Although we face a range of obstacles in transforming our industry, most are social, organizational and emotional. We have to go through the pain of letting go of the way we're used to behaving and adapting to a new style.
Independent agents know what they need to succeed in a multi-carrier distribution system. Aside from the products, services and programs offered by their markets, they also need business process consistency. Product differentiation is good, but process and workflow differences can bring havoc to any operation.
Reducing processing time and streamlining workflow improves service, reduces errors and increases revenue. This will not occur overnight, but everyone can impact the outcome by paying attention and influencing the change process.
Here are a few ideas that agents can use for navigation:
ACORD forms. They're a good entry point for industry standards. And now that we are developing tools to manage ACORD forms electronically, we can simplify implementation for developers and eliminate the agony of maintenance. It's all about moving bits across a wire electronically, and ACORD eForms will be part of that process for years to come. We can even map proprietary user interfaces to forms and databases because every element on every ACORD form has been labeled.
Real time. The Agent's Council on Technology and AUGIE (ACORD User Groups Information Exchange) are promoting real time among system vendors and carriers. Attend the webinars, go to the Web site (www.getrealtime.org) and push your partners.
User groups. They guide system improvements, educate users and promote the use of ACORD standards. Someone in your agency should participate. We could also use volunteers on AUGIE and ACORD working groups. Visit www.acord.org/augie for more information.
I've spoken with hundreds of people during the past year, and I'm pleased to say they are optimistic about the prospects for our business, regardless of the challenges we face today. Planning for the next few years is natural, the big enterprise work takes a bit longer, and thinking about the year 2020 allows us to eliminate some of the noise.
I am working on a 2020 project at ACORD to provide a vision to improve planning. One day we won't have to promote industry standards; they will be part of industry DNA. But we need your help today as we leverage all we've done over the past 40 years of ACORD.
I often say industry standards run not on electricity, but commitment. They don't come in boxes, but in people. We're all moving forward in ACORD. This is the decade to pay attention, keep an eye on your ACORD GPS and listen for, "You have arrived."
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