Insurance and advertising don't seem to have much in common. Butbecause millions of viewers and I spend an hour every Sunday nightimmersed in the 1960s advertising world of “Mad Men,” it'sinevitable that the doings at Don Draper's SCDP ad agency shouldteach us some lessons about modern business.

Insurance agencies and ad agencies actually share some keyattributes. Both are built upon the leadership of their foundingpartners; both succeed by developing intimate customerrelationships, and both rely on a team of professionals to deliverthe final product.

With that in mind, here are some business tips that could havebeen imparted by Don Draper himself:

1. Roll with the changes. Whether it's the civilrights movement, the sexual revolution or the British Invasion,history changes business. Change may not be easy, but it's the onlyway to succeed in any industry.
2. Technology doesn't sleep. From IBM Selectrictypewriters to television as a potent advertising medium, SCDP'sleaders know technology is essential for success. Insurance haslearned the same lesson by embracing social media and real-timetechnology.
3. Understand what's best for the customer.Dancing beans may not be the best idea for a TV commercial. Smartad (and insurance) professionals know the importance ofunderstanding the customer's business operations and before comingup with the most creative answer to their needs. 
4. Share the credit. Don't be a smug PeteCampbell and hog all the glory. The agency principal is the face ofthe business, but the producers, underwriters and CSRs also burnthe midnight oil to deliver the goods.
5. Empower everybody. Don was smart enough torecognize potential and promote Peggy from secretary to copywriter;now she's now one of SCDP's top creative talents. Empoweringemployees makes the whole organization stronger.  
6. Embrace both youth and experience. Pete thinkselder partner Roger Sterling is a has-been—although Roger'sexpertise at schmoozing prospects over three-martini lunches ispart of what built SCDP. Youth is essential, but smart Mad Mendon't underestimate the value of seasoned vets.
7. Always keep an electric razor, clean white shirt and abottle of scotch in your bottom desk drawer. Because younever know. 

Don Draper has already won a Clio award. Why not get somewell-deserved recognition for your own agency's creativebrilliance? Now through Monday, July 2, we're accepting nominationsfor the 2012 National Underwriter/American Agent & BrokerCommercial Agency Awards for Excellence. And instead of just anaked gold statue, your agency takes home an armful of brand-newiPads if you win. Go to propertycasualty360.com/pages/CAAFE-Awardsfor all the details.