JUNE 2008
FEATURES
Cover Story:
Honey I shrunk the client base
Texas agency reduces number of clients, increases revenue.
Specialty Lines:
Today's special: Soft market
Restaurants, bars and other hospitality markets make the best of what's on the menu.
Marketing:
It's evolutionary
Darwin Professional Underwriters expands its portfolio and reaches out to retail producers.
Technology:
Quietly gaining market share
These agency management system vendors may not be on everyone's radar, but their longevity suggests the systems are worth looking for.
Benefits:
Benefits—Lockton's fastest growing business segment
Nation's largest private broker bulks up its benefits support services.
Other Feature Stories:
Bed & breakfasts — A growing niche
Demographic, economic trends favor the quaint hospitality of B&Bs and country inns.
Travelers service centers—streamlined processing
Agents say using outsourced approach frees up agency resources.
Leading a new generation
With just five years in the insurance industry, Kristen Juszczak has begun to make her mark.
Trends in the Bermuda ART market
Heating up
Insurers push businesses and individuals to get greener.
Hospitality: An $8.7 billion market
Teaming up
Liberty Mutual will acquire Safeco.
West meets East
Los Angeles area-based agency capitalizes on economic growth in the Pacific Rim.
Chubb's security firm helps clients "get smart"
Risk Control Strategies protects insureds' valuable information.
Captives' group appeal
RRG for long-term care facilities succeeds with "claims-paid" policy.
COLUMNS
Building Equity Value—Small business units
By Craig Niess and Kel Plasket
Strengthening the Front Line—Secrets to having a stress-free vacation
By Emily Huling, CIC, CMC
To The Point—Short on title, long on content—The idea of the OFC generates much discussion on both sides
By Emanuel Levy
Critical Issue Report—June & beyond—gentle breezes or costly storms?—2008 hurricane season—with its potential market-changing impact—is just ahead
By Phil Zinkewicz
Winning Strategies—Are you getting better all the time?
By Roger Sitkins
Agency Marketing Technology—Using craigslist to find new staff
By Steve Anderson
Risk Managers' Forum—Choosing the right deductible/retention levels
By Leonard J. Watson, Ed.D., CIC, CRM, CPCU, AIC
Customer Service Focus—CSR workloads & rewards
By Jim Cuprisin, CIC, CRM, ARP
Benefits Business—Adding benefits without adding expense
By Len Strazewski
Beyond Insurance—The inner game
By Scott Addis
Public Policy Analysis & Opinion—If you want a friend in Washington,
buy a dog
By Kevin P. Hennosy
Risk Management—Troubled terminology
By Donald S. Malecki, CPCU
Agency Financial Management—Seller beware—Have you
done your due diligence?
By Lorna L. Gunnersen, CPA, CVA, CPCU, CIC
Enterprise Risk Management—A bloodless coup?
By Michael J. Moody, MBA, ARM
Credit scoring debate continues—PIA National issues white paper to help agents protect themselves
By Phil Zinkewicz
ADVERTISERS INDEX
DEPARTMENTS
Court Decisions
PF&M at a Glance
Rebuilding Cost Chart
Rough Notes Staff
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