| Happy Spring Business Owners!
This is the second issue of the Johnsonese Brokerage Small Business Insurance Newsletter. The goal of our quarterly newsletter is to provide useful information about insurance to independent creative businesses.
We've all survived the worst of the 'Great Recession'. We've survived the slow winter months. Now it's time to enjoy the spring shopping season!
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Pop-up Stores Go Mainstream |
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When some of the country's biggest retailers are in the pop-up business, you know it's a trend that's gone mainstream. Target again used a pop-up store in Manhattan to launch a new line. This time it was for the 'Liberty for London' brand. Earlier, Target had opened four limited-time "Bullseye Bodegas" staged throughout Manhattan to highlight products from 22 designer partners. For example, a collection of Anya Hindmarch handbags was previewed at the bodegas ahead of their official launch at Target stores. Beauty and home products were even displayed in actual deli cases.
Sears is getting in on the action too. As part of a new branding strategy, Sears plans to offer it's formerly exclusive Kenmore and Craftsman brands through other retailers. To showcase its Kenmore appliance brand, Sears opened a pop-up shop in Chicago in March. The temporary location called the "Kenmore Live Experience Studio" also incorporated social media.
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Our Continuing Series: Unpredictable Business Lawsuits |
 T.J. Maxx is being sued for $5 million by customer who claims she was unwittingly used as "bait" to catch a man who surreptitiously took pictures up women's skirts. Store security videotaped a man taking "upskirt" photos of women in the store and called police. The customer was approached by security personnel and told that someone had taken photos up her skirt and that the act was caught on tape. She was then told to await the arrival of police. The suit alleges that the customer was the victim of a 'foreseeable' crime because security personnel knew of the man's activities and should have prevented it.
Starbucks is being sued in England after a child found a syringe on an armchair in the store. The 10-month old jabbed herself in the mouth, and then her grandmother was pricked with the needle while trying to take it from the baby. The incident prompted fears that the used needle could have exposed the infant to disease. The family also complained that Starbucks' employees did not offer them any first aid, apology or even taxi fare to take the baby to the hospital.
A Virginia man is suing PetSmart after slipping on dog poop inside the store. The plaintiff says the slip aggravated an existing back injury and knocked out four false teeth. The $1 million suit claims the store "negligently allowed animals to enter the premises and deposit feces in such a manner as to create a dangerous and hazardous condition."
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$378,000 Cyber Theft Prompts City to Insure Funds |
Computer hackers raided the town of Poughkeepsie, New York's bank accounts in January and wired $378,000 to banks in Ukraine. No arrests have been made in the theft, which is being investigated by the Secret Service, local police and the FBI. Banking and computer experts have said hackers are increasingly transferring stolen funds overseas. That can make it tough for authorities to catch cyber thieves and recover the money.
After the theft, the Poughkeepsie Common Council authorized the purchase of cyber insurance, with minimum coverage of $500,000. The council also approved increases to its employee theft insurance from $25,000 to $100,000 per occurrence and from $100,000 to $500,000 per incident for finance employees.
City officials estimated the new coverage will cost about $10,000.
-Poughkeepsie Journal, March 2, 2010
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More Men Filing Sexual Harassment Claims |
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 According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the percentage of sexual harassment claims filed by men doubled from 8% to 16% during the period 1990 to 2009. More than 2,000 complaints were filed by men in 2009 alone. Last year Regal Entertainment, a movie theater operator, paid $175,000 to settle a lawsuit by a male employee who claimed that a female co-worker repeatedly grabbed his crotch at work.
While this example involved a female employee harassing a male employee, most charges involve men harassing other men. A landmark 1998 Supreme Court ruling held that same-sex harassment is a valid claim under federal laws. Sometimes it's unwelcome romantic advances that lead to lawsuits. Other times, men are picked on because they are perceived by colleagues or supervisors to be gay or not masculine enough for the job setting.
-Insurance Journal, March 22, 2010
Employment Practices Liability Insurance includes coverage for a business' losses arising from sexual harassment.
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Creating the Perfect Home Office |
Here are some tips for creating the perfect home office.
Layout
Before you buy any new furniture, make sure you measure and plot where each piece will go, and don't forget to account for electrical and cable outlets.
Furniture
A desk that's roughly 60-inches wide, 30-inches deep, and 29-inches high is conducive to work. Your chair should be comfortable, but its primary function should be to promote healthy posture.
Lighting
Don't underestimate the importance of quality lighting. Make sure your desk lamp is equipped with a "soft" light bulb that's easy on the eyes.
Storage
Get creative; utilize closets, wall space (think dry erase boards, corkboards, and magnetic boards) and don't forget about your garage.
Cords
Never underestimate the importance of power strips as they provide the ability to plug multiple devices into one outlet. The better power strips also provide surge protection.
Décor
Last but not least, once you've got all the necessities in, don't overlook decor. Certificates, diplomas, awards, trophies, and pictures not only complement an office, but they also help to personalize it. -from Jason LaBelle of 1st Advantage Mortgage LLC | |
At the Johnsonese Brokerage it is always our goal to reduce your insurance costs! To get started immediately call 773.252.8750 or Email info@johnsonese.com.
Christopher Johnson
Johnsonese Brokerage LLC
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About the Johnsonese Brokerage |
The Johnsonese Brokerage LLC is a licensed and bonded independent insurance agency focused on insuring creative businesses.
Who we insure:
- Advertising Agencies
- Architects & Interior Designers
- Boutiques
- Event Planners
- Fashion Designers
- Florists
- Furniture & Design Dealers
- Graphics Designers
- Hair & Nail Salons
- Musical Instrument Dealers
- Pop-up Stores/ Gorilla Retail
- Publishers
- Restaurants
- Specialty Retail
- Special Events
- Spas
- Tailors
- Travel Agencies
- Wedding Planners
We are licensed in the following states:
- California (license #0G69323)
- Florida
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Wisconsin
We are members of the following business organizations:
- Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
- Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America
- Local First Chicago
- River North Business Association
- Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce
How are we doing? Your feedback is always welcome! | |
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Common Insurance Terms
1. Fire Legal Liability
Covers, for example,
damage to rented space resulting from a fire caused by the insured's negligence
2. Extra Expense Coverage
Reimbursement for costs incurred to continue operations when an insured property has been damaged
3. Medical Payments
Insurance Coverage for minor medical expenses without the need to prove liability
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Are You a Solopreneur?
Solopreneur is a term used for independent professionals to distinguish them from entrepreneurs. Solopreneurs create businesses without employees, based on personal brands tied to themselves as individual professionals.
In the most basic sense of the term, solopreneurs are not necessarily interested in growing their businesses into stand-alone companies, although some solopreneurs eventually do become entrepreneurs.
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| Our Business Partners
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AmWins
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AXA
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Chubb
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CNA
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Insurance Noodle
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Markel
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Paychex
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Philadelphia
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Risk Placement Services | |
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