Forum focus

The SC&RA Financial & Risk Management Forum, scheduled for November 8-9 in Fairfax, VA, provides education on key financial management practices, employee benefits, succession planning, business strategy and overall risk management profitability strategies for companies in the crane, rigging and specialized transportation industry.

“The Financial and Risk Management Forum is an important event that brings inherent value to those who attend,” said Joel Dandrea, chief executive officer, SC&RA. “It is designed to provide critical information to CEOs, CFOs and other management team members who direct the financial and risk management strategies for member firms.”

Organized by SC&R in partnership with NBIS (NationsBuilders Insurance Services Inc.), the exclusively endorsed property and casualty insurance provider for SC&RA members, the Forum offers invaluable information and presentations that will help companies improve cash flow and better assess industry risks.

Highlights of the Forum include “Addressing the Reptile Theory: Is the Enemy Within?” How are personal liability attorneys utilizing this theory to create fear in juries across the country and producing huge verdicts? This presentation will educate participants on the “Reptile Theory” and provide proper strategies to avoid its pitfalls. In addition, this session will highlight the most common source of ammunition for plaintiff lawyers, company handbooks and policy manuals. This is an interactive session, so plan to come armed with questions. The presentation is given by John Pion, managing partner, Pion, Nerone, Girman, Winslow and Smith and Tim Smith, partner, Pion, Nerone, Girman, Winslow and Smith.

Another important presentation asks “Are you Inspection Ready?” Does your safety culture prevent accidents or prepare you for third-party inspections? How would you rate your recordkeeping (driver files, training files, etc.)? The economy is strengthening and construction jobs are on the rise. Naturally your focus is keeping your job site manned and meeting daily demands, but often these busy times are when routine file management, documentation and safety protocols become less vigilant and when regulatory agencies seem to increase the number of inspections.

Bill Smith, executive vice president, claims and risk management, NBIS, and Tyrone Silva, risk manager, NBIS, will review the common violations and citations companies typically see, as well as solutions to managing risk within your business. Learn how to keep your people and your business inspection ready, establish efficient file/document management systems, training programs and safety meetings.

The presentation “Bottom Up Risk Transfer” addresses concerns about daily work tickets and risk transfer language. Does your daily work ticket provide the right contractual risk transfer language? The answer is often “yes” because to answer the question will probably cost you billable hours with an attorney. NBIS has successfully defended its clients in claim situations suing contract language, even upper tier contracts and MSA’s. During this session, Smith and Silva will present basic protocols on why contractual risk transfer is so important and how to position your operation properly. You will learn how IRMI spreads the ‘Top Down Risk Transfer’ message to large construction companies and ways to defend your operation in the event of a claim. Lean on the team of experts from NBIS to ensure your daily work ticket leverages the most defensible terms available.

Topics of other presentations include wellness in the workplace, modeling and managing risk in the financial markets and technology trends and traps. The Forum’s exclusive “Successful Financial Strategies for Your Specialized Company,” will presented by Mike Whitlock, president, Tannian Consulting. Attendees may also set up a one-on-one financial plan review with Whitlock.