We are coming to the time of year when we take stock of all we’ve just endured and look forward to the year to come. Much has taken place in 2015; certainly more than I could write about in a single article. So, as we reflect, let’s consider what I think is the most overlooked […]
Every other year, the PIA affiliates managed from Glenmont (PIA of Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York) conduct the oldest and largest survey measuring agents’ opinions of their carriers’ performance. As they say in sports, this is a “bi-year” for PIA’s Company Performance Survey. So, the associations conducted the Benchmark Survey to make sure that next year’s Company Performance Survey will measure the items that are most important to agents.
Earlier this month, the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State held its annual reception in Albany. There, we honored the newly elected officers and directors for 2015-16 and presented awards of distinction. The Advocate no doubt will report on the awards and the new administration, but I want to share a particularly striking speech, […]
There are a few tenants of modern life that everyone should know and heed. Among them: Change your digital passwords regularly; never hitch a ride with a stranger (unless you know the Uber driver is fully insured); and don’t believe everything you see on the Internet. It’s amazing what you find there. So many websites […]
Anyone who knows me knows that my grandsons are the joy of my life. I spend as much time as I can with them—I go to their school events; enjoy having them visit at home; and I try to make as many games as I can to watch them play soccer. They are quite good. […]
I’ve always seen Spring as the season of rebirth. As I write this article, I’m sit- ting at home: The tulips are about four inches above the ground and I’m watching the same birds come back and attempt to nest in the automatic awning over my deck, where they have been for the last two […]
I’m often asked how I come up with ideas to write my column. Many ideas come from friends and fellow agents who share stories in casual conversation, or an agent will reach out to me because they have an idea that they think others would be interested in reading about. As the time between each […]
Readers of The Advocate surely are familiar with MetroRAP, the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State’s (PIANY) regional aware- ness program for New York City and the surrounding areas. The event has a history spanning three decades and it usually kicks off PIANY’s extensive events calendar each year. Since 2001, it has been held […]
I often discuss legislative and regulatory issues of importance to agents and our industry in this column. Usually, I write an update about a regulation or urge fellow agents to contact their representatives regarding an important bill that will affect us. I am interested in the legislative and policymaking process and my affiliation with PIA […]
It’s the time for holiday greetings. I received a holiday email from PIA this week featuring the staff at Glenmont headquarters, and it gave me the idea for this article. I was president of PIANY and I am a director on the board of PIA Management Services, which manages the PIA state affiliates of Conn., […]
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