The cost of professional services continues to escalate, with partners in top CPA firms billing hourly rates of $400 or more, and partners in top law firms billing at rates even higher. Could a CPA or a lawyer really be worth that kind of money? How about an insurance agent? Kevin Stipe helps you to determine your effective hourly rate and its potential influence on your daily activities.

COMPANY UNDERWRITING COMMUNICATION One advantage of computerization is the ability to mass-produce customized information - letters, application forms, or submissions for quotes....

COMPANY UNDERWRITING COMMUNICATION One advantage of computerization is the ability to mass-produce customized information - letters, application forms, or submissions for quotes. How often have you p...

CONSUMERS UNDER AGE 35 PREFER APPS by Steve Anderson Data collected by market research and consulting firm Parks Associates, found that Generations X and Y tend to prefer using mobile ap...

HOWS YOUR IMAGE? by Jack Burke 'Whats your name again?' They cant buy from you if they dont know who you are. Jack Burke offers advice ...

MAILING LIST MANAGEMENT by Monica Woldring The uses of mailing lists are many and varied. Some of the most common uses in the insurance industry include sending letters to clients, newsle...

ONLINE COMMUNICATION: ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE! by Jack Fries The catastrophe of September 11 has shaken our nation. What can you do to assuage some of the feelings of fear and anxiety ...

PRODUCER CONTRACTS AND COMPENSATION CHECKLIST I. Elements in the agent-producer agreement a. Employment status - employee vs. independent contractor vs. owner b. Assig...

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE FOR RETENTION OF BUSINESS RECORDS KEY: 'P' means that the records should be retained permanently. Figures represent the number of years for retaining records. 'AT' means ...

THE NEW SMALL AGENCY by Steve Anderson Theres never been a better time to start a new insurance agency than today. This might seem like a strange comment, given the current state o...