Services You Need To Protect Your Commercial Property

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Commercial Properties|Services You Need To Protect Your Commercial PropertyLooking after your commercial property takes a lot of work. Many responsibilities require your attention, and the to-do list is forever expanding.

Though the pandemic has inspired an uptick in virtual work environments, this does not mean that commercial environments will be flushed down the toilet completely. There will always be a need for them in one form or another. If you are heading up a business that cannot do without a base of operations, then looking after said base should ever be high on your agenda.
Still, certain services can ease the pressure here somewhat. Here are the ones you need to best protect your commercial property.

Water Damage Restoration Services

Commercial properties can suffer significant water damage from plumbing-related malfunctions or turbulent weathers. Depending on your location in the United States, you may be more susceptible to floods and storms also.

Still, there is no problem here that companies like PuroClean cannot fix. Armed with a flurry of positive customer testimonials, many of these comments specific how quickly this firm perform their services in times of crisis. They also use the newest advancement technology systems to clean, disinfect, and dry all your property, eliminating moisture across the board. Not only this, but they specify in mold removal, biohazard cleanup, and fire damage restoration services also, making them highly diverse in their respective field.

It is always a good idea to have the number of such services on file in the event of an emergency. Water damage can be incredibly damaging, as its presence can rot your commercial property inside and out. When these types of problems start to arise, dealing with them in a timely manner is absolutely essential, getting your company back on track as soon as possible.

Pest Control Services

Pest control is an incredibly important aspect of maintaining a commercial property. You will need to be ahead of the game here, as the mere sighting of any unwelcome beats is enough to cripple your reputation in the eyes of customers and clients.

Unfortunately, depending on your location and line of work, sometimes the appearance pests might be inevitable here and there. For example, rodent sightings can increase exponentially as soon as restaurants shut down, and during the pandemic era, this is obviously unavoidable to some degree. Therefore, pest control services can just help keep a lid on things, whether you are working at the commercial property or temporarily closed.

Ensuring that the workplace is both clean and tidy is the first solution to your pest problems. Make sure all bins are secure, and never at risk of overflowing. Still, everything that follows after that can simply be down to luck. Use expert services, like pest control frisco, and any problems that do arrive will be handled immediately.

Security Services

To truly protect your commercial property, you need to ensure everything is in good order even when you are not around. This is where security factors into things, enabling you to oversee everything that takes place in your workplace.

Security services can provide a plethora of technologies and staff members to help things along here. For example, at your request they may be able to deploy security guards and guard dogs. CCTV systems, hi-tech sensors, and a myriad of other resources could also be designed and strategically installed for maximum efficiency. There is really nothing like it.

The highlight of these types of services though is that the security they provide runs round the clock. 24-hour measures against any potential threats or concerns can be highly beneficial, their presence alone a deterrent against most common criminals. In the end, with these services nothing goes unnoticed on your premises, and you simply cannot put a price on that fact.

A Guide for Protecting Your Business Data

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article | A Guide for Protecting Your Business DataThere are many threats to your business data on a daily basis. Taking the right steps to protect your business data in the best possible way will help your business to remain secure, and your operations fully protected.

Here is a guide on all you can do to make sure that your business data is protected.

Back Up Your Data on a Daily Basis

A huge threat to your data can be data loss, and it is very easily done. Even if you are completely careful with your business data and avoid human error, there are many reasons you could end up losing data if it is not backed up, such as computer viruses, system problems or even power failures.

Backing up your data at least once a day — ideally storing data offsite — will help your data to remain protected.

Implement Virus and Malware Protection Methods

Viruses, malware and other cyber crime will always be a threat to business data, and all you can do is put up the maximum defense measures to keep your data protected. This means installing the right anti-virus software and firewall protection.

When it comes to cyber crime, it is also about staying aware of any new or evolving threats. Training an internal team on how to recognize threats can help to increase your protection (such as how to identify a potentially threatening email or suspicious activity).

Be Secure When Sharing Data

Data sharing is when data can easily become compromised. If data is being shared in unsecure ways, this can risk data hacking or even lost data through human error.

A great method for ensuring safe data sharing — if your team needs to work together with data securely — is by implementing a data sharing solution you can trust, like the platform from ovatiotech.com. This means data can be regulated and shared through a secure software channel so that your team can comfortably manage data efficiently.

Make Updates a Regular Item on the Agenda

The technology you use in business and where you store your data will be able to work most efficiently when regularly updated. Outdated programs and systems will easily become more vulnerable.

For ease, you should try to install automatic updates so that updates can always be made when they need to be. If manual updates are preferable, be sure to create a schedule and reminders so that it is not neglected.

Dispose of Any Business Data Securely

Not all data needs to be kept, and there may come a time when you need to dispose of old business data. Even if the data is no longer relevant, it still leaves your business vulnerable if the data gets in the wrong hands.

If you have hard drives or data files to dispose of, be sure to use professional services to completely overwrite and remove any information, or understand how to successfully remove the data yourself, as most of the time simply deleting a file does not mean it cannot be recovered by an outside party if they gain access to a device.

Always take the right steps to fully protect your business data.

Where’s Your Business’s Safety Net?

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article |Business Safety Net|Where's Your Business's Safety Net?Running a business can often feel as though you’re walking a tightrope. You’ve got to keep your balance and your composure or you could end up falling. However, there’s one big difference between running a business and walking a tightrope: there’s nothing impressive about running a business without a safety net. The reality is that the risks of running any kind of business are so high that having no potential protections in place if something goes wrong is simply irresponsible. With that in mind, here are just a few things to consider when making sure that your business has the safety net it needs.

Insurance

If you’re looking for a way to protect your business in the event that something goes wrong then there are few more obvious and effective things to consider than the right insurance. There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the right insurance for your business. Everything from how much it will cost to what kind of cover you need to the specific risks that your business poses. Click here to find the insurance that’s right for your business. Insurance can be a frustrating cost, especially in the early days, but the value it provides is absolutely worth the money you spend on it.

Investors

Investment is something every business needs. After all, it really doesn’t matter how great your business is, you’re never going to be able to get things off the ground without some form of capital. That’s where investors come in. They can provide the capital that you need and can often help to prop up your business if it requires a little extra nudge. Of course, you need to remember that investors are not just giving you money. If you can’t guarantee that you’re able to provide them with a return on their investment, they’re going to take their money and walk away.

Careful Planning

One of the most common reasons that a lot of businesses fall apart when things go wrong is that they were entirely unprepared for it to happen at all. This is because a lot of new business owners only ever plan for the things that they want. Instead, you should be planning for every possible eventuality. You need to know what your business is going to do if something were to go wrong. Do you have contingencies in place? If not, you need to go back to the planning stage and think more carefully about the areas where your business might be vulnerable.

When your business is doing well it’s often all too easy to assume that things are just going to work out and that you have nothing to worry about. The problem there is that it means that you’re going to be utterly unprepared for the moment that something does go wrong. As counterintuitive as it might feel in the short term, the reality is that it’s far better to have these protections in place and not need them than it is to realise too late how valuable they would actually have been.

How To Efficiently Protect Employees In A Warehouse

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StrategyDriven Risk Management Article | How To Efficiently Protect Employees In A WarehouseWarehouses are characterized by much work that includes packaging, sorting, branding, and even storage. The workers who undertake these duties also interact with machinery pieces, other workers making any accidents inevitable.

Thus, safety and security remain a priority for warehouse managers, and thinking of security equipment supplier to cover the employees as they work comprehensively shares the same status.

Here are some of the ways to efficiently protect employees in a warehouse.

Get Rid of Any Possible Safety Risks

The pathways, i.e., floors should be free from any slip or trip risks. There should be a regular and thorough check-up by the staff on any split liquids, accumulated debris, and pits. These possible safety risks can not only harm the employees but also damage the machinery as well.

Always Use Safety Equipment

It is always crucial to use safety equipment like hydraulic lifts or forklifts to carry heavy luggage. This can help prevent any back problems in case the employees lifted the heavy baggage.

Classify and Seal the Risky Areas

Another method of keeping the warehouse safe and being economical at the same time is the use of signs and stickers. Risky zones, hazardous equipment, and some racks can all be marked clearly to prevent dangerous injuries. The emergency exits and safe routes also need to be labelled as well.

Equipping the Employees with Proper Training

Educating the employees on the safety measures and standards is one of the best ways of protecting them. This way, they know the consequences of hazardous working areas and can take the initiative of protecting themselves as they work. Educating them on the safety standards also aids them in following some simple but vital work protocols that can keep them safe as they dispense their duties.

Using the Right Costumes

Wearing the proper clothing is a vital initiative in keeping safe as the employees work. Wearing fitting clothes to prevent them from being caught by machines, helmets, eye-protecting shades, and reflectors are some of the right attires to keep employees safe at work.

Regular Communication

Alerting the workers of any potential safety measures reduces the dangers posed during work significantly. Promoting awareness of passing machines, forklifts, and possible risks is a great way of maintaining safety as the warehouse employees work.

Proper Ventilation

Poor ventilation leads to the accumulation of certain dangerous fumes in the warehouse that may threaten employees’ safety. Proper ventilation spells freshness, and installing exhaust fans may also help improve employees’ comfort as they work.

Vehicle Safety Measures

Operating the forklifts, lift trucks, and other vehicles in the warehouse require coordination to prevent accidents. This can be achieved by good training of the employees, keeping certain speed limits, and sensitizing certain blind spots. The managers also need to be thorough and non-accommodative of any reckless driving in the warehouse.

Proper Lighting

Proper lighting ensures good visibility for the employees to move around comfortably in the warehouse. It means that the routes are clearly visible, and they can easily spot any risk or threat from far before any collusion.

The managers can also set up mirrors along the corners or bends so that the reversing drivers can see clearly as they move. The pathways will also be clearer with proper lighting to avoid any collisions.

Fire Safety Measures

Most of the warehouse materials are flammable, and with the spacing, things can get smoky and charred in a matter of minutes. To avoid this, the warehouse managers can be conducting fire drills once annually. This is to check that the fire exit routes work and the staff is also acquainted with the escape routes in case of any fire incidents.

The fire alarms/alerts also need to be installed and checked to ensure that they are working properly. The managers can again develop a fire emergency plan that can be implemented quickly in case of any fire outbreaks in the warehouse.

In conclusion, those highly flammable chemicals can also be stored well and in places where they can’t start/ catch fire easily.

The Importance of Business Insurance and the Types of Business Insurance that Every Business Needs

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Running a business and being your own boss is a dream that most people nurture. After all, is there is anything better than being answerable to no one, and working at your own pace? Owning a business provides you with full control of various aspects of your life. You get to decide when to work, whom to work with and how to work. You do not have to be answerable to anyone, and that is perhaps the best thing ever. However, as appealing as the idea of running your own business sounds, it also comes with a number of challenges. Being an entrepreneur is not a cakewalk.

You have a world of responsibilities to shoulder and take care of the smallest details. One slight error of judgement or carelessness on your part can lay waste to the little empire you built for yourself and leave you with nothing. You not only have to take care of your employees but also feel responsible if anything happens to even one of them. Plus, there are several other aspects to factor in too, while running your business. From accounts to shipping, shouldering the weight of a business is not an easy task. That is why, if you have ever nurtured the dream of becoming an entrepreneur, you need to be careful about and consider several things.

Having said that, in this article, we shall shed light upon one of the most important aspects of running a business. We shall talk at length about the necessity of business insurance and the types of business insurance plans you need to know. Most entrepreneurs pay very little attention to this crucial part of their business. They fail to comprehend the complete scope of business insurance policies and the role they have to play in securing their business, and thus, end up leaving a lot of money on the table. That said, let us now proceed to the main part of this discussion and help ourselves become better and responsible entrepreneurs.

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Why Does Your Business Need Insurance?

There are a number of insurance policies that people come across in their lifetime. From home insurance and car insurance to life and health insurance, the types of insurance policies are very many. We do not waste a single minute before purchasing the right life insurance plan or car insurance for that matter. We want to protect our loved ones long after we are gone, and also protect the car that we have invested in. Then why would you think that your business is any different?

You have spent a lot of time, invested yourself emotionally and financially and put in a ginormous amount of effort in building your business. Therefore, leaving it at the risk of various potential threats is inane. This is where business insurance policies step into the picture. Let us now look at a few other reasons why you must purchase business insurance without fail.

You Could Be Sued

The law across most of the countries makes it mandatory to purchase business insurance policies. Therefore, if you do not invest in the same, you could be sued. Plus, in an event where a lawsuit has been filed against you, or there is an instance of a liability claim, without the right business insurance policy at your disposal, your business could shut down. It only takes one employee or an unhappy client to sue you. And even if you happen to win the suit, the cost of legal defense could leave you in tatters and cause your business to fold.

Business Insurance Keeps Your Business Afloat

The second and perhaps the most important reason to purchase business insurance is that the right policies keep your business afloat. No one can predict natural disasters. In the event of an earthquake or a fire, your business might suffer irreparable losses and damages. The right business insurance policy, about which we shall discuss in the next section, shall help you pull through the tough times and make the difficult phase relatively easier. Without any business insurance policy, your business might never be able to recover and fall flat on its face.

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Business Insurance Protects Your Employees

Your employees are an irreplaceable resource. You might have cutting-edge technology at your disposal and AI that makes your job easy and hassle-free. But you cannot manage without human labor. You need your employees to run these machines and technological innovations that you are ever so thankful for. Without your employees, your business shall have a cataclysmic downfall. Therefore, it is extremely important that you have business insurance that protects the interest of your employees as well. From workers’ compensation to disability coverage, your business insurance shall help your employees make a living despite the odds and stay safe at all times.

The Policies Cover Acts of God

One final reason why it is imperative for businesses to purchase business insurance is that these policies cover Acts of God. Acts of God are events that are not human-made disasters. Therefore, if your business experiences losses due to earthquakes, floods or tornado, the right policies shall cover these damages. There are two types of insurance policies that protect your business against such losses- all-risk insurance and peril-specific insurance. Without these insurance policies, you might end up losing everything, and it might then be extremely challenging for you to rebuild your business.

Types of Business Insurance You Must Know of

Now that we have discussed at length all the reasons you need to invest in business insurance, it is now time to look at the policies that you absolutely need to have. As we already discussed at the beginning, running a business might seem appealing, but it has several inherent risks. As an entrepreneur, you will not always have the best time in your business. There will be highs, lows and potential threats that you need to navigate. However, if you invest in the right business insurance policies, you might have to suffer less when disaster strikes. Therefore, without any further ado, let make our way to the next section of the article and enlighten ourselves.

Professional Liability Insurance

The first type of business insurance that you need to learn about is the Professional Liability Insurance. This policy is also known as the Errors and Omissions Insurance and for good enough reasons. This insurance policy covers your business against professional negligence due to errors on your part or failure to deliver on time. The best thing about this policy is that businesses can customize the policy based on what rubrics they function on.

Property Insurance

Just as employees are one of the most vital resources of a business, equipment, workspace, and other properties are equally important. Can you imagine your business to function without the right computers or the right tools? Plus, some of these pieces of equipment like desktops, electrical parts, crucial tools like permanent lifting magnets (the best of which you shall find at https://magnetized.com/products/model-1037jr-permanent-lifting-magnet-1000-lb-capacity) come at exorbitant rates. You cannot always manage to buy them all over again once they are damaged or lost due to a calamity like a flood or fire.

This is where your business needs Property Insurance. This insurance covers pieces of equipment like the ones we discussed a while ago, signage, inventory and furniture sets in the event of a fire, torrential rains or even theft. However, there is an aspect that you need to be careful about while purchasing this insurance. A standard version of this insurance might not cover earthquakes and floods. You have to talk to your insurance agent to clarify this part and figure out what extra policy you need for such instances.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

One of the most important insurance policies that we need to talk about is the Workers’ Compensation Insurance. You must not wait for your business to expand and hire more employees in order to get this policy. Once you have hired your first employee, you need to purchase this policy.

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance covers the instances where a worker is injured or passes away as a result of his responsibilities in your business. In such a situation, the policy shall cover the workers’ medical treatment, and provide the families with death benefits as well. Your workers are an integral part of your business. You cannot do without them. Therefore, it is mandatory that you purchase the Workers’ Compensation Insurance as soon as you hire your first worker.

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Product Liability Insurance

If your business is associated with manufacturing and selling products, it is imperative that you invest in Product Liability Insurance. It goes without saying that every business takes the necessary precautions to make their products as safe as possible. However, human beings make mistakes and sometimes the mistakes could lead to lawsuits being filed too.

The Product Liability Insurance comes handy at this juncture. This insurance policy helps you fight the battle easily in case you have a lawsuit filed against you due to a product failing to perform as was expected.

Vehicle Insurance

Another insurance that you need to buy to secure your business is Vehicle Insurance. This type of insurance comes handy, especially if your business uses vehicles for shipping and transportation. You need to insure your company vehicles fully. They cost a fortune, and you might not be able to invest in them again once they run into some kind of an accident.

If your business uses its own vehicle, your personal insurance will cover these situations of accidents. However, if you lease out vehicles, you will need to get a policy that shall insure you against third-party injuries.

Business Interruption Insurance

The final type of business insurance that we shall discuss in this article is the Business Interruption Insurance. In the event of any disaster or natural calamity, you might be forced to fold your business for a while. And this shall obviously cause you to lose a significant amount of money. This is where Business Interruption Insurance comes handy.

This insurance policy shall cover your expenses and prevent your business from running into a major financial debacle. Until you are ready to open your office again, this insurance policy shall cover you and protect you from further legal and financial complications.

Summing Up

There are a number of other business insurance policies that you might want to invest in if you have a business to run. However, the ones that we have mentioned in this article are the most important, and you must purchase them without fail.

However, if you are interested in finding out more about these policies, dig around some more and enlighten yourself. Your business is like your child, and therefore, you must do everything in your capacity to protect it.