ACORD TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE '99 * MAY 23-25 * ORLANDO, FLORIDA — REGISTER AT WWW.ACORD.ORG OR CALL 1-800-444-3341, EXT. 506

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USING THE INTERNET
TO WORK SMART

The Web is an effective shortcut to accessing information

By Don West

Surfing the Web and creating and maintaining your own Web site are valuable ways to use the Internet to save time and money, and provide better customer service.

02p16ab.jpg An agent friend recently told me he had used the Internet to get a W-4 tax form for a customer. Since I didn't ask where or how he got the form, I decided to do a little experimenting and find out how long it would take me to locate a Web site and print a W-4 form. It took me less than five minutes to find a site to access the form and print it out on my printer. It would have taken significantly less time if I had known where to look. Contrast this five minutes to the time involved in calling the IRS and waiting to receive the form through the mail, or driving to a government office to pick up the form.

Saving time on the Web

Maybe you don't need a W-4 form. But there are many other things, both in business, and personally, that you need every day. For example, another agent told me that when he needed a new company car, he did his shopping over the Internet. He was able to compare features, colors, and price without leaving the office. Searching online took minutes, rather than several hours of driving from lot to lot.

Are you using the Internet to save time, compare costs, serve clients, and help your agency? Or, do you view the Internet as a gadget or toy that will not provide you with any value?

Once you're on the Web, what will you find that can be of help? For starters, are you planning a trip? Try www.travelocity.com. Do you need help with a map or directions? Try www.zip2.com. Do you need tax information? Try www.taxlinks.com. How about locating a person or a business? Try www.people.yahoo.com. All of these sites contain useful information. And in answer to our original question, I located the W-4 form at www.irs.ustreas.gov. Remember, this is just a beginning, and by no means a complete list of Web sites you might use. Have fun finding them, and finding out about other Web sites.

As the television commercial asks, "Where do you want to go today?" These are just a few of the Web sites that may provide you with assistance and time savings. As you gain experience on the Internet, you will find the Web easier to use, and like many others, you will probably enjoy "surfing the Web" for all types of information.

Joining the Web world

Another aspect to explore is creating your own Web page. Think of it--your own Internet site. When you have a Web site, customers and potential customers can easily search out and find information about your agency by using the Internet. More important, a Web site is another way for customers and potential customers to do business with you--and it's almost expected of businesses these days. You can make your site very simple, consisting of who you are, where you're located, and what services you offer, along with the ability for customers to get quotes.

Like some agencies, however, you may want to be much more creative. You might have links (ways people can access other Web sites from yours) to sites of your customers that provide products or services--a barber, a veterinarian, or sporting goods store. You can even include current local and state information, weather, city council meeting times, high school or college sports, or cultural activities. You also can e-mail remembrances to customers on birthdays, anniversaries or other special days. All of these ideas and many more are being used today on agents' Web sites.

Get the picture?

Are you beginning to see the potential of the Internet? It's a tool for business, but more specifically, it's a tool for the modern agent. If you are not utilizing the Internet today, I strongly advise getting started. Surfing the Web and creating and maintaining your own Web site are valuable ways to use the Internet to save time, money and provide better customer service. And in today's marketplace, can you afford not to use the Internet? *

For more information about the Internet, you can attend "Tool Time: The Internet as a Tool for Agents," just one of the many workshops at ACORD Technology Conference '99.

West
The author

Don West is director, standards and EDI, ACORD.


INTERNET 101

Here are a few simple terms that might help you:

    * Web site is a location or electronic address on the World Wide Web—the "www" of an Internet address.

    * To help you understand the addresses even more:

    * .com = commercial

    * .edu = education

    * .gov = government

    * .org = organization

    * Home page is the first page, or screen, you see when you access, bring up, or find a Web site.

    * A browser is software that allows you to search out addresses on the Web. The most widely known browsers are Internet Explorer (you probably already have this on your PC) and Netscape Navigator.

    * You will also need an Internet service provider, called an ISP or IP. The ISP is dialed up from your computer via a modem, giving you Internet access.

    Don't be overwhelmed by these terms. Once you've set up access to the Internet and have tried it once or twice, you'll be a pro. And if you need help, hire a kid (your own or a borrowed one)—a sure way to get started.

©COPYRIGHT: The Rough Notes Magazine, 1999

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