Calling All Agents!
Those entering the National Underwriter "Commercial Insurance Agency Of The Year" award program are committed to do what it takes to get recognition for their outstanding work. They provide financial information (all of which is for judging purposes only and is kept strictly confidential), a sample of a proposal for a new or renewing commercial account (also kept from the public), as well as an essay on how they earn client trust and loyalty.
The effort is well worth your time whether you win or not–but especially so if you are chosen as one of the finalists. There is no better way to show off how much your agency has accomplished.
Finalists will be profiled in the cover story of the Sept. 12 edition, which will receive additional distribution during the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America annual conference–this time in New York. That's on top of the 47,000 agency and 9,000 insurance company subscribers who read NU each week.
The profiles will also run on our recently relaunched Web site in the prime cover story spot.
The finalists will receive free roundtrip airfare to the Big Apple for the award ceremony, along with free hotel accommodations for four nights–coinciding with the IIABA conference.
A new benefit added this year is that representatives from all of the finalists will take part in a Roundtable on Sept. 9, discussing "The State Of The Agency System." Highlights of the Roundtable will appear in a special section in NU's Oct. 3 edition, and will enjoy a prominent Web spot as well.
(Take a look at our "NU State Of The Market Roundtable" special report in the June 13 edition to see what you can expect for your day in the sun.)
Size is not an issue, as we've had jumbo and small agencies among our past finalists. The key is what you do with the staff and resources you have to excel within your own market niche. What we look for is an agency that can serve as a role model for colleagues. We want to spotlight the best and brightest the independent agency system has to offer.
This is an incredible opportunity to earn invaluable exposure among your carriers, peers and clients. Our first three winners have all raved about how the prestige and publicity from being named NU's agency of the year helped them gain respect and leverage with buyers and sellers alike.
However, even if you don't make the cut this year as one of the finalists, going through our award entry process is far from an exercise in futility. The questions we pose are those every agency should be asking themselves every year. They include:
o How am I doing over the past three years?
o What is my unique sales and service philosophy?
o What makes my agency stand out among its peers?
o What do I have to do to make my agency an elite player?
For full entry details, click on the award icon you see here as it appears at the bottom of NU's home page–www.NationalUnderwriter.com/pandc. If you have any questions, contact me at sfriedman@nuco.com.
You have five weeks left to get your entry package to me for screening. (The deadline is July 25.) I strongly urge those among you who are doing truly outstanding work on behalf of clients and carriers to take the time and effort to enter.
I look forward to receiving your entries. Good luck!
Sam Friedman
Editor-In-Chief
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