News

June 2023 Top Health News from Alliant Insurance Services

Save a Life with CPREvery year, more than 350,000 Americans who are not hospitalized experience sudden cardiac arrest. A person experiencing cardiac arrest may seem fine until they collapse, and they die within minutes unless they receive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), or their heart is shocked back into a normal rhythm with an automated  external defibrillator (AED).CPR isn’t complicated, but you need to know the basics. Note: The instructions below are for situations when an AED isn’t available. If

Progressive-Design-Build Construction Procurement – A Rising Wave to Ride

DANIEL F. MCLENNON Partner San Francisco T: 415.394.6688 E: dfmclennon@smithcurrie.com May 18, 2023 A natural progression in design-build public works procurement is to start collaboration with the design-builder earlier—in the program development process, when the design-builder’s expertise can be harnessed to assist the owner to determine design parameters most likely to deliver the facilities the owner needs, within the owner’s budget. This development is called progressive design-build (“PDB”)

Safety & Training Short - PPE: Machines & Clothing

Objective: To familiarize employees with how proper attire can protect them from common workplace hazards.  In addition to wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), certain work attire may be required. Inappropriate attire can be dangerous. For example, loose-fitting clothing and long hair can become entangled in tools and machinery.  To choose the correct work attire, first conduct a hazard assessment. Attire must be chosen and worn based on anticipated hazards, not the job description

Building Self-Esteem by Showing Up for Yourself

Like so many things, we tend to think confidence and esteem will come from “out there.” When I achieve the next level/goal/position. When I get the affirmation or accolades. When I finally get paid $X.   Or if we just think hard enough about it, it will be so. Oh, no.   I was inspired by a recent episode of Queer Eye when JVN told the makeover subject that we gain confidence by setting goals and then showing up for ourselves. Word, JVN!   We can’t think or wish ourselves into more confidence. It takes

NORTH BAY TIP: An Apprenticeship Readiness Program

Safety & Training Short: Emergency Preparedness - Lightning

Lightning kills approximately 55 people per year and injures many more. Everyone should understand the danger of lightning and what actions to take during a storm, especially those who work outdoors. Lightning is most often encountered during warm, humid weather and may often accompany summer rainstorms. Lightning is the electrostatic discharge between electrically charged areas within clouds or between a cloud and the earth's surface. Get prepared for the next lightning storm. Click here to download the

Decisions, Decisions...Intuition vs Analysis

Decisions, Decisions…   According to researchers at Cornell University we make 226.7 decisions a day just on food alone. Imagine the number of decisions for entrepreneurs and business owners! And then layer on the complexities of a design or construction project. Yikes.   Decision fatigue is real. Part of that could be trying to use your analytical mind to solve problems that actually require intuition instead.   The analytical mind is a useful tool. It is great for solving linear problems such as A

Safety & Training Short - Visitor Safety

Objective: To create awareness of safe practices that protect visitors from worksite hazards. Visitors are any non-employees at the facility, including contractors, vendors, family members of employees, and facility inspectors. Because visitors may be unaware of the hazards and required processes specific to your organization, they may inadvertently endanger themselves or others through improper practices. The potential outcomes include injury, property damage, significant business interruption, and the

Marin Economic Forum: Did You Know? Not so fast on natural gas bans?

Copyright © 2023 MarinEconomicForum, All rights reserved. On Monday, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that Berkeley's natural gas piping ban, which the city's government passed in 2019 as part of its climate agenda, violated the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975. The ban was challenged by the California Restaurant Association. While this decision does not suggest that cities and Marin County’s own regulations that ban natural gas hookups in new buildings will be

Marin Builder Association Members are Invited to Share Their Knowledge to Improve HR Practices and Build Successful Teams.

Contractor Staffing Source, a proud member of the Marin Builders Association, is seeking insights from construction businesses for their upcoming white paper on "Construction Industry HR Best Practices: How to Build a Winning Team". The white paper aims to provide a valuable resource for construction businesses by gathering the best HR practices in the industry. By sharing their knowledge and experience, contributors can help other construction business owners improve their HR practices and build

Laying the Foundation: How to Build a Winning Construction Team

The Building Code A podcast by BuildertrendAvailable to View on YouTube On this episode of “The Building Code,” Zach and Charley are discussing how to find and hire top talent with Paul Sanneman, founder and president, and Ed Earl, chief operating officer, of Contractor Staffing Source. Paul and Ed are passionate about helping residential contractors find talented staff to grow their construction company. Their extensive knowledge and expertise have contributed to their company’s success as a leading

Safety & Training Short: Evacuation Drills

In an emergency situation, evacuating employees out of a building poses unique challenges.  Appropriate exits, emergency lighting, communication systems, alarms and sprinkler systems are critical for employee safety. Emergency routes need to be developed, posted, and properly maintained to ensure easy accessibly in an emergency situation.  Drills are a critical component of all emergency actions plans to ensure that emergency procedures are understood and followed by all occupants.Click here to download

The Joy of Service? It's More Than You Think

Many of us in a service business, or any business, put all of our focus on the client or customer. We twist ourselves in knots to please them. We accept unacceptable behavior. We sacrifice our own self-care and boundaries. That’s our saboteurs in action. Your Sage knows the true joy of service is as much about you as it is about serving others. Think about why you got into design or architecture or however you serve your clients. You have passion and talent and want to share it with the world! You have a

Profit Line Distributing is Expanding!

Profit Line Distributing located in Novato, CA, and servicing dealers in  Northern California, Northern Nevada & Hawaii, has made enhancements to warehousing, added to their lines, and is delving further into lighting products to aid their dealer’s profitability. Profit Line Distributing’s CEO Jim Haigh shared, “Due to demand, we have expanded our warehouse from 3,500 square feet to nearly 5,500 square feet. Much of this is a direct result of Samsung approaching us to become a distributor. We were

Your Secret Super Power

"The Superpower is Relaxation” - Julie Piatt Bam! This truth bomb, dropped by Julie Piatt (aka Sri Mu) on my favorite pod (Rich Roll), made me smile from ear to ear. In a world where hustle, grind, one-upmanship and even burnout are lauded, this can be a tough one for most of us to swallow. What if the inverse of everything you’ve been rewarded for is actually the seat of your power? There is a 1 in 400 trillion chance that you are alive in human form at this moment. [pause for impact] You, in all your

Ember Protection Services: Creating the Future of Wildfire Protection

Cutting Edge Technology for Wildfire Protection Ember Protection Services is the industry leader in automated wildfire defense. The EPS wildfire defense system utilizes innovative proprietary technology and satellite data sources to track wildfires for an individual property 24 hours a day.  EPS is a dual defense system that first deploys a long-term fire retardant to the perimeter vegetation creating a 50’ wide firebreak protecting the structure from encroaching fire and radiant heat for up to 3 months.

The AIA Conference on Architecture 2023 is Coming to San Francisco!

Save the Date! The AIA Conference on Architecture 2023 is June 7-10 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco  The AIA Conference on Architecture 2023 is the largest gathering of architecture and design professionals of the year. This year's Conference will feature presentations and discussions from top architecture and design experts covering the the latest trends and topics, and exhibitions by architecture, engineering and construction firms from around the world.   As the host chapter of A'23, AIASF will

Creativity Love Potion

Love = Creativity = Love Apologies to my 9th grade algebra teacher, Mrs. Greenburg, for the wonky formula, but it’s true and I’m going to prove it. Think about a time when you were at your most creative. Ideas were flowing. Shapes, colors and textures emerged intuitively, without thinking. Time stood still. Or flew by. Now think about how you were feeling at that moment. Were you angry?Stressed?Disappointed?Feeling guilty?Judging yourself or another? I highly doubt it. More likely, you felt expansive,

2023 California Contractors License Law & Reference Book Now Available

Purchase your copy or view or download a free PDF Sacramento, CA – The 2023 edition of the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) California Contractors License Law & Reference Book (Law Book) is now available. The Law Book can be purchased directly from the publisher, or the online PDF version can be viewed or downloaded at no cost on the CSLB website. The Law Book features a summary of new contracting lawsthat became effective on January 1, 2023 The all-inclusive book details CSLB’s history and mission

New Virtual Assistant Service Offers Support to Construction, Landscaping and Real Estate Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan 30, 2023 New Virtual Assistant Service Offers Support to Construction, Landscaping and Real Estate Businesses   [Marin County, CA] - LPSS is excited to announce the launch of our new virtual assistant service, Ogmentor, for construction, landscaping and real estate businesses. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing top-notch support to businesses in these industries, helping them save time and money while increasing efficiency and productivity.   Our

Can You Take a Vacation?

Time Out for Time Off  At a recent dinner with colleagues, one asked, “Who here can really take a vacation?” One brave soul offered that she was done with bringing drawings on the beach with her. The others didn’t answer. What’s your answer? Society and your Saboteurs perpetuate the big lie that vacation is indulgent, selfish or even dangerous. The competition will surpass you. You’ll lose that project. It will look bad to [fill in the blank]. Your world can’t possibly keep spinning if you take time

CSLB Reminds Licensees of New Laws Beginning January 1, 2023

Sacramento, CA – Heading into 2023, the Contractors State License Board wants to remind licensees of new laws taking effect in the new year.  SB 216 (Dodd) This bill, which amends Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 7125, requires contractors who possess a C-8 Concrete, C-20 Heating, Warm-Air Ventilating and Air-Conditioning, C-22 Asbestos Abatement, or D-49 Tree Service license to hold valid workers’ compensation insurance as of January 1, 2023. By July 1, 2023, if workers’ compensation insurance

Contractors with No Employees Face New Workers' Compensation Requirement

A new law will require almost all contractors in California to carry workers’ compensation coverage, regardless of if they have employees or not. According to the author of the bill, State Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) the new law was necessary due to the tendency of many small contractors to claim they have no employees, when in fact they regularly hire day laborers or undocumented workers. Since a firm with only an owner and no employees is not required to carry workers’ comp coverage, those workers would

Medicare Solutions Brought to you by Alliant

Free Member Resource for Navigating the Medicare Maze Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Medicare is the government run health insurance for people age 65 and older, younger people with disabilities, and people with End Stage Renal Disease. Medicare can look like a complicated maze of choices, between Medicare Parts A–D, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies. That’s why we are introducing a resource to help you understand the different parts of Medicare, what