News

October 2023 Top Health News from Alliant Insurance Services

ADULT PICKY EATERSPicky eating is usually associated with children, but sticking with bland comfort foods can be part of adult eating  habits, too. In fact, about 30% of adults identify as picky eaters. Why are some people more selective than others, and what potential solutions can help? Causes: Picky eating is often established in childhood and can persist. It may stem from a negative food  experience (such as choking or food poisoning) or inconsistent lessons about eating while growing up. Some adults

2023 Worker’s Comp Expansion Update

Reprinted from Capitol Services, Inc. / September 21, 2023 End of year is rapidly approaching so now is the time to prepare for changes ahead. The rules for contracting are complex to start, so staying ahead of the curve is always a challenge. Let me share the burden as we have assisted contractors for decades. 2023 is just another year… The Contractors State License Board is always working on communicating with contractors as changes occur. They want to share upcoming news on Worker’s Compensation rules,

The 10% That Really Matters

If you interact with other humans in any part of your life, there will be conflict at some point. In design and construction, you have a new team on every project. That means new personalities, new dynamics, new saboteurs and lots of potential conflicts. That sounds challenging because it is! However, there’s a simple shift in perspective that can make things a lot smoother. Conflict is inevitable AND difficult for most of us. Sounds like a recipe for pain…or growth. “Attachment to views, attachment to

Avalanche Alert: Top 10 California Employment Bills to Watch as Legislative Session Wraps Up

California employers will want to sit down, grab a cup of coffee, and prepare themselves for the avalanche on new employment laws that may soon be coming their way. The state Legislature just completed its work for 2023 in a frenzy of last-minute activity and deal-cutting, wrapping up a session for the record books. State lawmakers considered over 2,700 bills – the most in almost two decades – including some high-profile workplace-related proposals. Governor Newsom now has until October 14 to sign or veto

PG&E Wildfire Safety Tips September 2023

&##128293; Don't wait to evacuate when a wildfire strikes. Safeguard yourself and your family with a well-prepared 5-minute plan that outlines evacuation routes from your home, alternative meeting spots if you can't return home, and an emergency supply kit with essentials. Discover more life-saving safety tips at firefightersonyourside.org. #WildfireSafety #DisasterPrep #CBODirect #EvacuateEarly

County Appoints Permit Ombudsperson

San Rafael, CA – A major customer service improvement has debuted at the County of Marin with the appointment of a dedicated specialist poised to assist those seeking a building permit from the Community Development Agency(CDA). The newly established position will play a pivotal role in improving internal processes, addressing concerns, and providing guidance to ensure compliance with regulations. Cristy Stanley, a longtime supervisor in CDA’s Code Compliance Division, was appointed to the position and

Wildfire Safety Tips September 2023

&##128293; Don't wait to evacuate when a wildfire strikes. Safeguard yourself and your family with a well-prepared 5-minute plan that outlines evacuation routes from your home, alternative meeting spots if you can't return home, and an emergency supply kit with essentials. Discover more life-saving safety tips at firefightersonyourside.org. #WildfireSafety #DisasterPrep #CBODirect #EvacuateEarly

Safety & Training Short- Lead Awareness: Engineering Controls

Objective: To introduce common engineering controls for lead exposure, including methods of substitution, isolation, and ventilation. Because lead exposure is dangerous, employers must implement engineering controls to minimize employee exposure to the greatest extent possible. Engineering controls are greatly preferred over administrative controls as the best way to control exposures. Personal protective equipment (e.g., a respirator) is considered a last resort, as the worker must wear it properly. Know

Your Imposter is Picking Your Pocket

Do any of these ring true? +You don’t bill all of your time (or worse, maybe you don’t even track it). +You consistently send invoices late. +You haven’t raised your rates lately (or ever). If so, your Imposter (aka The Judge) is at work. Your Judge wants to keep you small and scared to “protect” you in some warped way. It lies to you—listen to me and you’ll be successful; without me pushing you, you’ll get lazy; nothing will improve unless I constantly point out what’s wrong. And berates you—you don’t

Safety & Training Short: Heat Stress Prevention - Heat Illness

Objective: To reinforce awareness of dangerous heat illnesses, including symptoms, treatment procedures, and safety precautions. When the body is unable to cool off by sweating, heat-induced illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur. These illnesses are very serious, and can sometimes result in death. High temperatures, humidity, direct sun or heat, limited air movement, physical exertion, poor physical condition, some medications, and inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces or areas can

Safety & Training Short: Active Shooter - Organizational Preparedness

Objective: To assure that your organization is prepared for an active shooter incident and is taking proactive steps to minimize the chances or effectiveness of a shooter on the premises. No workplace is immune to the risks of an active shooter incident. However, there are steps that you can take to assure that your organization is prepared for the worst. Emergency Action PlanTraining ExercisesPreventative MeasuresWarning SignsClick here to download the complete training short in EnglishClick here to

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

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

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

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

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

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