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There's never been a better time to start a new insurance agency than today. This may seem like a strange comment, given the current state of the economy and the continuing soft insurance marketplace. Yet, if your organization is sales focused and your entire team has access to the right tools, external factors such as the economy and the soft marketplace have less impact on success than at any time since I've been involved in the insurance … [Read more...]
Mobile devices and the apps people use with them are changing how consumers interact with information. The programming and development trend of creating small apps that accomplish a specific function will also change how business programs are developed. Why aren't our agency systems more like Facebook? Facebook is easy to use, and it's a robust tool. Grandparents can browse pictures of their grandchildren in a matter of minutes, while … [Read more...]
Data collected by market research and consulting firm Parks Associates, found that Generations X and Y tend to prefer using mobile applications over Web browsers on smartphones, as compared with older mobile users. This group is especially put off by mobile Web sites not designed for the small mobile screen. The preference for native mobile applications is growing because apps don't require users to enter Web addresses or to deal with slow … [Read more...]
Many smartphones today come with an on-screen virtual keyboard. This type of keyboard has some advantages over a BlackBerry keyboard. Shortcut buttons appear when you need them and the keyboard disappears when not in use, allowing for a larger screen size for better viewing of other content. But for some people, the tactile feedback of a physical keyboard is more comfortable and reassuring. With a glass keyboard, you have to keep your eyes on … [Read more...]
In another example of the growth and importance of the mobile Web, Travelers Insurance has launched one of its first mobile applications: Auto Accident Help for iPhone and Quick Connect for BlackBerry smartphones. Both applications are free for anyone to download. Auto Accident Help is available at the iTunes store and Quick Connect is available on Travelers.com. While anyone can use these applications for auto accident assistance, Travelers … [Read more...]
