Big I Best Practices Going To Ireland

NU Online News Service, Oct. 21, 4:09 p.m.EST?The "Best Practices" initiative of the IndependentInsurance Agents & Brokers of America has crossed the Atlantic,with Ireland's Hibernian General Insurance entering into anexclusive two-year agreement to license and distribute two BestPractices tools to Ireland's estimated 1,000 brokers.

"IIABA's Best Practices program provides independent agents andbrokers with an abundance of useful information and valuable toolsto help improve agency performance and encourage dialogue andinteraction with carriers on a variety of vital agency-managementissues," said the Alexandria, Va.-based group.

Hibernian General Insurance, based in Dublin, was established in1908 and is now the largest general insurance company in Ireland,IIABA said.

"We are extremely pleased that our Best Practices program hasattracted international interest, and that Hibernian will beproviding our tools to help brokers throughout Ireland reach theirfullest potential," said Madelyn Flannagan, IIABA vice president ofeducation and research.

"Best Practices products help agents and brokers betterunderstand the past, analyze the present and formulate a strategyfor the future," she added. "The success of these tools has nowtranscended our national borders to guide agents and brokersworldwide to prosperity and profits."

Hibernian will be providing two Best Practices tools to itsbrokers: the "Joint Planning Tool Quick Step" and the"Self-Diagnostic Tool Quick Check."

"We are delighted to be associated with the IIABA in theprovision of the joint broker-company planning tool for use bygeneral insurance brokers in Ireland," said Conor McCarthy,Hibernian's broker marketing manager.

"Hibernian is currently pilot testing the use of the jointplanning tool, with a view of providing it to a select number ofbrokers in Ireland," he said. "From Hibernian's perspective, thejoint planning tool, when fully operational, will result in moreeffective planning between Hibernian and our brokers, thuseliminating unproductive effort, reducing costs and strengtheningrelationships."

The Joint Planning Tool Quick Step was developed to assistagents and brokers trying to establish realistic agency productiongoals for the coming year, or prepare information for use inattracting, establishing or enhancing agency-companyrelationships.

Best Practices research shows that effective jointagency-company planning can eliminate unproductive efforts, reducecosts for both parties and help strengthen these relationships,IIABA said.

"The Self Diagnostic Tool Quick Check is a simple test designedto help agency owners and principals take a proactive approach tooverall agency efficiency, profitability and management," said theassociation. "The tool provides an immediate and actionableoverview of agencies' strengths and weaknesses."

Established in 1992, IIABA's Council for Best Practices is ajoint agency-company mission that collaborates on a variety ofbusiness management issues critical to the success of theindependent agency system. Using the "Best Practices Study" annualresults as a guide, the Council has developed a complete library oftools, products and services to help agencies grow and prosper.