In last year'sReview & Outlook issue, we celebrated the fact that we'dmade it through 2009 and were looking forward to gradualimprovement in 2010. One year later, although things are far fromrosy, it's probably safe to say that 2010 has been a year ofstabilization in the insurance industry and the economy in general.The Dow is once again regularly topping 11,000, mass layoffs haveslowed to a trickle and retailers are anticipating a spike inholiday spending.

The real problem right now seems to be a lingering uncertaintyon the part of many U.S. businesses about how to proceed. So muchis still up in the air, including the possible repeal of healthcarereform and the Bush-era tax cuts, that typically decisive businessowners have been reduced to acting like deer in the headlights.

It's not necessarily a matter of being short on cash. Althoughsome businesses were hurting in 2010, many–including banks,insurance companies and the big brokers–experienced significantprofitability. But with so much uncertainty still swirling aroundCapitol Hill and the economy, many businesses simply feel safersitting on their assets instead of gearing up for growth.

I can't say that I blame them–consumers are doing the same thingby squirreling away savings instead of spending their way out ofthe recession. But the waiting game has become a stalemated staringcontest. Someone needs to be the first to blink–to loosen the pursestrings and start building their businesses in anticipation of thefuture instead of acting as if the Apocalypse is imminent. Becauseno matter what's happening or not happening in Congress, peoplestill need cars, houses and durable goods–and they still need toinsure them.

In this year's Review & Outlook issue, we talked to across-section of experts within the insurance industry on howthey're looking to the future. Most are cautiously optimistic about2011, and many were focusing on growth industries like healthcareservices, pharmaceutical and medical manufacturing and technology.Our consultant sources stressed that hiring young people is just asimportant as finding new business. And the young insuranceprofessionals we spoke with in this issue are convinced thatinsurance is a vital and exciting industry, and they're using theirtalent for technology to connect with clients and build theirbusinesses.

There's a great old Depression-era song whose lyrics go, “We'rein the money/Come on my honey/Let's spend it, lend it, send itrolling along.” You don't have to break the bank to invest in thefuture, but you do have to believe we have a future. Our R&Osources do, and so should you.