SPREADSHEET BUSINESS EQUATION by Virginia Bates If there are two phrases that turn agency principals off, they are probably 'work process engineering' and 'business planning.' The for...

MACHINE SHOPS - 'WHY EXPLAIN YOUR BUSINESS?' Dear (Customer Name): (Your Agency Name) knows that in your business, a jig isn't a dance, die isn't the singular for dice, and bar stock doesn't re...

CENTRALIZING CUSTOMER SERVICE by Carol Hammes Time is a precious commodity for almost everyone. Ease and speed often take priority over minor price variations in purchasing anything from groce...

In recent reports, I have addressed the changing nature of the relationship between the American agency companies and the independent agents that have historically been the backbone of their sales force. A new type of distribution system is evolving out of the need to provide a more rational and cost-effective method of delivering the insurance product to the consumer. No longer are agency-company relationships based upon blind loyalty to a shared history but more upon the concurrence of strategic business and marketing plans.

LIFE GUIDE FOR P/C AGENCIES INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW This Guide has been created to help you, the P/C agent, establish a systematic, profitable marketing program fo...

E-commerce is influencing the insurance industry in subtle ways. Instead of being a dramatic paradigm shift, it seems to...

REDUCE THOSE INTERRUPTIONS by Grace Bauer Find that time you so desperately want each day to work on an important project or to keep up with backlog. Its right in front of you...

THE CONSULTANT CONTRACT by Paige Proctor So you decided to hire a consultant. You received the proposal and liked what it said. You then checked the references and decided to move the propos...

Follow these guidelines to develop a comprehensive, effective e-marketing program.
With spam at epidemic levels and phishing and virus attacks threatening the industry, e-marketers face the challenge of getting their messages through to the right audience, while following e-mail marketing best practices.
Although many of the principles that govern print and broadcast media apply to e-mail, e-marketing has its unique set of opportunities and pitfalls. Here is a list of do’s and don’ts to consider:

BREAKING THE SUCCESS BARRIER by Kenneth Davis An invisible barrier is holding you back. It's the reason why many of us aren't achieving the goals we set for ourselves. It has been constructed bric...