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| August 2020 | ||||||||
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Top 3 Articles
Welcome
From the Desk of the President & CEO
Generally speaking, once a fiscal year ends and we send out our membership renewals, that’s a real basis for determining a “performance review” on the previous year. If we did well and met the expectations of the members, then we could hope and expect their renewal. If not, then we deserve to lose one membership.
IIAV Member Resources
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Remaining stuck between the survive and thrive stages is a significant challenge for agency leadership. While each week brings changes in the economic outlook and new opinions about the future, decisions are being made on allocating resources, staffing and spending. Leading an agency in turbulent times is tough. Knowing your likely and worst-case scenarios is essential. Planning for possible outcomes and the associated probability for each is an important part of leadership. Understanding what steps to take under each scenario will help avoid problems later. Next steps: Discuss and debate the likely scenarios you should plan for. What are the high- and low-risk outcomes, and what are the key strategies under each scenario? What is the cost of doing nothing? Create an objective scenario plan now to be effective later. David J. Dillon, Principal   
How to Recall an Outlook Email
Have you had one of those moments when you realized that you clicked "send" just a bit too fast?
For instance, there might have been a bad typo. Usually, recipients overlook minor typos in emails. However, there are some other mistakes you may want to avoid, such as not adding the attachment you mentioned, spelling the name of the recipient wrong, forgetting to (B)CC someone, or typing a reply when you are angry.
So, can you take back an email that you’ve already sent? Read on to know all about unsending and recalling emails.
State & National News
Q: We have an employee who has a child at home and will be going to 100% remote learning. Our employee will need to stay home and most of her job function requires that she be in the office. We don't want to, but we may need to let her go. Any thoughts?
A District of Columbia judge recently shot down a bid by a group of restaurants in the area to get coverage for business interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, ruling that government shutdown orders don't constitute a "direct physical loss" that triggers the policy.
FEMA is focused on emphasizing how heavy rain can lead to flash floods in urban areas within minutes, and cause thousands of dollars in damages. They are asking our help in raising awareness and protecting homeowners, renters and storefront business owners in urban areas from flood losses
The IRS has provided important information for all small business owners/non-profits that may have benefited from the PPP loans this year. This information is provided on the IIAV COVID Resources page so that taxes are properly filed in the coming year. Please pass this information on or provide to your accountant.
Columbus, OH — Jill Wagner Kelly, Integrity Insurance President and Grange Insurance EVP, Chief Distribution and Affiliate Officer has been recognized as a woman of influence in the corporate leader category by Insight Magazine.
Join VCU for the Fall 2020 Virtual Business Career Fair on Tuesday September 15, from 11:00 a.m. –3:00 p.m. (This event will include the traditional Fall Meet the Firms Accounting event.)
Cost: $450 (Invoices will be sent after August 1, via an external system)
The fair will be held virtually in Handshake.
IIAV News
Take another look at the RLI Personal Umbrella!
See how easily you can write more business with an admitted, secure, A+ rated carrier
Trusted Choice® has launched a new brand campaign airing nationally on Hulu, YouTube and paid social media platforms called “You do You." This light-hearted and fun ad series visually tells the story of a consumer and their busy life — and how insurance plays a role in many aspects of it, communicating how YOU can assist consumers with their unique needs. There will be a full set of customizable tools for you to use that will be available to you by September 1.
Independent Agent is a winner AGAIN … times THREE! The magazine has just received three Platinum designations, which is the highest honor, in the 2020 Hermes Creative Awards competition. Hermes Creative Awards an international competition for creative professionals involved in the concept, writing and design of traditional materials and emerging technologies. The competition includes entrants from across a multitude of industries, not just insurance. It’s is one of the oldest and largest creative competitions in the world. Winners range in size from individuals, to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies. The Big “I” Agents Council for Technology (ACT) has released an updated version of the free Agency Cyber Guide. Agency Cyber Guide 3.0 includes a complete redesign of navigation and user experience and an updated cybersecurity provider guide while continuing to provide crucial insights to the independent agency channel on cyber and technology issues. The National Big I announced this week for agent appointments to committees for the national association. IIAV members have been placed on three key committees: Registration has opened for the insurance industry’s well-established festival for Diversity and Inclusion, Dive In, at diveinfestival.com. Thanks to its new virtual format, participants globally will now be able to attend any of over 90 virtual events taking place in over 30 countries, from September 22–24. Each event in the three-day virtual festival have a capacity of up to 600 participants, making it the most accessible festival for diversity and inclusion in the world.
Boone, NC — Jackson Sumner & Associates (JSA) announced the business acquisition of Landers Underwriting of Charlottesville, VA, in a deal inked earlier this month. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Landers Underwriting was founded in 1988 as an independent, family-owned MGA licensed to write Excess & Surplus Lines business across Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. Founder and principal, Harry Landers, announced his retirement with the deal.
A client is reviewing school options for kindergarten and first-grade children for the fall. With so much uncertainty around public and private schooling models amid continued concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, they are contemplating pooling neighbors' kids in that age group to host a school in their home.
The client is considering hosting a total of six kids in their home three times a week, and the other days rotating through two other neighbors' homes. They will be hiring a professional teacher to conduct the schooling activities, as outlined by the State Board of Education. The three families participating will be paying the teacher a salary.
Richmond, VA — Property damage from Tropical Storm Isaias likely will raise many questions from Virginia policyholders, including how to expedite the processing of claims with their insurance company. If your home, property or business was damaged during that storm, the State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) Bureau of Insurance (Bureau) encourages you to contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible to file a claim or to find out whether your damaged property is covered by your insurance policy. The Bureau reminds Virginians that flood damage typically is not covered by a standard homeowners or renters insurance policy.
Richmond — Governor Ralph Northam is reminding all Virginians to prepare now as peak hurricane season approaches and the Commonwealth continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier today, the Governor and his cabinet joined state and local public safety agencies for a virtual exercise to test Virginia’s hurricane readiness and address the challenges of managing disaster response and recovery efforts during the ongoing health crisis.
Upcoming Events
Our next conversation will take place on Wednesday, September 2, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
On July 1, a new cybersecurity law took effect in Virginia, adding complexity to an already highly complex subject. In this conversation, IIAV Board Chair Jill Roth will sit down with two of the best: Ron Berg, Executive Director for IIABA’s Agents Council on Technology (ACT) and Renee Stock, Vice President of Client Services at AHT Insurance and cyber liability instructor for IIAV. Among other important points, they’ll discuss the new guidance provided by ACT, as well as how the new law transfers regulatory authority over cyber events for the insurance industry from the Attorney General’s office to the Bureau of Insurance. For the safety of both your agency and your clients, this is an IIAV Connects you don’t want to miss.
Education
Continuous Learning … Skill Agility … Critical Thinking … Learner-Centered – It all starts with creating a Learning Culture where employees are encouraged, supported and motivated to seek learning opportunities.
This chart from the Association of Talent Development (ATD) provides a solid comparison of Training Culture versus Learning Culture. Does your agency have a training culture or a learning culture? |
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