Rising Obesity Presents Challenge to Workers Comp

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Advantage Group

Rising Obesity Presents Challenge to Workers CompThe U.S. obesity epidemic presents significant obstacles to workers compensation challenges, complicating efforts to return employees to work and full health.

Over the past 20 years, there has been a huge increase in obesity rates. By 2010, not one state has a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Maryland ranks approximately in the middle with 27.1% state obesity rate, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

The health consequences are well documented. CDC research indicates that overweight individuals significantly increases their risk for coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, numerous cancers, hypertension, stroke, and joint problems.

Besides raising numerous health concerns, rising obesity rates in the U.S. places increasing pressure on healthcare costs and workers compensation. Some estimates place it over 150 billion a year. It has significant effects on workers comp issues as well. Obese workers comp claimants likely to miss more work days than healthy-weight co-workers with similar injuries. They are also likely to have higher medical costs and are more likely to suffer permanent disability.

Obesity conditions complicate workers comp cases and make treatment difficult, as weight issues make it more difficult to attain maximum medical improvement. It takes much longer to recover from an injury when the claimant is overweight. Weight loss programs or gastric bypass surgery can further prolong the issue. As obesity levels rise, it will continue to place increasing pressure on workers compensation.

Workers Compensation is one of the biggest expenses for companies, regardless of their size. Especially with rising health concerns and challenges, it is crucial to put together a comprehensive plan that covers your needs and the health and well-being of your employees. At Advantage Group, Workers Compensation plans are one of our many specialty programs. Contact us today for more information.

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Maryland Contractors: Tips to Cut Costs Without Cutting Service

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Advantage Group

Maryland Contractors: Tips to Cut Costs Without Cutting ServiceThe contracting industry, like any other, experiences numerous fluctuations and ups and downs. And like any business owner looking to for continued longevity and success, you want to reduces costs without compromising any aspect of your services.

An article in contractormag.com recently detailed some tips on how to cut costs without compromising service. Here is a summary of their tips:

  • Lighting. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs where appropriate, as incandescent bulbs burn out.
  •  Cut inventory. See inventory as piles of cash. Minimize the cash laying around the shop and in your trucks; return it to your suppliers.
  • Maintain Vehicles. Make sure all company vehicles receive an oil change every 3,000 miles, a 30,000 mile tune-up, and the tires are checked weekly.
  • Don’t Pay for Idle Vehicles. If a vehicle will be idle for months and you have no use for it, try and sell it. If you don’t want to sell it, then park it and remove the tags.
  • Replace postage with email. Use email or fax instead.
  • Recycle copy & printer paper. Use the back of copier or printer paper for notes.
  • Lease. Lease any major equipment you’re not currently using, like jetters and sewer cameras.
  • Defensive driving. Require all your employees who drive company vehicles to take a defensive driving course annually. With risk mitigation, the Advantage Group has shown more than competitive rates.
  • Reduce windshield time. Concentrate your marketing within a certain radius of your shop. By doing so, you can directly service your community and build a strong bond with your clients while reducing travel time and mileage.

At Advantage Group, our agents are trained specialists in all types of business insurance. We have the breadth and depth of expertise to understand your needs and personalize a program that allows you to get the most for your insurance dollar. We specialize in bonds for contractors insurance, particularly construction. Contact us today for more information. 

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Update: Maryland Becomes First State to Protect Social Media Privacy

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Advantage Group

In our blog post, Employers Asking for Facebook Password in Interview, Maryland was the first state to take action to protect individual’s social media privacy. Now, it’s official.

Maryland’s General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting employers in the state from asking current and prospective employees for their user names and passwords to social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

The state’s response is the first legislation to address the issue of social media privacy. Despite the huge influx of social media sites, from Facebook & Twitter to Pinterest & Instagram, there is no clear distinction between public and personal lives. And up until now, no legislation had begun to tackle the issues.

The fight has spilled onto the national level as well. U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer of New York and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut (D) have asked the Department of Justice and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity commission to investigate the issue, according to the Baltimore Sun.

There are two views to this issue. In many ways the internet is the most public forum with the widest audience available to an individual- what is private about that? Employers say that social media sites can be helpful in weeding out unwanted candidates. Others argue that what is on our personal sites, should remain personal and never enter the workplace. Bradley Shear, a social media attorney who helped lobby for the bill, likened our social media sites as our “digital home” that needs to be protected.

As a local Maryland business owner what do you think of Maryland’s new legislation? What place should social media have in the workplace? Are further restrictions necessary? We’d love to hear from you.

Whether you’re a contractor, property owner, distributor or manufacturer, The Advantage Group has you covered. Our agents are trained specialists in all types of business insurance. Whatever your need for Maryland business insurance, whether in the Westminster or Glen Burnie areas or throughout the state, we’re here to help. Contact us today.

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The Advantage Group Insurance Joins Maryland’s Better Business Bureau

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Advantage Group

The Advantage Group Insurance Joins Maryland's Better Business BureauThe Advantage Group is pleased to announce we have been accredited by the Better Business Bureau of Maryland. The Advantage Group is proud to join the Maryland community as a “BBB Accredited Business.” The company has met all the BBB accreditation standards, including a proven track record for being dependable and responsive.

This accreditation is a testament to what we stand for and what we have achieved as a business, joining the ranks of an elite group with a proven track record for being honest, dependable and responsive.

We are proud to be a part of the community dedicated to building and maintaining strong customer service practices that enhance customer trust and confidence in business. Thank you for your loyalty and support.

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Maryland Adds 8,000 Jobs in February: Construction on the Rise

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Advantage Group

Maryland Adds 8,000 Jobs in February: Construction on the RiseThere are positive signs all around that the economy is recovering, and Maryland is no exception.

Jobs are on the rise in Maryland- according to the Baltimore Sun, employers added 8,000 jobs in February, the latest sign of the state’s economic recovery. This marks the sixth month in a row of jobs gains. While the state’s jobless rate remains unchanged at 6.5 percent from a month earlier, it is nearly 2 percentage points below the 8.3% national average.

“Employment is at its highest level since September 2008,” Maryland Labor Secretary Alexander Sanchez said during a conference call to the Sun. The state fared better than its initial estimates.

With the creation of more positions, the dynamic of the job market has changed. During the recession, employers had the upper hand as applicants scrambled for jobs. Now employers are fighting more for talent, and some candidates are fielding several job offers, especially in areas where specialized skills are required, according the Sun.

One of the industries gaining momentum both in Maryland and nationwide is construction. Maryland has been seeing strong activity in the construction industry- it is one of the top sectors that is making a comeback.

This trend is echoing throughout the United States as well according to the Wall Street Journal. Workers who lost their job during the housing market slump are starting their own businesses to take advantage of the recent climb in home remodeling and construction. New entrepreneurs entering construction accounted for 24% of all U.S. entrepreneurial activity in 2011; this increase came in a year when overall business creation dropped by about 6%.

With the rise of more construction businesses and more jobs overall, it is crucial to protect your work and investments. At Advantage Group, our agents are trained specialists in all types of business insurance. We have the breadth and depth of expertise to understand your needs and personalize a program that allows you to get the most for your insurance dollar. Contact us today for more information.

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Maryland News: Employers Asking for Facebook Password in Interview

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Advantage Group

Maryland News: Employers Asking for Facebook Password in InterviewSuit, resume & firm handshake? Check. What are your qualifications for this position? Easy enough. What’s your Facebook password? Ummmm…

It’s no secret that employers will Google candidates before they hire them. The prevalence and availability of information through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media websites have made screening a candidate’s online presence common practice. Lately though, employers have added a new question to the interview process- asking them to reveal their Facebook password.

There have been a lot of stories circulating the news lately on this latest trend in interview questions. ABC News, USA Today, & The Baltimore Sun to name a few have all reported that job seekers are being asked for their Facebook passwords before they are offered the job. The question has galvanized lawyers and legislators, and activists across the country in an outcry against what many see as an intrusion of privacy.

Maryland has taken on the fight to protect individual’s privacy. According to the Baltimore Sun, a bill is currently in the General Assembly would make it illegal for an employer to ask for your user name or password to access your personal accounts. Maryland Senator Ronald Young is headlining the fight. Young has been vocal about what he sees as a breach of privacy. “It is an infringement on constitutional rights,” he told ABC News.

The debate raises questions about what you can or can’t ask candidates in an interview. In an era where almost any type of information can be obtained online, what is considered a breach of privacy? As an employer, how much do you utilize social media in your assessment of candidates? Should Facebook profiles be off limits in an interview? Let us know your thoughts!

Whether you’re a contractor, property owner, distributor or manufacturer, The Advantage Group has you covered. Our agents are trained specialists in all types of business insurance. We have the breadth and depth of expertise to understand your needs and personalize a program that allows you to get the most for your insurance dollar. Whatever your need for Maryland business insurance, whether in the Westminster or Glen Burnie areas or throughout the state, we’re here to help. Contact us today.

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Contractors Insurance: Contractors, let go of day-to-day duties

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Advantage Group

Contractors Insurance: Contractors, let go of day-to-day dutiesIt’s a hard line to balance between managing your employees and focusing on the bigger picture of running your contracting business.  Where do you draw the line between growing your company and making sure your employees are getting projects done?

Jamey Broudy, a management consultant who specializes in helping contractors produce more profit in less time, details the most commonly asked questions about letting go of day-to-day duties:

I’ve been doing it this way for years and it’s worked okay. Why change now? As your business expands, you won’t be able to maintain the same level of control you did when you first started.  Your role as a contractor is to develop the overarching strategy needed to grow your company- running multiple crews, juggling bids and the overall coordination of duties will increase workload to a level you won’t be able to maintain singlehandedly.

If letting go is so great, how come everybody doesn’t do it? The answer will vary widely according to each individual contractor. Delegation doesn’t work; I’m the only one who can do it; I’ll lose control on my employees; the litany of excuses goes on and on. These aren’t reasons to continue to be involved in daily operations, these are misconceptions. Your growing business needs you to delegate authority. If you create a structured system within your company to ensure projects run smoothly, and then that frees your time up to devote to creating a business built to foster longevity and continued success.

It breaks down to this; you are the leader of your business, not the micro-manager of daily operational details. You hired your employees because they have the capabilities to perform the job you hired them to do. Contractors involved in with every swing of the hammer are essentially strangling their own business and stopping their company’s potential growth before it’s begun.

Mark Cuban doesn’t sub in for the Dallas Mavericks if Dirk Nowitzki is injured. Facebook malfunctions aren’t handled by Mark Zuckerberg. Letting go will allow you to determine the direction of your business and more importantly, your life. You can steer your company in any direction you choose, and can rest easy knowing you’ve established a strong company that can manage day to day projects without you having to check in at every turn.

Over the years, we’ve worked with many Maryland contracting firms in their quest for strong contractors insurance. That experience and an unwavering dedication to quality service has greatly enhanced our knowledge of the construction industry and our product offering. We can offer you coverage plans that meet your needs, no matter the size of your firm. Let us know your special needs, and our knowledgeable, highly trained insurance professionals will help you get exactly what you want…at a price you can afford. Contact us today for more information.

Information pulled from: ContractorMag

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Retail Insurance: Don’t forget about your loyal business consumers

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Advantage Group

While its initially appealing in the retail world to continuously bring in new customers, it’s much easier to sell to customers you already have.  Focus on developing relationships with your customers and you’ll reap the rewards in the years to come.  Here’s some do’s and don’ts of customer relations in the retail world.

DO put connection before content. Clients don’t want you to sell to them; they want you to genuinely care about them.  Don’t start listing a litany of facts about random products they aren’t interested in.  Ask them a few introductory questions to find out what they are looking for and adjust your approach accordingly.

DON’T badmouth the competition. Customers will share their experiences from other stores, and speaking badly about the competition may make them uncomfortable or drive them away.  Instead, differentiate yourself through the thoughtfulness, knowledge, and excellent customer service.

DO engage with customers as equals. Don’t look down on clients or make hasty judgments- it will affect your interaction with them.  Engage clients in a friendly, genial manner that shows you are on the same footing.  It will make them more comfortable and more likely to listen to your advice.   

DON’T give a sales pitch. There is nothing more disconcerting or off-putting to a customer than a blandly generic spiel. Listen to the customer, make sure you know what their needs are before you show them any merchandise. An individualized approach is more genuine and will yield more concrete results than repeating the same speech endlessly.

Even the best customer service in the world won’t help you tackle all the problems you’ll face. As a business that sells or distributes goods that were originally produced by another business, you’re at risk to some unique exposures. At the Advantage Group, Inc., we’re accustomed to handling these types of situations and have several programs you can use to manage your exposure in different situations. Our No.1 job is to assist you in identifying your needs and problems by creating a customized plan that’s both simple and easy to understand. Call us today for more information. 1.800.826.2663

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Worker Compensation: Maryland Jobs Increase & Risks Shift

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Advantage Group

As jobs start to return, workers compensation risks shift. Since the start of 2012 a modest rebound in hiring has experts closely monitoring work related injuries. Since workers who change employers typically are at higher risk for injury, rehired employees pose greater safety concerns when returning to work.

In January the national unemployment rate was 8.3% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which has been the lowest unemployment rate since February 2009. That modest job growth may correlate to the recent spike in work-related injuries. The frequency of worker compensation claims increased 3% in 2010, according Boca Raton, Fla.-based NCCI Holdings Inc.

This increase is could be due to a variety of factors, with the major determinant being employment rate. The increase was likely due to the firming job market and a modest increase in employment since the start of the recovery in 2009.

On average, an employee takes 5 years before their risk goes down. It’s difficult to determine whether the injury clock resets for workers who return to a company. However, rehired workers could pose more safety concerns than those who continued on the job.

Let us review your Workers Comp insurance.

At The Advantage Group, we can help you set up a Workers Compensation plan that meets your needs. For a free quote, call 800.826.2663

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Contractor Insurance: State of the Housing Industry 2012

Posted on February 9, 2012 by AdvantageGroup

Kick your kids out. They don’t want to live with you, and you’re causing the housing market to suffer. Once a year thousands of housing industry professionals meet in Florida for the International Builders’ Convention and one keynote speaker is the speech that everyone wants to here.

One of the biggest attractions for the International Builders’ Convention is NAHB’s Chief Economist, David Crowe. As this is a sensitive topic, economists chose their words wisely. After missing last year’s prediction, Crowe, joined with two other economists gave their cautiously optimistic prediction of 2012 being the housing boom year for single-family starts. This 16% improvement is related to key economic performance factors, such as: GDP growth, unemployment rate, private-sector job-creation, and consumer sentiment.

Mr. Nothaft, of government-sponsored mortgage giant Freddie Mac opened his speech pointing out the affordability. “If I put this affordability into a model, I would have home sales through the roof! But as we know, they’re not through the roof,” he said. The main reason this is the serious “headwinds” facing the industry, including an elapsed consumer confidence, and a high jobless rate. The good news, though, is that “in the first half of 2012 we’ll see a lot of the [unsold] inventory bottom out.”

Mr. Berson, of PMI Group, also focused on household formation as a key number to watch in 2012. He predicted an average of about 1.1 to 1.2 million housing starts per year over the next 10 years — which would be close to what economists consider a “healthy” level of construction — minimal growth in second and vacation homes, and a strong household growth in the South, Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states. He cited numbers showing that between 2007 and 2011, the number of households that are “doubled up,” or have grown children or other potential household heads living with their relatives in the same house, grew from 20 million to 22 million. About 6 million of these housemates are young adults aged 25-34 living with their parents.

With great predictions in the future, Advantage Insurance understands the risks you take as a contractor or builder. Over the years, we’ve worked with many Maryland contracting firms in their quest for strong construction or contractor insurance. That experience and an unwavering dedication to quality service has greatly enhanced our knowledge of the construction industry and our product offering.
Personalized recommendations, customized coverages.

Advantage Group Insurance can offer you coverage plans that meet your needs, no matter the size of your firm, at extremely competitive rates. Let us know your needs, and our knowledgeable, highly trained insurance professionals will help you get exactly what you want…at a price you can afford.

Call us today! 1(800)826-2663

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