Rough Notes

HORSESHOES AND HAND GRENADES—CHAPTER ONE—COMMERCIAL LINES

There’s no substitute for reading the stinking policy We don’t believe insurance companies intentionally make mistakes that may cause a loss to their agents,                                                               […]

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

PROACTIVE BEHAVIORS CAN LEAD TO DISCOUNTS

There is no cost to discuss strategies with clients  Proactive/preventative systems often have a cost associated with them, but when you discuss the alternative with your clients, they                                                       […]

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

MAKE THEM DO IT

NAIC’s study of race and insurance continues The current effort to address racial inequities in insurance at the NAIC is bigger and grander than anything                                                             […]

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

HOW PSYCHOLOGICALLY SAFE IS YOUR WORKPLACE?

The “secret” to a thriving work environment  “When psychological safety is present, people are able to speak up with work-relevant content.” —Amy Edmondson, Ph.D. By F. Scott Addis, CPCU, CRA, ACRA, TRA, ASA “Psychological safety” is a trending corpo...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

WHAT INDEPENDENT AGENTS DON’T UNDERSTAND ABOUT NEXT-GEN WORKERS

Listening to and respecting the expectations of Gen Z  While much of what is said about the goals, priorities and aspirations of Gen Z is true, it is often                                                     […]

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

GET STARTED

It’s never too early and never too late to own your potential [W]hile diligence and working hard are almost universally admired, we will be judged by                                                           […]

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

Driven By Vision

Members of The Dunn Group executive team. From left: Bryant Dunn, Chief Operating Officer; Josh Palmer, President of Swan Morss; and Hank Dunn, President. Formed during the Great Depression, agency embodies founder’s values around family, ethics and...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

EVOLUTION OF AGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

As the world ushers in AI technology, the insurance industry is ready to leverage the opportunity to improve results By Lori Widmer It used to be that technology was a bit of an option. In the 1980s, the agency management system was born as a means b...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

WIN. OVERCOME. INSPIRE

Insurance pro forms organization to bring training and unwavering support to 15,000+ insurance women By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU Energy. Enthusiasm. Exuberance. These are spot-on descriptions of Tracie Wynn, founder and chief executive officer of Women...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

ALWAYS FAITHFUL

Two Marines share military experiences and insight on veterans working in the industry By Christopher W. Cook Founded this month back in 1775, the United States Marine Corps is but one of the eight uniformed services in the country. Its motto: Semper...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

FINDING THE BEST AGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

10 questions to ask yourself By Brenna Johnson As the insurance industry continues to evolve technologically and change to meet the needs of its clients and agents, one aspect remains constant: Agencies need agency management systems. Agency manageme...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

Over Or Under?

Understanding vs. overcoming objections through empathy By Brandon Aguirre Whether you’re a diehard NFL fan or grew up watching The Price is Right, you might be familiar with over/under betting. For sports fans, this type of betting is about guessing...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

2023 RN Community Serice Award Opportunity

The Rough Notes Company Community service award opportunity Applications being accepted for independent agents, brokers, and their firms By Robert N. Kretzmer, CIC December marks our annual call for independent agents, brokers, or agencies to be nomi...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

INSURING NONPROFITS AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Organizations fight the “fatigue” of a prolonged hard market By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU When it comes to insurance, not-for-profit organizations and social service agencies are beset by “fatigue,” according to Cheryl Tamasitis, regional vice presi...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

Self-insured medical plans: The quest for control

Stop loss carriers see interest broadening to smaller employers By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU Healthcare coverage is the centerpiece of an employee benefits plan. It also can be the biggest pain point for plan sponsors because of the relentless increases i...

Posted: Nov 01, 2023

D&O Coverage For Investigations

 D&O COVERAGE FOR INVESTIGATIONS Now you see it; now you don’t  [O]ne may think a court is “incorrect,” but the court is not wrong unless and until its ruling is The post

Posted: Oct 19, 2023

Top 5 Industry Potholes to Avoid

THE TOP 5 INDUSTRY POTHOLES TO AVOID  Practical insights to help ensure that you don’t fail Even if you are the greatest insurance expert in the world, if you can’t The post

Posted: Oct 19, 2023

Exceed Your Client’s Expectations

      DO YOU MEET OR EXCEED YOUR CLIENTS’ EXPECTATIONS? If you think you do, can you name the specifics? [Y]ou must get clarity about what’s most important to The post

Posted: Sep 29, 2023

Treating The New Customer Right

TREATING THE NEW CUSTOMER RIGHT 10 things to keep in mind There is an old saying in insurance that good customer service equals good E&O loss control. By Paul Martin, The post

Posted: Sep 29, 2023

Stumbling Block

STUMBLING BLOCK Policyholder’s denied claim loses two court proceedings due to late filing  [T]he insurance company should have focused on educating its policyholder. Policy By Bruce D. Hicks, CPCU, CLU The post

Posted: Sep 29, 2023

Lightning In A Bottle

LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE Identifying “that certain something” that predicts success Creating a strategy and environment for seeking out and then nurturing and developing the best account managers will   The post

Posted: Sep 29, 2023

Unlocking the Power Of OSHA Records

UNLOCKING THE POWER OF OSHA RECORDS Ten ways to enhance workplace safety and lower insurance costs Leveraging OSHA records is a powerful strategy for enhancing           The post

Posted: Sep 29, 2023

Check Your Ego At The Door

CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR! 5 steps that will positively impact your personal brand, your relationships, and your business It has been predicted that half the industry’s workforce will The post

Posted: Sep 29, 2023

We Need To Talk

WE NEED TO TALK Successfully managing that conversation you’ve been avoiding A VitalSmarts poll shows that 40% of people put off their scary               The post We Need T...

Posted: Sep 29, 2023

Farm Bill May Include Premium Subsidy Adjustments

THE FARM BILL MAY INCLUDE PREMIUM SUBSIDY ADJUSTMENTS Will they materialize? [C]ongressional staff and interest groups are busy drafting a                     The post

Posted: Sep 29, 2023