Operations News

Don’t Repeat the Seven Deadly Sins of Customer Service

Poor customer service is making headlines these days, and to some extent, it’s no wonder. Many companies facing economic pressures have been forced to layoff staff or reduce hours. And remaining employees are forced to pickup the slack, doing more …

Education Strategy Propels Workers’ Comp Agency’s Growth in Down Economy

While the economy is in freefall, a Sioux Falls, S.D., workers’ compensation agency, Insurance Specialty Group, is racking up double-digit growth. According to owner Renae Eidenshink, the reason for this remarkable record is simply that the agency focuses on education …

Pandemics in the Workplace

How a Flu Pandemic Impacts Workers’ Comp Influenza is nothing new. Seasonal flu epidemics — disease outbreaks with more cases than normal— occur annually killing between 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide. While most deaths associated with influenza in industrialized nations …

Office Oddballs Make Everyone Better

Insurance agency managers could learn a lot from a beet-farming, volunteer sheriff and paper salesman like Dwight Schrute. Schrute, the character played by Rainn Wilson on NBC’s “The Office,” is an oddball whose eccentricities and awkward interactions leave his coworkers …

People

QBE Regional Insurance recently added Charles Valinotti and Mike Bondura to its leadership team headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wis. Valinotti, senior vice president of Personal Lines, oversees personal property and casualty insurance offerings for QBE Regional’s four subsidiaries. His diverse …

Office Oddballs Make Everyone Better

Insurance agency managers could learn a lot from a beet-farming, volunteer sheriff and paper salesman like Dwight Schrute. Schrute, the character played by Rainn Wilson on NBC’s “The Office,” is an oddball whose eccentricities and awkward interactions leave his coworkers …

How To Avoid Costly Hiring, Firing Mistakes in a Down Economy

With layoffs, downsizing and stressed-out employees, it is more important than ever for employers to fully grasp the legal aspects of hiring, managing and terminating workers. Hiring new employees is an important step for any company, but the work does …

Every Agency Can Measure and Maximize Its Performance

Clear Roles, Documentation, Communication Among Lessons Shared By Consultants for High-Performing Agencies Use your agency management system to the max. Measure your productivity. Communicate consistently and effectively with your staff, customers and carriers. And above all, don’t get cheap when …

Massachusetts Settles Bid-Rigging Suit against Great American Insurance

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley says her office has settled a bid-rigging lawsuit lodged against Ohio-based Great American Insurance Co. The suit resolves allegations the insurer submitted a fake and intentionally uncompetitive insurance quote to Analog Devices Inc. of Norwood, …

Top 100 Agencies: Deadline to Submit, June 1

Insurance Journal is on the search for the nation’s leading privately-held property casualty independent agencies and brokerages for its annual Top 100 Property/Casualty Independent Insurance Agencies report. Now, agencies have three ways to qualify: Top Overall Independent Agencies, Top Commercial …