Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery or BC/DR can be a frustrating topic to nail down, but it is a critical part of any business risk management strategy. Outlining the process is quite frequently harder than actually implementing it, and there are a number of fundamental concepts worth understanding that will easethe process and make you feel comfortable knowing you have a reliable roadmap.

GIVE is an initiative here at Gibson that serves as a foundation for our charitable giving, providing an outlet to support our strong tradition of community engagement. In the future it will be more complete by encompassing all our efforts with colleagues, clients, and the community through service, wellness and safety, and growth initiatives. GIVE is the name we chose a while back because it aligns our mission ‘Protect What Matters Most’ to GIVE What Matters Most.

During 2012, 55 percent of small businesses experienced at least one data privacy breach and 53 percent encountered multiple breaches, according to the Ponemon Institute. Despite this, the National Small Business Cybersecurity Study found that only 10 percent of small businesses have an allocated staff member who is responsible for online and cyber security.

The holidays are notorious for being the time of year when most people pack on a few extra pounds. While a few pounds may not seem significant, when you add up several years' worth of holiday weight gain, they can make the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy employee.

Last month my Dad sent me an article from the Indianapolis Star and said, “You should write a blog about this.” I assumed a political piece from Dick Morris was coming my way. Instead it was the tale of a resurrection.

A return-to-work program has many benefits, and the pros far outweigh the cons! The proper understanding and communication of the rationale for a return-to-work program will help make the naysayers change their minds. Consider these three benefits:

A bartender is legally liable for serving alcohol to a patron who becomes intoxicated and then injures a third party. Does a business face a similar exposure when it hosts a social event where alcohol is served, such as an open house, holiday party or employee picnic?

While on the treadmill the other morning, I was flipping channels and ran across an infomercial for an exercise program called the Brazilian Butt Lift. Not surprising given the run up to New Year’s Day and the typical hype and sometimes hysteria surrounding resolutions. As I slugged along on my fast paced walk at a 12% incline, it was fascinating to watch the program with all the before and after stories. The promised results were amazing! I actually began to wonder if my daily morning 30 minute walk was as strenuous as it needs to be.

For most employees, vending machines represent eating based on necessity or impulse. Employees may turn to vending machines when they skip breakfast, miss lunch, have afternoon hunger pains or have to stay late at work – or just have a craving for something sweet. The snacks offered in vending machines are generally unhealthy, but in many situations these snacks are the only food available.

The Problem

Snacking on soft drinks, candy bars and chips several times a week can detract from an overall healthy diet and lead to weight gain. Plus, many of the typical vending machine choices offer little nutritional value or substance, and could leave the employee hungry again soon after – leading to more unhealthy eating. This can drastically affect your health care costs, as obesity is a catalyst for many other illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Even employees who are health-conscious often forget to bring healthy snacks to work, leaving the vending machine as the only option.

With winter fast approaching, and now is the time to properly safeguard your home from the harsh elements of this season. These steps can lessen your chances of a loss due to inclement weather.