The change from winter to spring may bring with it several potential weather events that could pose trouble for your business. Last February, many businesses were affected by several

days of sleet, snow and ice, and later in the spring, hail storms and flash floods caused more damage to local infrastructure.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 40 percent of businesses never reopen following a natural disaster. Small businesses especially have a tough time due to a lack of resources. Protect your business by having a proactive approach for dealing with the unexpected.

Below are tips to assist you with your planning:

Review Your Insurance PolicyIt is important to understand your insurance policy and what the fine print means. Specifically, know what type of natural disasters are covered and what your role is should one occur. Determine if you require additional coverage by reviewing the monetary limitations associated with each natural disaster.

Update Your InventoryWhen you submit an insurance claim, you will need to provide an itemized list of damages. Having an accurate inventory prepared prior to a natural disaster will help you assess the situation and determine what your needs are in order to get your business back to normal operating capacity.

Empower Your StaffPost an emergency plan of action in your place of business or include it with new employee manuals. This

will ensure the safety of all staff should a natural disaster occur, and help your business move immediately on to the next step of your action plan.

Develop a Communication PlanMake sure you have a plan developed to communicate with your customers and vendors in the event of a natural disaster. Develop a list of all parties that have regular contact with your business and account for any outstanding deliveries or customer orders. Update your web and social media sites to communicate any pertinent information.

Manage ExpensesIf your business closes temporarily due to a natural disaster, continue to process expenses, such as accounts payable and payroll. Compile a list of all expenses along with account access information in order to continue to be able to operate in a normal capacity.

For more business resources you can trust, visit centraltx.bbb.org/business.

Austin • Centroplex • Corpus Christi • Laredo

Permian Basin • San Antonio • Victoria • Waco

February 2012

VOL

62 No. 2

Is Your Business Prepared for a Natural Disaster?BBB Offers Tips to Help Deal with the Unexpected

NewDecemberAccreditedBusinesses

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AUSTINAbsolute Granite SurfacesAdams QB IncAir-Tex MechanicalAll Around FencingAll Pro RestorationAmerican Chem-DryAppliance Distributors of Texas IncAustin Bazaar, Inc.Austin House Cleaning and Maid

ServiceAustin’s Park & PizzaBiggerstaff Consulting IncBlue Bottom Pool SupplyC&S Mobile Home TransportingCBG CorporationCentral Texas Foam & SprayClear Reflections Pools and SpasCountryScapes LLCCourtex Construction, Inc.Cowboy’s Stump-N-Grind Tree ServiceCrown Foundation RepairCustom Homes by John CarrollDarrell McGuire RemodelingDiscount Affordable Homes, LLCDr. Yu and AssociatesFairland StorageFortress Lock, Safe, & SecurityFuel Eco SystemsG&G ConstructionGel ProGuardian Bookkeeping SpecialistHeffelfinger & AssociatesHinkle Insulation & Drywall Company

Inc.Howry Breen & Herman LLPJ. Coalter Baker CPA/PFSJackson Jonson EnterpriseJJ FlooringLaw Offices of Kathryn Figueredo

FowlerLess NetworksLimeCoatLone Star Paving CompanyLost Pines Paint & BodyManny Gammage’s Texas Hatters Inc.Mario Carlin ContractingMarvin’s Heating & A/CMenger and Co.Michael Albright RenovationsMister ExteriorNexersysOlive ConstructorsPerformance Wellness CenterPest Management IncPinnacle Propane, LLCPinnacle Texas Management ServicesPohl Partners Inc.Precision Cleaning SystemsPremier Martial ArtsRadiant PoolsRio Grande Tex- Mex Round RockRoger E. Coyner CPA LLCSouth Regional Electrical ContractingStewart’s Paving

Tax TigerTeam Scream MotorcyclesTechnolloThe Carpet ProsThe Cobalt Companies LLCThe Great Curtain CompanyThePOSWarehouse.comTile Roofing & Building SupplyTrain A TechUS SlatwallWaterloo SurveyorsWhindo.comWindowE-Store.com

CENTROPLEX/WACOA Model PlumbingAccurate Appraisers of TexasAll in One Tax ServiceAllstate - Ira BrandBassi Insurance Agency IncBob Anderson, State Farm AgentC & G ProductsDr. Watts ElectricH.I.S. Contractors, LLCImpressions by CriswellJoseph D Olson Attorney/CPALaw Office of Karl QuebeLL Sams Historic LoftsLM RemodelingPaaco at WacoStarpointe RealtySymphony HomesT & R Fence, LLCTinKnockers Sheet Metal Company,

LLC

CORPUS CHRISTI/VICTORIAClassic Blinds, Etc.County Wide Pest ControlDavid Benning Smith, Attorney at LawDeluxe RemodelingEddie Yaklin Ford Lincoln Mercury

Nissan IncFojt ConstructionHodges ConstructionLee Little RemodelingLone Star Property InspectorsOlympic CleaningPadre LandscapesRainsoft-South Texas Environmental

SolutionsRegal Quality Cleaning ServiceRoto-Rooter PlumbersShayne Schroeder Custom Homes,

LLCSpray-N-Grow, Inc.Stephen C. McMains, Attorney at LawSurplus WarehouseTaxProWilkinson Pre-Owned Supercenter

PERMIAN BASINAcid Specialists, LLCAdaquate AC & HeatingAir Doctor

Autumn Energy LLCB and R Tools and ServiceBaskets AmourBCCK Engineering, Inc.Benro Pump & SupplyBridges Equipment Ltd.Bruckner Truck Sales, IncBuilding Systems IncCement Specialists, LLCCornerstone VillageCrane TechDelta-Tech Automation ServicesDennis Consulting ServiceDeShaw Landscaping & MaintenanceDesigner Carpets & InteriorsDominion Exclusive HomesDown Hole InspectionElite Transport, LLPEnergy EquipmentFive Star Transport, LLCGila Trucking, LLCHarkins Instrumentation, Inc.Lane Oilfield Trucking Services LLCMarshall Home InspectionsMidland Transmission and GearMike’s Pest ControlNight Owl Computer Service of OdessaOdessa Insulating WindowsPamela Escobar Insurance AgencyPaperWerks, LLCPat’s Backhoe ServicePermian Basin InstrumentsPermian Machinery Movers, Inc.Pete’s Weight IndicatorsPetroleum Educational Services, IncRecords Information Management,

LLCRight JewelryRob Cochran Consulting, IncRoberto’s Backhoe ServicesRoxWell Performance Drilling, LLCT3 SolutionsTillery & Parks CompanyTrans Pecos Transportation, L.L.P.Villa de Madison

SAN ANTONIO/LAREDOA&R Comfort ControlA1 Alamo Foam Roofing & InsulationABC MoversAegis Security and Surveilance

SolutionsAero Hydro Systems, Inc.AFA Refrigeration CompanyAir by John MartinezAlamo City Granite & TileAlamo TotSports, LLCAnn’s Nail Salon & SpaAny Lab Test NowArmadillo Air Conditioning & HeatingA-Sanitary Septic ServiceBenchmark HomesBoerne SepticBroadway MotorsBTS Group, Inc.

Casas de Sosa, LLCCD Auto Services

IncCelestial JewelCelldyne PharmaCenizo HomesComfort KeepersCordillera Ranch Development CorpD Crawford Home Maintenance IncDavid K Young Consulting, LLCDW Electric Co.Fleet Depot Transmission &

AutomotiveFlugrath Collision and RepairFresh Start Builders, LLCFriesenhahn Plumbing Inc.Geoffrey E. Morgan, C.P.A. P.C.George Lopez Custom Homes IncHideout on the HorseshoeHill Country Pest Control IncHills of Texas HomesICF Smart SystemsJMI ContractorsJohnson Maintenance & SanitizingJR’S Core Drilling & Concrete RepairJT International Diamond Co.Keystone GraniteKickin AsphaltLaden Pools IncLaw Office of Frank MunizLuke’s Asphalt PavingM. Sandoval Construction LLCMcCarthy Law Firm P.C.Meson European DiningMetro Wholesale Flooring of San

AntonioMingo’s UpholsteryMobility Solutions of South TexasMona’s Custom CateringOrthopaedic & Spine Institute, LLCPayment Data Systems, IncPerpetual Solutions, LLCR11 StudiosRamirez MasonryRichard’s Refrigeration & Air

Conditioning Service CompanyRPI ElectricRuben’s Auto Repairs, Inc.Secured PremisesSouth San Antonio Chamber of

CommerceSouthside Auto MartTexas All ProTexas Auto SigloTinnin Water Wells, LLCTraits of A ChildTriple R DieselTurnham’s A/C ServiceWinters Heating and CoolingXpress PhonesYam Auto Sales

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Special thanks to our Corporate Partners!

Market Your Business Effectively on FacebookBBB Offers Guidelines for Engaging Potential Customers via Social Media

COVERT AUTO GROUP

CAGContinental Automotive Group

Social media has transformed over the past few years from a fun, creative option for businesses into an invaluable marketing tool. With more than 800 million active users, Facebook contains

one of the largest consumer bases in the world. The average user is connected to 80 community pages, groups and events. Reaching those potential customers requires a strategic approach and a concise message.

Use the following guidelines to help maximize your results:

Create ValueAccording to Altimeter Group, the most common reasons consumers interact with a company’s social media sites are for discounts, purchase information, reviews and product rankings. Make sure your Facebook page sends a clear message that your products and services are of the highest quality. If your budget allows, consider offering a discount to your loyal Facebook community.

Be Transparent and Engage Your AudienceConsumers will stop following your business if you don’t consistently deliver valuable information to them. Address all questions or complaints in a timely manner and be open to suggestions. The person you are responding to may not only be a potential customer, but they may also be a referral source for your business.

Post Photos and VideosMany consumers feel a more personal interaction if they can see and hear content rather than read it. Highlight your product and service offerings by posting photos and videos on your Facebook page. Displaying samples of your work can help enhance the buying experience for your potential customers.

Avoid Behaviors that Cause Consumers to “Unlike” Your PageA survey conducted by ExactTarget shows the most common reasons consumers “unlike” a business’ Facebook page:

1. The company posted too frequently

2. Their wall became too crowded with marketing posts and they needed to remove them

3. The content became repetitive or boring over time

4. They only “liked” the page to take advantage of a one-time offer

5. The company’s posts were too promotional

One of the best ways to send a clear message of trust to potential customers is to display the BBB Dynamic Seal on your web and social media sites. The seal includes your BBB Rating along with a direct link to your BBB Business Review. To install the BBB Dynamic Seal, visit www.bbb.org/online/business/dynamicseal.aspx or call Accredited Business Services at 512-445-4748. www.facebook.com/YourBBB

Better Business Bureau, Inc.1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

AUSTIN, TX

PERMIT NO. 60

BetterBusinessBureau Trust Talk | February 2012

Trust Talk is published by Better Business Bureau 1005 La Posada Drive, Austin, TX 78752. Trust Talk is published for executives and employees of BBB Accredited Businesses in its 79-county service area. All rights reserved: the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent of the publisher. References to or mention made of any company, product or service herein is not to be interpreted, per se, as statements derogatory of such company, product or service, but as information obtained from sources believed to be reliable for the use of BBB Accredited Businesses and subscribers. Because the matters contained in this Trust Talk concern matters of the utmost public importance and concern in providing a free flow of information to our companies concerning business enterprises in the Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin area, BBB encourages BBB Accredited Businesses to contact their local BBB with any follow-up material concerning the reports in this newsletter or any other matter to assist BBB in fulfilling its function of improving the economic system through informed decision-making.

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Is Your Business Prepared for a Natural Disaster? ..............

New Accredited Businesses .…….……...........................................

Market Your Business Effectively on Facebook....................

December Activity Report ....................…...........................................

In December 2011, your BBB...Total Accredited Business locations 10,694Provided customers with 137,366 BBB Business ReviewsHandled 1,493 disputesAssisted 5,186 people over the phoneHosted 334,449 website page viewsSent 494 Request A Quote referrals to Accredited Businesses

RevocationsBob’s Cooling And Heating: Failure to maintain required licensing

Bring Your Own Parts: Failure to eliminate the underlying cause of complaints on file with the BBB

Hannah Electric Inc.: Failure to maintain minimum BBB Rating

Holden Roofing, Inc.: Recent government action involving the business’s customer relations which indicates a significant failure of the business to meet standards of conduct expected of a BBB member

Smith Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.: Failure to maintain required licensing

In December 2011, your BBB was mentioned 380 times by 39 local media outlets including…

Get news as it happens! Join BBB’s press release list at: centraltx.bbb.org/press.

BBB Corporate Office1005 La Posada DriveAustin, TX 78752

Contact BBB

P: F: @:

512.445.4748 512.445.2096info@centraltx.bbb.org

Roofing ContractorsPlumbersAuto Repair & ServiceHome BuildersConstruction & Remodeling ServicesElectriciansContractors - GeneralAuto Body Repair & PaintingAir Conditioning Contractors & SystemsMovers

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