Vreeland Insurance - New Jersey's Insurance Company

New Jersey Business Insurance: Tech Knowledge is a Job Requirement

Posted on May 14, 2012 by nms

Technology has been incorporated into nearly every niche and industry. Co-workers in every corner of the globe can work together in teams through Skype. We can transfer money between accounts from our phone, and can deposit checks without ever stepping near an ATM.

Tech knowledge is more than just a competitive edge in the workplace; it’s a requirement. It has created an entirely new vocabulary, as Facebook, HTML5, SEO, and countless more acronyms permeate our everyday language. Just as companies continually evolve and adapt, employees must follow suit. Harvard Business Review contributor Daniel Gulati argues several points on why you should care about the difference between SEO and SEM.

New opportunities for growth. Entirely new sectors of the workplace have been created to supplement the technology leap. A few years ago, social media had no spot in the workplace. Now, according to the article, 67% of surveyed brand managers were planning to launch social media campaigns in the next 12 months. Companies are recruiting candidates solely to develop social media campaigns. It’s a burgeoning opportunity for the savvy job seekers to capitalize on a new job market niche.

Traditional roles likely to gain technological components. HR professionals who don’t utilized LinkedIn or BranchOut may lose out on some great candidates. Writers who don’t develop blogs or utilize online media outlets might never get their work out there. As the technology expands in each niche, the parameters of even traditional jobs will grow to encompass new technology.

Not tech savvy quite yet? There are a million of opportunities to learn. There are multiple classes around the New Jersey area that you can take to better acquaint yourself with what’s out there. Even if you just learn the jargon associated with social media, or a few old tricks in HTML coding, you’ll be able to more easily adjust to new technology and learn it as it comes. You’ll be better prepared. Check out some local computer classes offered in Morris County; Morris County Library has a list of local classes that cover everything from intro to the internet to web design.

Even with all the technology out there, you still want to know your business is protected. Vreeland is an independent agency that gives you clear-cut advantages when you’re looking to purchase insurance New Jersey Business Insurance. We don’t work with just one insurance company… we have strong relationships with a number of leading carriers that allows us to find the best insurance solution at competitive rates for you. Contact us today for more information.

Posted in Business Insurance, Insurance, New Jersey | Tagged Job Requirement, New Jersey Business Insurance, Tech Knowledge, Technology trends | Comments Off

New Jersey Auto Insurance: Interest in Electric Cars Increasing

Posted on May 7, 2012 by nms

Electric cars aren’t exactly the norm, but they have been gaining in popularity. From GM’s Chevy Volt, to the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Roadster, more and more electric vehicles are hitting the road, and New Jersey is no exception. In a meet-up in Montclair, NJ, electric car drivers got together to show off their wheels, and were met by curious onlookers.

New Jersey has responded to the electric car movement. Montclair, where the drivers gathered, offers public charging stations and many New Jersey government agencies have been experimenting with official cars that are gas free, according to nj.com. In Trenton, the Board of Public Utilities voted this month to spend Federal Recovery Act money on two new electric cars for use by the Governor’s and Treasurer’s offices- the plan is to test electric vehicles to see if they’ll meet the needs of the motor pool.

In addition, Gov. Chris Christie had just returned from a visit to Israel- while he was there he stopped at Better Place, an electric car charging company. Better Place is creating charging stations where electric cars can get a fresh battery swapped faster than it takes to fill up your tank.

The electric cars still remain popular among early adopters, however interest is gaining. Prices for the various models range across the board. Luxury speedster Tesla created the top of the line Roadster; the vehicle boasts 245 miles per charge, goes from zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds, and boasts zero tailpipe emissions. It also carries a hefty price tag of 100,000.

Other models have slightly more reasonable price tags. The Nissan Leaf starts at 35,200, Ford has a Focus Electric at 39,200, and Mitsubishi I starts at 29,125. Other models offer plug-in hybrids that run on gas as well- Clean Fleet has a list of the top electric cars.

Vreeland Insurance is your community’s insurance solution. We provide a wide array of insurance programs, including individual car insurance. Whether you are looking to protect your business, get great benefits for your employees, or protect your family with auto insurance, Vreeland has the expertise and coverage you need. Contact us today for more information.

Posted in Auto Insurance, New Jersey, New Jersey insurance | Tagged auto, best, car, Electric car, Insurance, New Jersey | Comments Off

NJ Pre-School Insurance: How to Start Your Own Day Care Business

Posted on April 13, 2012 by nms

You love kids. You want to work from home, or you want open your own center. Whatever way you choose, opening a daycare is a great business venture. Below are some tips to help new daycare owners get started as well as tips for current owners to continually improve their business.

Licensing & Location. The licensing process varies by state. There are lower overhead costs for having a daycare at home. Daycare owners need to pass an inspection and may have to outfit their house with childproof equipment, age appropriate toys, or get extra liability and home insurance.

Establish written policies & procedures. Even you’ve already been in the daycare business for a few years, or are just starting out, it is important to set guidelines and policies to run your business by. The written policies can help prevent future conflicts. Billing, operating hours, drop-offs/pick-ups, attendance, discipline, food preparation, nap times, childcare philosophy, sick days/vacation and safety and security issues should all be addressed in your guidelines and communicated clearly to parents.

Marketing. Develop a marketing plan to generate business for your daycare. Establish a professional website; it’s the first impression prospective parents will get of how you run your business. Websites should feature a clean and organized style, clear navigation, a bright color scheme and a visually appealing logo. You should also add your daycare to local daycare listings in the area. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter can be great marketing tools, and you can use them to communicate with parents.

A great insurance plan. Most importantly, you want to get the extensive protection your business deserves. Your parents entrust you with their kids. And whether you work from home or have your own center, you want the best protection for your business. It’s reassuring to your parents and a great resource for you know you have an extensive Child Care Insurance Plan.

This is where Vreeland Insurance enters. We’ve been providing daycare insurance in New Jersey for pre-schools and day care facilities with competitively priced insurance plans for many years. Our specialty in this industry has led us to design excellent programs for profit and non-profit day care businesses based in corporate-provided care centers, nursery schools, and other standalone child-care setups. Let us take care of you while you take care of the little ones. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Day care insurance, Pre-School Insurance | Tagged business, day care, daycare, how to open up a, Insurance, New Jersey, NJ, pre-school, start up | Comments Off

New Jersey Employee Benefits: My Co-worker and… My Bonus?

Posted on April 12, 2012 by nms

It’s an age old complaint that dates back to middle school. You’re assigned a group project and someone doesn’t do their share of the work. You finish the project, earn an “A” and that lagging group member benefits from your hard work. Now, some employers are addressing that problem by asking you to speak out.

According to the Wall Street Journal, executives are asking employees to identify and reward talent. Coffee & Power, an odd jobs start-up company, granted its employees 1,200 stock options each to distribute among co-workers in whatever way they choose. Individual bonuses were tied to how co-workers perceived each other’s work.

The idea relies on the premise that co-workers who are around each other constantly have much more insight into each other’s contribution than management who doesn’t see their day-to-day work. Allowing employees to vote on each other’s performances holds workers accountable to both management and their co-workers.

The idea has enticing appeal. Imagine its influence in the contracting industry, for example. You own a contracting firm and handle multiple work crews and project simultaneously. You can’t physically be at every job site to assess each worker’s performance. Relying on co-worker reports could give you accurate and detailed information that you wouldn’t see normally.

“It lets me reward people that management may not always recognize,” says Becky Neil, who works in marketing and product management. “This person who has a big title—maybe he didn’t actually contribute that much.”

Of course there is always a potential downside. Opponents argue that such a program could become popularity contests, or lead to hard feelings if someone isn’t recognized by the group. And of course careful restrictions must be implemented; workers cannot reward themselves or give options to company founders who already have sizable shares.

Regardless of your industry, or the size of your bonus, at Vreeland Insurance, our agents are trained specialists in all types of New Jersey business insurance and employee benefits. We cover a broad spectrum of businesses including contractors, property owners, distributors, manufacturers, and service providers. We know your business and your employees are important to you, that’s why we offer comprehensive business insurance plans to fit all your needs. Contact us today for more information.

Posted in Business Insurance, Employee Benefits | Tagged best way to reward employees, business, Coffee & Power, Employee Benefits, Insurance, models | Comments Off

Business Insurance: Create a Business Disaster Plan

Posted on April 10, 2012 by nms

Power outages. Computer crashes. Lost data. These circumstances are hardly ideal for businesses (more like worst nightmares), but no matter how great a manager you are, some things are simply out of your control. Here’s a few tips, adapted from a guide in the Wall Street Journal, on how to create a disaster plan to protect your business.

Develop a contingency plan. Come up with a list of backup vendors in case one of your vendors shuts down. Keep emergency numbers on hand at all times. Have an alternative work site you can keep operating in case circumstances prevent you from working out of your current office.

Back EVERYTHING up. Keep copies of all critical records, including employee data, customer lists, inventory, anything that is crucial to running your business. Keep the information offsite, or subscribe to an online data backup service provider.

Review your insurance policies. Review your current strategies- you want the best protection for your business now and in the future. Protect your workplace with property insurance policies. Research insurance needs that are specific for your industry- some may require more specific coverage than others. Get liability insurance that can protect against claims and lawsuits.

Of course no one ever likes to think about worst outcome scenario- but it’s a million times better to be prepared. It’s critical to have New Jersey Business Insurance, we work with a broad spectrum of businesses, including contractors, property owners, distributors, manufacturers, and service providers. We’ll review the ins and outs of your business, and make recommendations where we see gaps and what additional coverage may be needed to develop the best risk-mitigation strategy for your business. Contact us today for more information.

Posted in Business, Business Insurance, New Jersey, New Jersey insurance | Tagged Distaster, earthquake, evacuation plan, New Jersey, NJ, plan, planning, Small Business, tsunami | Comments Off

New Jersey Business Insurance: Why Teams Succeed (and others don’t)

Posted on April 2, 2012 by nms

Whether you own your own a new jersey residential or commercial cleaning business. You run a daycare in Rockaway, NJ. You’re a contractor managing multiple projects at one time. Regardless of your industry, most businesses are defined in teams.

Whether horizontal or vertical in structure, a two-man operation or built within large corporations, teams are an integral part of company culture. Some have been wildly successful; others not so much. It’s also a subject that has been studied tirelessly.

According to research, the key detail to successful teams is not a lottery winning combination of creativity and stellar employees. Rather, research suggests it is how teams are managed and supported that makes a key difference. The Harvard Business Review narrowed down a few key characteristics to be aware of when managing your team.

Management’s happy medium. The traditional boss role can be akin to micro-management, telling teams what and how to complete their tasks. A hands-off policy confuses a team, leaving them with little direction. Instead, balance is key. “What we encourage [managers] to do is start off very slowly and keep the boundaries pretty tight,” says Tom Ruddy, a former manager at Xerox Worldwide Customer Services. “As the team starts to grow and expand, and take on responsibility, start moving those boundaries out.”

Clearly define objectives. Set distinct goals for your team. Establish metrics along the way so individuals both their progress and the team’s. Employees should know exactly what the team goal is and their role in achieving that goal. It creates a dynamic within the group, each beholden to each other to achieve one end result.

As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to oversee the functionality of your teams to make sure they perform. Managing, mediating, encouraging and guiding; the success of teams in the workplace can determine the success of your business. Whether you’re in construction or daycare, your business deserves the best protection

At Vreeland Insurance, our agents are trained specialists in all types of New Jersey New Jersey Business insurance. We’ve worked with a broad spectrum of businesses, including contractors, property owners, distributors, manufacturers and service providers. Contact us today for more information.

Posted in Business Insurance, New Jersey insurance | Tagged best business insurance, Business Insurance, harvard business review, management tips, New Jersey, NJ, rockaway, why do teams succeed | Comments Off

Contractors Insurance: Smartphones & Tablets Take Construction Mobile

Posted on March 27, 2012 by nms

Contractors used to have to divide their time between visiting job sites and managing logistical duties back at the office. Now, even deskwork is going wireless.

According to contractormag.com, a study conducted by Eric Mower + Associates Group B2B, found that 50% of contractors used a smartphone to make their purchasing decisions. 49% reported using a laptop with mobile web access, and 21% use an iPad or other table. The EMA’s Contractor Insight Study was administered to 500 general contractors, plumbing contractors, HVAC contractors and electricians.

The new smartphones and web devices have changed the way that contractors do business. From researching brands, comparing prices, discussing quotes with clients, scanning product codes, and taking pictures, there are hundreds of ways smartphones have been integrated into business. A whopping 91% percent used use online resources to assist in purchase making decisions, and now they are taking the devices on the road.

Technology has responded to the wave of mobile-based contracting. Below is a list of some of the top in-the-field contracting apps for the iphone & ipad compiled by constructionweekonline.com.

iQuick Estimator: one in a series of construction apps from iQuick Tools. The app can perform simple estimates for framing, roofing, flooring, drywall, pain and concrete projects- after determining material and labor costs you can email your bid directing to the client.

I.D. Wood: Helps users identify different types of woods from around the world. It presents screen samples and detailed information for almost 160 different woods.

Concretulator: Allows users to determine how much concrete is required for a project (by cubic yard and the number of 40#, 60#, 80# bags).

Green Pro: This app give engineers, contractors, etc, the ability to both access and track LEED credits for new construction and major renovations. Users can access information about credit requirements and indicate when a particular requirement has been met.

At Vreeland Insurance, we provide many companies throughout New Jersey with business insurance programs designed to protect the value they’ve built. We also specialize in a number of industries, delivering a breadth and depth of knowledge and experience that has earned us a stellar reputation throughout the Garden State. Contact us today for more information.

Posted in Contractors Insurance, New Jersey, Surety Bonds, Uncategorized | Tagged Contractors, Contruction, electrician, HVAC, Insurance, iPad, Mobile, plumber, Smartphones, tablet | Comments Off

Employee Benefits: Healthy Work-Life Balance Optimizes Productivity

Posted on March 16, 2012 by nms

The work-life balance issue is easily ignored. It’s not quite intuitive with our common sense (what do you mean working 70 hours can actually be less productive than 40 hours?), and it’s one that doesn’t always place high in a company’s priority list. Yet the basic tenet of the work-life balance issue is important; happier employees make more productive employees.

Work-life balance is the seesaw of a balancing act an individual must maintain between work and their personal life. This can be a young professional balancing time between their first job and happy hours with friends, or a working mom managing both her career and nightly soccer practices.

According to research by the Center for Talent Innovation (the nonprofit think tank formerly known as the Center for Work-Life Policy) 45% of managerial workers in large corporations now have “extreme jobs,” working an average of 73 hours a week and dealing with performance pressures ranging from 24/7 client demands or relentless travel schedules. Vacations are stigmatized, and nearly 60% don’t even take the vacation they are entitled to. The high pressure, extreme hours at work and utter exhaustion can hurt an individual’s health, and can have detrimental effects on relationships with spouses and loved ones.

Granted, this research focuses on the extreme. Most of us do not work 70-80 hour work weeks. The purpose of presenting this research is not to chastise employers into advocating 12 weeks of mandatory paid vacation for each and every employee. However the basic lesson is the same. Employees who feel like they are being taken care of will multiply their response back to the company tenfold. They will feel appreciated, be proud of their workplace, and are more likely to stay for a long period of time, and will generally be happier, more productive employees. Companies will have lower turnover rates and can save time and resources in not having to repeatedly recruit and train new hires.

So start simple. Take care of your employees’ general health and well-being. Call the experts at Vreeland Insurance- we help New Jersey business owners to determine the best Employee Benefits plans for them. Most healthcare policies cover ongoing costs for doctor and hospital care, emergency rooms, prescriptions, lab tests, preventive care and more. The Employee Benefits Plan we recommend to you may well be different from the one we recommend to another business in your community. It depends upon your employees’ needs, their family or business situation, and their budget.

For more details on all of our plans, contact us today!

Posted in Employee Benefits | Tagged Business Insurance, Employee Benefits, New Jersey, Work-life Balance | Comments Off

Liquor Store Insurance: Hurricane Parties Spike Sales

Posted on March 5, 2012 by nms

What happens when the power goes out? Well batteries, bottled water, generators and board games are a must when preparing for a Hurricane. With this unpredictable weather that we’ve had in the past year, it’s good to prepare for the next catastrophe. Liquor Stores here to help.

For those who have nothing better to do than wait out the storm, ‘Hurricane Parties’ are a decent way to cope. These parties have caused Liquor stores to see a spike in business as people prepare for the upcoming weather as attempt to manage with being at home for a few days, possibly without electricity.

“Everybody’s saying that if they’re going to be stuck inside, they want to be happy,” said Ron Cesare, who manages Liquor Saver in Somerville.

Wayne resident John Reeves took the weather warnings seriously and pre-ordered a half-keg of Land Shark from the Bottle King on Route 23.

“Not a bad way to spend a rainy day,” he said with a smile.

With Liquor Store Sales up about 30 percent, Hurricane parties are a helpful boost. “I heard a lot of people say, they are throwing hurricane parties,” Norton said. “They are buying everything.” Vreeland Insurance understands the risks that your liquor store takes to stay in business.

Whether it’s a hurricane or a liability issue, Vreeland Insurance provides an outstanding specialty insurance program for the New Jersey liquor stores. We understand the exposures and challenges you face, including crime, responsible server practices, and customer employee safety, among other key issues. We’ll show you how to mitigate or avoid many of the risks you face, and some you may not even be aware of.

Posted in Insurance, Liquor Store | Tagged Hurricane Parties Spike Sales, Liquor Store Insurance, New Jersey | Comments Off

Employee Benefits: How Employee Health Affects NJ Business

Posted on February 16, 2012 by nms

Your employees are hurting your bottom line. Employees are the wheels in your company, which if those wheels need maintenance, productivity dramatically slows down. In a recent report from IBI, in collaboration with CFO Research Services surveyed 313 CFO’s, controllers, directors, VP’s of finance and treasurers exhibits how Employee Benefits & Health affects your ROI. Here are their findings.

• Eight in 10 CFOs report that finance professionals play a role in their organizations’ health care benefits decisions, usually in collaboration with human resources and executive leadership, and often with operations.

• More than two-thirds of CFOs surveyed agree that health is a cultural or financial priority in their organizations, while 75% agree that providing comprehensive health care coverage is important for their company’s financial strategy.

• More than 90% of CFOs surveyed believe that improving health is at least a moderately important contributor to workforce productivity.

• By a more than 2-1 margin, CFOs view their company’s claim costs as more credible measures of the impact of health on financial performance than external measures. They are especially wary of advice from suppliers they perceive to have a financial interest in decisions about improving employee health.

• Six in 10 CFOs indicate that poor workforce health significantly affects financial performance through increased health care costs, while four in 10 cite a significant impact through increased sick days.

“This research shows how CFOs crystallize the impact of health on financial performance and on productivity, and particularly focuses on the kinds of information critical to their health investment decisions,” IBI President Thomas Parry said in a statement.

At Vreeland, our employee benefits team of highly experienced, dedicated professionals are experts in Employee Benefits from plan design, implementation and ongoing service of employee benefit programs. We take the time to learn about your New Jersey business and develop strategies and solutions tailored to meet your needs.

We represent hundreds of clients with unique needs and complex benefit issues. We ensure employers remain well informed about benefit plans and increasing health care costs. As these costs rise, we analyze claim data and benchmarking information to help you make an informed decision regarding benefit plans.

Contact us today.

Posted in Employee Benefits, New Jersey, New Jersey insurance | Tagged Employee Benefits, Employee Health, How Employees affect your ROI, New Jersey, NJ | Comments Off

Vreeland