How to improve the industry? One day at a time, says the National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW), Tulsa, OK.
To mark NAIW Week (May 17-23), NAIW suggests 12 ways to improve the insurance industry, through the daily contributions of individuals and groups.
'During NAIW Week, we celebrate members' achievements and our pride in this profession. But it's also a time to think about how we do business the other 51 weeks of the year,' said Susanne Wolfe, CIC, CPIW, and NAIW President.
'I believe there are things we each can do every day to improve ourselves, the industry, and our relationship with clients,' she added.
Here are some suggestions for insurance professionals.
1. VOLUNTEER now to speak to a community group about disaster preparation, insurance fraud, insurer solvency, safety, or another area of interest to consumers.
2. CONTACT your local newspaper and volunteer to write an article, informative column, or editorial piece on insurance issues. Send the local print and broadcast media a 'speakers bureau' list of people within your company or local insurance organization who are willing to serve as resources for financial, insurance, and risk management issues/stories. You can also send reporters statistics or 'FYI' articles from trade publications that may help illustrate or explain insurance issues.
3. OFFER to speak to local high school or college students about insurance as a career and/or a business. Help 'demystify' a confusing product that is necessary for all of us. Explain the basics of common insurance contracts and start now to train future generations to be well-informed insurance consumers.
4. PREPARE a low-cost, simple brochure on a consumer-oriented issue or on how the business works, to distribute to policyholders or the general public.
5. GET your company, a group of employees, or organization members to support a community project that helps others and has an impact on insurance. For example: anti-crime programs, health care, alcohol awareness, fraud prevention.
6. DON'T SIDELINE YOUR EDUCATION. Take courses including ones on subjects outside your area of expertise. Enroll in classes on law, management, environment, computers, communication. It is also your responsibility to keep current with such issues as the Americans With Disabilities Act and Workers Compensation alternatives so that you can explain them to clients and help them respond to business challenges.
7. VOLUNTEER to chair a committee, or serve as an officer in your local insurance organization(s). Support state and national industry organizations.
8. KNOW your legislators. Write or call them regularly about insurance issues that concern you. Approach them with courtesy and professionalism-and be informed. Offer constructive comments. Become involved in the grass-roots political process, as part of your responsibility to community and country.
9. INVITE a new employee to join you in a class or to attend a meeting of a professional insurance group with you. Continue to mentor that person.
10. GIVE one policyholder a week a suggestion that could save time, money, or increase protection.
11. IF you suspect fraud, and your suspicions are well-founded, report it to your company, state insurance fraud bureau, local authorities, or call the hotline of the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 1-800-TEL-NICB.
12. TREAT all clients and professional colleagues with respect and courtesy, just as you would like to be treated. Remind yourself each day that you are performing a valuable and necessary service to your clients and community.