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 Industry News

IIABA News
Big “I” Pumps Up Grassroots Efforts During August Congressional Recess

In a few days, members of Congress will travel back to their congressional districts and states for the August recess. During this annual month-long exodus from Washington, most legislators work from their state or district offices, making it the perfect time to get their attention at home and make a difference in the health care reform debate.

The future of health care reform and the role of independent agencies in the delivery of health insurance will be largely shaped by the feedback lawmakers receive from their constituents this August. The Big “I” is calling on all its members to participate in the grassroots campaign:

• Schedule meetings with your representative in the House of Representatives and your state’s two U.S. senators.

• Attend town hall meetings with your representatives in the House and Senate.

• Engage your clients, local chamber of commerce, rotary and civic organizations in the grassroots campaign.

• Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

Click here for additional information and tips on executing these four grassroots efforts.

For additional information on the health care debate, view the Big “I” health care reform packet by clicking here. Please note that you must be logged in to www.independentagent.com to viewthe information.

For more information or guidance, please contact the Big “I” Capitol Hill Office staff at 202-863-7000. Send questions via e-mail to John Prible at john.prible@iiaba.net, Joe Wall at joe.wall@iiaba.net or Jen McPhillips at jen.mcphillips@iiaba.net.

Young Agents
Learn to Overcome Sales Challenges at the Big “I” Young Agents Leadership Institute

The only way to generate new sales is to increase the number and consistency of contacts made with existing clients and prospects. Young agents looking for a way to brush-up on their sales skills should attend the Big "I" Young Agents Leadership Institute in New Orleans, Sept. 11-12, where Tom Redmond, a sales coach who focuses on revenue generation, will present Overcoming Sales Call Reluctance.

Everyone suffers from some form of call reluctance behavior. When your career depends on successful sales growth, this behavior can inhibit your ability to meet your maximum potential. Join other Big "I" young agents as Redmond sheds light on reluctant behavior and how to addressbad habits. As a team, attendees will discover remedies that can immediately be put to use. The presenter will provide an action plan and proven steps to overcome sales reluctance. The Big "I" Young Agents Leadership Institute will also include the acclaimed Magnificent Seven panel, a motivational speaker, an ACT seminar on increasing sales and productivity and valuable networking time. Don’t miss out on a program that will help you grow as a leader and in your agency. Click here to register.

IA Magazine
Stay Cool with the August Issue

As the summer swelter continues, take a break from the heat with the August issue of Independent Agent. This month’s issue features a variety of articles to keep you and your agency cool, including: Preserving a Life Line, a look at how you can help your insureds protect income with disability coverage; Real Time in the Real World, an update on why agencies, carriers and now the E&S market are taking the Real Time leap; Green Goes Mainstream, the story of an agency that’s embracing the green movement; and much more. Visit IAmagazine.com for more information.

Best Practices
Do You Have the Right Stuff?

Does your agency have the right stuff to be a Best Practices agency? A comprehensive study conducted every three years (along with annual updates), the Best Practices Study provides important analysis and benchmarking data that helps independent agency managers hone in on key performance areas. It’s these key metrics that drive the success of the select group of Best Practices agencies. These are agencies of all sizes, located all across the U.S., writing all types of coverage for a wide variety of clients. Agencies that vie for the distinctionare judged on a series of qualities that define Best Practices: a history of consistent growth and profitability, strong professional management; sound financial practices, customer service excellence and positive carrier relationships. 

Want to learn what it means to be a Best Practices Agency, how the process works and how your agency can be nominated? Listen to the recently recorded webinar, “How to Become a Best Practices Agency,”  featuring Shirley Lukens of Reagan Consulting, who was instrumental the creation of the Best Practices program in the early 1990’s. Lukens provides an overview of the program, highlights the data required and how that data is used in the process. This webinar provides an inside track to achievemuch coveted honor. For more information about the Best Practices Program, visit www.independentagent.com and click on the Member Resources and then Best Practices, or e-mail Madelyn Flannagan at madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net. 

Big “I” Markets 
BIM Reduces Minimum Homeowners Values

Agents accessing Big “I” Markets for the 12 classes of non-standard homeowner business can now write homes with coverage A values starting at $200,000 in most states. Previously the minimum value was $300,000, with some variation by state. To see what the minimum value is in your state click here. For a closer look at the 12 classes of non-standard homeowners business, click here. To access this market with no fees and no volume commitments, visit www.bigimarkets.com.    


Big I Advantage^®
Member Marketing Activity Center Offers Leads

Need quality leads and a convenient way to market to them? Big “I” Members now have access to an exclusive member benefit called the Member Marketing Activity Center (MMAC). Check out the ProspectNow and LeadsNOW services if you’re looking for new potential customers. If you sign up to use LeadsNOW you will receive $100 dollars worth of free leads! Click here to learn more.