After spending the past year trying to ward off a financial disaster in your business, preparing for a natural disaster is probably the last thing on your mind. But if you keep meaning to "get to it someday," you'll be caught in a bind when the unthinkable—or even a minor natural disaster—happens.

Not only does an event like a fire, flood or tornado have the potential to cause serious physical damage to your business, it could also wreck havoc to any data stored electronically, wiping out months of work and customer contacts, and destroying documents you need to file an insurance claim. If you've hardly given such a scenario a second thought, check out this Associated Press article for a quick list of disaster planning measures you can take now to protect your business and your employees should the worst—or just the unexpected—happen. Find a list of more helpful disaster planning articles in this Business Resources section of NFIB.com.

Posted by Emily McMackin on August 20, 2009 09:59 AM

And the right kinds of coverage?

A recent NFIB.com article asks that question and gives you a complete list of the kinds of insurance to consider for your small business. From the basics to optional coverages, the article provides a great primer for your annual insurance review.

And if you run a one-man (or woman) show from home, this article also includes a list of coverages for you to consider.

"Unfortunately, the question of whether a business has enough insurance doesn't occur to some proprietors until the unanticipated occurs and it's discovered that the coverage depended on to set things right isn't enough."

You might want to look at this article today!

Posted by Summer Huggins on August 7, 2009 11:29 AM

Today marks the beginning of the 2009 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 until Nov. 30. I saw on the "Early Show" this morning that the National Hurricane Center predicts there will be nine to 14 named storms, including one to three major hurricanes this season.

While you may not be located in a hurricane zone, today's a great day to ask yourself this question: Are you prepared for a business disaster?

Check out this article on the new NFIB.com, which can walk you through creating a preparedness plan for whatever disaster could come your way.

Posted by Lena Anthony on June 1, 2009 03:29 PM

What is the biggest expense in your business? If you're like many small business owners across the country, the first thing that probably comes to mind is healthcare—not just getting health insurance but also finding coverage you can afford for you and your employees. This has become such a concern that the small business community is "leveraging its voice in the economic stimulus debate to focus" on overhauling the U.S. health care system, the Washington Post reports. A daily health policy report published by the Kaiser Network cites two studies to show just how crucial the issue has become:

•70 percent of entrepreneurs said they were concerned about the rising cost of providing healthcare in 2009, according to a recent survey by the Entrepreneurs' Organization.
•Health care premiums for small businesses on average are 18 percent higher than those of large businesses, according to NFIB research.

Find out more about what NFIB is doing to fight for accessible and affordable healthcare for you here.

Posted by Emily McMackin on February 12, 2009 04:59 PM

With Hurricane Gustav roaring through the Caribbean, it's impossible to miss all the news reports forecasting doom for cities and towns along the Gulf Coast. In the wake of the Midwestern floods, the California wildfires and Hurricane Fay, now is a good time to revisit your business insurance and make sure you're covered for any natural disaster that might strike near you. For more on the basics of business interruption insurance for floods, fire, earthquakes or other disasters, check out this AP article published in the Pueblo Chieftain.

Posted by Emily McMackin on August 28, 2008 05:22 PM

When I need to buy something, nine times out of ten, I'll see if I can purchase it online before I get in my car and drive to a store. With the launch of a new site next month, I could soon shop for my health-care services the same way.

Carol (which also calls itself The Care Marketplace) allows users to browse medical services and providers and then pick the best option. Participating providers create condition-specific care packages of related health-care services, such as common immunizations, neck and back pain diagnosis and treatment, pregnancy classes, a year’s worth of diabetes care or in-home check-ups. The site verifies insurance coverage and provides cost estimates. (It's also available to uninsured individuals.) Users can even book appointments online.

Carol gives new meaning to consumer-driven health care. Right now the service is only available in the Minneapolis area, but could expand if it catches on.

Source: Springwise

Posted by Shannon McRae on February 11, 2008 08:50 PM

Is affordable health insurance on your wish list? Maybe you'll get what you ask for this year thanks to the new healthcare Visa gift card. Just like a debit or gift card, the prepaid card can be stocked with $25 to $5,000 to be used on expenses like co-pays at doctors' offices and pharmacies, dental care, vision care, memberships at health clubs and elective procedures such as Lasik and cosmetic surgery. The card can be used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. The initial cost is $4.95 plus $1.50 shipping and handling.

The concept is an interesting one for small-business owners. Even if you've had to cut or significantly reduce your employees' benefits, you can still help them afford doctors' office visits and medications.

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 13, 2008 07:41 PM

We've been living in a rental house for a few months while we're doing some renovations to our home, and I'm embarrassed to admit it--but renting is different. You don't care as much about the carpet, or the yard, or if it takes three tries to hang a picture as you do when it's your house. (Hope my landlord isn't reading this!) I'm confident that I'm a good renter, but having a stake in something changes your perspective. That's exactly what researchers in a new study on consumer-driven health care found, too.

According to a paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, CDHPs are "working as intended." The group Consumers for Health Care Choices, which funded the study, says that "all of the empirical evidence shows they are changing patient behavior, which is lowering costs and improving care, and resulting in a sizzling rate of adoption in the market."

That's good news for small-business owners, who have suffered rising health-insurance costs for years. Learn more about all NFIB is doing to help lower costs here.

Posted by Shannon McRae on November 5, 2007 02:10 PM

Do you know who your high potential workers are today and who your future leaders will be tomorrow? That's the question this CNet News article asks as it explores how businesses can beat the predicted talent crisis our country faces. "The U.S. is estimated to face a 10 million worker shortage in 2010; the 500 largest companies are expected to lose 50 percent of their senior management in five years and the average tenure at one employer for U.S. employees is only three years," Tod Loofbourrow writes.

"Total rewards" packages (which don’t focus exclusively on monetary compensation) are considered one of the best ways to attract and retain star employees. Using benefits to attract talent might depress some small-business owners, whose sky rocketing health-care costs have forced them to cut back--or cut out--health-insurance offerings. But chin up: The article also touches on several ways companies can use culture to instill loyalty among employees.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 29, 2007 06:14 AM

With wildfires raging in California and the damage from Hurricane Humberto still plaguing Texas and Louisiana residents, there’s no time like the present to prepare your business for disaster. According to the Institute for Business and Home Safety, “A quarter of all businesses never reopen after a disaster strikes, and those that do struggle to stay afloat.” As we’ve seen in the past few years, disaster can strike anywhere and at any time—and your small business is no exception to potential damage.

According to this article on Smart Money’s small business Web site, putting a contingency plan in place is your best bet for staying afloat after an emergency hits your area. As the old saying goes, “it’s better safe than sorry,” and although taking the necessary precautions to guard your enterprise could prove costly, the risk of losing money could be worth it in the end. Check out the article to learn more about protecting your small business.

Posted by Megan Pacella on October 25, 2007 03:21 PM

When my phone rings at weird times (after 11 p.m., and before 8 a.m.) my immediate thought is "Uh oh, someone's dead." That same thought went through the head of Yiorgo Aretos, a Las Vegas restaurateur, when he received a call at 7 a.m. He found out that it was not someone who died, but something—his thriving business.

This New York Times article recounts the horror Aretos went through when he woke up one morning and his business had, quite literally, gone up in flames. It's a business owner's worst nightmare, but from the ashes was born a new business attitude—and new opportunities.

The takeaway lesson here for those of you who have not had the misfortune of living through a business catastrophe: review your insurance policy to make sure you're covered in the event of a catastrophe—and if you're not, spring for better coverage. Read this article on NFIB.com to help you understand and evaluate your insurance needs. Then, review your policies to make sure you're covered.

Posted by Lena Anthony on September 26, 2007 12:28 PM

Survey results recently released by the American Red Cross and FedEx found that while 94 percent of small-business owners can see their business being seriously disrupted by a disaster within the next two years, not nearly as many feel prepared. According to the Red Cross and FedEx, only 43 percent of small-business owners feel prepared to handle a one-week disruption to their business, and only 22 percent feel they could deal with a disruption lasting one month.

Noting that one in four businesses doesn't reopen after a major disaster, the Red Cross and Fed Ex have announced plans to develop tools to help small-business owners ready themselves.

For tips on how to prepare your business and employees for an emergency, check out NFIB.com's disaster planning section.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on September 13, 2007 03:00 PM

Health-insurance costs are so high that small-business owners often have to make compromising decisions that can reduce benefit packages or make employees pay more. No matter which way you cut the cake, businesses are losing money to the health-care industry. and employees are increasingly dissatisfied with their benefits. If you’re trying to keep your company up and running without falling victim to the health-care crisis, then a wellness program could be the perfect solution for you and your employees.

Wellness programs keep your employees healthy with a number of solutions from group fitness activities to healthy cafeteria options. By switching to a high-deductible plan and linking a wellness program to your insurance, statistics show that your employees will feel healthier, thus lowering health-care costs—and your bottom line.

For more information about how wellness programs can help your company, read this article on Businessweek.com.

Posted by Megan Pacella on September 4, 2007 11:10 AM

Retirement planning is never easy, especially if it's up to just you to work out all of the details for your employees. If you might be thinking that a 401(k) plan isn't the best fit for your business, take a look at this recent Tools & Tips column on NFIB.com, which discusses whether a 412(i), which combines pension payouts and life-insurance protection, could be a good choice instead.

Some of the plan's pros include:

• Funded exclusively by individual annuities or a combination of annuities and life-insurance contracts


• Can provide fixed, known monthly retirement benefits, life-insurance protection and, relative to other plans, large tax-deductible contributions (in excess of $300,000) that can build a substantial retirement fund in just a few years


• Any business, whether C Corporation, S Corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship, can establish a 412(i) plan

And some potential cons include:

• Because of the large contribution levels, 412(i) plans are not for struggling companies


• Unlike some other pension plans, loans against 412(i) funds are not allowed


• There is no investment flexibility. By law, a 412(i) must be funded entirely with insurance and annuity contracts

Posted by Megan Goodchild on July 13, 2007 09:23 AM

Most people are not motivated to get into shape, unless, of course, their employer is doing the motivating. With group premium rates rising astronomically—87 percent since 2000—employers are taking matters into their own hands and finding new ways to lower insurance costs.

According to attorney Gary Mathiason in this article from the Society of Human Resource Management, “A hefty portion of those health-care costs includes preventable illnesses arising from unhealthy habits.” Many employers are incorporating employee wellness initiatives to promote healthier lifestyles, which will result in cheaper health care. These initiatives often include annual health risk assessments for all employees to determine whether or not an individual needs to consult a health coach to form healthier habits.

Promoting good health seems to be a good idea on the surface, but many legal issues come into play when employers incorporate employee wellness initiatives. Read on to find out the pros and cons of implementing a similar system for your own employees.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 17, 2007 01:18 PM

Everybody is talking about health insurance right now, whether they have access to it or not—and surprisingly—almost 16 percent of the population falls in the “or not” category. While those struggling to get insured anxiously await new legislation, Vip Patel has taken matters into his own hands.

Dan Seymour’s article in Business Week explains that after falling desperately ill in 1985 and refusing treatment because he had no health benefits, Patel launched a company that can help customers save 25 to 30 percent on their health-insurance costs. If you’re an NFIB member, you may have already heard about his business, eHealth Inc. An NFIB Member Benefit, eHealthInsurance specializes in helping small-business owners purchase and save on health insurance for themselves, their employees and their families. Read on to find out how Patel keeps his company going, and how his business can help you insure your family and your business for a more affordable price.

Posted by Megan Pacella on April 10, 2007 12:56 PM

Last night was one of those rare occasions in my house where we ate dinner in front of the television. I usually make my husband turn off whatever ball game is on so that we can have a civilized discussion about our days. But we broke the rule last night so that we could watch the president's State of the Union address (we live on the West Coast, so it was on during our dinner time).

In addition to hearing what Bush had to say, it was also fun to watch the sideshows: Obama was seated directly in front of Clinton. Did you notice how that basketball player towered over Laura Bush?! And how cool that the president pointed to a successful small-business owner--the founder of Baby Einstein. Even more impressive: NFIB member Joe Balsarotti and his employee Dan Jones were among the guests included in the first lady's viewing box.

Bush outlined a lot of important initiatives, but none hit as close to home for small businesses as his health-insurance plans. Independent-business owners don't have to be told there's a crisis in this country. Maybe this Congress will finally solve it instead of fighting about it. In case you missed it, here's his speech in its entirety. And check out NFIB's response to the president's health-care plans.

Posted by Shannon McRae on January 24, 2007 09:00 AM

Before the 109th Congress headed home, it passed legislation to greatly improve the benefits of health savings accounts for both employers and employees. The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 makes several business- and employee-friendly changes to HSAs that increase the affordability and accessibility of health care for independent businesses.

Today's Tools & Tips article on NFIB.com gives an overview of the legislation, including the following highlights:

• Money from flexible spending accounts and health reimbursement accounts can be rolled over one time, penalty-free, into health savings accounts.


• There is no longer an annual plan deductible limitation on HSAs, meaning that in 2007, individuals will be able to contribute $2,850 to an HSA and families will be able to contribute up to $5,650, regardless of the size of their health insurance deductible.


• Allows people to fully fund their HSA account, regardless of when during the year they became covered under the plan.


• Employers may contribute more for lesser-compensated employees.


• Allows a one-time rollover from an IRA to a HSA.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on January 5, 2007 09:27 AM

Belt-tightening at the pump takes on a whole new meaning thanks to a study released by the University of Illinois. Researchers found that Americans are using nearly 1 billion more gallons of gasoline each year than they did in 1960 because of expanding waistlines, according to this AP article. More weight makes for lower gas mileage, so your arteries aren't the only thing you'll save if you pass on that super-sized burger combo.

"The bottom line is that our hunger for food and our hunger for oil are not independent," says study co-author Sheldon Jacobson. "There is a relationship between the two."

Recent trends in consumer-driven health plans have some small businesses looking at the value of promoting wellness habits among employees. As gas prices continue to rise, healthy eating habits might not only affect your insurance premiums--they could affect your fleet's fuel bills as well.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 26, 2006 01:04 PM

Finally, something from the federal government that is useful for small-business owners. Business.gov, dubbed as "the official business link to the U.S. government," relaunches today, providing one-stop shopping for business owners looking for information on how to comply with government regulations.

Managed by the Small Business Administration, Business.gov compiles information from 21 federal agencies in an effort to improve the way the federal government serves citizens and businesses.

First launched in 2004, Business.gov originally focused on resources for starting, growing and managing a business. But focus groups revealed that what business owners really wanted was help dealing with the all the paperwork and rules about running a business. The easy-to-navigate site is divided into topics and industries.

Posted by Shannon McRae on October 2, 2006 10:09 AM

You put out fires every day. But let’s hope you never have to contend with a real fire in your small business. Disaster happens. But if you're prepared, you can recover.

A recent post on the Small Business Trends blog details what happened when the author was interviewing a small business for a podcast when, all of the sudden, the business owner had to evacuate his building to escape a fire.

Avoid the heat in your small business by checking out our latest MyBusiness Manual. It's all about preparing your small business for an emergency. Though you can't prevent disasters, you can plan for them.

Posted by Shannon McRae on September 25, 2006 06:15 PM

With the cost of health care rising, it's important to understand the different options available to small businesses. One such option is a health savings account, designed to maximize your savings on health insurance while providing you with a valuable tax break. HSAs have two parts: an eligible, high-deductible health-insurance plan and a tax-advantaged savings account. Funds placed into your HSA can be invested to earn tax-free income, and the balance will roll over from year to year until retirement age. Read more about the benefits of an HSA in today's Tools & Tips on NFIB.com.

Posted by Megan Goodchild on September 20, 2006 10:49 AM

Last week, we pointed to a story about business owners who were struggling to survive in New Orleans a year after Hurricane Katrina's devestating blow. Today, a story in the Salt Lake Tribune highlights a different kind of survival: In the weeks following the disaster, these owners packed up their businesses and got out of New Orleans. Though some had plans to return, all of them ended up finding permanent homes for their businesses in new cities.

The panic of the early days is still fresh on their minds. "You think, this can't be happening, when you slip and fall in the grime and you're covered with who knows what, and there's no running water to wash it off with," says Christine MCAtte, owner of Adventures in Adveritising/Insignia Marketing, which is now based in The Woodlands, Texas.

Greg Mangiaracina moved his business, A-Pro Home Inspection Services, to San Antonio, Texas, and hasn't looked back. "I can't put my family through this again," he says.

Relocating wasn't easy, but facing the choice of a city without basic services and sky-high real estate costs, these business owners say they made the only choice they had.

Posted by Shannon McRae on August 28, 2006 03:25 PM

Each year, numerous consumers and small-business owners discover that the insurance policies they have purchased are not legitimate, and are then left with thousands of dollars to pay out of pocket. Insurance scams are quite common, and today's Tools & Tips column on NFIB.com details how to recognize and avoid a scam. Advice includes:

• Stop before signing anything or writing a check


• Call the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance in your state


• Confirm the broker is legitimate and licensed to do business in the state


• Work with an organization like NFIB that researches insurance offers before making them available to members

Posted by Megan Goodchild on June 29, 2006 08:02 AM

Just five votes. That’s how close small-business owners were to real health-insurance reform last week. Unfortunately, the Senate acted as roadblock yet again to Small-Business Health Plans, crucial legislation that would help make health insurance more accessible and affordable to small-business owners and their employees.

In a sometime-confusing procedural vote, SBHP supporters fell just five votes short of the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture, which basically would have cut off debate and allowed the bill to move forward to a vote. Because of the Senate schedule, it is unlikely, although not impossible, that this legislation will come back to the Senate floor again this year, according to NFIB’s President Todd Stottlemyer. Read more of his comments on last week’s vote on NFIB.com.

Despite defeat this time, small-business owners won’t go away quietly. November’s midterm elections are the perfect chance to send packing those senators who didn’t support the much-needed reform. NFIB is mobilizing members of its Political Action Team. Go here to learn how you can get involved.

Posted by Shannon McRae on May 15, 2006 10:00 AM

Years of work by NFIB at creating affordable health-insurance options for small business may come down to a critical U.S. Senate vote this week. The full Senate is expected to take up S. 1955 for a vote on Thursday. The bill would create Small-Business Health Plans, a way for small businesses to join together across state lines to negotiate for more affordable and accessible health insurance. NFIB.com has a web-based service that will allow you to contact your senators, letting them know of your support.

Posted by Rex Hammock on May 8, 2006 10:55 AM

Today, the New York Times profiles the efforts of NFIB in support of legislation that will allow the creation of small-business health plans. Quote:

"The NFIB is among the top five lobbying groups in the capital," said James A. Thurber, director for the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University, "in the same rank with the AARP and the N.R.A., for example, even though they have far fewer members."

Posted by Rex Hammock on May 4, 2006 06:44 PM

One-hundred years ago tomorrow, the Great San Francisco Earthquake struck, touching off fires that burned for three days and destroyed more than 500 blocks of the city. Damage was estimated at $8.2 billion by today’s standards.

Small-business owners in this century certainly have witnessed their share of disasters in recent years. Yet a recent study by MasterCard found that the majority of small-business owners don’t believe a natural disaster will affect their business in the next 12 months. You know the old Boy Scout adage: Be prepared. Take a few minutes to check out the Small Business Administration’s disaster preparedness site to make sure you're covered.

Posted by Shannon McRae on April 17, 2006 07:21 AM

After years of hard work by NFIB members, a Senate vote has finally been scheduled for Small-Business Health Plans in May. SBHPs level the playing field for small-business owners, and a big push is on to encourage your senators to vote in favor of this important legislation. In the current issue of MyBusiness magazine, we profile two small-business owners who are living through the nightmare of escalating health-care costs—and desperately need relief soon.

Posted by Jamie Roberts on April 6, 2006 11:17 AM