It's popular to hate the press these days. Between visions of Princess Diana's mangled black sedan and MSNBC's apparent broadcasting credo of 'all Monica, all the time,' it's easy to see why. Many who don't go so far as to hate the press still distrust it, thinking that a broadcaster's emotional ties begin and end with the Nielsen ratings. Again, given today's programming, this isn't difficult to understand.

Every year sometime after Thanksgiving, my clothes shrink. My newest suit coat no longer buttons, and the pleats of the pants pull tight. This is confusing, because in my mind’s eye, I’m still the lean, mean, fighting machine who completed Army basic training in 1971. The truth is that my clothes are the same size, but the body the fabric must cover has grown and reshaped.

Nancy Newbee is the newest trainee for LOCO (Large Old Co.), Inc. She was hired because she's bright, articulate, well-educated, and motivated. She's in her second week of training.

Does the sterile anonymity of Internet-commerce and 1-800-BUY-THIS leave you a little cold? In this document, Emily Huling reminds us not to lose our human touch when conducting business in person. Her observations provide useful insights for anyone in your firm who interacts with clients.

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.

What does it take to be an effective leader? How have the principles of leadership evolved? Mike Manes, with a little help from his friends, provides multiple perspectives on the roles that leaders must play in order to win.

An effective marketing program will benefit you, your carriers, and your clients.

Unless you meet your customer’s needs, there’s no room for an insurer — let alone your agency. If the company doesn’t make money, the entire system falters.

I frequently find articles on fraud in industry journals. Also, agent associations often put this topic on their state convention agendas. While we’ve all heard and read about many traditional scenarios of fraud, there are some new areas that can potentially affect insurance agents.

With e-mail we're limited to words. Another challenge is that we can never be certain that the person with whom we think we're corresponding is actually the person they say they are. Mike Manes shares a lesson he learned about poor customer service.

Successfully obtaining telephone appointments or expiration dates requires a new response to the worn out responses of yesterday.
Most people resent telephone interruptions and are prepared to do serious battle.