There’s a lot to think about when managing a business. It can be easy to overlook one of the most important things you need to focus on: mitigating risk.

As a small business, there are two things you depend on more than anything else. The first is your people and the second is your equipment. Without either of those things, your business would likely be unable to operate.

Insuring your business through a broker can be a smart way to reduce risk. It can help you get the right policies for the best price and, importantly, if you need to make a claim, your insurance broker can help you maximise your chances of success.

Running a small business successfully can be incredibly rewarding. If something were to happen that would prevent your business from operating for a few days, weeks, or even months, it could have a significant impact on your wellbeing and that of your employees.

If your business provides advice or services to your customers then professional indemnity insurance can protect you from legal expenses or financial claims if damages happen as a result of the advice or service you’ve provided.

While you trust that your employees are careful drivers, you can’t necessarily assume that everyone else on the road is just as careful. If you run a business with company cars have you thought about the right insurance package?

For small business owners, managing a business is often about choices and trade-offs. When it comes to insurance, however, it’s important to choose the widest cover you can afford to make sure you’re covered for every eventuality.

For many businesses in New Zealand, public liability insurance is mandatory through the supply, service or lease contracts you accept. However, even if your business isn’t compelled to take out public liability insurance, it’s an important way to mitigate risk in your business.

For some people, a car is just a way to get from A to B. For others, their car is a symbol of freedom, their pride and joy. Regardless of how you use your car, it’s likely you’d be lost without it. It’s important not to become complacent and continue to take all possible precautions to stay safe on the road.

Owning a small business requires a lot of attention to detail. Most owners are aware that this includes insuring the business against adverse events as well as diligently managing the risks inside the business to minimise the chances of an incident occurring.

However, knowing that insurance and risk management are important, and having the know-how and resources to get it right are two different things.

Did you know that if something goes wrong at your place of business or with a product or service you provide, you could be held legally liable? This is true even if you haven’t deliberately done anything wrong or if a complainant simply alleges that you did something wrong.

Every business has its tools of the trade. Whether you’re a carpenter, plumber, or tiler with a ute and a toolbox on the back, or a sales rep, retailer, or accountant with a laptop and a mobile phone, your tools are nothing less than essential. Yet many New Zealanders don’t have enough insurance to cover the loss of such tools and other assets. Read our seven tips on how to minimise the risk of losing your tools forever.

As a small or medium-sized business owner, you’re responsible for the livelihoods of your own family as well as your employees. That’s a big responsibility. So, what do you do if something goes wrong and your income is reduced or stops altogether?

Most businesses, regardless of size, are the result of the driving force of one person or a group of people. If your business still relies on the input and direction of one or a group of key people, then it may be at risk if that person or group can no longer be involved in the business.

Managing risk in your business is an important factor in how well your company performs. When you run a motor vehicle fleet, there are a number of risks that you need to consider and mitigate. Letting employees drive your cars or trucks means you’re responsible for their safety on the road, so having the right commercial motor vehicle insurance is crucial.

With World Mental Health Day approaching on 10 October, is awareness changing how we think about mental health and people affected by it? According to the Mental Health Foundation, 1 in 5 Kiwis will experience mental illness this year. From a workplace perspective, in all likelihood you or someone you work with is affected. Raising awareness is important, but it’s not enough.

Join us at Auckland Dive In 
Seats are still available for Dive In Auckland, taking place on 25 September 2018. I encourage you to attend this free event by registering on the Dive In Festival website  or on the app, available on both Apple and Android.

Cybercriminals are sophisticated and determined. Research shows that many businesses have been compromised but don’t know about it and it can take more than 100 days to discover that an uninvited guest has had full access to your business systems. Here are six things you can do to reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack compromising your business:

The rising cost of windscreens means Kiwi drivers may soon have to pay extra for the windscreen insurance they’re currently getting as part of existing policies. This means they will have to pay the cost of windscreen replacement or else pay an extra premium and an excess to have their windscreen covered.