September 29, 2008 by Steve.

A new, free plug-in module for Outlook called Xobni (available at http://www.Xobni.com and pronounced “ZOB-nee” which is inbox spelled backwards) adds some social-networking and data-mining features to your existing Outlook e-mail. Once installed, it lives as a vertical panel on the right side of your Outlook screen and doesn’t block or intrude upon Outlook’s own panes or functions.

Xobni indexes all of your stored e-mail, starting with the most recent messages. Once your e-mail is indexed, the Xobni sidebar shows a profile of the sender for any e-mail you have selected in the message list in your inbox or other folders. Each profile is divided into different sections, including a search box that is much faster than Outlook’s search function.

Other sections include the name of the sender for any e-mail you have selected, with a photo (if available), a phone number, and a bar chart showing how many e-mails you’ve received from that person, as well as times of day when that person appears to be most or least active on e-mail. Also included is the sender’s e-mail network—other people included in e-mails to you, “Conversations” which display e-mail threads (other e-mails you’ve exchanged with the sender), and a section which lists all the files that are attachments on received e-mails.

Give Xobni a try! It might make your Outlook e-mail more useful.

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September 25, 2008 by Steve.

Cell phones aren’t just used for talking anymore. In a survey conducted by Amplitude Research, buyers of new cell phones look at video capability (33%), music (34%), Internet access (61%), e-mail capabilities (63%), camera (67%), and text messaging (73%) as the most important features. For driving in the car, 62% said they would use Bluetooth, while 51% would use the hands-free microphones.

Forty-one percent said they send or check e-mails one to five times per day, while 28% said they do not use their cell phones for e-mail. Thirty percent said they use their cell phones for banking transactions. As these trends continue, agencies will want to learn how to communicate with their clients in multiple ways.

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September 18, 2008 by Steve.

As increasing numbers of people use the Internet to find information, savvy producers or staff members should begin creating an online presence. You may need a personal Web site or blog (which can function like a Web site), especially if you will be job hunting anytime soon.

Many recent articles say that, increasingly, job recruiters are placing a heavy emphasis on applicants’ online presence. “Online presence” means how active one is on the Web, including personal Web sites, blogs, published articles, etc. A personal Web site can also be a great way to introduce yourself to potential clients. Writing about risk management issues and the solutions you have created will help you stand out in the crowd of other agents.

If searching for your full name online comes up with nothing, consider buying a FirstNameLastName.com domain. You can create a simple Web site on the domain by publishing copy that explains who you are and what you do—basically a résumé site. Start a blog on that domain or establish a free hosted one on services like WordPress.com and link to it. There’s literally nothing to lose except a few dollars for the domain and hosting. Having a Web site gives you the added benefit of being able to link to your site when commenting on other blogs. This is another great way to gain exposure.

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September 6, 2008 by Steve.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued updated provisions to the 2003 CAN-SPAM Act. These new provisions became effective in mid-July.

In the updated rule on consumer opt-out requests, e-mailers are prohibited from complicating the opt-out process by charging fees to consumers wishing to be added to opt-out lists. It also prevents e-mail marketers from requiring consumers to provide information other than an e-mail address and opt-out preferences, or take any steps other than sending a reply e-mail message or visiting a single Internet page to opt out of receiving future e-mail from a sender.

Other updated provisions include:

• Clarifying the definition of what constitutes a “valid postal address.” Under the revised rules, businesses may publish a P.O. Box or a private mail box in a commercial e-mail message to comply with the valid physical postal address requirement provided that either address is “accurately” registered with the U.S. Postal Service or with a commercial mail-receiving agency established pursuant to U.S.P.S. regulations.

• Clarifying the definition of “person” to include individuals, groups, unincorporated associations, limited or general partnerships, corporations, or other business entities. The FTC confirmed that both for-profit and not-for-profit businesses that send commercial messages are within the scope of the CAN-SPAM requirements.

• Clarifying the definition of “sender.” The modified rules clarify which of multiple advertisers in a single message is responsible for compliance. The FTC’s clarification allows multiple marketers in a single e-mail to designate a single sender for purposes of CAN-SPAM compliance. The benefit from this rule is that a single opt-out link and single valid physical postal address can be displayed in a multi-advertiser e-mail. The sole sender appearing in the “from” line becomes the designated sender of the e-mail and is responsible on behalf of all advertisers in the message for complying with key provisions of the act.

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September 2, 2008 by Steve.

Approximately 80 people gathered in Vail, Colo. in July to spend 2½ days exploring how the insurance industry can bridge the many gaps that stand in the way of continued success. I always return home from HIGH-TECC amazed and humbled.

I am amazed by the creativity, passion, and willingness to explore new ideas that is demonstrated by the people who attend. I’m also humbled by the knowledge and breadth of experience that is represented in such a unique group of people. I received the following from one attendee. It’s just one example of the creativity and open-mindedness I saw.

HIGH-TECC to-do list

I am looking forward to setting up my iGoogle and Facebook pages, using GoToMeetings, and uploading a Flip video to YouTube. Or, maybe I’ll use Silverlight for the HD and agree to work on my “Pillow Talk” blog. Hmmm, I wonder what actress to “walk onto” that page, as I contact Greenleaf with a Jott. I’m sure that name will get plenty of hits, but will West Bend approve?

I better actually accomplish some business before the week goes by! So, I will definitely iDictate, order DYMO Stamps, and follow up with Postful and FlyDoc to get certificates automatically rolling out. Now, if I could just stop Twirling and Twittering with my wiki…

To get all of this done before Friday, I may need to hit Provide Support to Get Satisfaction. Ahhh, maybe in a Second Life. Where did I put that Amazon Kindle?

— Jim Tuisl, “Satisfied HIGH-TECC customer”

That letter may seem a little weird—but every bolded word is a product, Web site, or service that we discussed during HIGH-TECC.

This year, I opened HIGH-TECC with a general session titled Communicate, Collaborate, Connect. It is my belief that the insurance industry as a whole needs to embrace new communication technologies that are already being used by younger generations. During the session, I highlighted several reasons for my belief and delved into specific technology and ways it is being used by others to create relationships in an electronic world.

I explored social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. I talked about how wikis can be used to facilitate conversation and collaboration. I ended the session by showing AVIVA insurance company’s Second Life Island. (Second Life is a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents.)

Agencies and companies need to explore and experiment with these types of communication options to determine how these technologies can and should be used to further customer interaction and enhance business.

The conversations ranged from “this seems really stupid” to “if college graduates are using these tools, we should learn how to use them—especially if we want to hire the younger generations.”

That’s what HIGH-TECC is all about: helping the industry explore what tools are on the horizon and how to use them to make your organization more effective. Make sure you don’t miss out next year. Mark your calendar now for HIGH-TECC 2009, July 19 to 22 in Vail, Colo.

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