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March 2011
FEATURES

Marketing Agency of the Month:
Generation four leads the change
New Mexico agency moves out of its comfort zone.

Specialty Lines:
Watercraft insurance: Smooth sailing or troubled waters?
Specialty writers see a mixed forecast
.

Marketing:
All the right moves
Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange is the go-to firm
for agents representing high net worth.

Technology:
Taking charge
docSTAR document management system helps agencies
make the most of their technology investments.

Benefits Agency:
Bramlett Agency strikes oil in the benefits field
New niche becomes company's "savior".

Benefits Company:
Dearborn National making a name for itself
Voluntary products, including dental, complement a P-C agency's offerings.

Other Feature Stories:  
Paybacks are hell
Retaliation claims surpass claims based on race.

Voluntary Benefits Special Report
Voluntary business continues to grow
Voluntary benefits—The way to go?

Medical professions show healthy growth

A new reality for investment income
Getting better returns requires new thinking and asset allocation.

The new face of high-risk malpractice
Rock-bottom rates, lower claim frequency, and tort reform
are the good news—but there's more to the story.

ART products: Back in vogue?
An improving financial services sector bodes well
for alternative risk transfer mechanisms.

 

COLUMNS
Public Policy Analysis & Opinion—Feds have little good to say about NAIC
By Kevin P. Hennosy

Winning Strategies—How the best of the best achieve success
By Roger Sitkins

Customer Service Focus—Continuing education: A wise investment
By Amanda M. Williams, CISR, CPIA, AAI, AU, AAIS, AINS

Producer Self-Management—Personal branding and marketing
By John Love, CPCU

Agents E&O Loss Prevention—Looking to insure a marina?
By Curtis M. Pearsall, CPCU, AIAF, CPIA

Risk Management—Hired auto coverage may undergo revision
By Donald S. Malecki, CPCU

Benefits Growth Strategies—Moving employees from enraged to engaged
By Kevin Trokey

Social Media Forum—Social media—How do I know it's working?
By Tom Wetzel

Simply Tech—Proper documentation is the best defense
By Kim Opheim

This month we are introducing the "Simply Tech"
column that will highlight how effective use of
technology can improve agency operations.

Internet Marketing—Internet marketing & gym memberships
By Adam DeGraide

 

DEPARTMENTS
Court Decisions
Centuries of Rough Notes (PDF)
Rough Notes Staff
Reprints

ADVERTISERS INDEX & PRODUCTS PAGE (PDF)