1. BALCONY Access for Small Business Development Solutions Barbara Weltman Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc. BarbaraWeltman.com

2. Defensive Business Practices For your staff – Pre-hire interview and screening – Employee manuals – EPL insurance

3. Defensive Business Practices For online activities – Set company policy for e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, etc. – Monitor what’s being said about your company and follow up – Avoid making defamatory statements

4. Defensive Business Practices For intellectual property – Take steps to protect your valuable property – Educate staff about protecting trade secrets – Be vigilant against violators

5. Defensive Business Practices For business operations – Consider safety – Check on insurance coverage – Back up data

6. Defensive Business Practices For business operations during disasters – Make a disaster recovery plan – Check on insurance coverage – Educate employees – Re-think your supply chain

7. Defensive Business Practices Think defensively Work with advisors and experts Plan ahead Barbara Weltman Big Ideas for Small Business, Inc. www.BarbaraWeltman.com