NAILBA Perspectives - March/April 2015 - (Page 9)

ceo insights Perspectives is published for the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies 11325 Random Hills Road, Suite 110 Fairfax, VA 22030 (703) 383-3081 www.nailba.org NAILBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Long Chairman Strategic Plan Update George C. Van Dusen IV Chair-Elect James Sorebo Secretary/ Treasurer Barbara Crowley Immediate Past Chairman Joseph Bosnack Brittany Cross Melinda S. Meyer Seixas Milner III Jeffrey D. Mooers Ben Nevejans Myra Palmer Thomas Riekse, Jr., ChFC, CEBS NAILBA EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Scott Blumberg Michael Cohen, CLU Christi M. Daughenbaugh Sheri Leaders John McWilliams Jeffrey D. Mooers Lori Payne Laurie B. Prevette Thomas Riekse, Jr., ChFC, CEBS Michael Tessler NAILBA STAFF Jack Chiasson, CAE Chief Executive Officer Kathy Allison Director, Membership and the Foundation Susan D. Haning, CEM, CMP Director, Business Development Susan Klemmer Deputy Chief Executive Officer Rachel C. Marineau, CMP Manager, Meetings and Education Meredith Maslich Administrative Coordinator Sarah O'Hanley Manager, Exhibits, Sponsorships and Advertising John Tong Director, Administration and Operations Editor: Susan Klemmer sklemmer@nailba.org Advertising: Susan D. Haning, CEM, CMP shaning@nailba.org Design and Production: Blue House www.bluehouse.us Creative Director: Elinor Van Dyck elinor@bluehouse.us JACK CHIASSON, CAE NAILBA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER I hope that this new year is off to a good start for all of you! As I WRITE this, it's still cold and wintry, but hopefully, by the time you READ this, cold weather will be just a memory for most of you. NAILBA-both the leadership and the staff-has hit the ground running in 2015. With our new Strategic Plan in place, we have the blueprints for the continued success of your association. So for this month, I thought I would highlight a few of the things we are already working on, and give you some ideas how you can help us achieve the goals that YOU have set out for us. Our new venture with Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) kicked off in January. While speciﬁc details are being worked out as I write, NAILBA members can soon expect to see a "Washington Update"-type email on a regular basis. It will include a brief overview of what's going on regarding tax reform, regulatory updates, upcoming votes/debates on pertinent issues, etc. This communication tool will help keep you informed of all that is going on here in Washington on your behalf, with particular focus on what effect those things might have on your business. You should also soon look for a regular column in this magazine. This will give you a more in-depth look at a particular legislative/ regulatory issue that is currently "hot"-either because of its potential effect on your business or on the industry as a whole. How can you help? Participate in events where your congressperson is present. Never hesitate to give them the beneﬁt of your knowledge about how something they are working on can help or hinder your ability to deliver the beneﬁts and services that your agency provides. Any time you can reinforce the idea that the GOAL of the industry is to provide life insurance products to more people, we have scored a collective victory. We can't do that for you nearly as well as you can do it yourself! Remember, members of congress rely on their constituents for more than just votes! Another project that will have great long-term value for you is the work NAILBA is doing in the technology arena. Again as I write, we are working out the details of several items that will require your assistance. NAILBA is in the process of developing a "direct to ACORD" link from our website that will allow you to provide recommendations or requests for assistance. We are also developing a mechanism that will allow you to communicate your "pain points" directly to the Independent Life Brokerage Technology Committee (LBTC). What works? Or, perhaps more importantly, what DOESN'T work? You will be able to send your concerns directly to the folks that are working on ways to make your services more effective and productive. How can you help? When these tools are rolled out in ﬁnal form, USE THEM! It's a great opportunity for you to help effect change in the entire industry while you are helping to make your own agency smarter/faster/more efﬁcient/more proﬁtable. You will no longer have to wait for someone to ask for your input, you can now provide it as you wish. I suspect that some of you will take advantage of these tools when something "nasty" happens that slows down your process somehow. That's PERFECT, and it's exactly the purpose for which these tools are being developed! Your NAILBA leadership is absolutely committed to making this year the beginning of a re-energized organization-one that remains relevant to you and to what you do every day. You told us what you want from NAILBA, and the Board and staff have expended a tremendous amount of effort (and yes- money, too!) to ensure that you get it. These new tools will work best if you take advantage of them-and you don't even have to leave your desk to do so! Once again, how can you help? Tell your NAILBA leadership how you are using the tools, and let them know what works. Tell them what doesn't work, too, please, because if it doesn't work, you won't use it, and if you don't use it and don't tell us, we can't ﬁx it! As always, please don't hesitate to call or email with thoughts or comments. See you next time! Designer: Jessica Feirtag jessica@bluehouse.us www.nailba.org 9 http://www.nailba.org http://www.nailba.org http://www.bluehouse.us http://www.nailba.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NAILBA Perspectives - March/April 2015

NAILBA Perspectives - March/April 2015
Contents
Chairman’s Corner
CEO Insights
State of the Industry Panel
NAILBA Charitable Foundation
Life Happens
Member Profiles
Agency Successor Networking Group
Get STREAMLINED
Reading Ahead
Calendar of Events
Index of Advertisers

NAILBA Perspectives - March/April 2015