Rough Notes

WHEN WILL THE MUSIC STOP?

[I]t can be assumed that by focusing on building and running a best-in-class insurance brokerage, owners can command their own destiny and be shareholders in a resilient and rewarding asset The post

Posted: Dec 01, 2021

TRENDING INTENTIONAL LEADERSHIP

The main differentiating factor … for success is proactive, intentional leadership. Agencies cannot run themselves; employees, regardless of how motivated they might be, need clear structure and purpose.   Inside The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

PREDICTABLE GROWTH REQUIRES ALIGNMENT

[S]omething we see way too often in agencies [is] the lack of alignment between the various departments. Think of these departments as wheels on a car … . To achieve The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

AGENT FOR THE FUTURE

AGENT FOR THE FUTURE The J. Morey Company takes top national honor By Dave Willis, CPIA For the past four decades, The J. Morey Company, Inc., has maintained a clear The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE

COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE Is the road finally clearing for this long-distressed line of coverage? By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU Is commercial auto insurance, a severely distressed line of business over The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS AND CHEERS!

CONGRATULATIONS AND CHEERS! Five tips to conquer the wine list at your next business function By Chris McQueen   Congratulations! You’ve finally land-ed your first big account after spending years The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

INSURANCE PROVIDER GROUP, LLC

Looking Back, Looking Ahead INSURANCE PROVIDER GROUP, LLC Appointed by Travelers in I865 by horse and buggy, this agency is thriving today By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU   What until recently The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

AGENCY OF THE MONTH STARTING FROM SCRATCH

AGENCY OF THE MONTH STARTING FROM SCRATCH Amid double-digit growth, North Carolina agency zeroes in on retention and employee development By Dennis Pillsbury     Christopher Cook was following in The post

Posted: Nov 24, 2021

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Young Professionals (INSERT INTERESTING TITLE HERE) Seven tips for creating compelling content     By Christopher W. Cook Writing for an insurance publication that’s been around for over 140 years The post

Posted: Nov 24, 2021

RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING

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

FROM COO TO CFO … MID-PANDEMIC

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

ALL ABOUT THE NiCHE

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

EDUCATING YOUR CLIENTS TO AVOID COVERAGE GAPS

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

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

 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

   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

The Spanish-speaking market

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

ROUGH NOTES COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

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

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

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?

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

WHO IS THE Resident

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

Leave it to the expert

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

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

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