Chicagoland SIA Blog

We all want to be more efficient, right? Yet research shows that many of us are going about it the wrong way. Here are some ways that research suggests can help us be more efficient at the office.

“That smile looks good on you!” The well-known expression has more truth to it than most people may realize. A 2021 post from Verywell Mind lists nearly a dozen reasons to smile every day. These benefits include longer life, relieving stress and creating a more upbeat mood. In addition, it makes people feel good when we flash a nice, beautiful smile. When you smile around people, they will often smile back, or make some pleasant eye contact. Smiling, at its essence, conveys happiness. And we all need that.

What do Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Warren Buffet and Mark Zuckerberg have in common? They are all successful introverts. It’s estimated that one-third to one-half of the world’s population is comprised of people you would describe as “reserved or shy.” Yet research shows that many leaders have difficulty effectively managing and leading more inner-oriented employees. Here are four ways to adapt your management style to bring out the best in your agency’s introverted employees:

It’s estimated that one in 20 insured homeowners nationwide makes a claim each year. The most common reason? Weather. Damage from the elements — wind, hail, rain and snow — is the most common reason homeowners file claims. Fire-related claims are less common, but are the most costly. Here are the most common types of losses incurred by homeowners, according to the Insurance Information Institute:

Do you often come into work early, leave late or work in the evenings and/or on weekends? You’re not alone. Americans on average spend 47 hours a week at work, more than any other industrialized country. Americans work 137 more hours per year than Japanese workers, 260 more hours per year than British workers, and 499 more hours per year than French workers! Four in 10 Americans said they work more than 50 hours every week, with two in 10 working more than 60 hours each week.

In today’s litigious society, keeping good records of your work as an insurance agent is important. Consistently and accurately documenting discussions with your clients — and actions taken as a result of those discussions — may not eliminate your risk of an errors and omissions claim or guarantee your success should you face one. But it can both reduce your risk of a claim and aid in your defense in the event of an E&O claim. Here are some important steps to consider in your office:

How well do you document your agency’s interactions with customers? Consistently documenting discussions with your clients is an important risk management tool in today’s litigious society. It won’t eliminate your risk of an errors and omissions claim or guarantee your success should you face one, but it can reduce your risk and could help to substantially bolster your defense in the event of an E&O claim. Here are some important procedures to consider in your office:

If you surveyed your customers, what would they say about your agency and the level of customer service you provide? Customer service is an important part of any business and plays a large role in creating loyal customers. An insurance agent who provides great customer service is much more likely to have loyal customers who purchase additional types of coverage and recommend him or her to other people. On the other hand, the effects of bad customer service can be significant. Here’s why:

It’s a fact: Spending a lot of time in front of screens is hard on your eyes. Yet research shows that Americans spend at least 50% of each day looking at screens — computers, smart phones, televisions, tablets and other electronic devices. How can you keep your eyes happy and healthy with all of this screen time? Here are some tips:

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt traditional ways of doing business, telecommuting has grown in popularity. Yet having employees working at home can definitely change things from a commercial insurance perspective.