TIM ATKINSON
Senior Advisor, HNI

Cash flow is the lifeblood of every organization. Just as your body needs good blood flow to survive, your business needs good cash flow too. Consider this: If a cardiologist discovers a blockage inyour heart or an artery, a cardiovascular surgeon can remove or dissolve the blockage and restore normal blood flow. If you are lucky, your doctors will find and fix the blockage before serious damage is done.

MIKE NATALIZIO
President & CEO, HNI

It's one of those thorny questions: "What keeps you up at night?"  

We recently held an offsite retreat to bounce ideas off each other and to open discussion about the business issues our clients are facing.  Prior to the gathering, we conducted an informal survey by asking clients across many industries: “What are your three wicked business problems?”  The responses rolled off their tongues as if they were just waiting for us to ask. Not a lot of deep reflection required, they were top of mind.  The trickiest part or the question was limiting their response to just three.

Limiting your liability and controlling insurance costs is on on going challenge. Every time you enter into a new contract you're accepting certain risks whether you know it or not.  Each contract should be reviewed carefully to understand the extent of risk you are accepting.  Many contracts are negotiable when intended or ambiguous language exposes you to more risk than you're willing to accept. It is very common for companies to engage outside resources like their attorney or insurance advisor to ensure appropriate language is incorporated into the contract to protect their interests.  Having strong internal controls over your contracts will help you manage your insurance premiums and protect you from other business risks. Only after fully understanding your risks can you determine if entering into a contract is a good business decision.

JAMES CARLSON
Bucket Brigade

CHAD TISONIK, CSP, CHCM
Associate Vice President, HNI

MIKE NATALIZIO
President & CEO, HNI