Rough Notes
Professional Development RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING! Consulting firm’s podcast advises agencies on how to make an impact By Christopher W. Cook The word “amazing” makes me recall certain things from throughout my The post
Posted: Nov 24, 2021
BROKEN GLASS   FROM COO TO CFO … MID-PANDEMIC With grit and determination, this exec assumed her new role without missing a beat   By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU The term The post
Posted: Nov 24, 2021
AGENCY PARTNERS ALL ABOUT THE NiCHE A specialty insurance provider that operates as an MGA? That’s not all that’s different about NSM Insurance Group.   By Lori Widmer Geof McKernan The post
Posted: Nov 23, 2021
Coverage Concerns   EDUCATING YOUR CLIENTS TO AVOID COVERAGE GAPS From personal inland marine and water claims to cyber exposures   Encourage your clients to keep their valuables safe. This The post
Posted: Nov 23, 2021
FROM WELLNESSTO WELL-BEING Today’s employer, agent and insurer focus goes beyond traditional wellness programs By Len Strazewski Biometric screenings, on-site clinics, and health plan discounts are the familiar tools of The post
Posted: Nov 23, 2021
TOP 5 WAYS TO SUPPORT SUPPORT STAFF They’re there to support you. Let them do their job! Shockingly, with rare exceptions, support staff are not simply waiting around for you The post
Posted: Nov 04, 2021
  TOP 5 WAYS TO SUPPORT SUPPORT STAFF They’re there to support you. Let them do their job! Shockingly, with rare exceptions, support staff are not simply waiting around for The post
Posted: Nov 04, 2021
Coverage Concerns ¿Quiere vender seguros? To do so, you may need to speak Spanish The Spanish-speaking market is not going away; in fact, it’s spreading throughout the country Hispanic consumers The post
Posted: Nov 04, 2021
The Rough Notes Company HONORING COMMUNITY SERVICE Applications being accepted for independent agents, brokers, and their firms   By Robert N. Kretzmer, CIC December marks our annual call for independent The post
Posted: Nov 01, 2021
THE TRUTH ABOUT INSURANCE AGENCY NETWORKS A look at characteristics and value of the groups-and some misconceptions about them By Steven Pearson, Rene Swan, and Michael Strakhov The Greek mathematician The post
Posted: Nov 01, 2021
E&O: FACTS TO KNOW Considerations regarding errors and omissions in relation to mergers and acquisitions By Mark Angelucci, CPCU, ARM, AIDA   Insurance-agency-reported mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have set records The post
Posted: Nov 01, 2021
WHAT’S IN A NETWORK? For the independent insurance agency, there’s plenty of strength in sharing resources with other independents By Lori Widmer Competing in any market is tough for the The post
Posted: Nov 01, 2021
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Who is a resident? On January 6, 2014, Jean Martin was driving her 1994 Ford automobile with her teenage daughter Marina The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Leave it to the expert Following two operation-disabling accidents, Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation, an aluminum products manufacturer whose all-risks p...
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
BACK FROM THE DEAD States revive interest in the Affordable Care Act to expand coverage   The term “public option” came into wide usage during the 2009-20I0 debate on the The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
THE KEY TO CREATING TRUST AND LASTING VALUE…ADOPTING AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP A look at the Authentic Leadership Model and its five dimensions   Authenticity is a work in progress. The starting The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
DRIVERS PUT A COMPANY AT RISK Eight recommendations to protect a fleet, regardless of size According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, while Americans drove less in 2020 due to The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
REAP THE REWARDS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION Reworking incentives   You really do get the behavior you reward. If you are experiencing behaviors you don’t want, look for the reward you The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
IS DISTRACTION HOLDING YOUR AGENCY BACK? Simplify, prioritize and focus   Even the very top producers will admit that distractions are their number one nemesis. Despite being extremely intelligent, capable The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
CANCEL CULTURE A virus plaguing the insurance industry   [T]he work we have done for many years has essentially remained unchanged. What has dramatically changed, however, are the ways work The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
AGENCY OF THE MONTH AGENCY OF THE MONTH THE TEAM APPROACH Pennsylvania agency stresses P.S.-Personal Service-since I928 By Dennis Pillsbury One of the things that I’ve learned over the years The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
THINKING AHEAD: 2022 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS Add “improving your agency’s digital footprint” to the list By Chip Bacciocco What do insurance customers want in an online shopping experience? For independent The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
Salute to Service PLANNING, PROBLEM SOLVING, DISCIPLINE AND DETERMINATION Military work ethics prepared veterans for insurance careers By Christopher W. Cook The past few installments of my Salute to Service The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
EMPLOYERS FOCUS ON RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION Reviewing benefits and work practices in a tight labor market By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU   More than half of employers (56%) made no The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021
Coverage Concerns CONSIDERING THE RISKS OF WHO IS INSURED ON BUSINESS AUTO The commercial auto policy, commonly known as business auto, is one of the most popular commercial insurance products The post
Posted: Oct 31, 2021