Articles by David Coons

Coons is senior vice president of The Jacobson Group, a provider of talent to the insurance industry. Phone: 800-466-1578. Email: dcoons@jacobsononline.com.

Is Education the Key to Unlocking the Next Generation of Talent?

The insurance talent crisis is here. Thanks to an aging workforce, an impending wave of retirements and an increasingly shallow talent pool, the industry is now coming face-to-face with a growing labor gap. The past 10 years have seen the …

Is It Time to Dust Off Your Agency CAT Program?

Does your organization have an emergency response plan in case a massive hurricane devastates a coastal area and affects thousands of insureds? Is your staff prepared to handle the influx of calls after a tornado cuts across your coverage area, …

Score a Grand Slam: Recruitment Strategies for the Big Leagues

The insurance industry talent crisis is here. Insurers are now face-to-face with a shallow talent lineup thanks to an aging workforce, an impending wave of retirements and an increasingly shallow talent pool. Throughout the past 10 years, the number of …

The Whole Package: Negotiating Beyond Salary

For many recent graduates and young professionals, salary is a key component of the job search. However, in their focus on a starting wage, Millennials often overlook the additional perks and benefits that make up a complete compensation package. While …

Analytics: The Industry Game Changer

Analytics and big data are taking the business world by storm. These red-hot technology trends are changing how people think about information and processes and creating monumental shifts in business practices nationwide. Already, recent analytical advancements have changed the way …

Managers as Employee Engagement Ambassadors

Faced with an aging workforce, a shortage of incoming talent and an unemployment rate hovering around 2 percent, the insurance industry is encountering an increasingly challenging recruiting climate. In light of this tightening labor market, employee engagement is proving an …

Revamp Your Current Millennial Retention Practices

The Millennial generation is making big waves in the business world. Already 77 million strong and accounting for 25 percent of the U.S. workforce, Millennials are redefining the workplace of the future. Unfortunately, Millennials also have a much higher introductory …

Building a Culture of Innovation

Looking for the next great business concept? Searching for a breakthrough idea in workplace processes? Your organization is not alone. According to a study conducted by The Conference Board, promoting innovation is the top challenge companies are facing. With today’s …

Strategies for Young Professionals in Salary Negotiations

Salary negotiation is a key factor in getting one’s career off to the right start. In fact, the first salary discussion often sets the tone and track for future success. Research has shown that professionals who do not discuss their …

Competing for Talent in Today’s Market

The “war for talent” within the insurance industry is heating up. Insurance organizations are facing a mass exodus of tenured, skilled professionals and are struggling to keep up. The past 10 years have seen the graying of the industry accelerate …