Who needs Public Liability Insurance? If you run any kind of business, you will need this type of insurance cover – it could save you a small fortune. And as we’ll see, some companies could benefit from the protection of Public Liability Insurance more than others.

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If you are in any business, you run the risk of a customer, suppliers, or even a passing member of the public suffering an injury or having their property damaged and holding you and your business liable.

To provide indemnity, effectively, protection against your potential financial losses in meeting any such claim, Public Liability Insurance is at the heart of a number of our business insurance packages – including our Pet Business InsuranceEvent Cancellation Insurance and Personal Trainer Insurance.

 

Is Public Liability Insurance a legal requirement?

Although it offers sound financial protection against the potential losses to your business from claims of liability, Public Liability Insurance (PLI) is not a legal requirement.

Nevertheless, by arranging this cover – which is almost certain to have been put in place by other reputable businesses in similar enterprises to your own – you may be demonstrating just how seriously you take your mission and the customers you serve.

 

When is Public Liability Insurance required?

Public Liability Insurance is designed to protect you and your business against claims for injuries or property damage suffered by any third party.

Give it just a moment or two’s thought, and you may realise that these are risks which could be faced by just about any business, however large or small, in whatever area of activity.

 

What types of businesses need PLI?

In some businesses, you may face those risks more frequently than others – despite all the reasonable precautions you have taken to avoid them.

If you run a pet business, a customer might claim that they suffered an injury when one of the animals in your care bit or scratched them, for example.

If you are in the business of organising events, there are all manner of occasions. Such as when one of the guests or participants suffers an injury or has their property damaged and holds you responsible.

If you are a personal trainer, one or more of your exercise routines might have left a client with injuries for which they hold you liable.

 

Do I need Public Liability Insurance for a private party or a wedding?

You might be surprised by the extensive range of situations in which you can be held responsible for another person suffering an injury or having their property damaged – and, if you are held liable, of course, you may be ordered to pay substantial compensation.

Even if you have organised a private party – or a function such as a wedding reception – simply by taking on that role of organiser, you also assume responsibility for taking reasonable care that none of your guests is injured. If they are, they may claim damages from you – and PLI needs to be there to indemnify you against such claims.

 

What happens if I don’t take out Public Liability Insurance?

If you have not taken out PLI, you may still be held liable if someone is injured or has their property damaged – you may still be ordered to pay the appropriate amount of compensation.

Of course, without any Public Liability Insurance, you must meet the compensation costs from your own pocket and without the indemnity offered by PLI.

 

Summary

Your liability for injuries sustained by third parties or damage to their property can prove extremely expensive if you are ordered to pay compensation for their losses.

Although public liability risks may be more significant in some enterprises than others, you are likely to need the protection of PLI whatever your line of business – indeed, you may even find it necessary when organising a private function, party, or wedding reception; running a pet business; or being a personal trainer.

 

 

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

Whether you’re looking to top up other sources of income or regard it as your livelihood, returns on your investments can assume an important role. Some people focus on building their pension pot and others may focus on property investment. Or, some may do a bit of both.

In comparing pension vs property investing, which of the two is likely to come out on top? Which is expected to deliver more attractive returns? Which carries the greater risk?

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There are some forms of insurance that can support your pension income as an investment in your family’s financial security. But our Rent Guarantee Insurance offers more immediate safeguards for the rental income you rely on from your property investment.

Not only can you protect the income from tenants who have defaulted on what they owe, but our Rent Guarantee Insurance package will also cover (up to set limits) the costs associated with any necessary legal action against your tenant.

 

There is little doubt that the government is a firm proponent of investing in your pension – it provides a whole raft of incentives designed to encourage this form of saving and investment.

Those incentives typically include compulsory contributions from your employer, tax-free lump sum withdrawals, tax-free growth of your savings, and generous tax relief on your contributions to your pension funds.

So much for the pros – the most significant con when comparing pension vs property investment is that you cannot access your pension savings until you reach the age of 55. And if you do access your pension early, you may be liable to pay tax on it.

 

Property investment – the pros and cons

There is no limit on the number of properties you may invest in given adequate funding. Moreover, the steady income stream – not to mention the likely capital appreciation you may realise when the property is sold – may prove an especially lucrative investment. Indeed, many people see property investment as an alternative form of a pension plan.

Unlike the contributions you make to your pension plan, however, there are no tax breaks or incentives for property investment. So, you might consider that the risks associated with property investment – a slump in property prices, for example – might counter the potential benefits.

 

Which has the better potential returns?

Typically, investment decisions are made on the strength of two overriding factors – risk and return. The two are opposite sides of the same coin. Generally speaking, the greater the risks associated with any particular investment, the more attractive you would expect the returns.

The flip side, of course, is the safer any investment, the poorer the returns may be by comparison.

You need to think about the tax incentives for investing in your pension versus the more attractive potential returns come from the steady rental income and capital appreciation through property investments.

 

Which is less risky?

Pension schemes – whether defined benefit or defined contribution – are regulated by either the Pensions Regulator or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Defined benefit schemes are further protected by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) – which can step in to make compensation if an employer goes bust or if there are insufficient funds in the scheme to meet its pension payment obligations.

There is no such regulation or protection of investors in property – so pension investment may be regarded as considerably less risky than property investment.

 

Summary

Your comparison of pension vs property investing will consider the tax incentives for pension planning and the relatively lower risk associated with pension investments. However, while they might be safer, the returns on your pension investment may likely be lower – and you will be unable to access those funds until you are at least 55 years old.

For quicker, more accessible, and potentially more attractive returns, you might take the risk of property investment.

We strongly recommend you carry out due diligence and seek independent financial advice before making any decision as what investment option is the most appropriate for your own unique financial circumstances.

 

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*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

Table of contents

Pilates offers low-impact routines for building agility, flexibility and strength, attracting some 12 million adherents worldwide*. As an indication of its popularity in the UK, Pilates retained its place during the recent pandemic.

So, if you enjoy Pilates, why not turn your passion into a business and learn how to become a Pilates instructor?

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Whenever your business is built on personal relationships with your clients – but especially Pilates training that involves close personal contact – there is always the risk of public liability claims. Protection against these makes our Pilates Instructor Insurance so critical for anyone contemplating this kind of business.

Our policies also extend to professional indemnity insurance – another vital safeguard for anyone in the business of offering advice and making recommendations on physical fitness – together with cover for the equipment you use.

 

Becoming a Pilates instructor

If you are interested in becoming a Pilates instructor, let’s take a closer look at what you need to know.

 

What skills do you need?

A core quality will be your empathy towards and concern for other people. This will be backed up and demonstrated by the power and understanding of your verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

You will exercise those qualities in the way you watch and observe your clients in action – giving particular attention to their movements and posture. As a result, you can inspire and motivate your clientele in a common quest to mould better versions of themselves.

To achieve this, you must understand and gain extensive knowledge of posture and movement.

 

What qualifications do you need to be a Pilates instructor?

The entry-level qualification is the Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Mat Pilates. With this training, you can become a Pilates instructor with the authority to teach the routines either to groups or on a one-to-one basis.

The length of your training course will depend on a whole host of factors – mainly determined by the amount of time you can commit and the work you put into the course. Typically, students qualify between four and nine months.

As you develop your skills as a Pilates instructor, you may want to underscore your sense of professionalism and recognition of the level at which you can offer Pilates training by gaining your Level 4 Certificate in Mat Pilates.

Our blog Pilates Teacher Training and Qualifications discusses what qualifications you’ll need in a bit more depth.

 

Can you make a living as a Pilates instructor?

Yes, you can! How much you will earn depends on how many hours a week you want to work and whether you are starting your own business or employed by a gym etc.

For example, with the former, it will take time to build up your clientele and therefore your earnings.

Sources say that if you are working as a fulltime Pilates instructor, you may be able to earn between £22k-£52k a year**.

 

Get teaching and get insured

Once you have qualified, you can apply to teach Pilates. You can look for opportunities advertised online or at your local gym. Or, you can start your own Pilates business.

Whichever way you decide to instruct Pilates, you need to make sure that you have Pilates Instructor Insurance to protect you and your clients.

Sources say that if you are working as a fulltime Pilates instructor, you may be able to earn between £22k-£52k a year**.

 

Summary

Being a Pilates instructor means you are your own boss and doing something you love. In addition, it allows you to earn an income while working reasonably flexible hours.

The popularity of Pilates globally and in the UK means that you are unlikely to be struggling too hard to find customers. However, the success of your business is likely going to depend on your development of the appropriate attitudes and aptitude, qualifications, and equipment – safeguarded, of course, by our Pilates Instructor Insurance.

 

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*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

Are your tenants all they seem to be? It’s a critical question. You rely on your tenants to treat your property with the care and respect it deserves and to pay their rent on time. Your relationship with your tenants depends on mutual trust – and to have some reassurance of that, you will need to undertake a tenant background check.

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Effective tenant screening is one of the prerequisites for the comprehensive security and reassurance granted by our Rent Guarantee Insurance.

Our policy typically protects you against tenants who fail to pay their rent, as well as covering the legal costs involved in pursuing those rental arrears or legal proceedings for their eviction. (Policy limits apply).

To provide that level of protection, of course, both you and your insurer rely on adequate tenant background checks having been made at the outset.

 

The purpose of the vetting process is, broadly, to establish two main characteristics: the financial status of a prospective tenant to establish the likelihood of their paying the rent when it falls due; and, the personal values and reliability of a tenant who will treat your property, neighbours, and those around him or her with respect.

 

Credit checks

Your buy-to-let business depends upon your tenants paying the rent when it is due. To give you a better understanding of your prospective tenant’s financial position, you will need to obtain (with their permission) a credit check from one of the credit reference agencies, which must be classed as at least satisfactory

There are several main agencies including Equifax and Experian – and their reports will confirm the tenant’s name and current address, as well as any history of insolvency or County Court Judgements (CCJs).

 

References and background checks

If you want to know how anyone is likely to shape up as a tenant, one of the best ways of finding that out is to ask a former landlord. That is why we require you to get a reference from the previous landlord (where applicable). This will show you whether the individual has been a good tenant – or if there have been issues with the landlord or the neighbours.

We also require policy holders to take up a reference from the prospective tenant’s employer for confirmation that their income will be sufficient for meeting the rent.

 

Guarantors

If the tenant’s income is not at least 2.5 times the annual rent, or you have any doubts about their financial stability, you would need to ask the tenant to provide a guarantor who would accept responsibility for paying the rent if the tenant were to default.

Guarantors are usually family members or friends of the prospective tenant and typically own their own home.

 

Country Court Judgements

In order to be covered under our policy, you would need to check that the tenants do not have any County Court Judgements (CCJs) against them in the last three years, and non-outstanding, and no previous bankruptcies.

 

Right to Rent

As the landlord, you are under a legal obligation to check that any prospective tenant has an immigration status granting them the Right to Rent in England. More information can be found on the Government website.

You should check at least two forms of identification for the tenant(s), including at least one with a photo.

 

Summary

Except for the Right to Rent, you are not legally required to carry out tenant background checks, but in order to take out our policy you would need to complete all the Tenancy Check requirements that we list.

These are prudent if you want to ensure – as far as possible – that any prospective tenant is going to be responsible; treat your property with care and respect; not create any nuisance for you or the neighbours; and pay the rent in full and on time. At a time where there is growing uncertainty about the rising costs of living, it makes sense to give yourself the assurance that you will have income coming in if for whatever reason the tenant fails to pay their rent.

 

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*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

The UK is a nation of animal lovers. Statistics reveal that approximately 59% of households own a pet. In 2020/21, 33% of UK households owned a pet dog; 27% owned cats; and 2% owned rabbits.

There may be times when an owner needs to arrange transport to take their pet to the vets, or perhaps to the dog groomer or a cattery or kennels.

This is where your pet transport business can step in – you can offer a pet taxi service and meet some great animals along the way!

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If you are starting a pet transport business, you want to ensure that your business is protected with comprehensive Pet Taxi Insurance. Our cover includes Public Liability Insurance as well as cover for Care, Custody and Control (animal liability), which protects you in case you accidentally lose or injure an animal which is under your care.

 

Experience

One thing to consider before you embark on a new venture is to understand what experience you have.   It might be a simple enough statement that you are a pet person but, are you good around animals? Do you know if they are sick or stressed? Have you worked with animals before?

Having some level of experience can go a long way to secure you more business and help you develop client rapport. (The cat, dog or other small furry being the actual client).

 

Qualifications, licences, rules and regulations

There are courses available to help you with being able to transport animals. For example, Animal Careers Direct run a Principles of Animal Transport certificate which can be studied online.

This has positioned itself as a course aimed specifically at people looking to start a pet transport business.

According to the GOV.UK website you will also legally require a type 1 or type 2 transport authorisation depending on how long or how far you are transporting the animal.  

 You may also need documented contingency plans to deal with emergencies that can arise during a journey. For example, animals falling ill or getting injured, unforeseen delays, breakdowns or accidents.

All domestic animal transports typically need to have animal transport certificates for every journey regardless of length and duration.

 

Financing your pet transport business

One thing you will need consider is how you will finance your business. Clearly you will need transport which might mean the purchase of a new or separate vehicle. You might also need finance to help with website and marketing costs as well as to fund any courses or accreditations you might need.

 

How far do you want to go?

Simply put, there are two main types of pet transport business.

First there is the local uber for cats and dogs.  So, travelling locally, taking pets to the vets, salon or grooming appointments. Or, maybe dropping them off at the kennels or cattery if the owners are going away on holiday.

The second type could be international transport for family moves abroad.

You need to make sure you understand the implications of each type of business.

 

Transport – van or car?

You will need dedicated transport and so you need to decide whether you want to use a van or car for transporting.  A car means less animals being transported at once but could be stress-free for the pet.  Or you could use a multi cage van to pick up and drop off.

 

It’s a business not a hobby

Remember, this is going to be a business. You will need a business bank account and may need to register with the HMRC as well to ensure you get off on the right foot.

 

Marketing

A company survives or thrives on your ability to market your business. In today’s online world, you will need a website to showcase your service. You can also explore social media methods to drive traffic.

If you are looking at serving locally, you might want to consider local advertising in nearby vets and pet shops, newspapers and free directories.

 

Pet business transport insurance

Our Pet Taxi Insurance protects you and your business against the unexpected. Having this insurance will also give your customers reassurance that their pets’ well-being is front of mind. We also offer dog walking business insurance, insurance for dog groomers and several other pet businesses.

 

Next steps

Running any type of business is a big undertaking.  This article highlights some of the things you need to consider if you want to start a pet transport business. It is highly recommended you do a lot more research before taking the plunge. But if you do decide to, it can be a very rewarding and fun business.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/463662/pet-care-market-value-in-the-united-kingdom-by-category

 

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*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

A football coach is someone that works with a football club to deliver training and manage a team.  Coaches work to improve both individual performances and the team dynamic so coaching covers strategy, tactics and team building.  This can be done at child or adult, grassroots, amateur or professional level.

So, if football is your passion, why not inspire others by becoming a football coach?

This blog gives you some pointers on how to become a football coach so you can teach and develop others to reach their potential and be successful.

About Us

At Protectivity, we are one of the UK’s leading providers of insurance in the sports industry. Our Football Coaching Insurance comes with Public Liability and Professional Indemnity cover as standard, as well as additional benefits such as Personal Accident Insurance and Equipment cover. If you are running an after-school football club or looking to set one up don’t forget to make sure you are covered, our after-school club insurance is ideally suited to protect you whilst running your club.

 

How do I become a football coach?

Apart from a passion for the sport, you will need to be the sort of person who can really bring out the best in individuals and a team.

Ideally, you’ll need a knowledge of teaching, leadership skills, patience, the ability to teach pupils how to do something and, to remain calm in stressful situations. Plus, excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to design courses.

To become a football coach, you will also need to be qualified.  As we discuss below, the level you want to coach at will dictate the level of qualifications you will need.

You might also need non-football courses and qualifications. For example, first aid and safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults are two that you might need to consider, especially as these might be football coach insurance requirements.

 

What qualifications do you need to be a football coach?

The first part of this really depends on the level you want to coach at.  Even before you start, you might want to give some thought to where you want to go with your coaching career. Do you want to be a community coach for example or work with a professional team?

This will help you choose the best route that allows you to follow the correct training pathway.

 

What courses are available?

There are a lot of academic courses that will help you with a football coaching career. Sports science and sports management courses for example, can be useful.  For football specific courses, the UK’s Football Association (FA) have a pathway you can follow to take you as far as you want to go.

The FA run a series of level-based courses that can take you from coaching grassroots level football to a FA Level 5 or UEFA pro licence. This means if you have experience in the professional game, you would be qualified to be a head coach for a professional team.

There are course requirements at different levels – at the FA level 3, for example, you need to be working with a competitive team. At level 4 you need to be working with a senior professional team.

All of this said, if you are looking to work in grassroots football, you may find you can develop your skills up to level 3.

 

Where to start

If you have no qualification in football coaching, the FA’s Introduction to Coaching Football course might be the best first step.  It is a fully online delivered course over 4 weeks, that can help you understand what coaching is, and what further skills you will need to develop.

At grassroots level, the UEFA C Licence course provides a more in-depth level introduction to football coaching.

In summary, there are qualifications and training at every level of your potential career as a football coach.  Depending on your current experience (usually, the level of football you have played yourself) and your appetite, you can train to coach at the highest levels of football. The sky is your limit!

 

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*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

If you sell your crafts at events, then how do you make your display stand out from the others? Here we discuss craft fair display secrets to give you some inspiration.

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At Protectivity, our Craft Fair Insurance is designed to protect those organising or attending a craft fair as a stallholder. Protection includes event cancellation as well as optional cover for employers’ liability and event cancellation.

 

Getting that ‘Wow’ factor

For your craft stand to be a success, it needs to both showcase your products and motivate buyers.

So, how do you give your craft fair stand that ‘Wow’ factor? Follow the steps below then do a test run at home or in your workshop. This will give you a chance to play around with the design until you are happy with it.

Here are several considerations to help you design the perfect display for craft fairs.

 

Get inspired

Get inspired craft fair display ideas from retail brands.  Look at brand stores, see how they put together window and instore displays. They don’t need to be the same products as yours – it is more about looking at how companies display trainers, perfume, clothes etc. This will give you a lot of ideas you can then use for your own craft fair ideas.

 

Have a centrepiece

To draw people to your display, create a centrepiece that really showcases your talents.

For example, if you are a jewellery maker, you could use a special piece of jewellery you have made – such as a one-of-a-kind, intricate necklace that has taken hours to make – as the focus of your display. It doesn’t even have to be for sale, it just needs to attract custom.

 

Colours

Depending on the type of craft you make, your colour palette can be used to enhance any display.  Think about blocks or grades of colour and use the colour to draw the eye to sections of your display.

 

Line and composition

Simply laying out your items flat on a table just won’t cut it.   You want your stand to pop, you want people taking photos of it to be shared on social media.

Create a three-dimensional space.  Use stands, holders, small shelf units as well as themed props to bring out the best in your crafts.

Use these elements to draw the eye to items you wish to highlight.

 

Motion

In a field of static objects, the eye will be drawn to movement.  Using motion on your stand will be a great way to stand out. The item doesn’t have to be physically moving, it just needs to give the impression that it is.

Use design to give the viewer a way for them to fill in the gaps themselves in what they are seeing.

For example, you can display fabric in a way that makes it look like it is floating in the breeze.

 

Humour

Humour can be a great way to be memorable and stand out from the rest.  But do remember, your sense of humour might not be for everyone, so do try to stay conservative.  While being edgy can be a good thing, you don’t want to upset or offend anyone.  Know your audience.

 

Contrast

Using light and dark together or hard and soft, rough and smooth, can all be ways to help make a display stand out.

Another way to use contrast can be to offset large items against small items.

In a busy room or hall, try and create an area of peace and quiet.

 

Lighting

Use clever lighting to enhance your display, such as using battery operated fairy lights, LED lighting under shelves or a spotlight on a particular product etc.

 

Getting people to your craft fair stand

As we said before, you should create your fair stall at home before the event. Once it is how you want it, take lots of pictures to really show off your products.

Share these photos on the relevant social media channels and in your email newsletters.

You could consider advertising to drive people to your stall at the event and/or incentivise custom by running a special offer-only available in person at the event.

Whatever you do to promote your stall, you want to create a buzz.

 

Summary

There are many ways you can make your craft fair stand out – we hope these craft fair display secrets have given you some inspiration for your next event.

 

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*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

How do you know if an event you worked so hard on was a well-attended, successful event? Here are five fool proof ways to monitor how well your event went. Some of these things should be built ahead of time, so do ensure feedback and tracking strategies are a component of your event planning.

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Organising and running an event can be challenging throughout the whole process. For example, the unexpected such as adverse weather or damage to or loss of key equipment may scupper the occasion.

At Protectivity, our Event Insurance gives you the peace of mind that your occasion is covered against a wide range of scenarios, leaving you free to focus on running a successful event.

 

1. Track your social media

One of the easiest ways to monitor reach for an event is to use social media. With multiple platforms available, there could be a wide range of different sources to monitor. One way to gauge interest is to use an event hashtag – so #event2022 or something unique – and use various platform searches to see how many times and who has used it over the course of an event.

TIP: Give it at least a week to 10 days after the event as attendees might still be talking about it.

You could decide to focus on the results from one social media platform such as Facebook or Twitter. Or use Instagram if it is a public event, or LinkedIn if it is a business occasion.

Once you have picked your chosen platform, you can look at ways to capture measurement.

 

2. Profit or loss – the finances

One way to prove if it was a successful event or not, is to look at the finances.  Now while this might not be a main goal in and of itself, the finances can be a good indicator if an event was successfully run.

After you have deducted all the costs from the sales amount, have you made the profit you expected?

 

3. Sales numbers

Another financial way to see if the event was a success is to work out how many sales the event generated.

You may have had great attendance numbers but not have made as many sales as expected. Identifying the reason why can help you with future events.

Making sure you are tracking enquiries and sales can be the best indicator of whether to run an event again, and whether there need to be changes made going forward.

 

4. Surveys

Following up with attendees can be a great way to get feedback on whether people thought yours was a successful event.  This can be great for testimonials and to gauge event sentiment.

This can be done in two ways.

A powerful idea is to run exit surveys at the event and even ask for video testimonials. Getting attendees’ reactions while they are still at or just after they have been to something they have really enjoyed will help with promoting future events.

Secondly, if you have the data, you can email all the attendees afterwards and ask them to complete a survey. Easy surveys can be used with a service such as SurveyMonkey or even Google Forms. This might get you more quantitative data that is easier to analyse.

 

5. Sponsors’ feedback

Finally, if your event has other partners or sponsors involved, getting feedback from them on how they found it, if it was profitable for them and if they are likely to attend future events, can be a good indicator of a successful event.

Having happy sponsors makes future events easier to manage and fund.

 

Summary

As you can see there are several ways to monitor event success.  Thinking about these things and having systems in place pre- and post-event means you could have several different success metrics to use in debriefing after the occasion.  It will also help you make decisions about future events.

 

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*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

Any pet sitter will have had a dog that proves more difficult than usual to manage. If you are in the business of pet sitting, successfully handling difficult dogs comes with the job.

The following tips and suggestions may help you when pet sitting an anxious dog.

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While gathering all that you can from those tips and suggestions, also remember that Protectivity is here to help provide you with the security and reassurance of Pet Sitting Insurance. Safeguards against your public liability, care, custody and control cover, and protection for the equipment you use will give you every confidence in the protection of your pet sitter business.

 

Managing and handling difficult dogs

Understanding the behaviour of the dogs you sit is a key to their effective and stress-free handling and management. With that in mind, remember that a difficult dog is likely to be an anxious dog – so there are several strategies for reducing their anxiety.

 

Meeting the owner

Firstly, talk to the owner about the dog’s history – are there certain things he or she is fearful of? Maybe other dogs or certain situations? Some (such as rescue dogs) may be fearful if they see someone carrying a broom, for example.

Understanding the things that makes an individual dog fearful will help you gradually build trust with him or her.

Dogs may become anxious because they are unfamiliar with places and the people around them. Don’t rush the process of familiarisation but take it step by step – meeting the owner outside during walks, for example, or making a point to visit when the owner is at home.

 

Calm anxiety

You can make that experience more appealing for a nervous dog by spraying your legs beforehand with a dog pheromone calming spray – there are a number available online.

Alternatively, reassure an anxious dog by introducing the company of another dog you know to be friendly, sociable, and well-behaved when you go out for a walk together. (As long as you know that the dog you are sitting is comfortable around others).

 

Look less threatening

When you are introduced to a new dog, be sure to kneel or stoop down to their level. Don’t make direct eye contact but look slightly downwards and away from the animal. Reach out a fist so they can smell you and build their confidence. (Using a relaxed fist saves your fingers getting accidentally nibbled).

Then, if all goes well, reach under their chin, the shoulder, or the side of their chest to start petting. Never reach for their head to stroke it – this can make them fearful.

 

Use treats

The way to an anxious pet’s heart is through their stomach of course – treats such as small morsels of food will always win friends. But choose small pieces – the smellier the better, like tuna or chicken breast – and throw the morsels away from you rather than expecting the dog to have to come towards you to collect them.

You might end up sitting on the floor surrounded by the treats you are offering but that’s fine. Just let the dog find its own way around without you touching or petting it while it eats – leave him or her to enjoy the treats in peace, without feeling trapped by you.

 

Let the dog know he or she is in control

If a dog is especially nervous or anxious simply sit on the settee and read a book or magazine while you completely ignore the pet even if it approaches you – after a while and at its own pace, the dog will grow accustomed to your presence and feel bolder and more comfortable with you.

Never chase after a dog in its own home – always let it make the first move. Let him or her know that they are in control, and you are not a threat.

 

Summary

When you are running a dog sitting business, you are likely to encounter your fair share of difficult dogs – especially ones that may have originally been rescue dogs.

Knowing how to sit difficult pets is all part of your role and requires some basic understanding of animal behaviour – not least the fact that many dogs will feel anxious when faced with unfamiliar people in a strange setting or environment.

The tips and suggestions we have outlined may help you to break down some of those inevitable barriers and enable you to handle and manage even the most anxious dogs.

 

Get Pet Sitting Insurance from Protectivity

 

 

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date. 

Whether you are experienced property investor or just set foot in the investor property world, our curated list of top UK property podcasts will help you find the best source of information for all things property investing related.

About Us

We offer a Rent Guarantee Insurance which is designed to protect landlords against loss of rental income for up to a period of 24 months should a tenant fail to pay their rent whilst still living in the property. We also include Legal Expenses Insurance – covering the costs associated with pursuing legal action against your tenant – as well as providing a 24/7 Landlord Legal Helpline.

 

Publisher: Kevin McDonnell

Total Episodes: 257

Ranked as the UK’s #1*, The Progressive Property Podcast is another weekly and well-established podcast which focuses mainly on property investing and is advertised at “buy & hold investors, flippers, deal packagers or multi-letters”.

It features a great variety of guests, so you’ll hear from millionaire property investors and keep up to date with the latest market trends, laws and regulations for free. What could be a better inspiration than hearing the stories of those who have succeeded sharing their personal journeys, answering hotly debated questions and providing you with key takeaways?

 

Property Hub

Publisher: Rob Bence and Rob Dix

Total Episodes: 461

Whether you are just starting out, or managing a large investment portfolio, the Property Podcast from Property Hub is the one that everyone could listen. Rob Bence and Rob Dix share their opinion on a variety of property topics and property news each week, passing on their knowledge and advice to the listeners. They are also both investors, so they have experienced the UK property market first-hand.

In addition to the latest industry news, conversational advice, and essential resources you’ll also hear a few bad jokes, so you won’t fall asleep. You certainly don’t want to miss the popular “Ask Rob & Rob”, where they answer questions from listeners like you.

 

Inside Property Investing

Publisher: Mike & Victoria Stenhouse

Total Episodes: 354

Mike & Victoria started the Inside Property Investing podcast with the intention to document their ups and downs of creating their property portfolio, which now represents a single resource for news, advice, and industry insights to help you succeed on your property journey.

If you tune in, you can listen to the stories of some of the most inspiring and successful property investors, developers, and entrepreneurs in the UK.

 

Property Magic Podcast

Publisher: Simon Zutshi

Total Episodes: 187

Simon Zutshi is a professional property investor with over 2 decades of personal experience. In his podcast you can dive deep into his investor mindset and listen to property investing strategies from his book, Property Magic.

Simon also shares first-hand Property Investing tactics, hints and tricks, which he also discusses at various educational programmes. Wherever you are on your property investment journey, the Property Magic Podcast will equip you with essential knowledge and practical tips.

 

The Property Talk from RWinvest

Publisher: RWinvest

Total Episodes: 17

Don’t be deceived by the number of podcasts, The Property Talk from RWinvest has been featured in the Entrepreneur and ranked as one of Feedspot’s “Top 5 Property Investment Podcasts You Must Follow in 2021”.

By tuning in you can listen to general discussions from experienced investors, critical marketing predictions and specific investment topics.

The latest episodes have been dedicated on the UK’s post pandemic property market, tips on buying a rental property and creating a property business plan.

 

Get Rent Guarantee Insurance from Protectivity

 

 

*Disclaimer – This blog has been created as general information and should not be taken as advice. Make sure you have the correct level of insurance for your requirements and always review policy documentation. Information is factually accurate at the time of publishing but may have become out of date.