Confessions of a Professional Mover

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When you think of a “mover,” what is the first image that comes to mind? A he-man? A common thug? Well, I happen to be a mover, so I took an online poll. And yes, the results broke my heart.

From 100 responders, the composite mover was uneducated, low-class, rude, and untrustworthy. Basically the stereotypical lowlife you see smoking cigarettes outside a pawn shop, his hat turned backward, using the f-word a lot and spitting on the sidewalk.

I admit it. I’m a mover. I lug other people’s stuff, from their brand new 60″ HDTV to their sweat-stained mattresses, 40 hours a week. I earn about $2,850 per month after taxes, drive an old pickup, and rent an apartment in a shabby part of town. My knuckles and shins are always chipped, and I have chronic pain in my back and shoulders, but no medical insurance.

I also happen to hold a bachelor of music degree, and can rock a piano like Rachmaninoff. In college, moving was a weekend job, then a summer job. I graduated in 2005, and I’m still moving.

You are probably wondering why I continue in this profession. Believe me, my friends and family ask me that all the time. Honestly? I’m good at it. Very good.

As with most industries, there is a hierarchy of company personnel. We movers would call it a “pecking order.” I prefer working in a 3-man crew, so I’ll use that for an example.

The lowest rung mover is a “lumper.” Like the name implies, the “lumper” carries boxes and folds the moving pads; he is either too inexperienced or too careless to be trusted to help carry an antique hutch or an artisan leather sofa. He might smoke and spit on the ground, but then he might be a good dude who wants to rise through the ranks.

On the next rung up is the “second man,” or simply “#2.” He has some experience, maybe even takes a degree of pride in his work, and can carry heavy and/or fragile items up and down stairs, and around tight corners. He knows many tricks of the trade, usually has a likable personality, even if a little rough around the edges.

On the top rung is the “loader.” (That’s me.) I am the guy who assembles the load in the truck so that everything fits and nothing can be damaged during transit. Believe it or not, loading a truck is a methodical process. To safely pad-wrap and arrange all the furniture, appliances, boxes, odds and ends of a 5,000 square foot home into a 2,000 cubic foot truck is difficult, especially while the customer prods you to go faster yet be more careful at the same time.

And don’t get me wrong – as the loader, I don’t hang out on the truck while the “lumper” and #2 bring me the goods. On most moves, I carry my fair share. Plus, I hustle to set the pace for the crew. #2 and I handle every item that is delicate, unwieldy, or precious to the customer. In my 10 years experience, I have developed a signature style for handling difficult items, managing the load as a whole, conducting my crew, and interacting with the customer. The results? For one, my crew always gets a fat tip when the job is done. What’s more, other movers request to work with me, and other moving company bosses want me to work for them: seriously, they call like headhunters and make me better offers. I can say, with total humility, “I am the rock star of this industry, in this town and the next town over.”

So back to the “mover” stereotype. Sadly, even a talented loader (or #2 or the “lumper”) can also be a scumbag/druggie/thief, but so can pop stars and celebrity divas (LiLo, Paris, etc.) we all know and love. I have worked with guys who stole from the customer. One guy stole a coin collection, another guy stole a lawn mower out of storage. Honestly there have been dozens of “incidents” where a colleague of mine has shown zero moral fabric. Scum of the earth kind of stuff.

Being a mover is not glamorous, and there have been times when I was ashamed to say, “I’m a mover,” like when socializing in more upscale circles – my girlfriend is a scientist and likes to hang out with that crowd, with me in tow. But that’s more my personal life… back to being a lowly mover.

It is true there are little rewards in moving, which is why movers are often such non-rewarding people, as my poll indicated. The few rewards that do exist get snatched up by guys like me, who give it our all, who catch a little buzz off of excellence, at whatever task.

And no, I don’t plan to be a moving truck loader all my life. I am arranging to buy the moving company I work for now. It’s a strong, reputable operation, and most problems stem from the high turnover rate of come-and-go “lumpers.” I believe I can recruit the very best movers in town, and from nearby towns: honest guys with skill and positive attitudes that I will provide excellent wages and benefits. It would be well worth it to have superior movers and dominate the other moving companies in town.

I cannot disclose the moving company I am in the gradual process of buying. If my crews found out, it might disrupt our dynamic. But I can credit a couple moving companies where I received the best training and leadership opportunities. They are Help-U-Move in Tri-Cities, WA ( http://help-u-move.com ) and Gentle Giant Moving Company in Seattle. I will write another article about how things are going once I am running the show!

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Source by Derek L. Cooper

Understanding Your Target Market – Targeting Different Social Classes – Value Segmentation

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Understanding Your Target Market

Understanding the target market is a crucial aspect of the communication process. When companies launch a new product or change a current product, they try to promote this particular product to increase/maximize profits. Marketers can do that through a marketing communication process. Through mass media, such as television, newspapers or internet advertisement, a target market can be reached by the communication. The Marketing manager acts as the sender and with his/her form of the communication (it could be for example the advertisement on television), the “message” is encoded. The people who view the commercial on television (which is the message channel), decode the message by using their own interpretation. Interpretations can vary from individual to individual, because everyone’s personal experiences and current circumstances influence the way one interprets the message. Thus, messages can even be interpreted differently by the same person at different times.

Feedback

The only way that marketers (and essentially also companies) can know how their message has been received is by the feedback of the viewers. Because selling is only emphasized on the target market, it is most crucial for companies and marketers to understand the target market’s feedback in this communication process.

This however is not an easy task. The target market starts a new communication process when leaving feedback by encoding their message, sending it through a message channel until the company or marketers receive the message and decode it, which has the risk of being misinterpreted as well. Hence, the communication process is quite difficult to understand correctly.

Because the target market determines the sales performance of a company, it is very important to understand the target market correctly. Feedback such as the words “I agree”, positive comments on internet web sites, many recommendations and a high sales rate of a product mean usually that the target market is providing positive feedback.

If the target market sends negative feedback, in the form of negative comments about the product or no sales activity for a given product, the marketers have to not only interpret the feedback as being negative, but also analyze and understand why the target market does not like the product.

In addition, marketers need to understand the target market in regards to consumer surveys. The answers/results need to be closely analyzed so that marketers can understand and predict purchasing behavior and develop products and services that will meet customer’s wants and needs and thus be high in demand, which in turn would lead to high profits.

Targeting Different Social Classes

It is important for companies to adjust their marketing strategy and develop different offerings for consumers in different social classes

Each social class usually has differing needs, wants, and consumption patterns. The upper class and upper middle class usually tend to invest more than people of other social classes. Other consumer behavior patterns among the upper class and upper middle social class that have been identified are that only half of the social class purchases gifts from upscale stores, while the remaining half buys gifts at regular stores. Furthermore, for this class the product characteristics determine the quality one assigns to a product rather than the price.

A distinct consumer behavior habit between the middle class and the lower class is for example that higher percentage of people in the middle-class subscribe to premium cable channels. One reason for this behavior is the financial factor, namely that more people in the middle class can afford the monthly payments for premium cable channels. Finally, homeless people who do not have shelter and often times much food, have significantly different values than people in the upper class for example. Homeless people will spend money primarily on food and shelter, which are their primary and basic needs. In contrast, since upper class consumers have shelter and food, they rather take it for granted and value luxurious items more.

There are many other distinct consumer buying habits that each social class has. And only with the knowledge of these differences, can a company develop an offering that will suit a targeted social class in their wants, needs, and expectations. Offerings that would be valued and affordable by the upper class, such as a Rolls-Royce car are not affordable for someone in the working class. Thus, other car models that will be affordable to the working class as well as meet their needs of commuting every day to and from work have to be developed.

To meet consumers’ values, needs, and expectations of all social classes, a company should develop different offerings for consumers in each social class.

Value Segmentation

Not only should a marketing strategy and/or an advertising campaign be adjusted to the social class one is targeting, but it can also be based on another factor.

Value segmentation is the process of identifying groups of consumers who have a similar or same set of values that differ from those of other groups.

Examples

One example is the market for cosmetics. Women who value luxury and price as well as brand name to be considered someone who values high quality and has the finances to purchase the product might buy a Lancome Definicils for $25, while someone who simply wants to lengthen and darken their lashes and doesn’t value the brand name or quality of the mascara might rather purchase the Maybelline Full’n Soft Mascara from Walmart for $7.

Another example would be the purchase of a cell phone. While some people, especially teenagers, will value for a cell phone to be “new”, and “trendy” as well as expensive and having the latest technology and thus purchase an iPhone for $450, another group of people might simply value the ability to communicate with a cell phone regardless of their location in the United States and buy an LG Rumor for $80.

Another product market where value segmentation can be easily observed is the car-market. The group of people valuing their status as perceived by others might purchase an expensive Lexus or an Audi, while another group of people valuing the basic ability of transportation from one place to another will buy an inexpensive Toyota that will meet their needs.

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Source by Nicole Elmore

Garmin Nuvi 265W/265WT GPS Navigator

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If you are planning on buying a new GPS navigator for you car or truck you may be considering the Garmin Nuvi 265W/265WT. The only difference between these two models is that the 265WT is a 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic whereas the 265W does not provide any traffic information. Both are very popular devices today and are well worth the cost.

The Nuvi 265 offers a fully interactive touchscreen display. With a more than adequate resolution of 480 x 272 pixels you will not have any concerns making sense of what is being displayed. Also it uses the latest TFT technology with backlight to provide excellent clarity on an overcast or rainy day, you would not have to take your gaze off the road for too long to have an understanding of the data that is being given.

As it integrates the latest Bluetooth technology you can also sync the Nuvi 265 with your cell phone so that you do not get pulled over by a traffic cop for making a call. Hands free calling can help to save your life and that of other road users.

It is an ultra thin GPS unit and one that can easily be carried in your pocket when not in use to protect from theft or if you want to switch to a different vehicle. Measuring in at an impressive 4.8″ x 2.9″ x 0.8″ it is large enough to be seen without causing eye strain whilst also not taking up too much space on the vehicle’s dashboard.

If you opt for the slightly more costly 265WT model you will have the latest real time traffic news and updates at your fingertips. Such a feature can help you to shave a considerable amount of time from your daily commute as you will be warned in advance of any jams, roadworks, and delays that would otherwise leave you feeling frustrated behind the wheel.

It also has a fast satellite lock and photo navigation to ensure you always understand exactly how far into the journey you are and the number of miles left to travel. Many drivers find that GPS units that offer photo navigation are a lot easier to understand and use than those that are only map based.

The text to speech feature is another tool that can be extremely useful. By turning this facility on you will find it much simpler to receive directions and follow commands as opposed to constantly having to look at the screen. Locking and unlocking the unit is also straightforward with an easy to use power slide key.

Unlike many GPS navigators available today the Garmin Nuvi 265w/265wt is straightforward to operate and maintain. You do not have to be a technical expert to set it up and it will quickly win you over with its simple to operate interface. There is no need to be constantly downloading software updates or buying additional accessories. It is a straight out of the box device that will immediately have an impact on the amount of time it takes you to get to your destination.

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Source by Jennifer MacNeil

Does pH Really Matter for Carpet Cleaning?

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If you attended a carpet cleaning course, you know the ongoing debate about pH levels. One instructor may say pH is very important, while another says it’s not imperative. The various approaches to carpet cleaning varies from expert to expert – from the techniques to the carpet cleaning equipment used. We find that some professionals place emphasis on pH of the fiber and other emphasize pH of the products.

Deciding which technique and methods are right all comes down to your own knowledge. To come up with your own outlook, you need to do the research. With understanding, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision.

The Truth About pH

There are a few things you need to know about pH levels as a carpet cleaning professional. This will help you to take better care of your customers and carpet cleaning equipment, such as your tile can truck mounted carpet cleaning machines.

Let’s review:

  • The more the pH level is away from neutral, the more likely an adverse affect will occur.
  • The pH level doesn’t determine total acidity or alkalinity.
  • A whole number change represents a magnitude 10 as it relates to acidity.

Other Misconceptions to Watch For

There are also quite a few misconceptions out there that you should avoid:

  • Some wool manufacturers, such as Wools of New Zealand, recommend cleaning its products with products with pH levels between 4.5 and 8.5. Truth is, the manufacturer has approved products that were over 8.5, but hasn’t ever approved any beneath 6.5 pH level. This is very important to note if you’re cleaning wool carpets and rugs for customers.
  • The 0-14 pH scale isn’t correct. In actuality, the pH scale goes from negative to over 14.
  • The pH scale doesn’t just determine acidity and alkalinity of a solution in water. It only measures how acidic it is. If you want to measure alkalinity, then you would need a pOH scale.

As a carpet cleaning professional, you need to know what information is false. For instance, you may have heard that a solution with a pH level of 4 can neutralize a problem with a pH of 10. Again, pH and pOH only measures relative alkalinity or acidity. The final pH of the fiber is the best way to determine the total alkalinity.

As you’re cleaning carpets, try not to play the numbers game. Pay close attention to the requirements of carpet manufacturers. This is sometimes enough to know what carpet cleaning equipment and solutions are needed to provide the best clean possible.

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Source by Jennifer Diaz

Warranty for a Used Dump Truck Purchase

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You found your next dump truck for your business, but let’s not forget it is a used dump truck. Things can go wrong with anything used. So protect that investment with a warranty plan. Why take a chance with your valued truck investment. One repair can cost more than the warranty plan purchase.

There are so many warranty plans on the market which one to choose?

• Find one with nationwide protection. If you ever need a repair, you can rest easy knowing that your plan provides protection throughout North America and Canada. Repair will be performed by approved repair facilities ensuring your truck will be back on the road with minimal downtime.

• How about a transferable warranty plan for your used dump truck. If you decide to sell your truck before the coverage ends, you can transfer the remaining coverage to the new owner. This transferability allows you to sell your truck with the assurance it has been well cared for and more importantly, it may help increase the resale price.

• Make sure it has easy purchase terms and mileage options to meet your needs. Some warranty plans for used trucks are straight forward only covers motor and transmission, not parts. A warranty plan from GWC covers powertrain, major assembly and components. Also GWC has different plans for months, mileage and fuel type. They will even help you locate a preferred repair shop.

For example if you were purchasing a used dump truck up to 10 years old with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs. and 125k miles on a gasoline motor the cost would be $2200 for 36 months. With today’s advanced technology, repair costs have increased and will continue to do so. The costs of even one repair may result in thousands of dollars of unexpected out of pocket expense. No one can predict the future, but you will be protected from covered repair cost by unexpected mechanical breakdowns.

Simply put this is like health insurance for you used dump truck. Coverage starts after payment and signing. So if you leave the more than trucks used truck dealership here in Island Park, NY with a signed coverage plan and made your payment and breakdown as soon as you leave, you are covered! How is that for a piece of mind? Are you looking to finance your next purchase, consider asking your sales person about adding a warranty plan to your vehicle financing for just a few dollars a month.

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Source by Joe Sales

The Hummer – The Supreme SUV

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The Hummer’s conceptualization began in 1979. It was basically being designed for the US army and was to be built as a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). At that time many companies were asked to put forth their best designs for the same. Out of the many that presented their ideas, the three that were chosen were those of General Dynamics, Teledyne and AM (American Motors) General. But this was just the beginning for the companies to prove their worth. The army was very demanding in wanting a vehicle not only of high quality but also that could withstand any kind of pressures, glide through any kind of terrain, and that would be light and easy to maintain! And voila AM General was able to give the most supreme prototype and in the least possible time!

Their model called the Hummvee, proved to be just what the army had commanded. It came out with flying colors in the various tests to gauge its superiority. Then the first Hummvees, that was around 55,000 of them, were given for production over a period of 5 years in 1983 to AM General. AM General won this race too and within just 6 months the Hummvee was ready for use. With time the general public too could not resist the desire to drive these Humvees. Thus AM General decided to come out with a civilian version of the Humvee called the Hummer. In December 1999 the Hummer brand and the authority to market and distribute it were sold off to General Motors by AM General. AM General however still manufactures the Hummer.

The Hummer is an SUV-a sports utility vehicle and is the rage with those who are fond of sturdy, long and rough and tough cars. The Hummer seems to have no competitor in this area. The first and original Hummer is now called the H1. It is said that the Hummer was made as a result of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s persuasion as he had seen the Humvees and was very impressed. The popularity of the Hummer is such that the US boasts of several groups and clubs of Hummer owners who come together and drive them either for recreation or for some good causes. Well why good causes, read on to find out. As the Hummer is well known for its great strength and durability, it is often employed in disaster hit areas. Such Hummer owners provide their vehicle for these purposes and thus put them to use for a noble cause. In fact a group has been formed of Hummer owners who have been trained in first aid and CPR. Thus the Hummer has spread its wings to touch all of humanity.

The most recent and a very well known Hummer model is the H3. The H1 and H2 Hummer models are known to be quite large. Unlike them, the five seater H3 has been made to cater to the sensibilities of the common who wishes to own an SUV but still wants it to not look too bulky. The H3 also has good fuel economy and is quite luxurious for the small cost it demands! It has good soundproof materials used in its windows and enough sealing to allow you to hear and speak comfortably enough. This is significant considering that the H3, like its predecessors, is prone to making noise. The H3 also has side curtain airbags as well as the normal driver and passenger ones, which provide added protection. Some of its other features include large knobs for HVAC, sunvisors that have pull out extensions, and large and very readable gauges.

The other common features include a tilt-adjustable steering column, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, an audio system with a CD player, cruise control, air conditioning, an electronic rearview mirror with temperature and compass readings, antilock brakes (ABS), traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and stylish leather seats. It has an OnStar system with one-year Safe and Sound service plan. This system informs the concerned people in case of an emergency and helps them to locate you and get you immediate help and relief. It even helps to keep thieves at bay, because the system can track your Hummer in case of theft.

With so much to offer, you must drive the Hummer!

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Source by Lance Dixon

3 Dentist Marketing Tips for St Patrick’s Day

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If you own and operate a dental practice and are looking for a few good ways to add more new patients, then read this short article which gives you a few slick ways to piggyback off St. Patrick’s Day. In, fact here’s a little story to explain these dentist marketing tips: I must come clean and confess. I like drinking green beer! Truth is my “green beer habit” started back in college, when me and a few buddies would chug-a-lug Green Beer on St Patrick’s Day until… somebody GOT SICK!

Now days, I stick to drinking only one green beer as a way to celebrate the Irish. In fact, if you want to grow your dental practice fast — then you should find as many ways as possible to DRINK GREEN BEER! What do I mean by this? Well, I’m not suggesting you actually drink Green Beer. I am suggesting you find ways to be different. That doesn’t mean you have to grab a mega-phone and market your dental practice like some loud and obnoxious character from a used car commercial.

BUT… marketing your services like all the other dentists in your neighborhood ain’t gonna’ cut the mustard in 2011. There’s too much competition! Your prospect’s have the attention span of a gnat! And plus, being like all the other dentists in your neighborhood is plain BORING. Wouldn’t you agree? In fact, one time I heard the late, great Earl Nightingale say, “Oftentimes your answer is to do the exact opposite of what everyone else is doing.”

So what can you do to be different?

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Throw A St Patrick’s Day Party!

How many dentists are doing this?

Probably none, which is exactly why it’s a great idea if you want to stand out and become the number one dentist in your neighborhood.

2. Dress In A Green Lab Coat!

Sure, plenty of people wear green to the office on St. Patrick’s Day, but have you ever seen a dentist in a green lab coat?

Once again, you have to overcome your sense to conform and “be professional”, and let your desire to have fun win-out.

Your patients will love this, especially if you send a picture to your local newspaper.

3. Give Away Green Floss and Toothbrushes.

It’s easy enough to buy some green floss and toothbrushes.

And give them away as “free prizes” to anyone who takes a tour of your dental office.

How does this add new patients to your practice?

You simply ask for their contact information, and the you put these prospects on your mailing list.

Look, if you want a bustling dental practice then you’ve got to be willing to promote your services using outrageous dental marketing campaigns.

And St. Patrick’s Day is a golden opportunity.

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Source by Wesley Murph

Nissan R35 GTR – Super Car Or Not?

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The Nissan GTR has always been a vehicle that stands for extreme performance. What most people don’t realize when they think about this machine is that it has always been a well rounded type of performance car. The new R35 GTR has been injected with the same DNA as the previous R32, R33, and R34 models. This means that the car will have extreme performance and also practicality to meet the demands of anyone’s lifestyle. Nissan describes the new R35 GTR as a multi-performance sports car meaning that it’s not just another fast car with all the right numbers that look great in magazines.

The main question about the R35 GTR would be, “Is it a super car?” The fact that this question has been brought up makes me happy to see that people realize there is more to a super car than just the numbers generated from performance tests. When I think of a super car or at least what a super car has been up until now would be something that is fast, stimulating, violent, loud, and visually attractive on an extreme level. The GTR without a doubt is fast, and not just in a straight line. This vehicle took out top level Porsche models and also gave the lightened Gallardo a run for its money on Tsukuba circuit in Japan. It also clocks one of the best times on Germany’s Nurburgring for a production car which is a better reference than a tight circuit like Tsukuba. With these accomplishments it can be said that the GTR has great power, braking, and cornering abilities that either match or rival cars that are considered super cars.

It’s as fast as a super car, but that’s not enough. My opinion is that it doesn’t fall short of being called one, it just falls somewhere else. A super car is just a category, it doesn’t necessarily mean better. The R35 is better than a super car, but the things that make it better would be the only reasons why someone would rather not buy it. It’s a useful machine, meaning that it can get you to work in any condition and can be driven all year round through any rain or snowstorm. It has space for passengers and luggage. It’s quiet enough to drive down the street at 2am without the neighbors hating you. It rounded and can visually fit in with the rest of the cars on the road, especially 350zs and G35s. These are all great qualities, but not the types of traits that the type of person that will buy such an item is looking for. Most people that are in the market for a vehicle like this are looking for one thing and one thing only, extravagance, both in the looks, and the driving characteristics of the car.

The fact that most of this machine’s testing was done on the Nurburgring says a lot about it. Nurburgring is a demanding circuit that requires a car to be setup to be both fast and safe simultaneously. The ideal car at this circuit would be something that makes the driver feel safe while clocking amazing times. One lap around this course in a real super car would make most people have a heart attack before they got halfway through, but in this car anyone can do a few laps in a row without shaking too much while traveling at the same speeds. The R35 is a perfect ultra high performance street car designed for the average driver. Certain pro racing drivers like Keiichi Tsuchiya drove this car and did not like that fact that it had so many computers that take away control from the driver, saying that the car felt “unnatural” at its limits. What a pro doesn’t realize is that the average driver that doesn’t practice on the track daily is happy to return some driver control responsibilities back to the car so he or she doesn’t have to worry while they rush to work or have some fun of winding roads during their weekend off.

Even though the R35 is not a super car, it is still something different that sends a positive message to people about the advancement in automobiles. Sure it’s not raw enough to be a pure sports car like the NSX R or Porsche GT3 that are designed for driving enthusiasts that want to be stimulated, but I believe that Nissan wanted to show the world what they are capable of doing in terms of drivability technology with this car. Pure sports cars are generally fast because they are stiff, lightweight, and responsive, much like racing cars driven by professionals off the streets. The GTR weighs almost 2 tons meaning that the secrets to its speed are not so simple. The R35 can be considered to be a beast with manners that was built to appeal to everyone. It may be a little too cheap for the status driven upper class and a little too pricey for the current 350z, Evo, and STI owners. A car’s price says a lot about it and for only $80K, I would say that it should be higher to match the lower numbers that it generated during its performance tests.

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Source by Nick Zema

The Need For Car Paint Protection

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If you’ve just driven your new car off the lot, it’s probably looking pretty great. That fancy new paint job shines in the sun, looks glossy, and makes a statement about the kind of person you are; the kind of person that buys new cars. Overtime, though, small rocks, road debris and bugs will eat away at your paint job. There’s nothing much you can do except apply some touch ups and hope no one notices. However, there is a different way.

A protective car film will keep all of this from happening. If applied before the road debris ruins your day by chipping your paint, a clear car cover, like a bra, will prevent those chips from happening in the first place. The best protective films have to ability to provide defense from things as heavy as rocks.

In terms of your paint job, bugs can also be a problem. They’re absolutely unavoidable and if you drive your car at all, you’re bound to hit a few. The acid in most bugs will erode your paint and if you ignore it, you’re bound to see some damage. Obviously there are products that will remove dead bugs from your car but wouldn’t it be easier to buy a protective film that keeps them off your paint to begin with?

Not only do you want your car to look as new as possible for as long as possible, but keeping your paint job pristine will up the resale value. Most people keep their cars for roughly five years before trading up. If you want to get the most for your money, keep your car looking great. One of the best ways to do this is by being preventative and keeping the paint as clean as possible. Protective films do that.

Car covers are readily available and generally inexpensive. Indeed, they’re much less expensive than a new paint job. The good ones come with a guarantee and are pre-cut to fit your specific car or truck. No one likes getting a full sheet of laminate they have to cut themselves. The benefits of a product like this are huge. They provide a clear, protective barrier that can not only deflect small rocks and road debris but will also keep things like bugs from ruining your paint job. If you ever want to resale your car, it’s definitely a smart idea to consider a protective film.

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Source by Chris Wadle

The Benefits of Commercial Combined Insurance

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Commercial combined insurance protects your business assets from a number of unforeseen losses including damage, theft, fire, natural disasters (such as floods and storms), and vandalism. This insurance provides cover for your buildings, machinery, business stock and equipment, and all other contents within the building premises.

No matter what size your business maybe you need to protect your business from various risks and any other claims that might arise during the course of business. The purpose of commercial combined insurance is to integrate different types of business insurance into one policy that covers all the important areas of a business.

Commercial combined insurance generally includes buildings insurance, stock insurance, employers’ liability insurance, public liability insurance and building contents insurance. Sometimes it can include professional indemnity insurance and product liability insurance as well. The exact cover will vary depending on the nature and size of your business.

It is always advisable to consult a professional prior to opting for commercial combined insurance. Different businesses require different elements of insurance cover, therefore, a professional will be able to make sure that the combined policy provides you with the maximum cover and does not limit other important areas of cover.

Some commercial combined insurance policies allow any adjustments to the amount of cover such as in the case of public liability insurance where you can raise the cover from £1million to £2million by increasing the cost of the policy by a fixed percentage. Making adjustments can bring about a lot of savings in premiums. This type of policy is more suited to large companies that require many different areas of cover. Prior to choosing a commercial combined insurance companies need to determine the element of risk their business is likely to face. This risk assessment may require a visit to the premises by an insurance professional.

Among the biggest risks are liability to third parties and the costs and damages arising from claims made against a company. Employers’ liability insurance is mandatory according to law, therefore an essential element of any commercial combined insurance package. This insurance protects employees from all potential risks or accidents that may occur at the workplace. Public liability insurance is also essential as it protects a company against any claims made by any visiting public while on its business premises. Other areas of cover include Product Liability insurance which protects companies from any claims made due to any manufacturing defects in the company’s products. Directors and Officers insurance (D&O) is also available in a commercial combined insurance policy where a company’s directors can protect themselves against any liabilities arising during the course of the business.

Property damage cover is important since fire and floods can cause extensive damage to commercial property. Companies that carry large stock will benefit when this type of insurance is combined so that it minimises losses due to deterioration or damage of stock. There are other commercial risks such as loss of trade licence, goods in transit cover, commercial vehicle insurance and more. Purchasing the right commercial combined insurance may be a daunting task, especially when the risks are not straightforward. Therefore, it is advisable to seek the services of an insurance professional so that you procure the appropriate policy at the right price.

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Source by Richard C Clark