BONUS/COMPENSATION PLANS: PART ONE by Jack Fries An incentive or bonus program requires many variables to be successful. Such programs too often reward work that wouldve been done...

BOOST AGENCY VALUE BY WINNING THE WAR FOR TALENT by Bobby Reagan The future of your agency depends on attracting and retaining qualified and capable producers. There are plenty of &...

BOOSTING EMPLOYEE MORALE ELECTRONICALLY by Jack Burke Everyone seems to be concentrating on the needs of their clients lately but how about your employees? Are you usin...

BRANDING: A SINGULAR IDENTITY FOR A MULTITASKING ENTITY by Jack Burke Mention 'branding,' and people generally think in terms of company names. Or they think of burned flesh on cat...

CALCULATING AGENCY VALUE by Roy Phillips When buying or selling an agency, be sure the price is right: base the value on projected pre-tax profit and an expert's opinion. ...

This checklist outlines the major factors an insurance agency and a producer should consider in negotiating an employment agreement. It should not be construed as a specimen contract or agreement but merely a guide for reaching a meeting of the minds over subjects important to both parties. If you are engaged in this kind of negotiation now, use this form to check off these considerations in the blocks provided, as they are agreed upon. Be sure to consult an attorney for assistance in drafting the legal language necessary to implement a formal contract.

CHECKLIST OF CONSIDERATIONS IN NEGOTIATING A PRODUCER/AGENCY AGREEMENT This checklist outlines the major factors an insurance agency and a producer should consider in negotiating a...

There may come a time when your agency's communications needs exceed the capabilities of in-house personnel. You want to concentrate on producing new business, developing products, and servicing clients. Who has the time and expertise to create newspaper or radio advertising-or perform the myriad public relations functions necessary to keep your agency in the public eye?

Dear (Customer Name): One minute it's day care . . . the next minute, a counseling appointment . . . followed by a session in strategic public relations. You...

The cluster concept has been a popular one for doctors, dentists, realtors, and others for many years. Insurance agency clusters have been around for a few decades, but interest in them intensified during the hard market of the early 1980s. At that time, smaller agencies banded together to protect themselves against increasing carrier demands brought on by tighter market conditions.