"A little risk management avoids a lot of fan cleaning," jokedCNA's chairman and CEO, Steve Lilienthal, during a discussion aboutenterprise risk management at last month's International InsuranceSociety annual conference. I only wish risk managers had been thereto witness this firsthand. After being lectured for years aboutsound risk management, buyers would have been amused to seecarriers and brokers challenged to get their own houses inorder.

Indeed, it was refreshing to hear how a top broker, commercialcarrier and financial services provider grapple with practical andcultural obstacles threatening to sabotage ERM--efforts beingclosely watched by rating agencies.

Insurers must practice what they preach--that was the essentialmessage delivered by the three heavyweight speakers at IIS. Withpeople entrusting their lives, families, homes and businesses toinsurers and brokers, the industry has a responsibility to makesure its unique exposures are under control so clients get whatthey are promised, no matter what the circumstances.