long periods of low temperatures frequently experienced throughout history have proven that it’s important to be prepared.

Regular Homeowners policies provide coverage for ice dams, burst pipes, loss from fires and wind damage from snow or ice. When snow melts, it can cause serious damage to a home. One of the most common causes of catastrophic loss is winter storms. Although wind and hail are the most common causes of insurance claims, freezing and water damage follow close behind. It’s important for homeowners to carefully review their insurance policies before winter arrives to understand what is covered. It’s crucial to have ample coverage for rebuilding a home and replacing all the belongings in it. It’s also helpful to consider purchasing sewer backup insurance.

There are several ways to prepare a home for winter and the damage it usually brings. Consider the following tips:

  • Clean out all gutters – It’s important to remove all sticks, leaves and debris. This helps the melting ice and snow flow smoothly. It also prevents ice collecting and forming a dam, which can result in water seeping into the house’s ceilings and walls.
  • Keep trees and branches trimmed – When branches hang over houses during the winter, they’re likely to accumulate snow and ice, which might make them break. Branches falling on homes can cause significant amounts of damage. They might also hurt people who enter the property.
  • Use gutter guards – These guards are useful for preventing interference of water flow from debris.
  • Seal cracks and holes – Caulk all holes and cracks to ensure that melted snow and wind can’t enter the home.
  • Keep steps and handrails safe – It’s important to ensure that steps and banisters are sturdy. If they accumulate snow or ice, they can contribute to serious injuries.
  • Use insulation liberally – Homeowners should add extra insulation to basements, attics and crawl spaces. When heat escapes through the roof, it contributes to ice and snow melting faster. As the moisture melts, re-freezes and accumulates, it can cause a roof to collapse.
  • Maintain a warm temperature – It’s best to keep the thermostat at 65 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing. The temperature in the walls is always colder than the temperature in the house.
  • Call the professionals – The heating system should be checked and serviced every year to prevent fires. It’s also important to ensure that smoke alarms are working. Carbon monoxide detectors are another valuable safety feature that should be placed in every home. In addition to this, homeowners should have a contractor evaluate the home for structural damage. It’s best to identify and repair minor problems before they become a disaster.
  • Be familiar with shutting off the water – Homeowners should know how to do this, and they should know where their pipes are located. When pipes freeze, it’s imperative to act quickly. When going away for an extended time, it’s best to have someone look after the home or have a service professional drain the system.
  • Add an emergency pressure release valve – By adding this to a current system, homeowners will have a system that is protected against increasing pressure from frozen pipes.
Jan 01
Love0

THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ANNUAL INSURANCE REVIEW

By Personal Perspective

Most people know the importance of insurance protection. You don’t want to be without it when problems strike. What many don’t realize, however, is that protecting themselves with insurance isn’t a once and done event. You don’t wear the same pants you did when you were five years old because, besides no longer being in style, they simply don’t fit. A Homeowners policy purchased when your house was furnished with bean bag chairs and bar stools is no longer going to “fit” once you’re lounging on Italian leather sofas while watching television on your wall mounted plasma screen. Life is constantly changing, and your insurance policies should reflect that.

Does this mean that I have to immediately call my insurance agent every time I buy a new piece of furniture or my cousin Gwen moves in for six months? Not necessarily. Although more significant changes should be reported immediately (such as getting married or getting a new car), items such as improving your home entertainment system or upgrading your car’s tape deck to an MP3 player, can be reported at your annual insurance review. Agents reach out to their clients because they want to make sure to check up on these changes and make help avoid any gaps in their clients insurance, however it’s equally important to for a policyholder to reach out to their agent to make sure they are covered. Schedule your own annual review, and call your agent as you get your annual renewal. If one agent handles all of your coverage, this task is relatively easy. Jot down any changes that have occurred over the last year, even if you’re not sure whether they are significant enough to mention. Doing so will ensure that all of your insurance policies are best suited to your current life situation.

Some examples of changes that should be mentioned to your agent immediately are listed below. Ask yourself these questions every year:

  • Have I gotten married or divorced?
  • Have I had a new baby, or adopted a child?
  • Is anyone in my house a new driver?
  • Is anyone living with me who wasn’t before?
  • Will they ever be driving any of my vehicles?
  • Do I have a personal umbrella policy? Do I need one?
  • Have I purchased any new properties?
  • Have I started a home business?
  • Have I purchased new furniture, electronics, or fine jewelry?

These are just a few examples of life changes that are often picked up during an annual review. However, they are far from the only changes that can affect your coverage, so be thorough when documenting and reporting items to your agent.

Some of the above examples might seem pretty obvious. Most people know that if their teenager gets his license, they need to notify their auto insurance carrier. However, not everything is as obvious.

For example, take a couple who just had their first child. They decide that it’s time to purchase Life insurance to provide for the child if something ever happens to them. This couple is doing the responsible thing. They understand the importance of buying Life insurance when starting a family. That significant step in planning for the future is taught to the general public quite effectively, in the form of commercials, television shows, radio spots, and the like. But what about five years later when little Ellie is born? Having child number two doesn’t necessarily flip on the proverbial switch like the first time, shining that bright light on the right decision. Television shows don’t show “made for T.V.” couples updating their Life insurance policies for child number two. Advertisements don’t highlight the importance of adding new children as beneficiaries. All anyone ever hears about through popular culture is the importance of getting Life insurance if you don’t have it, especially if you are starting a family. If the Henderson family gets a Life insurance policy when their first little one is born, and four children later, mom and dad are hit by a logging truck on a trip to Alaska, only the first child gets the money.

Protect yourself, your family, and your personal belongings by making sure that each of your insurance policies gets an annual check-up. You’ll rest much better once you do.

Jan 01
Love0

PLAN NOW FOR THE DISASTER THAT WILL HIT YOUR BUSINESS

By Business Protection Bulletin

Disaster can strike a business in a multitude of ways. Businesses located near the coast from Texas to Maine are highly susceptible to hurricane damage. Fires and explosions can devastate buildings regardless of where they’re located. A building need not be the target of a terrorist attack to feel its effects, as many business owners discovered after the September 11 attacks. After a catastrophic event, evaluating the damage to the facilities quickly and accurately is essential for both insurance recovery purposes and for getting back into operation as soon as possible.

The business must do much of the important work before the disaster occurs. Identifying the facilities and equipment at risk is the first step. For a small business with one or two locations, this may be obvious; for a larger business with operations in many states and localities, the question may be more complex. Some locations may be in earthquake-prone areas, while others may be relatively safe from natural disasters. Such businesses must evaluate the worst-case scenario for any one event and plan around that.

Businesses must also address the question of who will do the evaluating. After a disaster, some members of the group may be injured or otherwise unable to reach the scene because of the severity of the damage or law enforcement restrictions. Therefore, the list should include several names with multiple people able to fill each role. The business should also have a written communications plan for reaching members of the group, including all of their phone numbers (both land lines and cellular), e-mail addresses, and each person’s emergency contact information.

The more information a business has about its property after a loss, the better. Therefore, it should assemble multiple copies of documents such as architectural drawings, appraisals, inspection reports, maintenance records, and others. The business should store documents in several locations and media so that backups exist should one set be destroyed. Members of the disaster recovery team should survey each location, identifying special features, key processes, characteristics that increase the building’s vulnerability to a particular threat, and equipment that will be difficult to replace.

It is often helpful to have members of the local police and fire departments tour the building and meet with personnel to discuss disaster planning. They may identify weaknesses in the plan or deficiencies in the building that the disaster recovery group missed. Also, the more familiar they are with the building before a loss, the better able they will be to respond after it.

After a disaster occurs, the disaster team coordinator should take steps to contact each member of the group and arrange for inspection of the facility at the soonest possible moment. The group may not be able to enter the building immediately due to safety concerns or orders from law enforcement. As soon as the group can inspect, they should identify emergency measures necessary to protect the facility from further damage, assess the extent of the damage, identify areas that are unsafe to enter, and evaluate the condition of the areas where critical processes occur. They should use the information developed before the loss to assist in their evaluation.

After the inspection, the group should prepare reports on each damaged facility. Local authorities may require the business to file these; in addition, government bodies that assist with disaster recovery and insurance companies may need the information.

Business owners should ask their insurance agents for resources to help with disaster preparation. Many insurance companies have loss control departments that can offer valuable assistance, as well. Government agencies such as the federal Small Business Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Web sites such as Business.gov have plenty of information on this topic. To a large extent, a business owner has control over whether the business will survive a disaster. With some careful planning, the business will survive it and thrive.

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