LEADERSHIP Observation, attention and focused incentives can drive improved organizational results Caleb was a surprise. My husband and I—serial animal rescuers—had just two elderly dogs left. We had talked about possibly taking a break from dog ownership once they passed. We thought, “Why not take a little time off?” That all changed when I found Caleb running around a main road a couple of blocks from our house. This was
Management
Outsider’s assessments cast an interesting light on the attractions and challenges of the insurance profession It’s no secret that the insurance industry has been aging for years and is nearing crisis level. According to a study conducted by McKinsey & Company, a worldwide management consulting firm based in New York City, 25% of insurance professionals will retire by 2018. The result will be a serious talent gap if something isn’t
LEADERSHIP Six steps to setting goals and executing a plan to achieve them You run your business with purpose—don’t you? What is your purpose? What factors did you consider when establishing it? Is it meaningful in light of today’s business realities? As a leader, have you clearly articulated your purpose to yourself and your employees? Do your words and actions align with your purpose? Creating a purpose isn’t a one-time
Winning Strategies Forget “coulda, woulda, shoulda” and take action now Sometimes when I talk to agency owners or producers who are caught in a rut, the image of an amorphous blob springs to mind. I realize that may sound strange, but when they describe not knowing what to do or how to climb out of their rut, I often envision the weird clumps of matter I frequently see floating in
Customer Service Focus It might not be who you think Owners, principals, partners, and producers, all have important roles in an agency. I, however, feel that the most important person handles customer service. Agencies call these folks by different names: account executive, account manager, CSR, or CSA. No matter what the title is, this person is the lifeline of your agency. With advances in technology, the customer service role has
