Moran Insurance
696 Ritchie – Severna Park, MD 21146
P: 410-544-3422
F: 410-544-6834www.moraninsurance.com
info@moraninsurance.com

Please remember to like us on Facebook (click here) and register for the last I-pad drawing for 2011 on December 20th. This would make a great last minute holiday gift!!!

Our Telephone Quoting Hours are:
9:00am to 5:00pm (M-F)

Business | Home | Auto | Bonds | Life | Health

Happy Holidays from The Moran Team!

Why Not Pass Me On?If you’ve enjoyed this newsletter and found its information useful, please pass it to another business owner or a co-worker.Click here to forward this email.

Worth Reading

Ten Critical Success Clues
By Leslie Fieger, ZeroMillion.com

Get Ready to Hire Generation Z
By Penelope Trunk, OpenForum

Gen Z is about to enter the workforce, and this new breed of workers calls for new recruiting tactics. For starters, forget email and plan your hiring strategy around smartphone apps and social networking tools. Ditch outdated views about college degrees, as Gen Zers have embraced do-it-yourself and alternative types of education on a large scale. Recognize that Gen Zers are independent thinkers, so pitch them projects rather than titles.

It’s probably true to say that in most cases, option two is your best bet. After all, a recession can actually be the best time to win market share. While all your competitors are cutting back, you can grow.

Cheng’s book will help you do just that.  The book is a blend of good business practice (important at any time for winning companies; vital during a recession) and advice about re-inventing your business to make it meet customer needs during these times and therefore prosper.

A large chunk of the book focuses, quite rightly, on marketing as the key to growth and, unfortunately, the area where many businesses cut back during tough times.

This book is worth reading, whether you are booming or struggling right now.

“My son is now an ‘entrepreneur.’ That’s what you’re called when you don’t have a job.”

“The world and life have been mighty good to me. And I want to put something back.”

“To be happy in this world, first you need a cell phone and then you need an airplane. Then you’re truly wireless.”

Ted Turner founded CNN.

At that time, employers felt they did not have an obligation to continue to pay employees who’d been injured on the job.

Pittsburgh Survey

The Pittsburgh Survey, a detailed study done in 1907-08 of living and working conditions in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, had a special impact on job safety and health.

A major topic of the study was industrial accidents.

The study found that injured workers and survivors of those killed on the job bore the economic brunt of accidents, even though most were the fault of employers.

Authors of the study agreed that, for reasons of social equity, employers should bear a substantial share of the economic burden.
The theory behind this strategy was that it would give the employers more incentive to eliminate the causes of accidents.

Legislation

In the early 1930s, labor standards started taking shape.
The government quickly enacted legislation that created a minimum wage.

Health and Safety

By 1970, health and safety in the workplace came to prominence.
So did fair labor standards.

Workers’ compensation policies were eventually created to give both employers and employees protection and satisfaction.

How It Works

For a work-related injury, an employee may sue the employer or collect medical payments.

The employee does not get both options.

To reflect this, workers’ compensation policies limit the liability available to an employer if an employee sues.

The policies also classify all employees based on their job descriptions.

Employees Rated

Each employee is rated based on the degree of risk of injury and the amount of payroll the employer pays that group of people.

For example, a roofing company will have roofers on the road all day for various jobs, as well as clerical people in the office. Roofers are rated more highly because their job poses more of a danger.

There is a greater likelihood that a roofer in the field would incur a severe injury than a worker in the office, who is in a relatively safer environment all day.

Requirements

Workers’ compensation coverage is a requirement in every state whether an employer has one worker or hundreds.

No matter what kind of business you have, let your insurance agent help you find the best policy to meet your needs.

Agency News: 

 
Moran Insurance believes in supporting community organizations. We have partnered with Hospice of the Chesapeake to create awareness of the value their organization provides to our community. In support of this effort, Moran will donate $500.00 to this wonderful organization when we reach 500 “likes” to our Facebook page.  Please take a moment to join us on Facebook to help this great organization.
www.Facebook.com/Moraninsurance. 
Thank you for helping us achieved our 500 like goal that benfits Hospice of the Chesapeake.

Winter driving tips:https://www.iwif.com/safety-university/safety-tip-sheets/safety-tip-sheets/driving-safety/winter-driving.pdf
 
Refer a friend campaign: Refer a friend for an insurance quote and be rewarded with a $10.00 gift card and be entered into our I-pad giveaway drawing.
 
Congratulations to Account Manager Lisa Vann who is celebrating her 4year anniversary with the Moran Agency.

If you’re not working in a retail environment, chances are the holiday season is a slack time for you.

This annual slowdown can be a good opportunity for you to catch up, evaluate the past year and prepare for the one ahead.

Following are five ways you can make the holiday slowdown work for you and your business:

Update Processes and Install New Software: This is a great time to identify new processes and programs that can help you work better, faster and more efficiently. Take advantage of the December lull to research what’s new and to train yourself and your staff on new programs and methods.  

Get Organized: There is something cathartic about cleaning and organizing your work area. Get rid of the junk and go through your files to be sure they are in order. Delete old emails and shred redundant copies of documents.

Update Marketing Plans and Materials: Take stock of what you’ve got in the way of materials and plan for what you need. While you’re at it, update your database and map out a strategy to contact these prospects in the year ahead. Take a dive deep into the websites of your peers and competitors, including those that offer similar products and/or services and those that compete for budgetary resources.

Conduct a Year-End Review: By taking careful stock of what you did well and what you need to work on, you can begin to craft a plan for making changes that will serve your business well.

Get a Head Start: Get going early on year-end bookkeeping tasks and tax preparation work. This information is crucial to making decisions for next year.

If you use some of your downtime through the holiday season to do these activities, then you can hit the ground running in January, focused and productive.

You’ll also be more prepared for whatever 2012 may bring.

The best businesses always have something bigger than the pursuit of profit…they have an idea behind them.

The unfortunate passing of Apple’s Steve Jobs rekindled what it means to be a visionary. For Apple, it was superb design and flawless functionality. They then turned an idea into an empire worth more than the U.S. Treasury.

All businesses can benefit from a vision statement. It keeps your business plan focused and it helps set you apart from the competition.

Coming up with the big idea can be tough. To develop your vision statement, consider what led you to start your own business. If it wasn’t a desire to improve upon an existing idea, then consider what frustrations you have with like products or services. Ask yourself what you’re going to promise, how you’re going to deliver, whom you’re going to deliver to. Remember to factor in how you meet psychological needs – a powerful selling point that keeps customers coming back.

It’s just as important to know what your business isn’t about. This is crucial if you’re a small business just starting out, as owners tend to be eager to please and overspread themselves into areas they don’t excel in and can’t deliver on. Overreaching also compromises your business integrity.

A solid vision statement that gets across a company’s big idea can really drive your business forward by offering a goal and communicating what benefits you offer customers. It also plays a huge role in developing your brand.

INSURANCE
Joining a Board? Make Sure You’re Properly Insured

People don’t want to take on these types of positions if they know their personal assets could be at stake if they were to be sued.
Directors’ and officers’ coverage provides that protection. Such a policy ensures that the personal assets of a director or officer of the corporation are protected.

Liability is often an issue when corporate decisions are made and somebody feels they’ve lost money or they’ve been harmed in some way.

Nonprofit organizations like social service and mental health agencies, condo associations, private schools, day care centers, churches and other religious organizations, and youth sports organizations are all examples of groups that would benefit from a directors’ and officers’ policy.

Many people want to volunteer their time on such nonprofit boards, but they may not realize they take on the legal responsibilities of these positions.

In a nonprofit setting, claims can arise from an alleged wrongful termination or a perceived mismanagement of the organization’s funds.
Both can be financially devastating without a proper directors’ and officers’ policy in place.

In addition to the liability coverage it provides, the directors’ and officers’ policy will pay to defend all claims. Defending a lawsuit can cost several hundred thousand dollars. Be sure to find a policy where the defense costs are covered in addition to the limit of insurance.

Matt Lehmann, VP and
Marc Dorman, President

Moran Insurance
696 Ritchie – Severna Park, MD 21146
P: 410-544-3422
F: 410-544-6834

www.moraninsurance.com
info@moraninsurance.com

**16G IPAD giveaway** Enter your email on our website to be a part of the drawing December 20th,2011!!

Our Telephone Quoting Hours are:
9:00am to 5:00pm (M-F)

Business | Home | Auto | Bonds | Life | Health

Why Not Pass Me On?If you’ve enjoyed this newsletter and found its information useful, please pass it to another business owner or a co-worker.Click here to forward this email.

Worth Reading

Selections from the best articles seen online this month.

Marketing Lessons from Old Spice
from Inc.com
 
The Old Spice Guy campaign is one of the most popular viral ad campaigns in history. Marketing agency Wieden & Kennedy, which dreamed up the Old Spice Guy, reveals its keys to success. They include focusing on short, snappy videos; pumping out plenty of content; keeping fans involved and engaged; and going big with marketing.

Five Signs It’s Time to Change Your Prices
from Entrepreneur

How do you know when your pricing is too high or too low? If your pricing is out of sync with your competitors, if you rely too much on sales and promotions, or if your business is attracting bargain-hunters, these are signs your pricing is wrong. First-time entrepreneurs often feel they must undercut competitors to win business. But good pricing is fair, reasonable and reflects the value of the product or service you provide.

BOOK REVIEW
Zero to One Million, by Ryan Allis

It’s never a bad thing to hear about business success from someone who runs a successful business! You might not want to do what they have done, but at least you know that they have walked the walk.

Ryan Allis built a successful Internet business. This book tells his story and then pulls out some essential strategies for building your own company.

Much of the book is aimed at people who have not yet started a business. There’s an interesting discussion on whether to go after outside investment or to bootstrap your business, and whether to create an enterprise you can sell for a lot of money or a “lifestyle” business that isn’t worth many millions but gives you a comfortable living and a life under your own control.

For those already in business, there’s useful information on marketing, product creation and team building – stories based on personal experience but with near-universal relevance.

Wisdom
Quotes by…John D. Rockefeller

“Every right implies a responsibility; Every opportunity, an obligation, Every possession, a duty.”

“A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship.”

“Don’t blame the marketing department. The buck stops with the chief executive.”

“I’d rather earn 1% off 100 people’s efforts than 100% off my own efforts.”

“Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.”

“I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.”

“I can think of nothing less pleasurable than a life devoted to pleasure.”

“I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of money for money’s sake.”

INSURANCE
Do You Need Employment Practices Coverage?

Business owners and executives – especially those who run small and medium-sized enterprises where rules and procedures are more lax compared to larger corporations – are more vulnerable than ever in the day-to-day operation of their businesses.

As a result, employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) has become more prevalent in the work world of today.

Following are some examples where EPLI would help:

• A male employee is discriminated against because of his sexual orientation.
   
• A female employee is harassed because she is pregnant with her fifth child.
   
• A co-worker is berated because of a disability and feels that he has suffered emotional distress.
   
• An employee sues over what she feels is a wrongful termination because she was ready to retire within a year.
   
• A delivery person files a suit because he feels sexually harassed while at your place of business.
   
• A long-term employee sues because she feels she should have been promoted to a high-ranking position.

Should a claim arise of the nature listed above, EPLI coverage would provide for the investigation and defense of the claim as well as provide a limit of insurance should a judgment be made against a business.

Steps can be taken to prevent and minimize the instances of these types of circumstances.

For example:

• Management at all levels should make a very clear, strong and consistent statement to everyone in the company that there is a zero tolerance level for any behavior that makes another employee uncomfortable. This can be done through the employee manual and seminars on harassment in the workplace.

• Management should implement and communicate a procedure that makes employees feel safe to report a situation that may make them feel uncomfortable. Implement an open-door policy between management and employees to keep the lines of communication open and free from anxiety.
   
• Management should communicate with the person making the claim to let him or her know that his or her statement is being taken seriously. An action plan should be created to investigate all complaints, and discipline and potential termination of the offending parties should be undertaken.
   
• Management should ensure executives are adequately insured. Up to $1 million in coverage can be included on a business owner’s policy for a minimum premium. Higher limits can be quoted as part of the general liability policy or even its own separate policy. Not all insurance carriers offer the same coverage and deductibles.
   

Your agent would be happy to find the best coverage that suits you.  

Why should I buy life insurance?

Many financial experts consider life insurance to be the cornerstone of sound financial planning. It can be an important tool in the following situations:

1. Replace income for dependents
   If people depend on your income, life insurance can replace that income for them if you die. The most commonly recognized case of this is parents with young children. However, it can also apply to couples in which the survivor would be financially stricken by the income lost through the death of a partner, and to dependent adults, such as parents, siblings or adult children who continue to rely on you financially. Insurance to replace your income can be especially useful if the government- or employer-sponsored benefits of your surviving spouse or domestic partner will be reduced after your death.
2. Pay final expenses
   Life insurance can pay your funeral and burial costs, probate and other estate administration costs, debts and medical expenses not covered by health insurance.
3. Create an inheritance for your heirs
   Even if you have no other assets to pass to your heirs, you can create an inheritance by buying a life insurance policy and naming them as beneficiaries.
4. Pay federal “death” taxes and state “death” taxes
   Life insurance benefits can pay estate taxes so that your heirs will not have to liquidate other assets or take a smaller inheritance. Changes in the federal “death” tax rules between now and January 1, 2011 will likely lessen the impact of this tax on some people, but some states are offsetting those federal decreases with increases in their state-level “death” taxes.
5. Make significant charitable contributions
   By making a charity the beneficiary of your life insurance, you can make a much larger contribution than if you donated the cash equivalent of the policy’s premiums.
6. Create a source of savings
   Some types of life insurance create a cash value that, if not paid out as a death benefit, can be borrowed or withdrawn on the owner’s request. Since most people make paying their life insurance policy premiums a high priority, buying a cash-value type policy can create a kind of “forced” savings plan. Furthermore, the interest credited is tax deferred (and tax exempt if the money is paid as a death claim).

Agency News:
Congratulations to our October employee of the month Jennifer Rhodes. Jennifer has been an account manager with the agency since March 2008.
 
Congratulations to Providence Center for 50 years of providing important services to adults with developmental disabilities and for improving our community. Please help support Providence Center by purchasing your poinsettias and wreaths for the holiday season by contacting Temple Zito at  tzito@providencecenter.com or 410 757 7800 ext 118. THE PRICES ARE AMAZING!!!!
 
Moran Insurance believes in supporting community organizations. We have partnered with Hospice of the Chesapeake to create awareness of the value their organization provides to our community. In support of this effort, Moran will donate $500.00 to this wonderful organization when we reach 500 “likes” to our Facebook page. Please take a moment to join us on Facebook to help this great organization.
www.Facebook.com/Moraninsurance. 
 
Refer a friend campaign: Refer a friend for an insurance quote and be rewarded with a $10.00 gift card and be entered into our I-pad giveaway drawing.
 
Thank you to Account Executive Nancy Egan, 8 year survivor and her mother Doris Egan, 17 year survivor who participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.The event was held on October 23, 2011 in Hunt Valley with over
20,000 participants.
 
 
Congratulations to long time customers Miller Tree and Norris Taylor who recently celebrated their 25^th year partnership with IWIF.
 
Matt Lehmann’s team helped raise over $11,000 for the recent “Cycle for Life” ride for Cystic Fibrosis. For more information about Cystic Fibrosis, click here… http://www.cff.org/LWC/AboutCF/

The Moran offices will be closed at 2pm on November 23rd through Monday the 28th at 9am for the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Moran Team wishes you a wonderful holiday with your family and friends. 
 

INSURANCE
Two Reasons to Think About Commercial Auto Coverage

Business owners get different types of coverage under a commercial as opposed to a personal insurance auto policy. Following are two types of commercial auto policy coverage:

Hired and Nonowned Auto: For any business with employees, this coverage is a must. It provides auto liability to a business when a vehicle must be hired or borrowed to conduct business. The most common scenario is the way this applies to employees. Hired and nonowned coverage will protect the business while an employee is out doing anything from running errands to making sales calls in his or her own vehicle. The business is “borrowing” the employee’s car to do its work. You might say, “Wouldn’t my employee’s personal auto policy take care of this scenario?” Yes…and no. If an employee is at fault for an accident and is on business time, the injured party could go after the employee personally as well as the business for damages. This is where hired and nonowned coverage kicks in. Coverage is available at a $1 million limit for a few hundred dollars.

Driver Other Car: This coverage is specifically designed for the business owner who may have one or two cars that are used personally and commercially. Most personal auto insurance companies want nothing to do with insuring a business. A personal auto policy was not intended for that purpose. Driver other car coverage provides personal liability coverage to the owner and his or her spouse, thus eliminating the need for two policies.

Review your auto policy, and if you don’t find such coverage listed, it’s very easy to get a quote from your agent. 

Moran Insurance
696 Ritchie – Severna Park, MD 21146
P: 410-544-3422
F: 410-544-6834

www.moraninsurance.com
info@moraninsurance.com

**16G IPAD giveaway** Enter your email on our website to be a part of the drawing on December 20,2011!!

Our Telephone Quoting Hours are:
9:00am to 5:00pm (M-F)

Business | Home | Auto | Bonds | Life | Health

If you’ve enjoyed this newsletter and found its information useful, please forward it to a neighbor, friend or co-worker by clicking this link.

Serves 6 as a side dish
6 portabella mushrooms, insides carefully scooped out, chopped and set aside 

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 zucchini, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1½ cups cooked rice or quinoa
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts

Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat and saute the chopped mushroom with the zucchini until soft and the mushrooms have released their water, and then add the thyme.

Cook for a minute and then add the mixture to the rice or quinoa. Mix and season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon about ¼ cup of the mixture into each portabella cap and sprinkle with ground walnuts. Bake for about 20 minutes.

This month, some well-known quotes on the subject of education:

Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.

Malcolm Forbes

Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.

B. F. Skinner

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

Will Durant

Matt Lehmann, VP and
Marc Dorman, President

Moran Insurance
696 Ritchie – Severna Park, MD 21146
P: 410-544-3422
F: 410-544-6834

www.moraninsurance.com
info@moraninsurance.com

With the threat of Hurricane Irene, here are some things you should know.  Please print this email in case of power loss.

This sheet will provide you with some helpful tips and information for reaching the companies, or our agency, if you sustain damage to your property. 

Although we are hoping for the best, we always prepare for the worst.

•    Should you sustain damage to your property, call your insurance company first. ( i.e Safeco, Travelers, Hartford, Chubb, etc) The company will advise you on the necessary steps to take.   
•    Provided here is a list of company claim numbers for some of our major property carriers.* 

•    Our agency plan is to be open the day after the storm to assist clients that are unable to reach the companies via the 800 numbers provided above.  Please note that circumstances may prevent us from being accessible.  Things such power loss, no phone service, etc.   
•     In a worst case scenario, if you cannot contact your company direct, or our agency via our business phone numbers, we are providing the following numbers.

 Marc Dorman 443-534-9339  Matt Lehmann 443- 306-5081                  
 Russ Devoe   443-618-0346  Nancy Egan    443-622-5489
 Donna Moran 410-991-8939  Tom Simmons 410-353-1078

Please take care of your families and be safe.

Please see the following Hurricane Safety checklist provided by the American Red Cross:  http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/Hurricane.pdf

Matt Lehmann, VP and
Marc Dorman, President

Moran Insurance
696 Ritchie – Severna Park, MD 21146
P: 410-544-3422
F: 410-544-6834

www.moraninsurance.com
info@moraninsurance.com

**16G IPAD giveaway** Enter your email on our website to be a part of the drawing on September 30th, 2011!!
Our Telephone Quoting Hours are:
9:00am to 5:00pm (M-F)

Business | Home | Auto | Bonds | Life | Health

Nancy Egan’s Watermelon Salad Recipe 
1 seedless watermelon, chilled
Handful of mint leaves chopped 
Cube or ball the watermelon 
mix
¼ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup light virgin olive oil
 
Drizzle the vinegar/oil mixture over watermelon – chill 15 – 30 minutes
 
Shortly before serving
add
4 oz. crumbled French Feta cheese (I used Greek) 
Mint (chopped) 
Serve over a bed of boston bibb lettuce or in a lovely glass bowl.

Why Not Pass Me On?If you’ve enjoyed this newsletter and found its information useful, please pass it to another business owner or a co-worker.Click here to forward this email.

Worth Reading

Selections from the best articles seen online this month.

How to Turn a Monthly Customer into a Regular Customer
from American Express Idea Hub
 
This article offers tips for turning occasional customers into regular customers. One idea is to hire ultra-locally. This can help you integrate into the neighborhood and also provide a reliable source of local intelligence. Another way to score points and encourage repeat customers is to plug into the local community by using vendors, suppliers and motifs from the immediate vicinity.

How to Write a Business Plan Outline
from Inc.com
 
Writing a business plan is not something that needs to take months of effort, according to Ellen Rohr, author of a book called The Weekend Biz Plan. Rohr identified and explained the key elements that need to be in a business plan. First is a short (eight-to-25-word) mission statement that explains why you do what you do. Next are goals listed in terms of achievables such as dollars, numbers, hours or percentages.

BOOK REVIEW
How to Sell at Margins Higher Than Your Competitors, by Lawrence L. Steinmetz

There are two simple but important lessons to take away from this book. First, business is a game of margins, not volume. And second, most businesses underprice their products and services.

One of the biggest mistakes a business can make is to cut prices and hope to make it up in volume. Although you would think this possible, the math just doesn’t work, because by cutting prices you are slashing your margins. And that can be deadly.

It’s a big reason for the large number of failures among small and midsize businesses.

The other mistake is pricing too low. Customers would have us believe that they shop mainly on price, but, as Steinmetz points out in this book, that is seldom true. They are willing to pay more if you offer value.

This book is essential reading for anyone in management or sales.

Wisdom
Quotes by…Samuel Goldwyn

From success you get a lot of things, but not that great inside thing that love brings you.Give me a couple of years, and I’ll make that actress an overnight success.

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.

I don’t want any yes-men around me. I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them their job.

More than 25% of businesses that close due to a natural disaster never reopen, according to research conducted by the Insurance Information Institute. Small-business owners are especially vulnerable. That’s why disaster recovery planning for small-business owners is more important than ever. Following are some tips to ensure that you’re prepared:

Review Your Insurance Options: Loss of income and loss of use of plant and equipment are situations encountered after a disaster. Review existing policies to ensure that you have proper coverage. Most policies exclude earthquakes, and flood coverage, so it is important to purchase riders to ensure that you have full coverage.

Duplicate Data and Important Contacts: Cloud computing is making it easier to back up existing data and important contact information in a secure, off-site location, but it’s important to make sure it is performed on a regular basis and available when needed.

Implement Alternative Work Schedules and Locations: During a crisis, many members of staff may be delayed or unavailable, so it is important to plan ahead. Cross-train employees and provide several alternative forms of communication and work locations, including home, off-site offices and other alternatives. Make sure employees understand how to put the plans into use after an emergency.

Practice the Plan: Disaster recovery should be practiced from time to time. Have a written plan of communication and then actually take the time to implement it on a practice basis from time to time. Allow employees to work from home or other alternative locations, perform duties for which they have been cross-trained, and access information stored off-site.

Community News:
Moran Sponsors Facebook campaign for Hospice of The Chesapeake

Moran Insurance believes in supporting community organizations. We have partnered with Hospice of the Chesapeake to create awareness of the value their organization provides to our community. In support of this effort, Moran will donate $500.00 to this wonderful organization when we reach 500 “likes” to our Facebook page. Please take a moment to join us on Facebook to help this great organization.
www.Facebook.com/Moraninsurance. 

  

MARKETING
How to Set Up a LinkedIn Company Page

With more than 100 million members, LinkedIn is the top business social networking site.

A company page on LinkedIn enables you to speak to millions of professionals about your company’s products and services, job opportunities, and work culture.

You can use a company page to bring your brand to life.

You can also use a company page to highlight how members use your products or to post updates on key developments in your firm or your industry.

It takes only about 30 minutes to set up a LinkedIn company page.

First, however, you need to have an email address with your company domain.

This email address must also be listed on your profile.

Addresses tied to free email services like Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo don’t count.

To create a company page, click on “Companies” in the navigation bar near the top of the home page.

Then click the “Add a Company” link.

You will see tabs labeled “Company Overview,” “Careers,” “Products and Services,” and “Analytics.”

The overview provides a guide for setting up your company page and presenting a good snapshot of your company.

The “Products and Services” tab tells you how to showcase your offerings and highlight featured products.

The “Careers” tab allows you to interact with job seekers and describe your company’s culture and hiring practices.

In addition to being a great place to promote your company to LinkedIn members, your company page gets listed in Google’s and LinkedIn’s search engines.

Picture credit.

Agency News:
Congratulations to our June employee of the month Krystle Foy. Krystle has been an Account Executive with the agency for five years.

The Moran Team was honored to be the lead sponsor for the 19th annual Providence Center Golf Tournament on June 6th which raised over $48,000 for this fine organization. Find out more about there wonderful organization at http://www.providencecenter.com.
    
Matt Lehmann,VP has been appointed to the Opportunity Builders Inc. board of directors. OBI provides vocational training and employment services to nearly 400 adults with developmental disabilities. Find out more about there wonderful organization at  www.obiworks.org.
 
Congratulations to account manager Brandon Peel who just celebrated his fifth anniversary with The Moran Team.
 
The Moran Team was proud to help sponsor the Opportunity Builders Inc. Golf Tournament in June which raised over $20,000 for this great organization.
 
Congratulations to long time Moran customer Oktavec & Sons which received the prestigious 25 year award with IWIF.
 
Welcome to Account Manager Jennifer Rhodes healthy and happy new born son Cameron born June 16^th.
 
Congratulations to 2^nd quarter I-pad drawing winner Steve Goldberg.
 
Congratulations to account executive Tom Simmons who was wed on June 11^th. 

 Seven Tips to Boost Swimming Pool Safety

A pool party is a great way to entertain young and old alike, but it can also increase the risk of personal liability should anyone get injured. Following are seven swimming pool and insurance safety tips to keep you cool and safe this summer:

Verify Your Coverage: Speak to your insurance agent about the total amount of medical and liability coverage you have in the event of an accident or injury. An umbrella policy is an affordable way to provide an additional layer of protection without breaking the bank.

CPR and First Aid: Before hosting a pool party it’s always a good idea to make sure at least one person is properly trained in CPR/first aid.

Secure the Area: Pools should be properly secured with a high fence or enclosure that is locked when not in use. Adult supervision is a must when children are using the pool.

Child and Pet Proof: Installation of a pool alarm can more than pay for itself in reduced anxiety and decreased premiums, but be sure to select the right size and type for maximum protection.

Establish Rules: Pool parties are great fun, but be sure everyone understands what is and isn’t acceptable. Common causes of pool-related injuries include running, diving and intoxication.

Safety First: Keep emergency equipment within reach, including a floatation device and emergency-related phone numbers. Always ask whether people know how to swim, especially children.

Alternatives: Other water hazards include hot tubs, swim spas and even ponds. Maintain the common area and reduce direct access whenever possible to discourage children or pets from gaining access when you are away from home.

5 Ways to Reduce Costly Damage from Lightning

Summer electrical storms are no laughing matter, as lightning causes millions of dollars in damage. Following are some simple steps to reduce your risk and limit damage:

Lightning Rods: Proper grounding and distribution can dramatically reduce damage during an electrical event. Lightning rods have been routinely installed on commercial properties, but it’s just as easy to have them installed in residential areas.

Surge Protectors: Without a doubt, one of the most common causes of electronic and computer failure is an electrical surge. Appliances are at risk, especially newer models with built-in computer chips and electronic components. Installation of whole-house or direct-plug-in-type surge protectors provides an important layer of protection.

Backup Files: Computer data, photographs, digital music and other files can be costly or even impossible to replace. Back up files on a regular basis. For especially valuable data, consider purchasing additional insurance to cover losses or help replace/restore lost data.

Insurance: Many homeowner policies explicitly limit or exclude losses due to electrical storms or lightning. Ask your agent about the cost of coverage for appliances, electronics and computers, as well as the data included on each. Consider a stand-alone policy for sensitive items.

Extended Warranties: Many computers, appliances and electronics provide extended warranties at the time of purchase. Some include lightning protection, while others expressly limit losses due to lightning.

Carefully read the policy prior to purchase to understand what is included.