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August 2021 The Contractor’s Advantage
HarrisonLawGroup.com (410) 832-0000 jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com
Meet Ruthie!
Jeremy’s Sweet, Excitable, and Slightly Oblivious Dog
and kids. All she wants is to be right where her family is. And even better, she’s not very vocal.
In 2019, my wife and I promised our children that we could adopt a dog in 2020. We wanted to wait until the summer, when it would be easier to let the dog out to train it outside.
But training her — now that’s another story!
Then the pandemic happened.
I don’t know if this is the nature of her breed or if Ruthie is particularly difficult to train, but it’s incredibly challenging to get Ruthie to understand anything. For example, at 18 months old, you would think she would have the basics of potty training down, but she is quite the little princess. If it’s raining outside, she decides her bathroom break will be taken inside the home instead. Getting her to realize she can’t do that has been a challenge. Currently, we’re trying to teach Ruthie not to pull so hard on her leash when we’re taking her for walks. We didn’t think this was a big problem until we took her along on a recent family vacation to Williamsburg. She wanted to explore everything, and whoever held her leash was in for a workout! Thankfully, she is devoted to her family, and we could probably get away with having her off-leash. (We won’t try that.) But because of how hard she pulls, we had to move from connecting her leash to her collar to using a harness instead. The collar would just fall right off her tube-like little body because of how much she squirmed and pulled. Regardless of her few “faults,” we’re very happy to have Ruthie in our lives. We may have initially chosen her because it felt like she was the last available dog on Earth, but she’s become a welcome part of our family. As studies have shown, just owning pets can stimulate the
We soon discovered that it was very, very hard to get a dog because just like us, everyone else was home more often and had more time for a pet. So, our search began! After we were nearly scammed into adopting a dog that didn’t exist from an online source, we began searching for any dog — we just wanted to find a real dog to adopt!
production of more oxytocin in our brains and in our pets’ brains too. That’s the hormone that’s associated with positivity, trust, and love. Ruthie certainly does that for us.
As luck would have it, my wife has a family friend who breeds French bulldogs, and they just happened to have a litter. Ruthie was the last pup that had yet to be claimed, and she was ready for a home if we were ready for her.
Looking back, we couldn’t have gotten luckier. (Well, kind of.)
She fell right into our lives, and I’m glad she did.
Ruthie is the sweetest, most loving dog you will ever meet. Dogs are already attentive and loving, but this dog could make anyone fall in love with her. She loves all kinds of dogs
-Jeremy Wyatt
jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com | HarrisonLawGroup.com | 1
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Use These 3 Methods to Measure Your Results Advertising on Podcasts?
the podcasts you advertise on are options on the list. You can do this with an online survey or by incorporating it into your live sales process. According to Marketing Insider, 80%–90% of customers will complete this kind of survey, making it a pretty accurate tracking method. The biggest downside is that you won’t be able to track podcast-driven traffic that doesn’t convert to sales, which is possible with both pixel-based tracking and the next option we’ll dive into.
If you’re not already advertising on podcasts, you might want to add it to your list of marketing strategies. According to a 2019 survey from Edison Research and Triton Digital, more than half of all Americans have listened to at least one podcast. That’s over 167 million people your company could (and probably should) be targeting. But once you do advertise on a podcast, you’re faced with a different challenge: How do you measure your results? As it turns out, there are quite a few ways to track the bang you’re getting for your buck. Here are just three of them, ranked from the most effective to the least.
Promo Codes and Vanity URLs
Finally, you can drop a podcast-specific promo code or URL into your advertisement, then track how many clients visit your website or purchase using those options. One big perk of this method is that it’s shareable between customers: If one person finds you from a podcast and makes a referral, you'll be able to track their referral back to the podcast, too. Unfortunately, Marketing Insider
Pixel-Based Tracking
This method requires a true partnership between the podcast and its advertisers. To make it work, the podcast publisher has to install a pixel (a tiny digital tracking and information-gathering tool) through its hosting provider. Then, you have to install one
reports that only 2 in 3 listeners remember promo codes, and only 1 in 6 use vanity URLs when they’re provided. That means you might end up with podcast-driven customers who appear to have found you from somewhere else.
on your website. Together, the pixels will reveal the connection between podcast downloads and visits or conversions on your site. You get a lot of detailed
data with this strategy, but some podcasters may not agree to use pixel-based tracking because of privacy concerns.
Whatever tracking method you choose, podcast advertising is a booming industry: According to eMarketer, podcast ad spending made up over 20% of digital radio
Post-Checkout Surveys
advertising spending in 2020 and is set to surpass $1 billion this year. It’s time to jump on the bandwagon if you haven’t already — just do it the smart way.
This tactic is as old as time. When your customers sign up for your service or buy your product, simply ask them where they heard about you and make sure
2 | (410) 832-0000 | jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com
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HAVE A Laugh
The Strange Battle of Castle Itter
During the Nazi occupation of World War II, the Third Reich converted the medieval Austrian castle, Castle Itter, into a prison for important French prisoners. The Only Time Americans and Germans Fought Together in WWII
The castle’s cook encountered Major Josef Gangl, a Wehrmacht officer, who, after becoming disillusioned with Nazism, had decided to help the Austrian resistance instead. So, in order to free Castle Itter, he hoisted a white flag when he made contact with Captain Jack C. Lee Jr., a U.S. tank commander. The battle on May 5, 1945, was short and resulted in only one casualty — Josef Gangl was killed by a sniper. It ended when a small rescue group dispatched by Major John T. Kramers arrived with a column of tanks and scattered the SS troops. The prisoners were freed, Lee was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, and Josef Gangl, for his service to the Austrian resistance, has a street named after him in a nearby town that still remains to this day.
Have you seen a toothbrush that’s always showing up in Facebook ads? If you don’t have one already, it might surprise you that quip, the company that invented it, currently has a net worth of over $1.14 billion. How did they get there? Unlike most consumer product companies, quip didn't start with a product first. They focused on a problem first: People weren’t brushing, changing brush heads, or flossing nearly enough. Using those shortcomings as a starting point, they began to revolutionize the dental product industry. Inventing a New Design After seeing the sleek, modern design of a quip toothbrush, it won’t surprise you that two industrial designers invented it. Co-founder and CEO Simon Enever got the idea for quip toothbrushes in 2012 after a visit to the dentist in Queens, New York. His dentist mentioned that, despite electric toothbrushes working so well, people still didn’t use them enough. That day, Enever called Bill May — who’d worked for Lifetime Brands like Farberware and KitchenAid — and they started working on the company and product idea. But how do you break into a market dominated by two corporate brands? Existing electric toothbrushes worked great. But Enever, like most Americans, just couldn’t find one he wanted to use. The toothbrushes were heavy, the charging stands were clumsy, and the brush itself often felt too big, too small, or too oddly shaped. Why Does the 'quip' Toothbrush Really Work?
From there, Enever and May stripped down many expensive, unnecessary features that toothbrushes had while keeping the most useful features, like a buzzing timer. That led to the signature, simplistic, and familiar quip toothbrush design we know today. Creating a Worldwide Trend With a competitive, affordable price ($25) and subscription service, quip makes it easy for users to stay on top of their oral health. Quip also works directly with dentists, who offer patients free quip subscriptions if they come in for six-month checkups. With quip’s sleek, light, and convenient design, and even a Bluetooth app for tracking and rewarding customers with healthy brushing habits, it’s no wonder quip toothbrushes are a worldwide success. Enever and May’s innovation wasn’t really in the toothbrush itself, but the way they envisioned how a toothbrush can encourage people to keep brushing. We think it’s safe to assume that many other dental brands, even other health- focused brands, will take inspiration from this approach.
jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com | HarrisonLawGroup.com | 3
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Jeremy Wyatt jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com HarrisonLawGroup.com (410) 832-0000
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
40 West Chesapeake Avenue, Ste. 600 Towson, MD 21204 Inside This Edition
1. 2. 3.
Meet the Wyatt Family’s Newest Member: Ruthie!
Podcast Ads: How to Track the Bang for Your Buck
The Only WWII Battle That Americans and Germans Fought Together Why Does the 'quip' Toothbrush Really Work?
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Go Back-to-School Shopping for Your Home Office!
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Level With Me: Know the Difference Between Commercial Insurance and Surety Bonds Is Your Home Office Missing Something? Top 3 Tips to Take Advantage of Back-to-School Deals
If you’re looking to organize your space, consider buying desktop shelves to free up clutter. Then, you won’t have to leave your desk to stay in the zone! Look out for Apple and PC sales! Replacing your current technology can be expensive, but back-to-school sales are the perfect way to spare your wallet. Have an amazing computer already? You can still benefit majorly from staying tuned! During last year’s back-to-school sale, Apple offered 20% off their AppleCare+ service, which gives you two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months. Dropped your laptop or spilled coffee on it? They’ll fix it, no questions asked. Invest in the new office chair you’ve been wanting. Don’t sacrifice your posture just because you’re working from home. Whether remote working has turned into a permanent or a part-time solution for your job, you deserve an office chair that can help keep your back straight, preventing pain and slouching. Many big-box stores will be offering sales on office chairs, so take the opportunity to sit in a healthier way today — before the expensive holiday season rolls around! Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you can’t have the joy of back-to-school shopping too. We hope you treat yourself to something that’ll make your remote routine even better.
Everyone loves back-to-school season because of the shopping spree! Students can get tools they’ll actually use for the entire year while they’re on sale while saving a few extra dollars in the process. But you can get that very same feeling as an entrepreneur, too. Here's how you can make the most of back-to-school deals this year for your home office. Upgrade your home office’s amenities. Are you a seltzer water fan? Every year, Amazon almost always has an “Off to College” sale, featuring various products that make dorm life a little bit easier and more convenient. If you want to do the same for your home office, look into a tabletop fridge — or an electric tea kettle, if tea is more your style. Some affordable decor, like wall art or small potted succulents, can spruce up your office without making a mess.
4 | (410) 832-0000 | jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com
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Level With
Me By JeremyWyatt
The Crucial Difference Between Typical Commercial Insurance and Surety Bonds The Difference Is in the Fine Print
In these situations, the insurance company acts as your ally. They are there to serve your best interest and offer protection against financial consequences should something go wrong in relation to the project.
From time to time, clients ask me, “What is the difference between more traditional commercial insurance and surety bonds?” There is often uncertainty or misunderstanding as to the difference. At a glance, there are many similarities. Ultimately, they are both helpful in advancing your interests; however, misunderstanding the difference can be costly.
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Surety Bonds
Surety bonds are insurance products sold by many of the insurers that we buy other forms of insurance from, including auto and CGL policies. Similarly, they help mitigate risk, but they do it in a different way. Every construction project comes with its share of risk. Something may go wrong — such as a subcontractor going out of business in the middle of the job, making it difficult to complete the project in the expected time frame. Or maybe the client doesn’t complete the work or doesn’t pay employees, suppliers, or other subcontractors the money they are owed. If the general contractor or owner has a surety bond, they can call the insurance company that issued the bond to take care of the situation.
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Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance
This is a type of policy that is generally activated if you do something potentially negligent on a construction project. The insurance company steps in to indemnify you or protect you from financial harm. It’s the same general idea that applies to auto insurance. If, by chance, someone was driving poorly or not paying attention to the road ahead and rear-ended someone, their auto insurance policy would protect them from monetary damage. It may even provide the policyholder with an attorney, if necessary.
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jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com
www.HarrisonLawGroup.com
(410) 832-0000
... continued from Front
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Who Is on Your Side?
For example, if an electrician’s company folds during the project, the insurance company can effectively hire another electrician to finish the job. Or, if a contractor fails to pay their employees/suppliers/subcontractors, the insurer can once again step in to make sure the appropriate people are compensated.
No matter the situation, the end result is the same. The insurance company will come looking for reimbursement.
While they may seem like your ally in making sure things get done and the project continues as expected, they are not your friend. They are interested in minimizing their exposure while maximizing what you pay back. Additionally, they have NO obligation to defend you, unlike with a traditional insurance policy. If it comes down to it, the surety will leave you out to dry. Never misconstrue the insurance policy or product you are buying. Always read the fine print and always walk away with a firm understanding of how you are covered and what to expect from that coverage as you begin work on a project.
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Distinct Differences
While this description sounds similar to a normal insurance policy, the real differences are in the fine print of the contact. Virtually anyone can buy normal insurance for any number of purposes. In order to buy a surety bond, you must take an extra step. In order for a surety bond to become activated, the construction company must agree to pay back the insurance company for any money the insurer spends on the project. That is to say, if the surety is called to hire a new contractor or they are called in order to resolve a compensation issue, someone must pay that money back.
You don’t want to get caught by surprise in the middle of a project.
If you have questions about insurance policies, such as CGL policies or surety bonds, email me at jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com or call me at ( 410) 842-0145 . I’m on your side to help you make informed decisions and understand how you are protected.
Any number of issues can arise that trigger the surety bond:
• A contractor gets fired, quits, or goes out of business.
• A contractor fails to complete a job.
-Jeremy Wyatt
• A contractor refuses to pay people owed.
jwyatt@harrisonlawgroup.com
www.HarrisonLawGroup.com
(410) 832-0000
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