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...ome agencies are already offering mobile applications that customers can acces...e customer strictly to the agency Web site? Stay tuned. Until then, focus on a well-constructed web site with a strong social media extensio...

...nd in-agency docking stations are mobile and able to communicate in and out of...st mean 'in the office' but also from home or on the road, space can be reconf...

... ' is productive and not just fun.) Cubicles work for the identified producer tasks simply because they are tasks, ' as opposed to eight-hour-a-day occupations. If the agency isn't as comfortable as a producer's Lexus, great! Producers with laptops and in-agency docking stations are mobile and able to communicate in and out of the agency. While our industry's agency-management system vendors need to refine their systems' ability to work better in this mode, this is clearly where we need to go-and systems are good enough now to begin going there. ... to separate an agency from its clients: banks selling insurance, competing agencies, direct writers, company service centers, and so on. Why add another separation? Why keep your most important asset at arm's length? Why not welcome prospects and clients into your business home? Once visitors are in your office, what message does your environment send them? When prospects come in your office and are ushered into a comfortable (even plush) conference room or a producer's windowed office, they're being told how important they are to your ... 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 (Non-Web) Site Planning: Office Layout 4/30/2013 12:00:00 AM by CompleteMarkets Editor , Virginia Bates This content has not been rated yet. Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.- Will Rogers ...

... or churches or conference rooms in a local hospital. You also might arrange for space in a local hotel, which would provide the advantage of rooms for any employees who need housing, as well as possible Internet connections. Your plan might include the use of a mobile trailer as temporary office space. If you've arranged for this, bring a copy of your disaster plan to your local police department or other emergency-services department. Find out the zoning regulations for the area, and if you'd be allowed to bring the trailer to your ... that's possible, not just what's most likely. The 9/11 attacks put man-made disasters alongside natural events at the top of our list. Such incidents don't have to be as intentional or as dramatic as terrorist actions to have disastrous effects. Both my office and home are located near a rail line, but I must admit that I don't know exactly what the trains are carrying when they pass by. A derailment wouldn't damage my agency directly, but if hazardous materials were spilled, I might not have access to my office ... to react appropriately even to unanticipated events. When your planning team has finished its work, make sure everyone is aware of the plan and is ready to play their role. You might want to publish the plan, either in printed form or on an agency intranet site. You'll probably hold a meeting or training session and test the plan. You should also introduce the plan to new employees during their orientation and training. YOU CALL THAT A DISASTER? After assembling your team, the next step is to consider what type of ...

...r plan might include the use of a mobile trailer as temporary office space. If...laims information over the phone from home. You might also want to keep some 'primitive' items in offsite storage. They might include stamps,...