Manual Can-Opener

Remember, when a storm strikes you will probably lose power. Electric can openers do not work well when there is no electricity…

Buy the old timely crank opener for that moment you wished you had!

Members of the Coastal Reconstruction Group team went on a tour in conjunction with the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) Disaster Council to the Florida Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, and met with some of the Florida State Emergency Response Team of ESF 8.

Have quick access to a first-aid kit and manual.

When was the last time you checked the contents of your first aid kit? Now is the time to make sure you have fresh materials. In fact, most of us have them but most of us have never used them. Did you know that the items in your first-aid kit can expire? I had a recent experience in which the can of liquid foil would not spray because the gas to make it do so had evaporated! Even the band aides crumbled in my hands!

If you are a renter, YOU do! The insurance your apartment manager carries does not cover your personal possessions. To cover those possessions, you need to obtain renters insurance.

If you lose your belongings to a disaster like a fire or tornado, how will you pay for short-term housing, and how will you immediately begin to replace your possessions – things you need every day like household supplies, clothing and shoes?

To download the Personal Property Estimator form, CLICK HERE!

If you are a Property Manager that would like to have this flyer customized specifically to your community, including logo, at NO COST, please fill out the request form at http://www.coastalreconstruction.com/custom-renters-insurance-form/

—–78% of the tropical storm days
—–87% of the “minor” hurricane days
—–96% of the “major” hurricane days

And within this peak hurricane season, says the AOML, early to mid-September is the pinnacle.

Not being adequately prepared for a hurricane can have a devastating effect on the operation of your properties. Look to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for resources for you, your employees and your residents/tenants to consider before, during, and after a hurricane strikes. As well, Coastal Reconstruction Group has resources that provide pre- and post-hurricane information for our members and others in the real estate community.

Coastal Reconstruction Group urges you to develop a hurricane preparedness plan, if you haven’t already, and to thoroughly educate your tenants/residents about your properties’ policies and procedures. If you need assistance with a plan, please contact your Coastal representative, or send an email to rapidresponse@coastalreconstruction.com.

Adapted from IREM FYI Flash Email (8/20/2010)

Nathan DeVault, 34, doesn’t talk business at home, despite running marketing and public relations firm Costa DeVault with his mother-in-law, Linda Costa.

His young daughters, ages 2 and 4, simply won’t stand for it. “The girls have made talking about work at home impossible,” he said with a laugh. “They demand 100 percent of our attention — and talking about the office is not that interesting to them.”

Fortunately, DeVault and Costa both agree it’s better to leave work at the office. “We work hard at cutting it off here and not bringing it home,” said Costa, 61.

Not separating family from business is one of the pitfalls many family business owners try to avoid, but it’s a challenge.

That’s because a family is a forever relationship, centering around loyalty, harmony and relationships, while business is more conditional, focused on goals, competence and growth, said Greg McCann, director of Stetson University’s Family Enterprise Center. “So it’s hard wearing those two different hats. Separating those roles is the tough part.”

A successful multi-generational family-owned business goes through stages, said McCann. The first stage revolves around the leader and personal goals. Tension can enter in the second phase, where the business is getting organized more professionally, yet still feels family-run. The final stage phase is driven by what’s best for the company, and the family conforms accordingly.

Another key pitfall of a family-owned business is not having a succession plan. McCann spoke recently at a trade association’s national convention, where only one of about 60 family business owners had a succession plan. There’s a lot of emotional resistance to succession planning, but that can lead to not preparing the next generation properly and businesses failing, he said. Having a clear succession plan also can head off family squabbles.

Scott McCurdy, co-owner of Coastal Reconstruction Group, has a succession plan in place. That’s important because his son Lucas and son-in-law Creston Leifried, plus three sons of his business partner Don Brewer, all work at the firm. Started by Scott McCurdy’s father, O.W. McCurdy, Coastal Reconstruction rebuilds structures damaged by fires, hurricanes and other disasters in 19 states.

McCurdy and Brewer set the company up as a trust that owns the business to ensure one person doesn’t have too much control and everyone has to work together, he said.

Costa began to think about succession planning about 10 years ago, when it was evident her daughter and son had other interests and wouldn’t work for the business she founded 25 years ago. She was glad her son-in-law wanted to join the firm, because she preferred to keep it in the family and had been worried she’d eventually have to sell the company.

Family businesses also have to deal with how to say no to hiring an unqualified family member and how to determine how much to pay family members and still grow the business. McCann said financial matters can get muddy and emotional real fast, so it’s best to professionalize that issue and compensate a family member based on work and hours. For example, employees working at a corporation can’t just give themselves a raise or promotion if they need an addition on their house — and members of a family-owned businesses shouldn’t do that either, he said.

Both Costa and Scott McCurdy said they expect family members to work as hard as other staff and be compensated comparably for the work they do. Costa said DeVault brought a lot to the business, doubling revenue during his nine years with the firm.

Husband-and-wife team Jon and Betsy Hughes said their 20-year-old son Chris, who’s still in college, also has an interest in the family business, the Track Shack, which was founded more than 30 years ago. But they don’t plan to hand their son a top management job straight out of school at the Orlando-based retail store specializing in running shoes, apparel and other supplies. He needs to learn all aspects of the business, including the unglamorous side. “If you don’t feel like you can clean the toilets in your own business, you’re probably not ready to have your own business,” Betsy Hughes, 49, said. “That’s what we tell our son.”

McCann said many pitfalls that doom small businesses happen, because family involvement isn’t managed well, there is a lack of proper planning and the next generation isn’t well-prepared and empowered to take the reins.

“What’s amazing is practically every culture has a saying that by the third generation, a family business fails,” he said. “Some great entrepreneurs don’t always make good parents.”

To start a business and get it off the ground, the founders often worked long hours and sacrificed. Their children saw their struggle, so they typically work hard to grow the company. The third generation can walk into a mature business, which is a bit cushier of a position. But McCann said it’s important that life isn’t made too easy for the third generation —they need to develop character and work hard to know and grow the business — or the company eventually could head for trouble.

Lucas McCurdy, 30, said it was a big decision for him to join the family business. After college, he spent seven years building a real estate career in South Carolina. But he wanted to be close to family in Orlando, so he joined the family business a few years ago. He co-runs the sales team with his dad and is director of business relations.

His time away from the family business allowed him to gain outside work experiences and skills — plus it proved to him that he could make it on his own.

Ultimately, McCann said it’s important to manage family involvement and professionalize matters in family businesses. After all, “not managing it is the stuff of movies, lawsuits and headlines.”

mazam@bizjournals.com | (407) 241-2895

It is extremely important to know exactly how many miles you can travel on a single full tank of gas – including any round trip you might need to make.

I also suggest having at least 30 gallons of extra fuel stored in your garage. Invest in a fuel saver additive and leave the breath cap open. You might lose a little gas through evaporation, but that is better than what could happen if pressure got too high!

Co-Owner, Scott McCurdy, inducted into the 2010 – 2011 Florida Assisted Living (FALA) board!

Not only is it a good idea to have your emergency manual pages laminated, but keep a cop at home as well. If you do not have a waterproof/fireproof safe at home, a great place to store your manual in the event of a storm or flood is the dishwasher. Unload and place all items you want stored water tight and lock door — this should do the trick!

• Make sure the main electrical switch to your home or building is off before entering.
• If you have power, turn on a porch or outdoor light to quickly alert utility company crews that you have electrical service.
• Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns or torches.
• Monitor news outlets or contact authorities to find out if sewage lines are intact before turning on the water or using the toilet.
• Avoid downed power lines and notify your local utility supplier as soon as possible that lines are down or damaged. Do not attempt to move or repair power lines.
• Do not drive through standing water if downed power lines are in or near the water. If a power line falls across your vehicle while driving, continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stall, do not turn off the ignition. Stay in your car — unless it is on fire — and wait for emergency personnel. Do not allow anyone other than emergency personnel to approach your vehicle.
• Avoid injuries at work when power lines are re-energized and equipment is reactivated.

Following these simple recommendations during a stressful time can keep you safe as you prepare the evaluation and rebuilding process. If you are a member of Coastal’s Rapid Response Program and need assistance, we will be ready to jump into action. Just call our Rapid Response 24-hr hotline number at 1.866.630.5157 and we will begin the process.

If you are not a member, join TODAY for no cost. For more information go to http://www.coastalreconstruction.com/rapid-response.