Rough Notes
Survey findings validate many issues we’ve raised in our consulting work, columns and more Management should remain vigilant in assessing people’s mental and physical well-being during this tumultuous time which does not seem to have an end in sight....
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
The importance of implementing a multi-faceted succession plan that involves senior executives as well as younger employees Not only is employee training incredibly important to an agency’s success, it’s also one of the top three benefits sought by t...
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
The Camargo Insurance team. Front row: Chris Owens, Insurance Advisor; Allison Watkins, Insurance Advisor; Jay Mueller, Chief Executive Officer; Janet Jansen, Chief Operating Officer; David Branch, Insurance Advisor. Back row: Victoria McAlpin, Insur...
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
Applications being accepted for independent agents, brokers, and their firms By Robert N. Kretzmer, CIC Each year, we put out a call for independent agents, brokers, or agencies to be nominated for The Rough Notes Company Community Service Award. Th...
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
Helping property owners improve their risk profile with new tech and strategies By Maura Ciccarelli Protection from natural disasters and everyday emergencies like water leaks and electrical fires have always been top of mind for property owners. How...
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
Photography by Mission Specific Ventures Photography by Jim O’Dell, First Five Photography Photography provided by Kimiko Donahue Arizona agency-owner-turned-consultant goes from motorcycle racer to 3-Gun shooter to metal cover band vocalist in...
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
Arming independent agents with a targeted, intuitive AI solution is how Linqura intends to power the next generation of insurance By Lori Widmer “We’re not a chatbot company; we’re a transaction company.” That focus, says CEO Mark Stender, is exactly...
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
IMCA Trailblazer Award winners share marketing trends and tips By Christopher W. Cook For whatever reason, when I hear the word marketing, it makes me think of an older episode of The Simpsons. (When you think about it, just about anything can lead y...
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
Navigating name, image, and likeness (NIL) in collegiate sports By Tim Smith and Matthew Ferraro It’s no secret that the NCAA’s amateurism model is destined to go the way of landline telephones and paper road maps. Shout it from the rooftops: Pay for...
Posted: Sep 30, 2024
At some point, someone will blame you for their ills, regardless of how well you’re doing your job Hold yourself to a higher standard than any client ever could, and you’ll be less likely to lose a client because of your performance. by Michael Wayn...
Posted: Sep 25, 2024
That’s true, even if the fire is far away [A] court in Oregon ordered an insurer to provide income coverage to an acting company that had to cancel performances because wildfire smoke had infested its theatre and was deemed hazardous to audience me...
Posted: Sep 19, 2024
Program administrators can engage students to build organizational strength By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU In a Target Markets Professional Administrators Association presentation titled “Elevate Your Workforce: Accessing Student Talent,” Tandeka Nomvete,...
Posted: Sep 06, 2024
The power of restrictive covenants By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU In today’s competitive business landscape, safeguarding company interests is paramount. Program administrators had the opportunity to learn about the critical role of restrictive covenants i...
Posted: Sep 06, 2024
Education offering brings updated content and continuing education credits By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU The Target Markets Program Administrators Association recently unveiled a new professional designation and hosted a webinar to introduce the new offe...
Posted: Sep 05, 2024
Insights from the Target Markets Program Administrators Association By Gene Abbey and Sarah Ayars The expansion of the program marketplace and the growth of the Target Market Program Administrators Association (TMPAA) reflect a dynamic and evolving i...
Posted: Sep 05, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Sad fate for driver and passenger A motor vehicle accident occurred on November 4, 2015, that involved Fendol Carruthers Jr. and Donna Powers. Carruthers was ch...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS No stacking allowed On December 5, 2018, shortly before 9 p.m., Mark Kuhn was driving a school bus carrying the Normal West High School junior varsity girls’ ba...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS No attorney fees for tornado victim On May 25, 2019, after a tornado damaged the home of Mario Rodriguez, his homeowners insurer, Safeco Insurance Company of In...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
Learn everything you need to know, not the bare minimum “[S]oft skills” are often the hardest to learn, and the most important to possess, when working in an independent insurance agency. By Cheryl Koch, CPCU, ARM, AAI, ACSR, AFIS, and Mary Belka, CP...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
Lead with clarity and others will want to accompany you on the journey [I]f you adjust your strategies and behaviors, you can achieve the clarity you need to change course and achieve excellence. By Brent Kelly When you ask agency leaders about their...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
A Strategy TO DRIVE YOUR AGENCY FORWARD “Giving back” is a win-win for everyone While it is obvious that charitable giving and philanthropic involvement foster positive feelings, … [they also] cultivate an enhanced corporate reputation overall, espec...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
Harness the diverse strengths that each generation brings to the table [A] reverse mentorship program is not just about guidance; it’s about creating a dynamic exchange of knowledge that benefits everyone involved. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRA During a...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
How shifting dynamics can create space for a new and thriving relationship [T]he relationships you have with those “who knew you when” can be some of the most validating when we’re questioning our worthiness for our current role … . By Meg McKeen, CI...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
Don’t shortchange yourself and your fellow shareholders by buying into a myth The serial acquirers of insurance brokers have often worked on hundreds of merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions while an owner is likely to have never completed or...
Posted: Sep 03, 2024
Tower Street Insurance & Risk Management team members on the front steps of their office building, Providence Towers, a landmark facility in North Dallas. Scout, the floppy-eared team member down front, accompanies Chris to work from time to time...
Posted: Aug 30, 2024