May 2009
FEATURES

Cover Story:
Find the pain and fix it
125 years of putting customer service first.

Specialty Lines:
Helping agents and brokers find profits in nonprofits
In a down economy, social services is a good market.

Marketing:
Driving the paratransit market
Leading social services MGA Irwin Siegel launches transport program on A paper.

Technology:
Technology vanguard
Puerto Rican agency works to bring real time efficiencies
to the island's insurance community.

Benefits:
Double-digit growth in a down economy
"Integrative" business model boosts benefits revenues to 45% of agency total.

Other Feature Stories:  
Fortifying urban agencies
The Insurance Cooperative connects inner city agencies
to strengthen market access.

Serving public entities large and small
Glatfelter acquisition broadens range of public entity services.

Parker, Smith & Feek is Agency of the Year
Daring to be different helps this winner build loyalty, retention, and profit.

10th annual Rough Notes Company Community Service Award
California producer's efforts honor her mother.

Building a niche in social services
Michigan agency supports the missions of its nonprofit clients.

Growing a business
Oklahoma native applies principles learned on the farm
to successful insurance career.

Social services provides nearly $2.4 billion in premium

Self-insuring workers compensation
A case study of a county transportation unit.

 

COLUMNS
Critical Issue Report—Growth and stability—IIABA study finds that
industry is faring well despite economic challenges

By Phil Zinkewicz

Agency Financial Management—Implementing non-compete clauses
By Christel L. Sarchet, CPA

Customer Service Focus—Control your time—don't let it control you!
Ruth E. Phillips, CISR, AAI, AIS, CPSR, CPIW, DAE

Winning Strategies—Why "Johnny" can't sell
By Roger Sitkins

Enterprise Risk Management—ERM: Paint by numbers
By Michael J. Moody, MBA, ARM

Benefits Business—Health care reform is coming
By Len Strazewski

Risk Management—Hands in the cookie jar
By Donald S. Malecki, CPCU

Beyond Insurance—Finding the right mentor for you
By Scott Addis

Public Policy Analysis & Opinion—AIG—not an insurance company?
By Kevin P. Hennosy

 

DEPARTMENTS
Court Decisions
People Management
PF&M at a Glance
Centuries of Rough Notes (PDF)
Rough Notes Staff
Reprints

ADVERTISERS INDEX & PRODUCTS PAGE (PDF)