Running Your Business
Insights on how to run an insurance agency, along with coverage of agency management and agency technology news.
Insurers Brace For Commercial Mortgage Turmoil
By Jim ConnollyThe top 25 U.S. life insurers held about $116 billion in commercial mortgage-backed securities in 2007, and those securities accounted for 3.9% of the insurers' $3 trillion in 2007 total net admitted assets
January 01, 2009
Six techniques of top producers (part 3)Market yourself every day. Very few top producers wait around for a prospect to call them. Nearly every big producer possesses an ego that suggests effortless success, but when you force them to be honest, they always admit they're scared
January 01, 2009
Overcoming the fears and getting to businessWhat's your reaction when I suggest cooking a hamburger in your exhaust pipe? If you're like most, you have an immediate negative reaction. It's a natural response to something that hasn't been tried before. The human brain
January 01, 2009
The three "W"s of every new yearAs we mark the beginning of another new year, we should use this time as one of reflection and change. As we review the past year and embrace a new one, there is no better time for advisors to encourage clients to re-examine their financial plans.
January 01, 2009
How much do your children or grandchildren know about your retirement plan?Well, that's a good question that I hadn't given enough thought to. I'm pretty fit for my age, but you never know, do you? Since you have me thinking about, I plan to call my daughter and have a talk with her about the finances.
January 01, 2009
We are 21st Century problem solversMany columnists discuss the challenges Americans are facing and will face in the future, and sometimes they make these problems seem overwhelming. How can you use that emotion to help your prospects and clients? I use that feeling as a tool to
January 01, 2009
A bold new yearWe know the news about the economy and most of it isn't good. Everywhere you look, companies are tightening their belts, asking for bailout money and downsizing. But there's always that silver lining. As we step into the new year,
January 01, 2009
Take time for continuity planningThe solo practitioner needs to consider and reevaluate their firms' business continuity plan. FINRA rules control how these plans should be created and ultimately distributed to your customers. The purpose of the FINRA requirement, found in