Exclusivefocus - National Association of Professional Allstate Agents ...

president’s letterMr. Wilson,Let’s Think StimulusNot TPPBY BOB ISACSENHere we go again! When most ofmanagement’s growth techniqueshave failed to bring meaningful results,they turn their attention to their mostvaluable asset, the Allstate AgencyOwner.The company is now in the process of“pulling the trigger” across the country byopting to exercise the 90-day terminationprovision under many agent contracts forfailure to meet Expected Results.This purging of agents is counterproductive.What little economic gainthe company stands to realize from thesefirings will more than be offset by loweragent morale and distrust.Achieving Expected Results is harderthan ever with Hurricane Risk Management,unprecedented rate increasesand diminished brand image. Yet themanagement team that created theseproblems continues to look high andlow for someone to blame when all theyhave to do is look in the mirror. Now,as they continue to lop off agenciesacross the country to show they meanbusiness, management seems to have finallytaken note that the competition ispassing them by in new business writings.Never mind that agents have beencrying, “It’s the rates, stupid,” for yearsnow. Let’s all hope they finally get it andthat it’s not too late.Warren Buffett, CEO of BerkshireHathaway, recently wrote the followingabout GEICO, a Berkshire subsidiary:“Tony and I feel like two hungry mosquitoesin a nudist camp. Juicy targetsare everywhere. First, and most important,our new business in auto insuranceis now exploding. Americans are focusedon saving money as never before, and theyare flocking to GEICO. In January 2009,we set a monthly record – by a wide margin– for growth in policyholders. Thatrecord will last exactly 28 days. As wego to press, it’s clear that February’s gainwill be even better.” Obviously, GEICOExclusivefocusNational Association ofProfessional Allstate Agents, Inc.P.O. Box 7666Gulfport, MS 39506-7666Phone Toll Free (877) 627-2248Toll Free Fax (866) 627-2232Web Site www.napaausa.orgEmail HQ@napaausa.orgJim FishExecutive EditorP.O. Box 7666Gulfport, MS 39506Phone (877) 269-3474 • Fax (866) 627-2232Exclusivefocus@napaausa.orgExclusivefocus and DirectExpress are officialpublications of NAPAA - The National Associationof Professional Allstate Agents, Inc. No part of thispublication may be reproduced without prior writtenpermission of the publisher. It is the policy of thispublication to reflect the professional thoughts and attitudesof our members and to advance the professionalismof the insurance industry to the ultimate benefitof the insuring public.The views expressed by NAPAA, or any of itspositions relative to its activities and those of itsmembers’ actions on behalf of this organization, areexpressly those of NAPAA, and do not reflect the viewsor the opinions of Allstate Insurance Company, or anyof its affiliates.Letters to the Editor: All letters must include anaddress and a daytime and evening phone number. Wereserve the right to edit letters for clarity and space.This issue of Exclusivefocus magazine may containarticles of interest submitted to NAPAA by outsideauthors. NAPAA is not responsible for the opinions, adviceor accuracy of any information provided therein.NAPAA’s Mission StatementNAPAA is dedicated to the success of AllstateExclusive Agency Owners and to advancethe independence and entrepreneurial spirit ofour members.NAPAA’s GoalsOur goals are subject to alteration, influencedby a constantly changing environment and theneeds and wishes of our members.NAPAA encourages its members to activelyparticipate in the process of defining and refiningour Mission, Goals and Positions.Our General Goals:• To provide an organization specifically tailoredto benefit Allstate Exclusive Agents• Monitor legislative and legal issues pertinentto Agents and their clients• Maintain an Action Fund to support issuesbeneficial to agents and clients• Provide reliable communications on all issuesthat affect Agents and the ability to call uponour members to act• Provide Agents with a distinct voice on issuesthat affect them, continually exploring optionsand solutions• Make tools and resources available formembers in an effort to increase agency valueand success.For more informtion, please visitwww.napaausa.org6 — Exclusivefocus Spring 2009