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... and extended hours of uninterrupted terminal time. Flicker can also be a significant cause of eye fatigue among computer users. Most cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors repaint the screen 60 times per second (or 60 Hz) which is generally considered the minimum acceptable refresh rate. Many users argue that even this level produces a noticeable flicker that contributes to eyestrain. For this reason, most new video boards and monitors support at least 70-Hz refresh rates. If monitor flicker bothers you, check the specs on your monitor and graphics board. They may already be able to do 70 Hz or better, and a simple setup change can produce a more stable image. Otherwise, consider upgrading to a graphics board and monitor that support higher refresh rates. Fortunately, current research indicates that most VDT-related vision ... are short-term and can be alleviated or reduced by a change in work habits and office setup. Optometrists and others also recommend routine eye examinations for anyone who uses a computer regularly. When possible, see an eye specialist who is familiar with VDT-related problems, and make sure you provide your doctor with a detailed description of your job and your work environment. Often, something as simple as changing the position of your monitor or reducing office lighting can go a long way toward alleviating VDT-related vision problems. In extreme cases (as with many types of long-term close-up work) extended VDT use can bring on myopia or nearsightedness, which can be helped only with prescription lenses. Bifocal wearers often suffer neck strain or backaches at terminals because their glasses are usually designed for a distance and angle of vision incompatible ...

... interest in the agency, they must agree not to compete with it for at least a three-year period of time. This is critically important in situations where producers/owners leave the agency prior to normal retirement. Another document should also be drawn up that outlines the wishes of the current owners regarding the offering of ownership to other individuals. This document is often in the form of Minutes from a Board Meeting and states the intent either to build up the agency for an outside sale or to sell internally. It outlines requirements for becoming an owner, a procedure for offering stock options to key personnel, pricing considerations such as discounts that will be offered in lieu of production quotas or freezing of value at the date of offering, and voting rights of the stock prior to full payment. One ... about the outcome. For every one of these tales that are published, there are hundreds of fire sale' stories that remain untold. Some are about agents who fell into financial difficulties (usually because they paid too much for the agencies that they bought in the past) and who were forced to sell their expirations simply for what they owe the insurance companies or banks. Many are about financially stable operations that successfully grew themselves into a hole where there were one, two or three principals in their late fifties and no younger people willing or able to take on the responsibility of buying them out. Their only recourse is to sell to one of their competitors on a retention basis. It is not uncommon to see these based upon such formulas such as 30% of retained commissions for four ...

... Immerse yourself in our stacks. Take some time and browse through our library. We have thousands of articles, checklists, tip sheets, sales letters, and more! Communications Marketing Customer Service Planning Finance/Accounting Risk Management Human Resources Selling Legal and E&O Technology Life/Financial Services Glossaries Management Resources & Links Categories Popular Recent All Back Agency Perpetuation: Agents Must Go Back To The Drawing Board 4/30/2013 12:00:00 AM by CompleteMarkets Editor , Brian Burke This content has not been rated yet. I would venture to say that 80% of the agencies represented by the readers of this column could really benefit from thorough perpetuation planning- either through a new plan from scratch or a major tune-up. And of the remaining 20%, most would benefit somewhat ... . Just when the private passenger auto market seems to have stabilized in most regions (apologies to our friends in southern California), now homeowners looks like a troubled line. And not only in windprone areas. Can we really continue to give that much coverage for a few hundred bucks? A little price firming in this line would not be unwelcome news to most agencies if it were smooth and stable. How likely is that? Even if it were to be smooth on an industry-wide basis, the way many agencies have been paring down their Personal Lines carrier base, it could be highly unstable for individual firms. Our system is becoming less and less diversified. So for all these reasons, I believe that the vast majority of independent agencies could benefit by a major review of perpetuation plans ...