T H U R S D A Y ,   M A Y   2 2 ,   2 0 0 8

Industry News

TRUSTED CHOICE^®
Ronan Agency Named May “Agency of the Month”

The Ronan Agency of Brick and New Egypt, N.J. has been named the first Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month for its efforts in “living the brand.” Click here to see the many different ways the Ronan Agency has incorporated Trusted Choice^® into their agency’s day-to-day functions, including in its Web site, indoor and outdoor signage and more. If you would like to nominate your agency, an agency that belongs to your state association or one that writes for your company for the June “Agency of the Month,” click here for the nomination form. For more information, contact Joanne Buckley at 800-221-7917; joanne.buckley@iiaba.net.


TRUSTED CHOICE^®
New Graduates – New Insurance Issues

The arrival of spring signals many things --- warmer weather, blooming flowers, allergy season and new graduates. In the spring of 2008, 1.5 million Americans will earn a college degree, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Unfortunately, even with a hard-earned diploma, many enter the working world without knowledge of one of life’s most critical products --- insurance. Make sure that doesn’t happen to your customers’ recent grads. Trusted Choice^® has a new article that includes the basic insurance information every graduate should know. The article can be found in the Agents/Brokers section of www.TrustedChoice.com, under Public Relations Articles. Feel free to reproduce the article in customer communications such as a newsletter or on your Web site. Also on www.TrustedChoice.com is a more detailed “Graduate’s Guide to Insurance” that customers might appreciate. Once logged into the Agents/Brokers section of www.TrustedChoice.com, you can access many other consumer interest articles, including, “Updating Your Insurance When Updating Your Home.”

You will need your agency username and password to access these areas of the secured “Agents/Brokers” section of www.TrustedChoice.com. If you do not have this login info handy, send an e-mail to Trusted.Choice@iiaba.net requesting your login information. For more information, contact Jenner Gohr at 800- 221-7917; jenner.gohr@iiaba.net.


FUTURE ONE
Coming Soon: 2008 Future One Agency Universe Study

All Big “I” members will soon be invited via e-mail to participate in the 2008 Future One Agency Universe Study. The study, which is conducted every two years, provides a complete demographic profile of the independent agency system and identifies significant trends affecting our industry. It is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive views of agency operations in the U.S. It’s important that each agency takes part in the survey, which will be conducted online to make participation easier. Your opinions are very important and will provide critical information for the independent agency system, for IIABA and for the insurance carriers you represent. Invitations to participate will be e-mailed beginning on June 3. For more information about the survey, contact Madelyn Flannagan, IIABA’s Vice President of Education and Research, at madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net.


VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY
Get Answers at the VU Library

No great university is complete without a great library and the Big “I” Virtual University is no different. Students deserve the opportunity to get the information they need, when they need it and on their own terms. That’s why Big “I” has poured multiple resources into creating the VU Research Library, the most comprehensive source of information the industry has ever seen.

To help you better find what  you are looking for, the Research Library is broken down into three main sections: insurance information, business information and technology information.

Insurance Information
Here you’ll find all of the major ISO policy forms and endorsements, along with those from other vendors (for educational purposes only). There’s also an extensive body of expert-written articles and advice, including coverage analyses and sales tips.

Business Information
Everything you need to know to operate your business in the most successful, effective way possible can be found here. Organized under three main headings—agency management, business skills and professional skills—this section has articles on running your business, making the most out of your sales and marketing efforts and keeping your customer service efforts in tip-top shape.

Technology Information
Technology is complex and it changes fast. It’s also one of the most important tools to master in order to run a successful business. Use this section to keep up with the latest information on agency management systems, general automation issues, the Internet and other tech-related matters.

VU is constantly updating and adding to the Research Library with the goal of making it the best it can possibly be. All VU members are invited and encouraged to take advantage of this industry-leading educational resource.

Visit the Big “I” VU at www.iiaba.net/VU. Remember, this resource is free only to Big “I” members.


YOUNG AGENTS
Now Accepting Nominations for 2008 YAC Awards

The Big “I” National Young Agents Committee (YAC) is seeking submissions for the 2008 YAC Awards in the following categories: Membership Development, State Committee Project, Communications, Young Agents Meeting and Political Involvement. Outstanding Young Agents Committee-of-the-Year and first runner-up honors will also be awarded. Participating in the YAC Awards program demonstrates the commitment state Young Agents committees have to perpetuating the independent agency system and it solidifies their presence as the driving force behind its future. The 2008 YAC Awards will be presented at the Young Agents Leadership Institute Sept. 12-13 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

YAC award winners will also be featured during the Magnificent Seven presentation at the Young Agents Leadership Institute. This unique event is an interactive panel discussion where attendees will learn how to achieve award-winning results from this year’s award winners.

Entries must be postmarked by July 1. Visit www.independentagent.com and click on Young Agents and then Tools to download the 2008 YAC Awards criteria. For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove, manager of the Big “I” National Young Agents Program, at 800- 221-7917; Katie.Cosgrove@iiaba.net.


IIABA NEWS
2008 Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference Registration Open

Reserve your spot now at the Big “I” Fall Leadership Conference. The meeting, scheduled for Sept.10-14 in Las Vegas, will encompass a variety of programs. Caesars Palace will be home to the Education Convocation, Big “I” board and executive committee meetings, the Young Agents Leadership Institute and the InVEST board meeting. To register, visit www.independentagent.com click on “events,” then click on the Fall Leadership Conference.

InVEST
Don’t Delay, Register Today!

The InVEST State Champions Workshop is rapidly approaching, but there’s still time to register. To sign up for this three-day, comprehensive workshop click here. The workshop will take place June 30 to July 2 at the Westfield Companies. Join other insurance industry leaders in learning about InVEST and how the program promotes insurance industry workforce development by attracting and training the next generation of insurance professionals. The workshop will explore all the tools, resources and programs that comprise InVEST at the high school and community college levels.  Learn how to address the overall challenges in attracting young people to this exciting industry.  

In July 2007, InVEST held the conference at the Westfield Companies in Westfield Center, Ohio. Approximately 100 insurance company representatives, agents, educators and state and national trade association staff from 22 states attended the event. Attendees participated in a comprehensive program that explored all the myriad facets of the InVEST program and how it has been customized and successfully implemented throughout the country.

For more information about the InVEST State Champions Event, contact Bill Pierson, InVEST executive director, at 800-221-7917; bill.pierson@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 offers insurance agencies, brokers and carriers a diverse and talented group of entry-level recruits.