Along with tea, Marmite, and Cadbury’s chocolate, the thing often most missed by Brits living abroad is our seasons. There is something both comfortingly familiar and invigoratingly new about our seasonal rhythms. CS Lewis explains this as providing just enough predictability to give us a sense of reassurance and just enough change for a sense of surprise.
We know that snowdrops will appear in January and yet are still delighted to see them. We look with expectancy for spring blossom and are pleased and appreciative when it appears in all its delicate, frothy glory. We plan holidays with the expectancy of warm summer weather and are glad to exchange heavy winter coats and boots for T shirts and sandals. As the sun’s heat gradually wanes and the season of mellow autumn abundance is ushered in, we would be upset if there were no conkers to collect and our hedgerows were not adorned with scarlet berries. And then as the year reaches its conclusion in winter, we baton down the hatches and make the most of cosy evenings at home, knowing that it will not be too long before those tentative green spikes emerge through the sodden soil and the snowdrops will appear, bringing with them the hope of longer days and warmer weather.
As well as the changing seasons of our environment, seasons also change within our own lives and the lives of our businesses. These do not follow a regular a cycle and indeed are not always welcome, but it is good to be aware of them. We will experience seasons when we’re full of energy, overflowing with ideas and excited about the future. These are very productive both personally and within our businesses; we’re metaphorically sowing seeds, making connections starting new ventures and relationships.
Then we have seasons when we maybe don’t have much capacity to take on new projects or tasks, but we’re swinging along at a steady pace; nothing new, but just a stable everyday walk. We could call these our summer seasons. We associate autumn with abundance, but also with the falling of leaves, preparing for the winter. We could liken this both to seasons of harvest and of letting go. We have sown the seeds, worked hard for a sustained period and then a season arrives when we’re able to reap the benefits of the effort we’ve put in over the years. There also will be seasons when we are full to the brim; we simply don’t have capacity for anymore, and we need to consider letting go of some commitments.
Finally, we come to the winter season, maybe the least understood. Winter is a time when everything looks dead and bare; no leaves, very few flowers, long, cold nights. It’s a time when many animals hibernate and birds migrate to warmer climes. Yet….it is also the time when the soil is prepared for next year’s sowing; historically it’s the time when tools were mended, and hedges and ditches were repaired and maintained and animals fed and kept warm. Days are short, so there was more time indoors and less time physically working the land. We all have winter seasons in our lives, and this can overflow into our businesses; times when we are bone weary, when we have no new ideas and see the future through very blurred lenses. Time worn habits are helpful to keep us gently moving forward through these seasons, but maybe they are also times when we genuinely need to rest and restore. Although the outlook may look bleak, these may well be times when when, while we rest, the soil is quietly being prepared for the next rush of creativity.
As our businesses traverse through varying seasons, one thing we have to do with regularity but also need to evaluate for change, is craft insurance renewal. Every year, before you do your craft insurance renewal it’s worth checking through what has changed in your business over the last year to ensure you get the best package, ideally suited for your unique business. Here are a few things to look through.
Have your contact details changed? Are there any updates in the crafts you are making, teaching or demonstrating? Our basic package at Craft Insurance consists of product and public liability and in addition we include professional indemnity insurance in this. Thus, you are covered to sell, teach or demonstrate your craft.
What about tools and machinery? Have you purchased or updated any of these this year? If so, you are able to add business items cover for any individual items you want to insure. This is well worth considering if your business is reliant on the tools or equipment you use. You might also consider insuring your stock/raw materials. Our insurance covers you for any damage to these, both in your workshop/ place of storage and in transit to shows and fairs.
Have your sales increased? If your annual turnover is more that £250,000 or sales to USA/Canada more than £25,000 …well done! You’ll need to note that on your insurance renewal.
Is there anything else that feels different to last year? Are there any other ways in which you’ve expanded or stepped out into new ventures?
If you’re looking for craft insurance renewal and haven’t come to Craft Insurance before, it’s great you’re here now! We are a small family business with decades’ worth of experience in working with craft insurance. We know the risks involved and have evaluated and built our policies around them. We almost certainly won’t be the cheapest in a search, but this is intentional. Our policies are clear and transparent and don’t have lots of exclusions. We communicate directly with each of our customers, either by phone or online, whichever is easier for you; no long waits in an anonymous call queue. As a family business we, like you, value each one of our customers. So, pick up the phone or drop us a line and either Sam or Naomi will be here to talk with you. We look forward to hearing about your unique business!
