THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010 

                                                Big “I” National News

Best Practices
Build Your Disaster Recovery Plan Now
Best Practices Crisis Management CD provides step by step guidance.

What would your agency or clients do in the event of a berserk employee, boycott, I/T failure, negative media exposure or storm? Do you have a plan in place? The flooding in Nashville, Tenn. and the attempted car bomb in New York are reminders that unfortunate events can and do happen.

Why prepare a disaster recovery plan now?

1) Under pressure, emotional decisions can be costly. Decisions based on a prepared plan have been shown to be more effective, timely and cost less..
2) A plan can reduce recovery time and the impact on customers.
3) A plan will instill confidence in employees and customers that the organization is there for the long-term.
4) Insurance settlements require “due diligence and dispatch” in recovering from interruption. A plan helps prove that the organization has acted accordingly.
5) Inappropriate costs are avoided.

The Best Practices of Crisis Management CD can help prepare for these occurrences and minimize the impact to normal business. The cd includes a manual that will outline initial steps to determine if the plan needs to be executed, provide an external communication guide, assign and describe duties to each member of the resumption team and more. This information is valuable to an agency and its clients. Click here to download the order form.

For more information, contact Best Practices (BestPractices@iiaba.net).


Education
Nominate Your Top Notch ACSR
Begin application process now to recognize your agency’s CSRs.

Does someone in your agency deserve to be the ACSR of the Year? Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 National ACSR of the Year. This award is an honor for insurance CSRs who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to the industry by earning their personal, commercial or life/health ACSR designation and providing outstanding service to their clients and agency.

The National ACSR of the Year program was created to acknowledge the value that CSRs bring to the independent agency system and the clients they serve. Consistently delivering superior customer service is one of the most important things that an agency can do to enhance its value, and those that obtain their ACSR designation demonstrate the ultimate commitment to that critical goal.

Candidates must hold a minimum of one ACSR designation line (P/L, C/L L/H); complete a simple application form; write an essay answering one of three provided questions in 1,000 words or less and submit letters of recommendations. The National ACSR of the Year competition offers an opportunity to showcase an agency and its staff and also provides a monetary award, engraved plaque, complimentary registration to attend the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, registration for one CPCU or IIA course offered by AICPCU/IIA and one online course through the Virtual University to the winning ACSR. Agency principals are encouraged to nominate their ACSRs, and ACSRs may nominate themselves. As an added bonus, the recipient will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011, ACSR Tribute Day, when ACSRs all over the country are lauded for their industry service. The deadline to receive all materials is Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010. Click here for an award entry packet. Click here for more details on ACSR Tribute Day.

For more information, contact the ACSR program (ACSR@iiaba.net)


Trusted Choice^®
Be Recognized for Living the Brand
Nominate agencies for Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month award.

Each month, Trusted Choice^® calls for nominations for the Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month. This award is presented to the agency which best lives the brand in their hometown. Agencies are recognized in Insurance News & Views and press releases are distributed to industry trade press and the agency’s local media outlets. The recipient also receives a plaque for their office, and their choice of a Big “I” Best Practices book or Big “I” Virtual University class registration for one person.

To be selected, an agency can nominate themselves, or be nominated by another Trusted Choice^® agency, a Trusted Choice^® state chairperson, a state or national association member or a Trusted Choice^® company partner. The Trusted Choice® agent section of the Web site includes a list of the winners and links to their supporting documentation. If you think you have what it takes to be recognized, download the application today! The next deadline is May 15.


Big “I” Virtual University
Check Out the Checklists
Make your agency more efficient and profitable through checklists.

Who doesn’t love a good checklist? A checklist makes planning, monitoring and guiding operations, and assessing business objectives easier and more efficient. Checklists can greatly enhance your ability to provide consistent customer service, to meet financial objectives and operate your business more efficiently. The Big “I” Virtual University offers a plethora of checklists on topics such as personal and commercial lines coverages, flood insurance and risk management and record retention. The Big "I" Virtual University is the leading technical insurance and agency management information source in the industrydeveloped for agents, by agents. Visit www.independentagent.com/vu, login with your Big “I” member login and password, and check out the QuickLinks in the left margin, organized by topics and the “Checklist, Charts and White Papers” options.


ACT
Free ACT Webinars Help Agents Stay on the Cutting Edge
Learn more about secure email and social media E&O implications.

ACT’s webinars on timely technology topics have been picking up steam and attention. “Protecting Independent Agent Clients with Secure E-mail Using TLS” is back by popular demand on May 13 from 2:00-3 p.m. EST. As agent interest in using secure e-mail grows, new privacy laws go into effect and TLS provides the best workflow for agents and carriers. Presenters Jim Rogers of The Hartford and Tim Woodcock, of Courtesy Computers will help participants learn how to protect sensitive information in cyberspace. Social media is no longer a trend, it’s a must-do and agents need to understand the E&O implications of using social media as an agency communication tool. On May 20 from 2-3 p.m. EST, Sabrena Sally, Swiss Re, Colleen Murphy, Goldberg Segalla, and David Hulcher, Big “I” will discuss the E&O risks involved and strategies to manage those risks. Register for TLS Webinar here. Register for Agency E&O and Social Media here. Learn more about ACT Webinars at www.independentagent.com/ACT.