T H U R S D A Y ,   F E B R U A R Y   1 5 ,   2 0 0 7

Industry News

InVEST

Donations Deadline Today

Don’t delay---the deadline for InVEST Silent Auction donations is today. Participate in the InVEST Silent Auction and support the program’s annual scholarships awarded to graduates of InVEST pursuing higher education with an emphasis on insurance. The InVEST board of directors will hold the 2007 InVEST Silent Auction during the Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention. The InVEST Silent Auction will open April 26 at 6 p.m. and will close at 1 p.m., April 27. Keep an eye on bids – the InVEST Silent Auction is a popular event during Big “I” Legislative Conference and Convention.

Play an important roll in the future of InVEST’s brightest students by making a donation to the 2007 silent auction. Click here to access information regarding the auction including updates on the great auction items. Visit www.independentagent.com and click here to download a contribution form. For more information, contact Sandra Skipper at 703-706-5437; sandra.skipper@iiaba.net.

A 501(c)3 educational trust, InVEST introduces high school and community college students to insurance and the more than 350 diverse careers available within the industry, giving students a new outlook on the future. The program also offers insurance agencies, brokers and carriers a diverse and talented group of entry-level recruits.

LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE & CONVENTION

The Most Important 56 Hours for Independent Agents

The Democratic takeover presents new opportunities and challenges for independent agents. While the Big “I” government affairs team constantly works to support agent legislative interests, nothing makes a bigger impact than agents’ presence on Capitol Hill. In the wake of an attack on incentive compensation and with some legislators looking to regulate insurance with an Optional Federal Charter, the year ahead is crucial for the industry and the Big “I” team will work to advance the interests of agents. But insurance is your business—and as a constituent, you can make a difference with elected representatives. Join other agents to educate members of Congress on the issues such as producer compensation, terrorism insurance, natural disaster legislation and optional federal charters at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, April 25-27 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. To register today, go to www.independentagent.com, and click on the Capitol.

TRUSTED CHOICE^®

New Radio Ads Available

Trusted Choice^® now has two additional tag-able radio ads for agencies to download and run in their local areas. These ads were developed by Trusted Choice^® and ran in several New England states prior to the holidays as anti-drunk driving public service announcements, touting the message “the key to a safe holiday is no keys.” The theme of the ads lends itself to certain times of the year---Christmas, New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, etc.---and portrays a great message to any community. These tag-able spots are available in both a male and female voices and can be previewed in the Agents/Brokers section of the Trusted Choice^® Web site. Those who wish to download the ads will need their agency username and password to access the secured “Agents/Brokers” section. Those who don’t have this login information can e-mail to Trusted.Choice@iiaba.net requesting the login. For more information, contact Jenner Gohr at 800-221-7917; jenner.gohr@iiaba.net.

BEST PRACTICE
Compensation Information Now Available

Increase your agency’s profitability by attracting and retaining the best producers. Want compensation and benefit plans to attract and retain the best producers in an area market? Curious about how other firms use pay as a tool to achieve growth and profitability goals? Look no further than the Business Management Group’s Owner Executive and Producer Compensation study. This study is Best Practices-endorsed and provides information critical to ensuring quality decisions can be made regarding agency compensation. Here is a small sampling of the sections in the study:

*Comparisons by Line of Business – Breaks out producer compensation by line and enables readers to check their firm against firms of similar size---on a national level
as well as regional.

*Producer Comparisons – Find out what other agencies look for in new and seasoned producers, including new production, validation and average book size.

*Compensation Methods and Rewards – Commission rates, incentives, T&E/auto and
other perks.

*Owner and Executive Comparisons – Critical factors which determine base salaries
and bonuses.

*Sales Management and CSR Incentives – Rewards for a new business generation.

Click here for more information and to download an order form for the 2006-2007 Business Management Group’s Owner Executive and Producer Compensation study. 

YOUNG AGENTS
Conference & Convention Events Geared Toward Young Agents

The National Young Agents Committee is offering events geared specifically for up-and-coming leaders at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. Special sessions include a first-timers reception, the Young Agent attendee and InsurPac chairs luncheon, a hospitality event and the always-popular president’s panel breakfast with Big “I” leadership. Young agents will gain valuable legislative and leadership skills at this ground-breaking insurance industry event. The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be held April 25-27 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove at 703-776-5455; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.

ACSR
Benefits of ACSR Designation

The quality of customer service is a direct reflection of the quality of an agency. The Big "I" offers a professional training program that provides CSRs the technical expertise to maintain a competitive edge.

The Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) Program is a national designation that promotes and recognizes the professionalism of customer service personnel in the insurance industry. There are many reasons to choose their ACSR program, including:

* Availability in-classroom, through self-study and online via the Big “I” Virtual University.

*Up-to-date curriculum developed by the Big “I” and the American Institute for CPCU/Insurance Institute of America (AICPCU/IIA).

*Approved in most states as continuing education credit.

*Membership into an exclusive group of insurance professionals with proven expertise.

*ACSR designation holders are entitled to waivers into AICPCU/IIA’s Accredited Advisor in Insurance® (AAI) program.

*National recognition through ACSR tribute day, celebrated annually the fourth Wednesday in February.

*Scholarship opportunities through partnership with the National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW) International.

It can be difficult to arrange time away from the office for classroom instruction, but there is no need to sacrifice quality for convenience. The ACSR program is offered online through the Big “I” Virtual University. Earning the designation online gives the advantage of greater flexibility in scheduling, reduced travel expenses and a self-paced and directed study. For more information on the ACSR program, contact your local Big “I” state association, click here   or e-mail ACSR@iiaba.net.