December Cover Story 
| We're Not in Kansas Anymore | Factors from higher taxes to low stock market returns are creating the perfect storm for retirement planning. Help your clients prepare now. |
Higher taxes. An aging population. Less wealth due to the stagnation of the stock market over the past decade. And flat—or lower—real estate prices. All of these elements have come together to create the perfect storm for retirement planning. Also in this issue:
Ace Insura
The Case of the Never-Ending Job Insurance Views
Building Agency Value in the Digital Age Chairman’s Voice
Filling the Void On the Hill
Big Election Gains for Republicans Shift Outlook on Agency Issues On Branding
Don't Make It About the Dollar | Online Features Agency Management: How Bad is Bad?
Managers often instinctively know when an employee is underperforming. But often, managers don’t know exactly just how bad the situation is or how to measure performance with the goal of rehabilitating or replacing the employee. Measuring employee performance is often a hazy cloud for most agents and managers. But you can measure—and correctly compensate— owner, manager, producer and CSR performance. Sales: Compete with the Big Boys Over the past decade, bigger, national-sized competition has come to a pharmacist’s small town. These big chains have entered the market with national advertising budgets, recognizable names and low prices that the local pharmacist simply can’t match. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t compete. Customer Service: Look to Childhood for Customer Service Lessons
Did your parents make you write thank you notes as a child? That simple request was really more than simply writing a note—philosophy about doing what was right. Here are six things your parents can teach you about customer service.
Technology: Turn Heads with Video E-mail Getting your marketing message through to existing clients and prospects takes creativity. Everyone experiences e-mail overload and anything that makes your agency’s message stand out in an Outlook inbox is a good thing. So why not try video e-mail (v-mail)? Coverages: Facilities Waivers of Subrogation Your insureds are often contractually required to waive subrogation prior to loss. How can this be done in property insurance, under CGL coverage and under other policies like business auto and workers’ compensation? |
