It’s almost time to start planning your office holiday party and we have some helpful tips to help you get started! Depending on your location and number of staff, an in-person party might be out of the cards, but don’t worry – there are a ton of virtual activities you can host for your team!
For this week’s #FeatureFriday, we are highlighting Travel Guardian Insurance!
It’s certainly been a long time and we’ve all been waiting to travel again. Travel Guardian offers a wide range of products to meet the needs of Canadian travellers, specializing in #Snowbird travel, as well as Visitors to Canada and Student coverage. With the border set to open on November 8th, make sure you have a Guardian by your side.
CorporateLiveWire named Travel Guardian as the Travel Insurance Specialist of the Year (2020/2021)! Providing many comprehensive Emergency Travel Insurance plans to fit your needs, always committed to finding you the best coverage at the best value and price for whenever “it” – the unexpected – happens.
Get started today! Request a quote for your travel insurance by calling the office at 1-888-831-9338. Be sure to visit their website at www.travelguardian.ca and follow Travel Guardian on Facebook too!
During these times it’s extremely important to support local businesses and here at Ives, we want to see small businesses thrive! If you like to support your local community, here are some ways you can show them you care.
Did you know that 83% of consumers say that word-of-mouth influences their purchases? If a friend said you should check out a new local restaurant because their food was amazing, wouldn’t you at least give it a try? If you like a small business and want to help them out, the best thing to do is tell your friends and family about it.
Gift shopping? Consider buying some gift cards from local shops! This is a great way to support small businesses during tough times while also giving the opportunity to shop later. If you know you will personallly need something from a shop or maybe you are planning to go to your favourite local restaurant when things open up – you could always purchase a gift-card for yourself for future plans.
Small businesses will really appreciate a positive review if you can’t shop right now. Positive reviews help the business greatly by increasing their ranking in search engine results on google. Taking a minute out of your day to write a review can really make all the difference.
Did you support local today? Tag us online using #IvesLocal. Is there a small business you want to show some support? On Friday’s, we showcase local businesses on our social media for #FeatureFriday! Message us on any of our social media platforms to nominate your business to be featured.
Lifestyle is a specialized insurance solution for personal lines clients who have high-value assets. Our Lifestyle clients enjoy tailor-made coverage to fit each of their specific insurance needs.
Our lifestyle clients benefit from the expertise of our dedicated team of insurance specialists who provide first-class service, top-level claims experience, and policies that include higher limits of insurance, specialized coverage, and additional extensions. We partner with the top insurers in this area in order to provide a broad range of market options to our clients.
Our brokers have the knowledge required to appropriately address the unique insurance needs of high-net-worth clients. We understand the expectations of our Lifestyle clients and have an availability of products tailored to meet those expectations.
Contact us today to learn more about lifestyle insurance and checkout https://www.ivesinsurance.com/services/lifestyle/ for more.
On International Women’s Day, we asked members of our management team to share what our dynamic female staff, brokers, and management bring to Ives:
“Today marks International Women’s Day, an important day to celebrate the social, economical and political achievements of women. We are very proud that we have built and we continue to build and expand our diverse, inclusive and dynamic team at Ives. With 70% of our staff and 60% of our management team being professional, educated and amazing women team members and leaders we foresee a fantastic future.” – Jeff Ives, President.
“I am proud I work for a Brokerage where over 60% of the Sr Leadership team are women. They all have a strong voice and their skills stand out and make our organization successful.” – Paul Hunter, General Manager.
This past year, many businesses and employees have had to make the shift from office to working remotely. Creating an ergonomic work place in your home can help you stay focused and organized from home. Here are some tips to help you build a more ergonomic home office.
Lighting: Your space should be well lit and set up to minimize glare or shadows against your monitor. Make sure your windows have blinds if needed.
Furniture: Your home office should include comfortable and adjustable furniture like an office chair that supports your back. Your desk should be at a height which allows you to work comfortably without hunching over.
Technology: to prevent eye or neck strain, your computer monitor should be at arms length and eye-level. You can use a riser for your monitor to place on your desk to find a comfortable height. If you find yourself at your keyboard often, you may benefit from purchasing an ergonomic keyboard and mouse for your work station.
Did you know – Ives Insurance Brokers Ltd now has digital services available, where you can access and view all of your policy documents and information at the click of a button 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! If you are interested in this service or would like more information, please contact us.
Looking to plan an office party during COVID restrictions? With many Ontario cities entering the red zone, office parties may look a little different this year. If you are not able to gather your team together in-person, we have some fun virtual tips for businesses looking to keep spirits up and celebrate with staff this year.
For the following tips, we recommend using Google Hangouts, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams for virtual meeting platforms. Make sure to test your internet connection, video and audio prior to the festivities.
Think Christmas movie trivia or holiday bingo for a fun staff activity. There are a ton of online platforms your office can utilize for games and activities. Some online services offer virtual escape rooms or scavenger hunts your office can participate in for an interactive experience.
You can even go a step further to organize a virtual experience for your staff, such as a virtual wine tasting or cooking class. If you have the means to do so, you can send a small care package with the necessary items to each of your employees prior to the virtual event.
Your office can get creative with their attire for a virtual holiday party by hosting an ugly sweater competition. Have your employees take a picture in their most festive attire or ugly sweaters and set up a poll for voting for your favourite participant.
Another way you can keep spirits up in the office is by organizing a virtual secret Santa. Use an online matching service such as Draw Names or Elfster to get started. Have your employees mail out their gift or limit to online gift cards and vouchers for the exchange.
Remember to keep your office and employees safe and don’t be afraid to get creative with your virtual holiday party this season. Happy Holidays from Ives!
At Ives Insurance, we appreciate that each business is unique with exposure to unique risks. Contact us today for a professional conversation as we get to know your business, your unique business risks and exposures. Our brokers will help you find the best coverage for your business, no matter how small or large.
Did you know – Ives Insurance Brokers Ltd now has digital services available, where you can access and view all of your policy documents and information at the click of a button 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! If you are interested in this service or would like more information, please contact us.
The holiday season is fast approaching and many families may be celebrating their festivities virtually. With Ontario cities entering the red zone, the holidays may look a little different but you can still keep traditions alive with these quick tips for celebrating the holidays from home.
Let’s keep traditions alive from home this holiday season. Stay safe, healthy, and spread cheer. Happy December from team Ives!
Did you know – Ives Insurance Brokers Ltd now has digital services available, where you can access and view all of your policy documents and information at the click of a button 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! If you are interested in this service or would like more information, please contact us.
Due to Ontario cities entering the red zone, our offices will only be taking clients by appointment as a safety measure against the spread of Covid-19. This is a temporary precaution until re-entering the orange zone.
While in our offices, our staff and clients are asked to follow COVID-19 protocols which include physical distancing of 2 meters and wearing a mask. Our common areas will be sanitized frequently after use, as well, daily COVID screening will be completed prior to entering the building for both staff and clients. Please stay diligent, safe, and healthy.
For appointments, please call 519-776-7371 or email service@ivesinsurance.com. Did you know – Ives Insurance Brokers Ltd now has digital services available, where you can access and view all of your policy documents and information at the click of a button 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! If you are interested in this service or would like more information, please contact us.
The weather may be warm right now, but winter is right around the corner. With this in mind, changing your tires will help to keep you safe while driving this upcoming season.
Changing your tires in the months of November or early December is your best bet. While the temperature is un-predictable in Ontario, it is better to be on the safe side and prepare now for the colder months.
Changing back to all-season or summer tires can be done in March to April months depending on consistent weather above 7°C. The general rule of thumb is that between Thanksgiving and Easter, you’ll likely need winter tires. Between these holidays, the temperature will more regularly be at or below 7°C, which is when you should have winter tires installed.
You should change your tires each season to match the weather conditions for a reduced risk of getting into an accident. Winter tires are designed to perform better in icy or snowy conditions but also provide increased traction, braking, and handling for driving on cold pavement.
Be sure to change all four of your tires for optimal control of your vehicle. If you only changed the back tires, you would only have the increased traction in the back which can interfere with the stability of your vehicle.
Remember to drive safe and take precaution for the winter weather to protect yourself and others on the road.
Did you know – Ives Insurance Brokers Ltd now has digital services available, where you can access and view all of your policy documents and information at the click of a button 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! If you are interested in this service or would like more information, please contact us.
