PHD Insurance Brokers have their Referral Rewards Program in process and we will be evaluating the number of referral from our many clients and friends.  It is exciting to be able to offer a Grand Prize of $5,000 as compared to $1,500 in 2009.  We also want to see how we are doing as $6.00 for every referral that calls in for an insurance quote will be donated between three charities.  Watch our newsletter for the results.  If you don’t get your personal copy please go to our website www.phdinsurancebrokers.com  Please call us if you want more specifics on our Referral Rewards Program as there are prizes given away during the entire year.

Jobs and taxes should now go to the forefront based on the election results in MA.  Most businessmen that I talk to have been waiting for Congress to face up to these issues and maybe this will be the time for our representatives to do just that.  I have talked about expanding your business and other aggressive approaches to help your business grow.  With a little positive encouragement that is definitive maybe we all can get back to growing the economy.

As you begin the New Year it is important for all businesses to consider a coverage review for their business.  I have found over the years that a lot of events take place during a year’s time and adjustments to the business insurance are not made or postponed and then forgotten.  Many times limits need to be increased and sometimes decreased.  For example, replacement cost has gone down in some areas as building materials have come down in cost.  Inventories are being carried at nominal levels now and some businesses have reduced their staffs.  Reduced payrolls could enable you to reduce your monthly worker’s compensation deposits.  I would urge  you to consult your agent now and if you’re looking for a second opinion please call PHD Insurance Brokers.

January 13th

Are you off to a great start in 2010?  I certainly hope you are.  In our business we have set aggressive goals and are plowing ahead with them despite the barriers that seem to be popping up.  Our thinking is that if no one else will chance it then this might be the time to go against traditional thinking of setting tight.  I know it is risky but my decision is based on the excellent staff my business has and my always going for the underdog.  Sometimes it is just necessary to step out and be counted.  I certainly hope you will step out with me.

Now that you have begun the New Year with goals and your team’s awareness of them it will be important that each member of the team understand how important they are to the team.  Everyone needs to be considered.  Everyone does something to help the team.  You will need to get them all on board and you can start by doing it yourself or if you are in a larger organization you will need to get your department managers to assist you.  This is the week of doing!  Don’t let it slip away as it will be the beginning of your making it harder to reach those goals you have set.  Execution is the one thing that really requires work and perseverance.  Are you up to the task?

Now is the time to begin your implementation of your business plan for 2010.  Don’t wait even one more day.  Our holidays are over and now the fresh start of a New Year is here.  Oh, what a wonderful time it is.  Now is the time you and I need to make the best use of the fresh 12 months that we have been given to do our very best.  Now is the time we start forward to reach the goals we have set for 2010.  Leading by example is always the best way to begin anything.  It will be necessary for you to not only have your goals in place but to communicate them to everyone on your team.  You will need to revisit your goals often and always keep your team up-to-date on how you are progressing on those goals.

2010 is nearly here and I can’t wait to take on the goal that I have established for our insurance agency.  Now in our 44^th year my enthusiasm has only increased.  The need now for positive and productive people is even greater than any year that I can remember.  Self-reliance is a trait that we cannot lose in our business or in our country.  Recent government actions must not be allowed to stop the creative part of our economy.  As an insurance man and a business owner I’m even more convinced that we all must work harder than ever.  We must stay true to our independent side and reject the idea that government is here to help.  Stay strong and committed.  Make 2010 your “Best Year Ever!”

I belong to a group of successful insurance agency owners who believe in making their businesses the best they can be.  They meet at least quarterly to update themselves on current trends in marketing and other insurance changes.  I have learned a great deal from the meetings I’m able to attend.  It is a motivating and reaffirmation of what a great business I have been in for over 50 years.  One of the key elements in the insurance business and any other business is to take the information you receive during those types of meetings and use it in your own.  Information is only as good as the use you put it to.  My friend and a member of the same group, Mike Stromsoe, said it best when he said “Implement, Implement, Implement!”  As the New Year begins take his advice as I did.