Technical Evolution
| PRESIDENT ’ S PAGE |
Embracing workflow changes to increase efficiency .
I remember life at our agency during the pre-paperless period . We had many file cabinets , and used more of an abundance of staples and paper clips . We even built a large shed and put dead files in it from every office on an annual basis . Times have changed , and that shed is mostly empty . It does contain our older T-files and file cabinets we can ’ t give away .
Now everything is stored in a cloud , and everyone has a computer with multiple monitors . When the electricity goes out , no one can work , including the phones . When something else goes wrong , nobody has any idea if it is hardware , software or an internet interruption . At least 25 years ago we knew how the file cabinets worked .
Reflecting on workflows from the pre-paperless period , we had pending and claims files . The accounting was done on ledger sheets that were put in binders . The endorsements were stapled to the declaration pages in a specific way . Today we have more than 20 separate workflows , including one for clients that want to send text messages into our management system . The workflows are all triggered by activities that are audited to ensure proper documentation and compliance with our workflows . Those activities also become the basis for literally thousands of different reports .
There are huge advantages to a modern agency management system that is properly utilized . What comes as a surprise to most is the amount of time it takes to develop workflows and provide the necessary training to properly utilize your agency management system . Properly done , account mangers can handle more accounts and producers can spend more time
SCOTT STRONG KAIA President
prospecting . Company underwriters no longer have to spend hours deciphering handwritten applications .
Management systems are complex , and all have components that are hard to understand . Hours are spent trying to figure out how to make the system work more efficiently for the benefit of the entire agency . For agencies that have made , or are making , this journey it is easy to understand the frustrations involved .
As we all look for ways to improve our agency operations and evolve , so too does our association . The Agency Services Corporation of Kansas ( AScK ) is embarking on this journey of changing workflows , modified job duties and learning about parts of their management system that were previously unknown to them . When finished with this process , AScK will be more efficient , provide better service and will be much less likely to make a mistake that could result in an error or omission . I hope that you will be supportive of AScK as they evolve their operation to better serve you over the long term . Keep in mind that change doesn ’ t occur overnight , but the AScK team will be up to the challenge and positive change is sure to be the result .
The technical evolution of our business is inevitable . Resistance , as they say , is futile .
Contact Scott at sstrong @ strongsinsurance . com , or call KAIA at ( 800 ) 229-7048 .
2 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER | March - April 2018 |