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JUNE 2018
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CELEBRATING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THERE FOR MY KIDS The Blessings of Fatherhood
W ith Father’s Day right around the corner, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how blessed I am to have not only my three biological children in my life, but also three stepchildren as well. During those years when I was a single father with custody of my three kids, I felt like I had a unique opportunity to develop a special relationship with each one of them. But then I got remarried six years ago and I got to start my new “stepdad” relationships with my wife’s three daughters. It’s been an adventure. At first, I had no clue how the “step” relationship should work, but as time went on, and after we faced real life together, I feel like we have really settled in. Doubling the size of my family wasn’t a commitment I took lightly, but it’s been consistently rewarding in ways I never could have imagined. I’m aware of how lucky I am to be relatively close with each of my stepdaughters, as I try my best to meet them where they are and where they need me. Their biological father hasn’t been present in their lives since shortly after he left his family, which was when the oldest was a freshman in high school. That was obviously a devastating event for them, so I take my role of stepping into the hole he left in their lives quite seriously. My goal is to be present and available for each
worked cooperatively to create a new family. We have certainly made our share of mistakes along the way, but we think we might be on the right track. It hasn’t always been easy and smooth, but every once in a while one of them will say something so kind and gracious to me that I’m caught off guard. ” I am still an awfully long way from being the father that I want to be, but I feel like there is no greater investment opportunity in the world than the opportunity to invest my time, my energy, my resources, and my love in all six of my children. That’s what Father’s Day means to me, and I get to celebrate it every day!
of them individually as needed, but especially right now for my 15-year-old stepdaughter who’s trying to navigate her high school years here in Little Rock. It hasn’t always been easy and smooth, but every once in a while one of them
will say something so kind and gracious to me that I’m caught off guard. Those are the moments that make me feel as if I just might be making a difference in their lives — that maybe our relationship is something good and encouraging that has developed out of what was a terribly difficult situation. Meanwhile, my relationships with my biological children
continue to grow and mature, as do their relationships with my wife, their stepmother. She is trying to do for them what I am trying to do for her children, and I think she is succeeding. Even though my children are now mostly independent and living on their own, I know they are enjoying having stepsisters and a stepmom. Our family gatherings for the holidays and for family vacations are certainly different and better now than when it was just the four of us! My wife and I are very grateful that all of our children have accepted each other and have
–Brad Johnson
President, Risk Services of AR Specialized Insurance Programs for Specialized Industries. • www.insurica.com • 1
BUSINESS NETWORKING IN 2018
Are Business Cards Still
Running a business is hard, but you know what’s even harder? Running a fake business. Front companies have been around since the early 1900s and have been steadily increasing in recent years. A front company is a business that presents itself as one entity but operates as another. They are usually set up by an organization with the intent of disguising an ulterior motive. In some cases, this is for a good reason. The CIA sets up front companies to give their agents legitimate backstories. In other cases, front companies are created to protect criminal organizations. Here are some of the latter. CASINOS Most businesses never get off the ground because they can’t find startup capital. You need these funds to pay employees, purchase operating space, and provide your service. In the case of the early days of Las Vegas, limited oversight and regulation allowed businesses to operate like the Wild West. Mafias could build casinos without too many questions arising about where the money came from or how much went through their operation. Racketeers could take funds obtained from criminal ventures, send them to Vegas, and claim them as house winnings. BARS Building a strong customer base is one of the toughest parts of any successful business. Well, when you can create customers out of thin air, you eliminate that variable. Before bars began to be regulated, this is precisely what made them ideal front companies. Bar owners could create invoices for patrons who never existed and use the cash from their hidden illegitimate practice to make these patrons appear real. SHELL CORPORATIONS The constant upkeep of a brick-and-mortar location can be a huge expense for any owner. But if your business only exists on paper, you don’t have to deal with any of those complications. This is one reason shell corporations make great front companies. Shell companies aren’t illegal by any means, but they can be used in illegal ways. Many criminal organizations use them to hide money from investigators or make illegal profits seem legal. Operating a front company is hard because there is no shortcut to success. Truly successful companies achieve their missions through vision and values, not fronts. Integrity makes people resonate with a brand, and that’s one thing you can’t fake.
Relevant?
Business cards don’t have the same presence they once did. These little pieces of card stock were once a vital part of professional networking, but they’ve become more of a niche item these days. So, should we consider the business card dead? Not so fast! There was a time when it seemed that the business card was legitimately on its way out and social media was poised to take over as the business-connection solution. While some websites, such as LinkedIn and Facebook, have become popular networking tools, they certainly haven’t rendered the business card obsolete. The business card provides a snapshot of your business to someone you may want to work with in the future. It’s an easy way to instantly hand someone your contact info — no fumbling around to find your smartphone or a relevant app. And that person will have a physical reminder of your name. But in 2018, your business card can’t be boring if you want to catch someone’s attention. It needs to convey key information in a simple, professional way while also standing out. That’s no easy task. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing a business card: Have purpose. Before you order cards, decide how you will use them. Don’t invest in cards that are going to sit in a desk drawer for the next five years. Keep the design clean. The idea is to capture the attention of the recipient, not overwhelm them. If the information on your card isn’t clear, the card is useless. Only say what is necessary — name, profession, contact info, and a brief description of the service you provide — and leave it at that. Let your creativity shine. When you hand someone a well-designed business card — one that goes beyond a boring white rectangle — they keep it. Let your card reflect you and your business. Don’t be afraid to step out of the 2-by-3.5-inch box.
Need inspiration? Head over to YouTube and search “Tim’s Novelty Business Cards.” You’ll be inspired in no time!
2 • www.insurica.com • Specialized Insurance Programs for Specialized Industries.
BEFORE AN EMPLOYEE SUES, ENSURE YOU’RE PROTECTED Why Businesses of All Sizes Need EPL Insurance
That’s why it’s always a good idea to equip your business with Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPL or EPLI), which is designed to protect companies against many types of employee lawsuits. This usually includes claims of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, discrimination, breach of employment contract, wrongful infliction of emotional distress, negligent evaluation, and several others. In the event of a suit, EPLI will reimburse your business for any legal costs you incur plus the cost of any judgment or settlements you may reach. Cost of EPLI coverage will depend upon the nature of your particular business, as well as the number of employees. If you’ve been sued for employment violations in the past or exhibit other risk factors, those will be taken into account. Regardless of the nature of your company, it’s important to prepare yourself against this surprisingly common contingency. Call the experts at Risk Services/Insurica at 501.666.6653 to determine your options and ensure you’re protected, no matter what happens. Sudoku
From the very first moment a prospective employee comes into your office for an interview, you’re at risk of them bringing an employment claim against you. Maybe you’ll decide to pass over them during the hiring process, and in response, they’ll allege that discriminatory practices came into play. Maybe you’ll hire them, only for them to claim later that you’re underpaying them on the basis of their gender or race. Obviously, it’s essential that you follow employment law to a T and give people of any race, gender, religion, disability, or age a fair shake in the workplace. But it’s also vital to be prepared in the event that a member of your team alleges otherwise. Many owners of small and midsized businesses (SMBs) assume that claims of discrimination or other violations of employment law only hit massive corporations. But in reality, budding companies are particularly vulnerable to such claims. Without carefully outlined employment practices, HR departments, or legal advisors to help steer clear of violations, SMBs leave themselves open to costly lawsuits — especially in the turbulent political climate of today.
Have a Laugh!
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INSIDE This Issue
Brad Johnson on the Blessings of Fatherhood page 1
Are Business Cards Still Relevant? Even an Illegal Business Needs a Plan page 2 Are You at Risk of an Employee Lawsuit? Sudoku page 3 Business Must-Read: ‘The Origins of Happiness’ page 4
‘THE ORIGINS OF HAPPINESS’ Changing Our Ideas of Success
What is happiness? How can we encourage well-being in others? These are the sorts of questions that have kept philosophers busy since the dawn of human history. In “The Origins of Happiness,” a team of the world’s leading social scientists tackles these age-old mysteries. Their groundbreaking findings may change the workplace and public policy. Listed as one of the top five books Business Insider was excited about for the year 2018, “Origins” does not disappoint. If you want to better understand your own happiness or the happiness of others, you’ll find the book to be an enlightening page turner. Even though it’s based on years of research and filled with graphs and data to support the authors’ arguments, it doesn’t read like a heady scientific report.
While it’s designed to help policymakers quantify and boost the satisfaction of their citizens, there is something for everyone in “Origins.” The chapters
on success and happiness in children are of particular interest to parents and educators, for example. Business owners and managers should be especially interested in the book’s data- driven reimagining of wealth and happiness. The paycheck is no longer the universal incentive for employees we once thought it was. One has only to look to Silicon Valley to know that some of the most successful companies on the planet have prioritized the well-being of their employees. The quirky perks and benefits offered by Google and Amazon make much more sense from a business standpoint after reading “Origins.”
This is one of those rare works that captures the prevailing winds of the business world and puts them into easy-to- understand terms backed by hard data. Far more than vague platitudes about money not buying happiness, “Origins” will change the way you think about everyone’s well-being — including your own.
On the contrary, this fairly short book is surprisingly accessible. Between the charts and equations, you’ll find “Origins” has wit, charm, and wisdom in spades. With their
down-to-earth prose, the authors dissect complex arguments and strip long-held beliefs to their core assumptions. The result is a methodical yet enjoyable exploration of what it means to live well in today’s world.
4 • www.insurica.com • Specialized Insurance Programs for Specialized Industries.
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