T H U R S D A Y ,  J A N U A R Y  1 4 ,  2 0 1 0 
                                                     
                                                     National News

Legislative Conference & Convention
Money Talks, but Communication is Key

Legislative issues are certainly top of mind in the independent agency community. InsurPac, the Big "I" political action committee, achieved a record-setting goal of more than $1 million in 2009 and the Big "I" is working to build and strengthen relationships with legislators who have supported the independent agency system. But personal communication is just as important. The Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention offers an opportunity for members to visit Capitol Hill and educate legislators on the issues important to the success of their businesses and their livelihoods. Join the Big “I” March 3-5 in Washington, D.C. for the annual pilgrimage. The event includes a legislative briefing to educate agents on the issues and talking points, as well as opportunities to hear from a variety of powerful speakers from Capitol Hill and within the industry. Register by Jan. 29 and save 10% on the already low registration fee. Visit this Web site and use the code EARLY2010.

Best Practices
Act Now to Achieve Best Practices Agency Status

The Big “I” and Reagan Consulting are currently accepting nominations for agency participation in the 2010 Best Practices Study. This is a rare opportunity, as nominations are only accepted once every three years. If you think your agency has the qualities and characteristics to participate in this prestigious research and earn the status of a Best Practices Agency, submit a nomination. 
 
Agencies are typically nominated by insurance carriers to participate in this important study.  However, agencies can self-nominate through their state association or can click here to download the self-nomination form. 

In late March, Reagan Consulting will contact all nominees and provide a data collection file for agencies to submit financial and operational information along with responses to various management topics and industry issues. That data, which will be held in the strictest confidence and seen only by Reagan Consulting, will be analyzed to develop an overall agency score which is weighted on agency growth, profitability, productivity and financial stability. 

These scores are calculated objectively through a software program and responses to some of the management issues are then factored into an overall analysis. Once Reagan Consulting has developed all scores, the top 30 agencies in each of the study's seven revenue categories are awarded the designation of Best Practices Agency.
 
That designation opens the door to numerous benefits throughout a three-year cycle. It can serve as an effective marketing tool, aid in recruiting new employees and enhance carrier relationships.
 
For those agencies that participate, but don't make the top 30, Reagan will provide a free individualized Agency Performance Analysis, which is a $350 value. This management report compares agencies’ results with those of their peer group.
 
Those with questions about the nomination process can contact BestPractices@iiaba.net.


ACT
Real Time 21 Day Challenge Kicks Off

The all-industry Real Time/Download Campaign recently rolled out a major new nationwide initiative entitled the 21 Day Challenge for independent insurance agencies that have not yet adopted Real Time rating and inquiry workflow or that want to broaden Real Time usage to all of their employees.

The challenge is built on the broadly accepted premise that it takes 21 days to break old habits and form new ones. In the case of insurance agencies, even if a new workflow saves time and reduces keystrokes, as Real Timedoes, it takes some time for employees to become fully comfortable with new processes and to learn how to use them most efficiently.

The Real Time 21-Day Challenge gives agencies step-by-step guidance to implement Real Time and broaden its usage through the Web site www.getrealtime.org/21dc. Agents will have options in taking the challenge, depending upon where the agency currently stands in its functionality. A “champions challenge” allows selected employees to go through the challenge first and then bring it to the full agency in an “agency challenge,” where all employees take the challenge together. If the agencies need to install Real Time functionality, they can click the button “new to Real Time” button for a preliminary walk-through on getting started.

As agencies begin one of the challenges, they should register on the site so campaign supporters can reach out to them to provide support if needed. Carriers and vendors are ready to answer questions that may arise as individuals and agencies take the challenge.

The initiative was designed to recognize successful completion of the challenge, which occurs when Real Time has become the predominant workflow for the agency for those carriers and transactions where it is offered; and when the new workflow is having a positive impact in the agency.

Agencies will receive a certificate acknowledging successful completion when they finish the full agency challenge.

A webinar is scheduled for Jan. 27 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST to showcase real-time functionality and to demo the new 21 Day Challenge Web functionality. Click here to register in advance for the webinar.

IA Magazine
Don’t Miss a Single Issue - Renew Your Subscription Today

Don’t miss out on one of the biggest perks of being a Big “I” member:  a free subscription to the independent insurance industry’s most-read publication, Independent Agent magazine. To renew your subscription, please click here or mail in the renewal form that’s attached to the front of this month’s edition of IA. If you have questions or need assistance, e-mail Jill Cosgrove at jill.cosgrove@iiaba.net.

Dan Fulwider was the government affairs coordinator and membership liaison for the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa and was a huge supporter of Trusted Choice^®. He was also a warm and caring young man whose dedication to his community and the causes he believed in inspired all who knew him. Fulwider passed away last year after a valiant fight with cancer and, in recognition of his community involvement, Trusted Choice^® has established an annual award of $2,500 for the selected agency to donate to a charity of its choice. Click here for more information and guidelines, including an application. The award will be presented at the 2010 Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, March 3-5, 2010 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Kevin Brandt at kevin.brandt@iiaba.net or Jenner Gohr at jenner.gohr@iiaba.net; 800-221-7917.


Big "I" Markets
Agent Achieves Success with Restaurant Market

Kim Sawyer of the Feltner Group in Spencerport, N.Y. recently took advantage of Big "I" Markets to retain a client she may otherwise have lost. Her client was a bar and grill owner in Brockport, N.Y. whose insurance carrier was not offering a renewal because the nature of the restaurant had evolved from a family-style place to more of a bar and grill-type establishment. That wasn't the only challenge.

"I had difficulty placing the coverage," says Sawyer. "Every carrier I tried had a 30% limitation of the percent of receipts that could be for liquor sales. Then the agency owner referred me to Big 'I' Markets and since ProHost offers 40% of receipts for liquor, we were able to place the risk. And the folks at ProHost were absolutely wonderful.”
 
Big "I" Markets offers a host of products for access by Big "I" member agents, including flood, affluent homeowners, habitational, restaurants and more. And BIM never charges access fees or sets volume minimums. Agents can write one policy or 1,000, depending on their needs. Register for Big "I" Markets today at www.bigimarkets.com.

Big I Advantage^®
Big “I” Members Can Save on Shipping with FedEx

Why pay more for your agency's shipping costs? Thousands of Big “I” members are enjoying significant savings on FedEx shipping costs through the exclusive Big “I” discount program. Click here to access a flyer explaining the benefits and learn how to sign up and get started saving on every shipment you send. More information is available online at 1800members.com/iiaba.