TARDINESS - WHAT TO DO WITH THE INHERENTLY TARDY? by Al Diamond Although you want everyone to be at work on time, yo...

TARGETING THE ETHNIC CONSUMER by Jack Burke In the marketing field, the debate continues as to which is better, a well-aimed shot with a 22-caliber rifle or a broad spray of buckshot fr...

TAX BENEFITS FOR S CORPORATIONS by Al Diamond Many insurance agencies have chartered themselves as sub-chapter S corporations over the years. The 'S Corp' was created so that companies co...

TAX IMPLICATIONS OF BUYING AND SELLING AGENCIES by Jon Persky One of your friendly competitors mentions that he received two times revenues when he sold his agency recently. However, did ...

TECHNOLOGY AND THE AGENCY: A PRIMER by Ken Buehler Recently I met with an agency that had a state-of-the-art computer system. The system did everything, and then some! ACORD certificates, bind...

TECHNOLOGY GIVES MANAGERS ACCURATE AND ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION by Jack Fries How does your profitability compare with that of other agencies in your area? What about your salary structure?...

The virtual office concept, also known as telecommuting or a mobile office, emerged as the American work force shifted from physical labor to knowledge-based work. Workers who create or manipulate information can generally perform anywhere there is a telephone, desk, chair, and computer. Technology enables the knowledge-based worker's office to be portable.

TELECOMMUTING: BRING THE WORK (BUT NOT THE RISKS) TO THE WORKER Welcome to the future of work. Telecommuting, also known as telework, uses telecommunications to allow employees to work off-site one...

If you offer a policy review, your agency must be prepared to handle responses. The first 10 seconds of a phone call may be crucial in forming the caller's impression of your professionalism. Depending on the agency's system for routing incoming calls, we advise that Life calls be handled by Life staff. In emergency situations, enough information should be obtained on the first call to enable the Life producer to reach the caller again, even if communications are difficult; don't lose the caller!

TELEPHONE TECHNIQUES by Mary Beth Bolen A business telephone is like a window: The telephone allows a person to 'see' into your company without ever walking through its doors. Moreover, you ha...