Running a business is no small feat. If you ask the U.S. Small Business Administration, they’ll tell you that one-third of all new businesses fail in the first two years. Half of all new businesses make it four years, and only 40 percent survive for six years or more. So how do businesses survive? And more importantly, how do they thrive? A recent study by Gallup found that a business’s ability to make it over the hump has much to do with leadership. Although there are numerous factors that influence success, Gallup found that the quality of the company’s founder and management team has more to do with company longevity than any other factor. In its research over time, Gallup has found that companies that survive over the long term have executives that share the following key characteristics:

A clear vision: The leaders of successful companies are more likely to clearly articulate company goals and competitive advantage(s) of their companies to their clients and employees. They create an inspiring narrative that unifies internal teams and clearly directs external growth efforts.

A plan for growth: They spend time planning for growth and aligning employee responsibilities with company goals. This requires an ability to step back from the day-to-day battles of business and articulate a quality plan for moving forward.

A close connection with customers: They are more likely to make smart decisions about pricing, products and services with their customers’ needs in mind. They don’t neglect important matters such as profit margins, but they maintain a close relationship with customers and work toward improvements that will benefit the business over the long term. Gallup also found that business people who share these characteristics are three times more likely to build large businesses and to grow them significantly. They are four times more likely to create jobs, four times more likely to exceed profit goals and five times more likely to exceed sales goals.

In addition to strong leadership, an effective risk management and insurance plan can help your business not only survive but thrive. Isn’t it time your P&C broker offered you more? From compliance to communication, we can provide a full spectrum of solutions and tools for you and your company.

We all want to be more efficient with our time at the office, right? Yet research shows that many of us are going about it the wrong way. Here are some ways that research suggests can help us get more quality and creative work done at the office.

Focus on one thing at a time. You may think that multitasking will make you more productive, but it rarely does. The research is clear on the topic of multitasking: Our brains simply weren’t designed for effectively doing more than one task at a time. Focusing on one task — giving it your full attention — can produce better and more creative results than trying to get more than one thing done at a time.

Studies also show that you can be more productive by minimizing distractions while you’re focusing on one task. If you can, schedule blocks of time for concentrated work at a time of the day when you’re most productive. If it’s feasible, limit or turn off phone, e-mail and other online alerts. Limit interruptions by people to only what’s absolutely necessary.

Ask for help. You don’t have to personally do so much — and you shouldn’t. If you can delegate at work and home, do so. Delegating can be a powerful way to relieve stress and get more done each day, to focus on what matters most and to empower those around you. For many people, though, delegating doesn’t come naturally. You have to work at accepting that someone else may not do the job the same way you do, but it still gets done, leaving you time to focus on more important tasks.

Communicate clearly. Make sure your texts, emails and documents are clear. Before you hit send, print or copy, reread what you wrote to make sure it is clear in directions and sets the right tone. Think of any unanswered questions that you can proactively answer as well. Also, make sure that others feel comfortable letting you know when they don’t understand something.

Develop routines. Routines are powerful tools for everyone from babies and children to business owners and CEOs. Scientific studies show that following a general routine each day can help people be happier, healthier and more efficient and productive.

Take breaks. You can’t be on the go continually. You need downtime to allow yourself to enjoy something else, and you need mental and physical breaks, including real vacations. In other words, you need something to look forward to other than work. Research shows that more Americans are skipping vacations or doing some work during vacation time — but that this can lead to burnout, less focus and productivity. Take a vacation — even if it’s at home — and resist the urge to check e-mails and do work tasks. Take time to unplug — and encourage your employees to do the same.