Whether you own or manage a hotel or maybe are considering renting out your home on Airbnb, this infographic could help you boost your business.
With the advent of widespread Internet connectivity and the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets, laptops and the like, we have seen the proliferation of social media platforms such as Facebook all over the globe. Facebook is a networking platform that initially started out as something used by individuals to connect and engage with one another.
Its interface quickly spread into a business tool, allowing businesses in practically any niche to engage with their target audience.
Today, this is largely operated on a paid basis as in businesses will pay extra to have their posts seen by the precise customer group they are targeting.
For hotels, Facebook presents customers with another opportunity to leave a review of their accommodation which of course can be positive or negative.
If a hotel has a Facebook page and by and large, they should have one, then it is vital that someone is assigned the responsibility of managing and monitoring it. If the hotel is large enough, this might be something that is done by an outside third party. Alternatively, if it’s managed in-house the person assigned perhaps should have some training in the area in order to ensure they are running it as optimally as possible.
The people at Ard na Sidhe have put together this inforgraphic which details everything a hotel needs to know about Facebook and its power within the hotel marketing niche.
It outlines the basics of setting up a profile; it examines some interesting statistics about Facebook and it delivers some expert advice. Check out the full infographic below.
The drone industry continues to advance, and while many feel the insurance industry is always a step behind, technology is helping to bridge the gap.
In this article I asked Evan “The Drone Insurance Guy” Garmon to clarify the difference between on-demand and annual insurance policies and when each should be used.
Note that I am not providing insurance advice and you should consult your insurance agent for your specific needs. Evan has specialized in insurance for drone operators and so you should consider him as a resource when trying to sort out your options.
On-demand drone insurance has been available for UAV operators since 2016 and has helped many operations to get started on their dream of owning a business. There are many uses for on-demand drone insurance, but annual policies available for drones still have advantages over the on-demand option.
In this article, we will discuss when an operator/ business owner would be best served with on-demand drone insurance and when an annual drone insurance policy is more appropriate.
How Does Verifly [On-Demand] Work?
First, let us consider that the most popular on-demand drone insurance option, Verifly, does not discriminate between hobby use and commercial useto set up a policy. The coverage area on the application is geographically based, so the underwriting takes into account the risks in the area to calculate the pricing. Commercial operations will have access to more coverage options including flying in restricted airspaces and flights at night, but a hobby pilot and even an operator competing in a drone race can get coverage through the app as of the October 2017 updates.
Hobby Operations
Hobby operations can insure their operations under some annual style policies, but the operator must first pass the Part 107 or hold a current part 61 pilot certificate. The benefit is that the hull coverage can be added to the annual policy if the unit cost more than what the operator is willing to pay out for damage or a replacement unit. Due to current pricing for the annual policies though, most hobby operations should look to their homeowners or renters insurance company for physical damage on their units.
Commercial Operations
Commercial operations have the option of using on-demand insurance or setting up an annual policy. Deciding which option is best for your operation requires a self-assessment. Not all UAV operations are going to be exactly similar, but looking at the guidelines of both the current on-demand option and the annual policy will help to form a path for a UAV business owner to make an informed decision.
Flying outside of the United States?
For some getting into the industry, their work will require them to go abroad to perform work. The country you’ll be operating in will determine whether or not there is an option available for on-demand drone insurance. For operators located in the United States who wish to travel abroad, an annual policy that includes world-wide coverage will be your best option.
Do you require physical damage coverage on your unit or any payload your unit carries?
Drones range in price considerably. For businesses looking to save money, a drone less than $1,000 is very easy to replace. And if it is a unit purchased from a large company like DJI, a warranty plan may be available.
However, as the needs of the client increase, the equipment prices may increase as well. It is much harder for the average drone operation to self-insure a $10,000 UAV with $7,000 of payload. On-demand insurance does not currently offer hull coverageas of the date of this article publication. This is not to say that option won’t be available in the future, but if physical damage coverage is needed, an annual drone insurance policy will be able to provide the physical damage and liability coverage.
Do you live and work in a state that has not approved on-demand coverage or will not approve it for commercial use?
For operations in Minnesota, on-demand insurance is available, but to comply with state statute 360.59: Aircraft Registration And Listing For Taxation, a valid certificate of insurance must be on file with the MN Department of Transpiration Commissioner as there is not a distinction between a UAS and a manned aircraft at this time.
Public safety is one of the main reasons for the requirement as all vehicles and aircraft are required to be insured.
New York is another state that has not approved an on-demand drone insurance policy at the time this article is being published.
The newest state that has restricted on-demand style insurance is North Dakota due to a state statute that has been on the books for more than forty years. Under Chapter 26.1-30-18. Inception and expiration of policies – Inception of hail insurance policies, all insurance policies, except hail insurance policies, are required to go into effect at 12:01 a.m on the day of inception and end at 12:01 a.m when the policy expires.
Are you performing work under a contract or need a permit that requires insurance?
Contracts can vary widely and most up for negotiations. Contracts may have clauses that require aviation insurance policies among other coverages – like commercial general liability, commercial auto, workers compensation, umbrella liability, and possibly professional liability. When a contract calls for these requirements, chances are the client will not accept on-demand coverage and will need an Acord certificate of liability that an independent insurance agent can work up. Permits are very similar and one governing body may require insurance for the duration of the project.
Are You using the UAV for internal operations?
UAV technology can be adopted by many companies and those that are looking to use UAV’s internally may consider on-demand coverage if the general liability policy is not endorsed to cover UAVs. When the flights start to add up to between 60-70 hours a year, the on-demand option may no longer be the most cost effective option. Rates for a $1,000,000 drone liability policy with one UAV have recently dropped to below $700 a year. Businesses looking to integrate drones info their operations, should consult with a licensed insurance agent familiar with UAV exposure.
Which Option Is Best For You?
There are many factors to determine if on-demand insurance for drones will be a good option for your business going forward.
If you are looking to enter the drone business, consider starting out with on-demand to see if you will have the client base in your area to support your business.
On-demand insurance should not be looked at as a long-term option if you plan to grow your business as the costs will add up very quickly.
Buying insurance on-demand is purchasing insurance at retail pricing instead of wholesale pricing. It is affordable if you only plan to use it a few times a year and do not need any other coverage outside of the coverage window.
For More Information Or Insurance Questions For Your Specific Situation
If you have questions about drone insurance or would like to learn more about insuring drone operations, please contact Evan Garmon at Evan@harpenauinsurance.com
Evan Garmon is an Insurance and Risk Management Professional at Harpenau Insurance Agency in Indiana. Since 2015, Evan has specialized with insuring UAS operations across the United States. As a hobby drone pilot himself, Evan loves hearing clients stories and chatting about the latest technology. With a solid team backing him at his agency and partnered insurance carriers, Evan is proud to be a one stop insurance solution for his clients.
The prospect of sharing office space goes against every corporate custom and tradition. It seems to defy the very concept of productivity itself. How can anybody be expected to put in a top performance when sharing an environment with strangers? Surely, any form of coworking is primarily defined by interruption and distraction.
It’s a valid concern. Fortunately, it’s one that the business world has explored extensively over the last five years. As the popularity of coworking has soared in Australia, researchers have put its claims to the test. The majority have found that, when operating from a coworking space, freelancers and other flexible workers are actually twice as productive.
Keep reading to find out why this is the case and what coworking spaces can do to strengthen your sole proprietorship.
The Freedom to Thrive
One of the most interesting benefits of coworking, as reported by researchers, is an increased sense of self. For freelancers, in particular, sharing office space with a diverse range of people leads to less conflict. There is a reduced need for internal rivalry and competition because there’s no singular goal. It is a collective, an organic community of creators and thinkers.
These benefits are felt even when tenants are moving from a home-based operation, as opposed to a more traditional company. For instance, freelancers in coworking spaces frequently discuss their work with those who are unfamiliar with it. These opportunities to articulate and self-represent can end up boosting confidence and providing clarity.
The Freedom to Choose
The best coworking facilities in Australia are accessible 24/7. It means freelancers get to structure their routines in whatever way they like. If you feel sluggish during the day but come alive in the evening, you can shape your day to reflect this. If you’ve got a major deadline to meet, there’s no worry the office will shut up shop before you’re finished.
This sense of freedom is very valuable, as the old traditions don’t make room for personal variation. Not everybody is going to feel inspired at 9 am after a busy commute. Similarly, not everybody wants to take a long lunch break in the middle of the day, especially if it’s a prime time for creativity. With coworking, the tenant is always in control.
The Freedom to Collaborate
Sharing office space and resources is also a great way to meet new people. When you’re a freelancer, connections are everything. You depend upon a network of clients, contacts, and referrers to keep the jobs coming. When you co-work, plugging into new networks is easy. There are writers, designers, marketers, developers, coders, and more, all in one environment.
In fact, it’s common for coworking tenants to offer an exchange of skills. For instance, you might be able to write an excellent piece of SEO copy. If another tenant needs this, they could give you a valuable skill in exchange, such as web building or financial advice. It’s entirely possible that the next person you meet is your ticket to success.
How to Find a Great Coworking Space in Australia
If you want to find the best coworking facilities, consider a move to one of the major Australian cities. These regions are very popular with prime providers, as they put tenants right at the heart of the action. This is where you’ll get the most interest from sponsors and investors.
It will also put you close to consumers, as most coworking spaces are located in or around retail districts. Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane are all home to some fantastic facilities, so you’ve got a lot of options. Make sure to choose a lively, thriving neighbourhood.
Laurence Deer
Laurence is a digital marketing professional who has helped dozens of businesses achieve their online objectives. Working with a particular emphasis on local campaigns, Laurence has a clear understanding of what is required for local SMEs to acquire market share over their competitors. This ranges from online strategies to using cloud-based services to gain the edge in their chosen market.
Whether you’re hiring a drone operator for your project or are a drone operator who is asking yourself, “What insurance do I need for my drone business?”, this article will get you pointed down the right path.
I asked “The Drone Insurance Guy”, Evan Garmon, what are the keys you need to know.
Note that I am not providing insurance advice and you should consult your insurance agent for your specific needs. Evan has specialized in insurance for drone operators and so you should consider him as a resource when trying to sort out your options.
Here’s what he said.
What is Drone Insurance and Why is it Necessary?
Drones (otherwise known as UAV’s or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are here to stay and will change the airspace as we now see it. This innovative technology does not come without risk to the operator and to the general public, hence the reason UAV insurance is now an insurance product.
While operators in much of the United States (except for Minnesota) are not required to have a policy in place to cover commercial operations, it is still wise to have liability coverage.
When contracting a UAV operation whether it be for aerial photography of real estate, marketing purposes, inspection, or any other currently unknown uses, there are a few things to look for when asking for proof of coverage and the insurance certificates of UAV operators.
What Insurance is Needed and How Do You Confirm Needed Coverage Are In Place?
The Form. UAV insurance certificates do not look like the standard Acord 25 form that most see when asking for proof of coverage. UAVs are primarily insured on adapted aircraft policies and have a separate insurance certificate that can apply. The form number is the Acord 21 and will have a summary of the drones insured on the policy.
Confirm Insurance Is Current. If you’re hiring a drone operator you should verify the policy is currently in force by calling the insurance agent on the form and verify the information is accurate and up to date.
Make Sure The Specific Drone Being Used Is Covered. When looking over the aircraft coverage section, ask the operator if they will be using the unit displayed in the box or any of the other units that may be shown on another page of the certificate. An FAA registration number or UAV serial number may be displayed in the box, but make sure that the unit the operator intends to use is the same on the certificate.
$1,000,000 Limit Suggested. UAV policies currently on the market typically cover bodily injury and property damage due to a UAV crashing into a person or property. The most common limit is $1,000,000, but some policies may be written for $500,000. As best practice, Harpenau Insurance Agents do not recommend UAV operators insuring their drones liability for less than $1,000,000 since most contracts require a minimum $1,000,000.
Damage to Drone Coverage Section. Section two of the UAV policy has available coverage for the UAV itself with limits as high as the operator needs. This limit will be displayed in the Aircraft Hull limit box and will vary from unit to unit depending on the value the operator wants to cover their unit at. While not completely relevant for many to verify, it may be an indication of the operators ability to quickly purchase another aircraft in the event of an accident, thus requiring extended time to complete the work until they can either get the funds to replace the downed unit, or go purchase another one.
Other Coverages. Other coverage that may be shown on UAV certificates will be:
Medical payments coverage for small accidents that may require a trip to an urgent care clinic.
Premises liability coverage that will insure that if something happens to someone or their property while the UAV is operating and does not cause the damage, accidents can still be covered.
Personal injury coverage is a misnomer and is actually coverage for lawsuits involving invasion of privacy, libel & slander, and copyright suits. This is an important coverage to make sure the operator has due to the public perception of drones spying on people.
Additional Insured. While many request operators to show only proof of coverage, having specific language in an agreement to be added as an additional insured to the UAV policy is a great risk management practice for contractors of UAV operations to implement. Being added as an additional insured is often no cost to the operators and will make sure that if an accident occurs, you operation will have coverage under their limits as well.
Official Policy vs Insurance Certificates. It is important to note that just because the coverage is on the certificate as well as any special language in the description of operations box, it does not mean the representation is part of the official policy. Certificates of insurance are issued as a matter of fact for information purposes only. If you have questions about the operators coverage, discuss with their insurance agent the coverages they have in place. Some policies will not recognize additional insured status until the agent reports the request to the insurance carrier.
For More Information Or Insurance Questions For Your Specific Situation
Drones are here to stay and will soon be a more common part of life delivering package, recording events, and possibly saving lives with medical device delivery already being tested. If you have questions about drone insurance or would like to learn more about insuring drone operations, please contact Evan Garmon at Evan@harpenauinsurance.com
Evan Garmon is an Insurance and Risk Management Professional at Harpenau Insurance Agency in Indiana. Since 2015, Evan has specialized with insuring UAS operations across the United States. As a hobby drone pilot himself, Evan loves hearing clients stories and chatting about the latest technology. With a solid team backing him at his agency and partnered insurance carriers, Evan is proud to be a one stop insurance solution for his clients.
Most marketers rely on their automated solutions and regularly work with different groups: like engineers, developers, and even the accounting people. What’s more, in that work, there’s a considerable amount of time and energy spent. One way to avoid this loss is using project management tools.
A project management system is an essential tool in today’s environment for all businesses. Without a project management system, most of an entrepreneur’s time is taken up doing documentation, disseminating information from clients to designers to developers and everyone in between. The benefits of a project management system is not only limited to easy communication and documentation, but it also helps you to keep track of every second of the project, helping you focus on other more important things.
To help you know if a project management system is (or is not) what you need, here are a few reasons why task management software is so essential for any business:
1) Keeping Schedules
As a marketer, you need to keep projects on schedule. But for whatever reason, things don’t always work out as planned. With a project management tool, it is easy to track the time you have on hand for a particular project. You can set the start and the end dates of your project, to help you keep track of time. Every employee gets notified of the set deadlines, and after completion of the project, you can also update your client with the work status.
2) Tracking the Projects
Manually tracking all your projects is never as efficiently done as on with software. From planning the project to tracking the deadlines, assessing work progress and profitability per project and tracking other details in a precise manner, a project planner helps you do it all like a pro. Every piece of information that you want on all your projects is available with just a click – and you can easily compare which project is better for your business.
3) Communication
It is very common for communication gaps to happen while a team is working a project. And this can spoil the project. The project management software bridges this gap and makes it easier for you to contact clients and employees, keeping them current on the project status along with other critical details. It also makes it easy for clients and employees to communicate to each other, completing the communication cycle.
Miscommunication is reduced or eliminated and unnecessary delays are avoided by using a project management tool. This keeps work flowing, employees updated and clients satisfied.
4) Easy Collaboration
While working on a project, there are different departments working on a single project. It gets hard to share all documents, files, project details and updates with every department. Project management tools come handy here. You can assign every employee, from any department, tasks on a common platform, and can also share the details, updates and documents over the software. This helps all the departments collaborate without delays due to miscommunication.
5) Swift Documentation
Unlike conventional methods, you do not have to go through different spreadsheets, files, or accounts to access project details. With project management tools, the project’s entire data set is accessible from one account and is available to the full team. This makes it easy for you to keep a record of all the documentation done on the project, and saves time, helping you work more efficiently.
While this gives you a brief understanding of how handy project management systems can be in terms of handling a project, you need to evolve your processes as technology evolves. As technology has advanced, traditional pen and paper documentation is no longer the best thing to do. It hinders your chance to grow your market and hinders the efficiency of your entire workforce. Whereas, project management systems maximize the performance of the project team and also improves the overall project workflow.
Take a step towards improved productivity, implement a project management system today.
Olivia Cote is a Digital Marketing professional and has been working under this stream from the past 15 years with the experience of determining the most creative ways to advertise the company’s products and services along with the complex product research. She has been writing blogs and articles, on topics which are related to project management, to drive the business.
![Drone Insurance: On-Demand [Verifly] or Annual Policy](https://i0.wp.com/photo.foter.com/photos/m/398/fly-phantom-camera.jpg?resize=600%2C363)
Evan Garmon is an Insurance and Risk Management Professional at Harpenau Insurance Agency in Indiana. Since 2015, Evan has specialized with insuring UAS operations across the United States. As a hobby drone pilot himself, Evan loves hearing clients stories and chatting about the latest technology. With a solid team backing him at his agency and partnered insurance carriers, Evan is proud to be a one stop insurance solution for his clients.
Whether you’re hiring a drone operator for your project or are a drone operator who is asking yourself, “What insurance do I need for my drone business?”, this article will get you pointed down the right path.
