Out of Europe

PRETTY AS a fixture

CRAIC-ING ON: The luck of the Irish is well-known, but the light of the Irish shines (somewhat) less bright. So, in efforts to change that, some ingenious designers have switched on their thinking caps and come up with dazzling new lighting fixtures.

The latest additions to the Mullan Ceramics range appear to be worth their weight in (pots of) gold. And yet, they are not produced at an emerald city somewhere over the rainbow – or even at the end of one. Instead, these stylish lamps have been devised, designed and created in the Emerald Isle.

Inspired by the heritage and colours of Ireland’s Mullan village, the range is: “tactile and unique with a visually attractive texture,” Mullan Ceramic ceramicist, Stephen Kieran, says. “It’s difficult to walk pass a piece without wanting to hold it.”

Kiwis looking to come to grips with Mullan’s fixtures can peruse their wares, order online and arrange shipping to New Zealand via: www.mullanlighting.com or www.mullanceramics.com.

FREE MAKING

ON CHARLES PARSONS FABRICS 20% OFF ASPECT BLINDS

HURRY! AUGUST ONLY!

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22 Queen St, Pukekohe - 09 2389326 www.kevenscurtains.co.nz

INSURANCE CLAIMS CAN BE PROBLEMATIC

KARL ROBINSON, partner, from Wynyard Wood outlines insurance claim difficulties and options to deal with them.

Insurance is a necessity of modern life and business and, hopefully, something that can be set in place and forgotten. However, unexpected events do happen. When they do, policy holders want to know that the policy they have been paying premiums for will respond and the insurer will pay for losses.

So, it can be frustrating to find that, at what is a stressful and difficult time, your insurer takes a different view of your policy and either says you are not covered, or they will pay significantly less than what you thought you were entitled to.

There are many reasons why insurers decline claims. The type of damage or loss you have suffered might not be covered by the insurance policy, the particular cause of damage or type of loss can be excluded, or there could be conduct that disentitles someone from making a claim.

Sometimes insurers are correct in their claim decisions, but at other times they are not. An insurance policy is a contract, albeit with some special rules, and, ultimately, the insurer is just applying that contract and rules to the circumstances and making a decision on what it thinks it should have to pay.

Those decisions are open to challenge and you might be entitled to cover even though your insurer has said your claim is declined, or you might be able to recover more that what your insurer says it is liable for.

Some important things to think about which can help at claim time: • Document the circumstances –

For example, if there is physical damage, such as a flood, take photos before cleaning. • Be honest – There can be very severe consequences for claiming something more, or different to what you lost, omitting to disclose relevant information, or lying. • Get independent advice – It should be no surprise that insurers are experts at insurance and particularly the terms and conditions of their own policies, assessing claims daily. If your claim has been declined, or you have received less than what you thought you should, seek some independent advice to level the playing field. Your broker or a lawyer should be the first place to look for help.

If you have an insurance problem, give me a call, I may be able to help.

Karl Robinson, Partner, Wynyard Wood, phone 021 313 931, karl.robinson@wynyardwood.co.nz

THE BEST PEOPLE ARE ‘PEOPLE PEOPLE’... PEOPLE

BILL POTTER — The Maverick Thinker. Global Speaker. Personal Power Coach. Bill has already made personal presentations in 57 countries. http://www.speakers.co.nz/our-speakers/allspeakers/bill-potter/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToRhF22nARM

Oh, Hello. I am the only personal and business coach in the world, who teaches ‘3Law©’. I can because I’m a Kiwi! (3Law© , includes this ‘3be©’ (3 elements) of Human Behavioural types. I teach this in my LeaderSpeak© Course (see bottom para). Three ‘types’ are enough!

They are... Things People, Situational People and People People.

‘Things People’ are focused mostly, on ‘things’. They are fixated on results. They expect tangible rewards for their efforts. They are only goal driven. They display minimal emotions or human warmth and at times, they can almost be robotic when involved with others. Sad, really.

‘Situational People’ have high ‘chameleon’ levels. They adjust or change their behaviour, or even their beliefs, according to their situation, circumstances or surroundings. Sometimes it is about ‘survival’ but this group can have loyalty, credibility and authenticity issues because they possess insufficient ‘resilience’.

‘People People’ notice ‘people’ first. They ‘seek to bond’, because they have high ‘caring’ levels. They have the ‘empathy G-gene’ so, their first motivation is to ‘know you better’, especially when they are in a leadership role. We all want others to know who we are before they want to know what we do!

During my speaking and coaching journey, in 57 nations so far, I have not found a better quote than this one from USA President, Theodore Roosevelt: ‘Nobody cares how much you know, until they know, how much you care.’ Alas, too often vanity, power and narcissism interrupt!

So for starters... start here, www.tanveernaseer.com/whyempathy-matters-in-leadership/

My newly upgraded international Course... LeaderSpeak© , is available. It is only for achievers who want to lead and inspire, but who do not feel sufficiently confident to do either yet. My Course is a ‘maverick’ experience, because... I ‘do it differently’. Most Leader courses do not! If you’re courageous, you know what to do. Contact me. Cheers. Bill.

duitdammit@gmail.com

INSURANCE CLAIMS: TIPS AND ADVICE

When the unexpected happens, you want to know that your insurer will come to the party and pay for your loss. Contact Wynyard Wood today for a clear understanding of your insurance policy, and for advice on an insurance claim.

wynyardwood.co.nz/insurance-claims Tel. 09 969 0126