The reduction in mortality in this study was comparable to quitting smoking.
Increased Physical Activity Produces a Reduction in Mortality
Lifestyle
Remote and Telecommute Jobs – Necessity!
Telecommuting: Once a Perk, Now a Necessity – BusinessWeek
This is an interesting BW article on remote and telecommuting jobs. While classic print/on-line style writing writing (flashy headline, thin research, questionable conclusion) I personally think BW is on spot. Go ahead and use “remote OR telecommute” as a search string on Indeed and you’ll see what I’m referring to.
Cut Calories – Lose Weight (again)
For fans who enjoy reading the entire article here is a link to the original NEJM article referenced in an earlier post.
Work Longer Hours – Increase Your Dementia Risk
BBC NEWS | Health | Long hours link to dementia risk
My wife tells me I don’t have to worry about this. Interesting study but of little underwriting significance at this time.
Cut Calories – Lose Weight!
Beets Beat HTN
Family Health – Beat Blood Pressure with Beets | Health News
You can’t beet this.
Another Job Search Engine for Remote, Virtual, Telecommute Underwriting
I’ve added a link to The Job Spider search engine. During the course of my research I’ve noticed this engine finds positions not advertised elsewhere. I’m not saying this is a better search engine, just different. Remember to use different key words when searching for positions. For example, the words remote, virtual, and telecommute may pick up different postings as any of these words are often used to describe those of us who toil from outside of office walls. If you go to this website, watch for the posting dates of the positions. Some are pretty old, and therefore useless. But definitely check out the Scam Awareness page. This is well worth reading.
Read a Book a Week – On the Shelf
I’ve just finished reading the best book on the prevention and management of Type 2 diabetes. The recommendations in Beating Diabetes are based on evidence from a randomized controlled clinical study called the Diabetes Prevention Program.. This book needs to be in your underwriting library and would make an excellent text for training purposes. But for those of you who may not have the time to find and read the entire book, I’ll summarize the key points:
- Eat less
- Move more
The book focuses on weight loss strategies and lifestyle modification. Get it, read it, live it.
Remote Underwriting – Half-Baked Thoughts
Several years ago I led a project team that designed and implemented a paperless work flow system for new business and underwriting at a company I once worked for. I saw the future and remote underwriting definitely was going to be a significant contributor to the ability of companies to attract and retain talent. Envision a cadre of experienced underwriters working from their homes in a human network that rewards individual members of the group for finding work not only for themselves but for others within the network as well. Kind of a modern day intellectual collective.
At the upcoming AHOU meeting there will be a networking breakfast session on the topic of remote underwriting. Due to a number of reasons involving comittments you really don’t want to know about, I will not be in Miami for the meeting. But since I’m not going, I’ll toss in my two cents for whatever its worth.
“The discussion will cover all of the unique issues associated with remote underwriting, inlcuding technological concerns, training, scheduling, phone coverage, processes, management, and any other concerns brought to the discussion by attendees.”
Here we go:
- Technology. The technology to enable remote access to company systems has been around for many years and remote underwriting is a reality for many. If you don’t have the technology, you better get it. But more importantly you need to build a solid business case. With the supply and demand equation favoring the underwriter and not the employer, each year that passes without the commitment to the technology puts a company in a more difficult position to attract talent.
- Training. This is a big one. FLMI, FALU, CLU, yada, yada, yada. Companies need to first figure out what the gaps are and what needs ought to be addressed through training. Then create, buy, outsource, something, anything, to address your training needs. How do you train a dispersed band of underwriters without breaking the budget? See point number one. Technology. Try a webinar. Check out http://www.gotomeeting.com.
- Scheduling. This is not an issue limited to remote staff. You will have scheduling issues whether your underwriters are all under the same roof or if you have them all over the globe.
- Phone coverage. See scheduling above.
- Processes. Look for best practices. Find out what has worked and what hasn’t for companies using remotes. This isn’t and never will be a one size fits all answer.
- Management. Communicate clearly and often. How do you make remotes feel part of the team? What are the retention issues? Can mentoring and coaching (not the same as training) get done? Can remote mentoring be done at all?
Well, I think I’ve raised more questions than answers. If someone attends this session let me know how it goes.
But If You Don’t Mind Tornadoes…
Despite the tornadoes, ice storms, and occasional floods Edmond Oklahoma was listed as one of the best cities in the country to live and do business. I’ve provided a link to the full article under Lifestyle.
When I left my life as a corporate executive I knew if I found another job with similar pay and benefits it would mean moving and starting all over again. There are not a lot of insurance companies in the greater Oklahoma City area. Or I could stay put and figure out a way to make a living.
With the remote underwriting trend my decision was almost a no-brainer. Talent is scarce and the companies that have employed the technology to push their underwriting files out to be evaluated now have the distinct advantage. But the ultimate advantages go to the underwriter.
It’s all about lifestyle.
lifeunderwriter.net 