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Think about the last time you were at a buffet restaurant, the kind where you pay one price and then eat until you are about ready to explode. Like most people, you always say that you are going to go there when you are “extra hungry”, so that you can “…get your money’s worth.” We’ve all done it. We walk in, have starved, and gaze out at those hot chafing dishes. We see those rows and rows of “free” food, we begin to smell the aroma, and our mouths begin to water, almost instantly while the Maitre d is showing us to our table, we grab one of those warm dishes that just came out of the dish washer and immediately dive in and begin to eat like we’re going to the electric chair. I’ve done it…that’s how I keep my figure! However, later on that night you’re lying on the sofa watching television with clicker in hand, and you feel like you may have overdone it…just a little. Maybe it was that last scoop of fried rice, or the extra helping of boneless spare ribs. It could have even been the pineapple chunks that you smothered and covered the pistachio ice cream with on the dish that you had fortune cookies sticking out of the sides while trying to balance it alongside a two inch by two inch square piece of chocolate cake and a little dish of wiggly Jell-O. “There’s always room for Jello” you say with a smile to the person behind you who is waiting patiently do emulate your position. “Why not eat until you bust?” you mutter…after all “…isn’t that what it’s there for?” Bet you wish you knew then what you know now!

My mother has always told me that “Too much of a good thing can hurt you”, and that “Everything should be enjoyed in moderation.” Well, Mom, you’re “Right again!” Only this time it had to do with something other than food.

For over a year now I have been standing on my soapbox, pontificating about the benefits and rewards of social networking. For over a year now I have been calling you all sorts of names, practically screaming at you to go out and “Eat as much as you possibly can” of all this “…free internet stuff ”. For over a year now you have been listening attentively, and so many of you have gone out and stuffed yourself on all of these great programs out there in the clouds, and most of you have reaped the rewards.

Well, so many of you know me personally, and those of you who don’t know me personally kind of do know me personally from reading my column for the past two and a half years, and in this column have you ever heard me say that my Mother was wrong? Probably not, and guess what? You’re not going to hear me say it today, either, because she wasn’t wrong (and also because she reads this column). However, what I will tell you is that you need to remember and take heed of my Mother’s words (and most likely your Mother’s as well), “To always use protection.” I’ll explain…

You see, when used properly social networking is a wonderful way to expand your business and grow exponentially with little or no associated net costs. However, one must also be extremely cognizant of the dangers when you “overeat” and don’t practice “safe text” (you like that line, don’t you?!) without the use of “protection”, and by overindulging without practicing “safe text behavior”

Social networking and social media advertising allow businesses to reach out and touch both existing and potential customers in ways that no one ever imagined a few years ago (well, maybe Al Gore did), and allow you to promote, distribute, network, and converse in a virtual manner. However, with these benefits come some inherent risks that we are still learning about on a daily basis. Although the risks themselves are the same that we have been exposed to for a multitude of years, the exposure to them is arrived at from a very different avenue. These risks include but are not limited to damage to your reputation, legal liability, Human Resource workplace issues such as sexual harassment and even “adult bullying”.

The difference here is that risks occurring from social networking occur in a different arena than years ago. No longer is it happening in a brick and mortar building during the day or after work on a subway platform while employees are waiting for a train, but on other platforms such Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Furthermore, since this is a world that is changing ever so quickly, so many of us are extremely unfamiliar with the threats that are looming out there and may be preparing to rear their ugly fonts when we are least prepared. However, as I told the police officer that pulled me over for having car windows to heavily tinted, pleading ignorant by saying that “I didn’t know it was a problem” is no excuse and still needs to be addressed.

By no means am I even remotely implying that you should back off from internet marketing and social networking for your business, as it is still the number one way to reach multitudes of potential customers with the least amount of effort and resources. But what I am saying is that you must be vigilant and become extremely well versed in social media risk management. In addition, it is also highly advisable that you do the same for your clients, and make certain that they are insured correctly against such risks. For example, it is imperative that you have a clear understanding of (and that you maintain full control over) what is presented in your blogs and business sites, as even unauthorized posts by an employee may result in a liability claim (and loss) against your business. Cyberstalking is another area to be well aware of. It occurs when employees harass co-workers, competitors or customers online, and an employer can be held liable when an employee has the means and is successful in “bullying” another co-worker via the internet.

Intellectual property and trade secrets are also areas of concern, as an employee who may have access to a secret formula or other proprietary information belonging to another person or entity publishes that information, whether they were acting with malice intent or not, places the employer in a position of liability.

Defamation of character, slander, unauthorized termination lawsuits, are all examples of claims arising from acts committed on professional business social media sites. The list goes on and on, and is growing every day. Be aware and be conscientious of everything that your business posts on your social networking sites, and if you are or plan to be outsourcing these projects, be certain that you (and your clients) are employing the services of a professional, knowledgeable, reputable, and highly insured firm that specializes in this sort of business endeavor. Your “knowledge” is your “protection”, use it or lose it. Bet you wish you knew then what you know now… sound familiar?

Congratulations to the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut, for their outstanding job at the IIAC Mid- Year Convention held recently at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, CT. I have been attending this event for quite a few years, and this was one of the most well attended of their conferences. Their 2010- 2011 Executive Committee Officers include Tom Wilson of The Wilson Agency in Shelton, CT; Michael Gergler, the Chairman Elect of Wilcox & Reynolds in Storrs, CT; Jim Suzio, Treasurer, from the Suzio Insurance Center of Meriden, CT; Spencer Houldin, State Director, of Ericson Insurance Services in Washington Depot, CT; Kurt Battey, Immediate Past Chairman from the Scholes Insurance Agency in East Haddam, CT; Jay Byrnes of the Byrnes Agency in Dayville, CT; and William Pierz of Shoff Darby Agency in Norwalk, CT.

In addition, there were educational sessions, a “Meet The Candidates”, and wonderful trade show, and a very enjoyable luncheon. Great job, everyone, and I’m looking forward to next year’s event already! Also, great to see Stephen Todd from Burns Brooks and McNeil of Torrington, CT, at the conference…glad you enjoy my column AND our FSC Comparative Rating services! One more note, congratulations to Dave Lande from Century Insurance Agency on Long Island, NY, whose daughter Stephanie (along with my daughter Jessica) outstandingly performed in the Newsday Marching Band Festival at Hofstra University. Performing with their respective high school marching bands, these ladies along with high school bands from all over Long Island, were spectacular! Great job, everyone!

Also, thank you to Nick Meola from NetSpend Inc., for a wonderful time at the NY Jets vs. The Minnesota Vikings game recently. After spending a fantastic afternoon tailgating with John and Anne Comeau of Excise Bond Co., I had the pleasure of enjoying another Jet win (albeit a rainy one!) with Nick from some pretty good seats! By the way, if you’re not familiar with NetSpend and what they offer insurance agencies, visit www.netspend.com to learn more. Well, thanks for taking another ride across Long Island Sound on the ferry to CT, and through the Lincoln Tunnel (he was a great President but made a lousy tunnel) to The New Meadowlands Stadium with me, and if you would like to view some video clips of many of the memorable moments that we talk about in this column, please check out “Loguercio At Large” on YouTube (simply search “Loguercio at Large” on YouTube). Ciao!