January, 2012
STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE.

What’s keeping you up at night? When you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that the objective is to drain the swamp. But alligators breed. And there are other dangers in the swamp. If you forget about the real objective, you’ll just keep whacking at those gators until you drop. Or get eaten. It is imperative that you drain that swamp.

It’s a New Year. Want to sleep better? Are you ready to drain the swamp? Are you ready to leave behind all that didn’t work in 2011, build on what did work and add what you need to thrive?

If you want your business to thrive, you have a duty to manage your business strategically More...

December, 2011
STRATEGY: PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS.
When are insurance agencies like football teams? There is no question that sport has become big business and, by and large, it’s a business not at all like that of an independent insurance agency. But sometimes sports analogies can provide some insight into best business practices.
A football team is built to win games. It requires a defined number of players on the field and each position has a specific purpose. All the positions are required for every game. But things happen, as they say. Players sometimes play hurt. Vacant positions are filled by trainees or substitutes crossing over to play in positions where they are not strong. More...

November, 2011
STRATEGY: FOCUS YOUR PLANNING.
Another article on planning!? Why should you read this one? Because you may be over-complicating things.

We are well into the fourth quarter of this year. Has 2011 been a B.I.G. (Business Is Great) year? Or not so great? Do you even know? It’s easy to get caught up in the negative media hype. What indicators are you watching? Retention? Revenue? Expenses? The Dow? The unemployment figures? If these are the numbers that frame your thinking, you might want to change your perspective. More...

Sept, 2011
STRATEGY: PROVIDE TOOLS TO DO THE JOB.
Now, more than ever, keeping your good customers and finding new ones is your number one priority. The best way to do that?  Make sure your business is the kind of place where people want to do their best work, by providing the tools they need to do their best work.

While we’re obviously not talking about hammers and saws, the analogy is apt. If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Using the wrong tool can be costly. And think how much longer and harder you must work to cut with a dull saw. More...