Business Accounter

Friday, May 1, 2009

The Importance Of Research When Obtaining Business Insurance

Most savvy businessmen will recognise that operating a company carries an inherent risk that can affect the stability of the operations as well as its financial foundations. This is true for almost all types of business and hence having an expansive insurance policy is vitally important. Those without insurance should be acutely aware that their business is at great risk and hence obtaining insurance is essential. It is hoped that the following article will highlight the importance of insuring a company's operations and what is included in the process of signing up to a policy.

Small businesses are especially vulnerable and hence need insurance more than larger companies. This is because smaller companies find it harder to absorb financial difficulties and recover from unexpected circumstances. Subsequently having an effective policy is crucial should a business be protected from unforeseen events, not only does it secure an operation, but reduces stress for the company owner.

Before heading out in fear however it is important to take a conscientious and logical approach to selecting a policy. The first step is to assess exactly the level of cover that will be required. By understanding what parts of the operation must be protected it is possible to secure a policy that suits the needs of the company. The result is a smaller financial expense, as having cover for circumstances that will not arise is a waste of money. Ultimately obtaining only the policy inclusions that are vital to your operations is the preferred outcome.

As with any expenditure it is always advisable to research all of the options out there before making a purchase. Insurance can be befuddling at times although by using internet forums and advice websites it is possible to gain an understanding of exactly what you will need. The other option is to employ an insurance broker, a good one will only present you with what you need and will not give you a policy full of useless inclusions. Once again however researching the history of a particular broker is always advisable; normally using a personal recommendation is the best course of action. Of crucial importance is to ensure you are not underinsured, while it may be cheaper in the short term, it can work out far more expensive in the long run.

Once the research has been complete the next step is to assess the policies on the market and which are the best deal. Remember however that the cheapest price does not always relate to the best deal, in the decision making process the balance between costs and services should always be considered. Shopping around is vital, with so many insurers out there the deals to be had are vast. In some cases it can even be advisable to have different policies with a variety of companies if they offer the best deal on a certain policy inclusion.

Once you have selected the coverage and policies that you require, make sure to read the contract in detail. Make an understanding of exactly what you are paying for, never make assumptions that you are covered for a certain circumstance, finding out you are not covered after the event can become very expensive. Once again this highlights the importance of research in the process.

It is hoped that this article, however brief, has given the reader a better understanding of the world of business insurance. The main point has been the importance of research and a conscientious approach to purchasing. By following this advice your company should receive the right level of cover at an attractive price.

About the Author

Financial expert Thomas Pretty looks at the importance of business insurance and what decisions need to be made when looking at policies.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Develop Effective Managers and Leadership

Your organization's managers are responsible for leading and directing others. Their success (or lack of it) has a tremendous impact on profitability. This article will provide information about how you can develop effective managers who can get the job done. Whether you're an executive, a manager or a team leader, the following information will be beneficial to you.

The best way for you to evaluate the performance of managers in your organization is to collect feedback from the people around them - their boss, their peers, and the people whose work they supervise. This method of collecting input from several sources in an employee's environment is very powerful tool because it provides a truly honest assessment of how the manager and their performance is viewed by a variety of constituents.

Traditionally, supervisors meet with employees one-to-one to discuss performance. The peer feedback method gives colleagues the opportunity to respond to questions about the manager with complete confidentiality and honesty so that the employee's true performance can be assessed. Based on this feedback, employees and managers can compare the opinions of others with their own perceptions, positively identify their strengths and pinpoint the areas of their job performance that could be improved.

The type of information an employee or manager receives from the peer feedback method will help them see themselves as others see them and allows them to seriously examine their behavior and its impact on others. They may receive information of which they may not have been previously aware.

Another great way to develop effective managers in your organization is to challenge your organization dynamics. Organizations often must undergo significant changes in their overall strategies, practices and operational tactics. As companies evolve through various life cycles, its leaders and employees must be able to successfully align with organizational changes so that they can evolve as well. That's why the topic of organizational management and analysis has become an important part of today's workforce.

There are employee assessments available that can provide you with a factual summary of the perceptions of a management group, so that organization leaders can continually make efforts to analyze the human capital aspects associated with an organization's long-term strategic objectives. The results present top management with potential managerial problems that can develop when managers' goals are not in alignment with the goals of the organization. Having this information, encourages leadership development on an individual level, as well as across the enterprise. This information strengthens communication and builds stronger organizations. By examining organizational dynamics, the company's culture and insights to the alignment of management groups with the company's goals and objectives, you will be able to develop a plan for where you are and where you want to go and how to get there.

And finally, improving the leadership and management skills of managers within an organization is becoming increasingly important. Managers who are able to perform their jobs better and work toward the goals of the organization can improve productivity with fewer "people problems," increased employee retention and greater profits.

Managers can improve their management skills by identifying their strengths and areas for development using information from assessments to develop the proficiencies that are most important to their professional growth and success. Assessments can help managers improve performance in all of the following competencies:

- Listening To Others
- Processing Information
- Communicating Effectively
- Instilling Trust
- Building Personal Relationships
- Delegating Responsibility
- Adjusting To Circumstances
- Thinking Creatively
- Providing Direction
- Facilitating Team Success
- Working Efficiently
- Working Competently
- Taking Action
- Achieving Results
- Cultivating Individual Talents
- Motivating Successfully
- Displaying Commitment
- Seeking Improvement

About the Author

Jim Sirbasku is co-founder and CEO of Profiles International, a leading provider of human resource management solutions and employment assessments for businesses worldwide. For more information about using assessments to develop effective managers and leadership, visit our website.

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