This August is so different, isn’t it? In the past August was more about vacation, birthdays, and preparing kids to go back to school.
COVID19, the turbulent economy, the racial reckoning simmering to a boil in many areas of the country are consuming a lot of more of every business owner’s energy.
Times of change bring discomfort, and opportunity.
Many of my clients are getting comfortable in being uncomfortable with every pivot, policy announcement, and problem to be solved.
Profits are creeping up. Customers are coming back to new ways of doing business. This is the time when it’s so easy to let things slip through the cracks. For example, we forget to reconcile changes in the delivery of our goods and services with our business insurance.
How about you? How has your business changed this year, and have you let your insurance agent know about those changes? (If you haven’t, stop reading right now and make that call or send that email.)
I’ve seized new opportunities, too. In addition to my coaching practice, I’ve expanded my speaking business through IBGR.network, International Business Growth Radio.
IBGR launched as an internet-based radio network in April. Currently, they have listeners in 100 countries. Amazing! An entire network devoted to business owners with experts to deliver information that helps each business grow and develop. You can learn more about IBGR here.
I have a regular show, Catalytic Conversation$ in the IBGR Startup Finance Lane on Mondays at noon Eastern.
Each week I have the chance to inform startup founders about the decidedly unsexy, but oh, so necessary steps to bring their dreams of entrepreneurship into reality. I’ve done two shows. The first was on Licenses and Permits. Business Insurance was the topic for the second show. That’s what inspired me to write this blog post.
One of my regular resources, Bill Barnes of the Barnes Insurance Group, was my guest. Business Insurance isn’t necessarily sexy (of course, neither are Licenses nor Permits). Business Insurance is necessary.
It’s one of those foundational things that a lot of founders check off of a startup list and then seldom revisit.
But, here’s what I’ve learned about business insurance:
- If you don’t have the right coverage, it can cost you your business.
- If you don’t include an independent agent on your team of trusted advisors, you may pay too much, be under or over-insured, or your agent may not be well placed to help you grow your business.
- A lot of sole proprietors fail to buy business insurance. They think it’s a low priority. Reread #1. This can cost you!
Here are my tips on insurance for business owners – Startups or Stage 6:
- Review your renewal dates for licenses, permits and business insurance.
- Develop a relationship with key advisors: independent insurance agents, CPA’s, your business attorney.
- Note the changes in your business. Any new purchase, capital investment, relocation, etc. warrants an email and/or call to your independent insurance agent.
Take the time to work on your business. Protect your business with the right people and the right coverage – that’s sexy.
By the way, if you are in the Mid-Atlantic region, contact the Barnes Insurance Group to explore what an independent agent can do for your coverage, costs, and deductible. Barnes Insurance Group, 804-598-2068 or info@thinkBIG.agency, or their website.
