the leading authority on insurance agency productivity, technology & profits
In any conversation about the use of social networking sites, someone inevitably questions whether these technologies actually separate people from the real world, and only provide them with the illusion of connection. According to a recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, that's not actually the case. The study asked 2,255 Americans about their social networking habits. The answers challenge beliefs held by some. Facebook … [Read more...]
Older people often complain about teens' text-messaging habits. Many ask, “Why can’t they just pick up the phone and call?” According to a recent study, the average teen sends 4,400 texts every month. The use of text messaging by teens (and increasingly often, by younger children) has given some people cause for concern. They argue that the abbreviations used in texting are detrimental to literacy development. Spelling, grammar, and … [Read more...]
According to a new report from Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, 72% of American adult cell phone users now send and receive text messages, up from 65% last September. Teens continue to text more than adults with 50 messages a day "on average," in contrast to the "typical 10 text messages sent and received by adults" every day, Pew said. The non-profit organization compared the results of its May survey of 2,252 … [Read more...]
In a recent research paper, Microsoft principal researcher Cormac Herley asserted that security measures that are being recommended are a waste of time. He argues that security protocols that attempt to protect an individual or organization from the consequences of a security breach often exact a much steeper price—in the form of user effort and time expended. While everyone knows that "123456" is not a good choice for a password, is it … [Read more...]
The latest Future One Agency Universe Study was recently released by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers. This study is considered one of the most comprehensive sources of information about the independent agency distribution system. Since 2000 the study has been completed biannually. The most recent study was conducted in the spring and summer of 2008 and included 1,874 respondents. Ninety percent of those responding were agency … [Read more...]
The number of uninsured motorists may reach an all-time high, according to a report released by Insurance Research Council in January. Their study indicates that approximately one in six drivers across the United States may be driving uninsured by 2010. Although the estimated percentage of uninsured motorists decreased nationally, from 14.9% in 2003 to 13.8% in 2007, the recent economic downturn is expected to trigger a sharp rise in the … [Read more...]
Once every three years, the Big I asks its insurance company partners, state association affiliates, and other industry organizations to nominate those agencies they believe to be among the most efficient and high performing agencies in the industry for each of the study’s revenue categories. These agencies are asked to submit operational information in many areas. This information is carefully evaluated and ranked, culminating in the choice of … [Read more...]
