Memos from Madison

MEMOS FROM MADISON

we are continuously working to build the value of your membership...

PETE HANSON, CAE, CISR Executive Director, PIA of Wisconsin

NEW OFFERINGS

May 1 is the start of a new membership year and fiscal year for PIA of Wisconsin. As I write this column, it’s still April but 80 percent of you have already renewed your memberships – well ahead of the deadline. On behalf of the staff and our Board of Directors, I want to say “thank you” and let you know that your support means a lot. Having so many members renew early is a “shot in the arm” for all of us!

I also want you to know that we are continuously working to build the value of your membership, so that you get more services, discounts, information, advice and advocacy for your dues dollar. Here are a few things that are new, at PIA of Wisconsin:

Insurance 101: New Employee Onboarding Webinars

We know that small insurance agencies can’t put thousands of dollars per year into training platforms to train up their new hires, so we’ve developed a new series of three webinars that will train employees in the basics of Property & Casualty, Life & Health, and Agency Processes. Each webinar is developed and delivered by a true expert with decades of experience in the field.

The first one, Property & Casualty Insurance 101, ran for the first time on April 28th as a live, 4-hour webinar. But don’t worry, we are going to offer it regularly! This webinar introduces new employees to the theories behind insurance and the basic types of personal lines and commercial policies and coverages.

Life & Health Insurance 101 will run for the first time on May 26th. This webinar is great for new employees or anyone who wants to expand their knowledge to include life insurance products, group benefits, HSA’s, Medicare products and more. Agency Processes Insurance 101 will run for the first time on June 28th. This webinar will cover workflows such as new business, policy changes, renewals and cancellations. It will also cover E&O loss control and the importance of good documentation. To sign up for either of these classes, go to our education calendar at piaw.org and scroll down to that date. [Or, see Page 35, for more details]

Agency Journey Mapping

Every agency, whether it’s been in business for three years or three generations, needs a plan for the future. For the sake of the staff, the clients and the owner/partners, it’s imperative that you take some time to develop – and periodically update – a plan for the future. That plan should include strategies for growth, maximizing the value of the agency and perpetuating the agency.

Fortunately, PIA can help. While the Agency Journey Mapping program has been available to members for a couple of years, now, June 29th will be the first time we will offer the seminar in a virtual (webinar) format. When you’re the gal or guy in charge, we know it can be hard to get away. That’s why we’re bringing this valuable information right to your desk. It’s a four-hour, live webinar with agency planning expert Al Diamond, worth 4 WI CE credits. Afterwards, you can schedule a 30-minute private consultation with Mr. Diamond, to discuss a plan for your unique agency.

This webinar is the start of a program that will end with you having an individualized plan to grow and perpetuate your agency. Sound good? See more at piaw.org, on the education calendar – or Page 34 of this magazine.