NetVU NewsFlash

The Leader’s Circle’ to Tackle Leadership Topics & Tips

NetVU is launching a new blog series called “The Leader’s Circle.” NetVU CEO Kitty Ambers, CIC, CPIA, CISR, writes in the first of the monthly installments that Vertafore users depend on NetVU not only for education, advocacy and networking, but also for leadership to “show them how to be more productive, profitable and customer-focused.” 

Ambers says leadership is an integral part of NetVU’s mission, and if you take the first letters from the words Leadership, Education, Advocacy and Networking, they spell the easily remembered acronym LEAN.  

“Lean” leaders focus on creating an atmosphere of continuous improvement through learning and self-development. “Lean” also means to be more assertive and to move towards a leading rather than a following role, she writes. NetVU is definitely a “lean” organization, she says. “We are taking the lead on a number of fronts that go beyond the basics of using Vertafore products.” Among them: improving work flows and productivity, aligning system platforms, breaking down silos, and working to achieve widespread adoption of technology tools such as real time and download. 

“In the coming months, I and other NetVU leaders will discuss how we are moving forward in these areas — and how you can help us become a leaner industry,” she writes. “I know I need to practice lean leadership and never stop learning and improving. That’s my reason for coming to work each day.” 

“The Leader’s Circle” comes at a time when research shows firms urgently need new leadership to navigate the fast-changing digital landscape. “This new type of leader must understand how to build and lead teams; keep people connected and engaged; and drive a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement,” notes Deloitte, the global services consulting firm, in its report “Leadership disrupted: Pushing the boundaries.” 

Ambers says, “We’re calling our blog series ‘The Leader’s Circle’ because leadership should be inclusive, connective and continuously improving. We hope that it will prompt discussion and get you thinking about your role as a leader.” 

 

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Virtual Education You Shouldn’t Miss 

It can be challenging to fit local user group meetings into your schedule, but NetVU Chapters, Education, and Partners are here to help. Our user group volunteers have been working hard to provide virtual opportunities on the latest hot topics to help you better utilize your Vertafore system. 

The best part of these virtual meetings is that they’re open to all NetVU members so you can connect to other users and education that you might not normally have access to for a local meeting!
 
View our Meetings & Events Calendar, and Register Now for details on the next webinar. 

Wednesday, 1/10 at 10:30 a.m. Central – Making Download Work For You - Part 1

Come away with the knowledge and tools to build your download plan for your agency. With this class, go beyond the tools and information to make download work to your advantage, and come away with the ability to build a written download plan for your agency regardless of whether you are NEW to download or REVISITING for a check-up. NetVU offers monthly download webinars. Stay tuned to our Meetings & Events Calendar for details on the next webinar.

 

Register

 

Tuesday, 1/16 at 1:00 p.m. Central – The Art of Coaching CSRs to Sell, Presented by Omnia

As the needs of your business change, your customer service representatives are required to adjust and take on more tasks and responsibilities. They also find themselves in the position to sell more products or services. Learn how to make selling comfortable for CSRs.

• Discover the strengths and challenges of your service professionals who happen to sell
• Learn what inspires them and how to tap into their motivators
• Understand individual “service styles” and how to maximize them
• Receive tips and tricks in adapting their service style to improve customer relationships and increase sales

Register

 

 

Thursday, 1/18 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern – Excel & Word Training

Register

 

 

Thursday, 1/25 at 1:00 p.m. Central – NetVU Overview for Sircon Users

As a Sircon product user, your NetVU membership is automatic. Register now for this upcoming brief session to learn about NetVU and the resources available to you.  NetVU membership gives Sircon (a Vertafore product) users the ability to network and share ideas with member firms and their staff, all using Vertafore technology products. 

Register

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Get Ready for Accelerate, Powered by NetVU, May 17–19, in Atlanta 

Accelerate, powered by NetVU, the industry-leading education and networking conference for Vertafore users, is headed back to where it all began for NetVU 40 years ago: Atlanta, May 17–19, at the Georgia World Congress Center. The annual NetVU conference, now rebranded as “Accelerate, powered by NetVU,” attracts more than 2,500 property-casualty insurance professionals for three days of meetings, educational sessions, demos, product releases and industry recognition. 

“Attendees will be able to accelerate their firm’s productivity, and drive profitability and growth at our conference in May,” says Barb Dale, CPIW, CISR, CPCU, past chair of NetVU and the Atlanta conference chair. 

Accelerate, powered by NetVU will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center, located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Registration is open to both members and nonmembers. Early registrants can save a significant amount on the regular registration fee. The early-bird rate is available through Feb. 15, a $125 savings from the standard rate. The standard rate goes up after April 25. The conference will use four downtown hotels, all within walking distance of the convention center. Hotel descriptions and prices can be found on the hotel reservations website. Conference attendees are encouraged to reserve their rooms early. 

Accelerate will have breakout sessions on Vertafore Agency Platform, AMS360, Sagitta, AIM, QQCatalyst, BenefitPoint, ImageRight, ReferenceConnect and other Vertafore solutions. Specialty tracks will explore leadership and management topics, growth strategies, industry trends and the future of the agency system. “We’re committed to making Accelerate a true learning experience for all who join us in Atlanta,” says Dale. “Attendees can take advantage of over 10 hours of product- and persona-focused education. These high-impact learning sessions are being driven by a team of dedicated volunteers and Vertafore product personnel who form our Education Development Workgroup.” 

A detailed schedule of classes will be available in the coming weeks. “Volunteers are meeting regularly to review features released since last year and past class offerings, and they’re talking with Vertafore product representatives about feature releases planned for the months leading up to Accelerate,” Dale notes. “The goal is to ensure the content presented is accurate, relevant and up-to-date for all attendees.” Accelerate is also known for its exhibit hall, where over 100 vendors and technology providers will showcase innovative products and services, and attendees will be able to see demos and have one-on-one discussions with Vertafore experts. 

Other highlights of Accelerate include a local philanthropic “Day of Caring,” Chapter meetings, the annual NetVU Awards Gala, general sessions featuring industry leaders, and a fun-filled evening of food and entertainment on Friday night. 
Register
 

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