It’s All About Change . . .

 You think you understand the situation, but what you don’t understand is that the situation just changed. Taking care of your career these days means managing perpetual motion.

 Your organization will keep reshaping itself, shifting and flexing to fit our rapidly changing world. That’s the only way it can hope to survive in this fiercely competitive environment. Look for it to restructure, outsource, downsize, subcontract and form new alliances.

 You also can expect flexible ways of working. Duties will be constantly realigned. Short-lived assignments will be common. Maybe you’ll work on a contract basis, or spend time on several project teams. You might even end up working for more than one “employer” at a time. You’ll probably have a constantly new set of coworkers, more new bosses, even new careers.

 You’re not going to like some of this. Chances are, nobody will like it all. But that is neither here nor there. The question is, will you get with the program anyhow?

 You need to know that resistance to change is almost always a dead-end street. The career opportunities come when you align immediately with new organizational needs and realities. When you’re light on your feet. When you show high capacity for adjustment. Organizations want people who adapt - fast - not those who resist or psychologically “unplug.”

 Granted, change can be painful. When it damages careers, emotions such as grief, anger, and depression come naturally, making it hard for people to “buy in” and be productive. But being a quick-change artist can build your reputation, while resisting change can ruin it. Mobility, not mourning, makes you a valuable member of the group.

 Shoot for rapid recovery, instant alignment. Take personal responsibility for adapting to change, just like you would if you accepted a new job with a new employer.

Suzanne Patton

 

ACA Expands Benefits . . . Again!

Members have an even larger package of benefits when they join or renew Artisan Contractors Association of America (ACA). You now receive over 20 new and exciting benefits. In the coming weeks ACA is looking for even more benefits to help you and your business. Like the tools you use each day, the tools of your membership in the ACA are powerful, cost effective and essential to your success. Taking advantage of benefits that are both professional and personal will help you realize immediate profit from your membership in the ACA. The savings obtained from using just one service may cover the cost of the entire membership. Available only to licensed contractors and their employees, some of the benefits available are:

The ACA has negotiated for high-quality products and services at discounted rates below those that you can obtain on your own. The ACA is dedicated to helping its members by:

 

You’ll find that your membership benefits become some of your most valued tools of the trade. It takes only a few seconds to save money, every day, all year with ACA. To speak to an ACA representative about your benefits, call 1-800-222-4768 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm PST.

 

Worker Back Injuries: They Hurt Everyone Involved

Back Injuries Are Commonplace in Today’s Working Environment
It has been well documented that back injuries represent the second largest segment of lost workdays (number one is the common cold) in the United States. The result of these back injury claims amounts to a significant economic burden in the form of medical costs, loss of productivity, and benefits. A recent report by NIOSH, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, showed that back injuries account for 42% of all workers’ compensation costs in the United States. Furthermore, the report stated that mining and construction have the highest rates of compensation for claims, which average greater than 1.5 claims per 100 workers at a man cost of $10,000. As a result of these figures, the cost of construction workers’ insurance premiums continues to rise, with the national average rate at approximately $28 per $100 of payroll.

 10 To 20% of $70 Billion in Claims Are Fraudulent!
The associated costs of an injured worker multiplied by the frequency of claims amounts to a significant amount of expense to employers. In 1992, workers’ compensation costs reached nearly $70 billion. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that 10%-20% of the $70 billion paid were for fraudulent claims. The cost of fraudulent injuries alone should justify the need of employers to take a proactive role with their employees’ well-being and work environment.

 It’s Necessary To Be Proactive For Best Results
Experts in construction safety believe that the major causes of back injuries are poor fitness of workers, as well as the weight and bulkiness of the construction material. Knowing this, employers should consider programs offering proper lifting mechanics, purchasing affordable tools for handling materials and initiating health incentives as steps to reduce the likelihood of injury to the worker. The direct and indirect cost accrued by back injury will far outweigh the cost of a proactive approach to employees and their work environment.

 Sean M. Odell, MS, Exercise Physiologist

We Want to Hear Your Story!

To be a  featured subject of our ACA Member Corner, please send your story about the ACA to:

 Editor
The Contractor’s Resource
1101 Investment Blvd, Suite 100
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

Or Fax your story to: (916) 673-1254

 Be sure to include your name, address, and a daytime phone number.

The Artisan Contractors Association is a Federal and State recognized Purchasing Group, registered with the Department of Insurance in more than 40 states. The Association has been providing contractors with low-cost liability insurance and a range of other benefits since 1989 and currently has over 7,000 members.

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