BIG CHANGES, BIG DOLLARS by Brian Burke This is about our industry, IPOs, financial danger, and some possible implications for our agency clients. Let's erase the board for a mo...

DO BANKS OVERPAY FOR P/C AGENCIES? by James M. Campbell Since 1998, the banking industry has been the most active acquirer of Property/Casualty insurance agencies....

DON'T GET BURNED IN THE OVERHEATED ACQUISITION MARKET! by Chris Burand Wall Street has definitely cooled, but agency mergers and acquisitions have not. ...

EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES by Carol Hammes One of the key elements in creating a team of employees dedicated to achieving agency objectives is to provide meaningful incentives...

ESOPS WHERE IS YOUR COMPANY GOING? Dear (Customer Name): Do you have a perpetuation plan in place specifying what will happen to the company when you retire, or should something happen to...

EVALUATE PROSPECTIVE BUYERS FOR YOUR AGENCY by Patricia Berry Before selling your agency, get answers to these questions. Many agency acquisitions are based on retention because b...

GOOD NEWS ON TAXES! by Robert Nein Make no mistake. Taxes are one of the most vexing problems facing today's business owner. Of the many forms of taxation, estate taxes are considered the most...

There’s no time better than the beginning of the year to set some fiscal goals and create a plan for improving your financial situation. You are probably ready for a brand new beginning and the thought of sticking to a budget after the holiday spending spree might sound a little more appealing than it would at any other time of year. Here is a step-by-step guide to create some annual goals as well as a financial plan that will help usher in a whole new financial foundation for you and your family.

INVEST ESOP DIVIDENDS INTO A 401(k) An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) allows workers to invest a percentage of income into their company. Most stocks produce quarterly dividends in t...

IS AN ESOP FOR YOU? by Angela Bemiss Don't Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and It's All Small Stuff is an enjoyable little book that has spent a long time on the New York Times...