A business owner can develop the best products, construct the most stunning business space, hire the best employees, and create a rock-solid business plan, but the business will still struggle mightily if the business has picked a terrible location. Picking the right location for a business is so crucial because of the variety of factors it impacts, including customer and vendor access, employee safety, natural disasters, and building functionality.

We live in a digital age, meaning that technology impacts all facets of our lives, including personal banking, shopping, communication, and especially the business world. Millions of businesses around the world rely on technology to produce products, promote and sell services, reach customers, and secure sensitive company, financial, and customer data.

If you look around your retail store, restaurant, or office space right now, how many potential hazards do you see? At first, you might say "none," but take a closer look. Do you have retail merchandise stacked a little too high, where it could fall down onto a customer? Are there any cracks in your restroom tile or uneven sections of office carpet that could trip a vendor or client? Does your company's parking garage lack adequate lighting in stairwells?

Business owners face a number of obstacles in the process of creating and establishing their companies. Common obstacles for growing companies include marketing challenges, competition from nearby businesses, hiring and keeping the best people, and reducing expenses. However, one of the most significant obstacles a business can face comes from lawsuits, either from former employees, customers, or other companies.

Compared with other areas of the country, Houston has long enjoyed a strong and growing economy due to the diversity of our industries and business-friendly tax laws. Because of our robust economic growth, businesses must compete even more with their competitors to gain an edge and win a larger share of their market. One way that businesses can stay ahead of their competitors is by a full range of quality commercial insurance.

During the holiday season, many businesses such as retail stores, restaurants, delis, and bakeries depend on temporary workers to help handle the barrage of additional customers and sales. Although they offer relief to swamped business owners, temporary workers can also create potential liability issues when they are not properly trained in all areas of safety and business operations.

During the holiday season, business owners often plan team-building exercises and company functions to celebrate the company’s successes, reward hardworking employees, or serve the local community as a team.  However, sometimes company functions can get out of hand when employees celebrate a little too much, or they are injured while participating in an event, creating a potential Workers Compensation issue.

Business owners typically secure commercial insurance to protect their company from damages caused by theft, fire, floods, and utility disruptions. However, another type of threat looms large for many businesses: civil lawsuits. Unfortunately, many businesses forgo insurance protection from lawsuits because they falsely believe they won't be sued, or they are unaware that such commercial insurance protection exists.

With Halloween less than a month away, many businesses have begun planning out their Halloween festivities and parties, whether for employees or customers. Activities might range from simple costume or pumpkin decorating contests to full-blown parties with alcohol, live music, and spooky events and games. Although Halloween can be a great opportunity for companies to attract new customers, or provide a fun event for employees, there are some risks with Halloween parties and activities that can pose liability threats.

There are a myriad of risks that small-business owners face, including theft, weather disasters, and unfavorable online reviews. However, one of the most common threats to any business comes from General Liability lawsuits. Thankfully, businesses can take proactive steps to reduce these largely preventable claims and protect the future of their company. Today's blog post will highlight four simple tips that can help reduce a company's exposure to General Liability lawsuits.