This document provides details on a new software update that will be installed on all company computers. The update includes security patches that fix vulnerabilities, improved compatibility with newer operating systems, and new features to enhance the user experience. The update will be automatically pushed out to all devices overnight on Friday and is expected to take 30 minutes to complete on each computer.
The document discusses the history and importance of chocolate in human civilization. It notes that chocolate originated in Mesoamerica over 3000 years ago and was prized by the Aztecs and Mayans for its taste. Cocoa beans were used as currency and their cultivation was tightly regulated. The Spanish conquest of the 16th century introduced chocolate to Europe, though it was initially consumed only as a bitter drink by the wealthy. Mass production and new technologies in the 19th century made chocolate affordable for the general population.
201204 Nolan QNL: Life and Annuity Industry OutlookSteven Callahan
An abbreviated version of the industry forecast for 2012 pointing out the highlights of key issues, strategies, areas needing focus, and likely structural changes.
This document provides details on a new software update that will be installed on all company computers. The update includes security patches that fix vulnerabilities, improved compatibility with newer operating systems, and new features to enhance the user experience. The update will be automatically pushed out to all devices overnight on Friday and is expected to take 30 minutes to complete on each computer.
The document discusses the history and importance of chocolate in human civilization. It notes that chocolate originated in Mesoamerica over 3000 years ago and was prized by the Aztecs and Mayans for its taste. Cocoa beans were used as currency and their cultivation was tightly regulated. The Spanish conquest of the 16th century introduced chocolate to Europe, though it was initially consumed only as a bitter drink by the wealthy. Mass production and new technologies in the 19th century made chocolate affordable for the general population.
201204 Nolan QNL: Life and Annuity Industry OutlookSteven Callahan
An abbreviated version of the industry forecast for 2012 pointing out the highlights of key issues, strategies, areas needing focus, and likely structural changes.
1. Demographic changes, especially the aging of America and growth of ethnic markets, were seen as the most significant industry trends according to survey respondents.
2. Work site and bank sales channels were also viewed as opportunities for growth.
3. Translating strategy into effective expense management and technology use remains a challenge for some companies, despite most having clear strategic visions.
The document discusses forecasts for the insurance industry in 2010 from various industry leaders. They predict modest growth in life insurance sales of 3-5% but flat or negative growth for annuities and profits. Products with guarantees will be strongest. Consolidation may continue due to economic challenges including low interest rates and investment losses. The outlook is cautiously optimistic but the recovery will be gradual.
201012 IASA theInterpreter - An Industry in TransitionSteven Callahan
Article derived from the 2010 life and annuity executive survey highlighting the key points on strategies, gaps and priorities as seen by industry leaders.
The document discusses strategies for managing legacy insurance IT systems. It notes that while many systems were built decades ago, they still handle the majority of in-force policies. It advocates taking a strategic, business-driven approach to transitioning away from legacy systems through incremental changes like staging new products on new systems or wrapping new features around existing systems. This focuses on near-term deliverables rather than expensive, long-term replacement projects. It also discusses how service-oriented architecture and business process management can help with this transition in a measured way.
201207 Tech Decisions: 5 Keys to Fast Successful New Deployments.pdfSteven Callahan
Article reviews how to deal with the deluge of new technological options and the aspects of a strategy for quick, high quality implementations of emerging technologies. Based on company success stories, article lays out what will work.
20140826 I&T Webinar_The Proliferation of Data - Finding Meaning Amidst the N...Steven Callahan
Joint presentation with I&T's covering the proliferation of data available to insurance companies today and a high level view of searching for value and leveraging the relevant and useful buried in all of the trivia.
201406 IASA: Analytics Maturity - Unlocking The Business ImpactSteven Callahan
Overview of how experienced insurers are finally unlocking the business value of analytics to strengthen financial results through improved underwriting, better pricing, agent enablement, enhanced risk management, and targeted cost reductions and how analytics maturity and a roadmap increases the odds of success.
20140408 LOMA Life Insurance Conference: STP More Than Just A Tweak To Your O...Steven Callahan
Provides an overview of what may be achieved through the digitalization of new business processing and the implementation of straight-through processing including the digital delivery of life insurance policies.
Reviews the importance of the claims payment process and how that moment of truth can define the competitive advantage of an insurance company. Focus is on how understanding and improving the process of claims payment benefits market share and organic growth.
201308 Insurance And Technology Webinar: Upgrading Financial SystemsSteven Callahan
Webinar on the reasons for upgrading financial systems, which are often left behind with the focus on customer facing administration and distribution management systems. Yet regulations are forcing companies to look at the benefits of upgrading their financial systems.
201005 LOMA CFO Inforum: State of the Insurance IndustrySteven Callahan
Overview of the key drivers and economics influencing the insurance industry in the coming years. Major trends in products, distribution, and service discussed.
201307 Nolan QNL: Game-Changers - Big Data AnalyticsSteven Callahan
How is big data and the use of analytics altering insurance company risk management and operations? What are the key factors to successfully integrating and using the deluge of new information and tools.
201309 LOMA Policyowner Service and Contact Center WorkshopSteven Callahan
Presentation to insurance service leaders on service and contact center opportunities to provide competitive differentiation as well as summary results of a recent short survey on contact center challenges.
201201 Nolan Newsletter: Industry Trends - A Closer LookSteven Callahan
This document summarizes the challenges facing the life and annuity insurance industry in 2012, including continued economic uncertainty, low interest rates, and increased regulation. It recommends that companies focus on innovation, global opportunities, new product solutions, alternative distribution channels, improved customer service, and rigorous investment of resources. Facing these difficulties, the industry's greatest challenge is innovatively changing how insurance is communicated, sold, and serviced for the future.
201202 Insurance News Network: CIO Stepping Stones to SuccessSteven Callahan
The document discusses the role of the CIO and how they can create value for their organization. It summarizes a study that found CIOs focus primarily on cost reduction and efficiency. However, the author argues CIOs should play a more strategic role, focusing on innovation and disruption. To truly succeed, CIOs need a deep understanding of both business and technology so they can champion initiatives that blend new technologies with business needs. They must act as translators who leverage emerging technologies to generate unique solutions and competitive advantages for their organization.
Article discussing longer term implications of the current challenges facing the industry and likely structural changes that will occur over time. Technology, talent management, operations and service differentiation are all discussed.
The document announces a webinar titled "The Analytics Gold Rush: Mountains of Data, Hidden Profits" that will discuss how insurance companies can leverage large amounts of fragmented data through analytics to gain strategic insights and generate sustainable profits. It will provide examples of how carriers are using sophisticated analytics to improve pricing, identify growth opportunities, customize offerings, and incorporate external data. Attendees will learn new areas where analytics are adding value, operational and strategic benefits, results from an executive survey, and tactics to generate measurable returns from analytics.
Quick interview discussing most effective way to start leveraging the power available in analytics and big data. Discusses key points on how to successful gain traction integrating analytics into the decision making process.
201205 Property Casualty 360: TMI is Never BadSteven Callahan
Quoted several times in article on the value of information and how the industry is unlikely to ever get too much. Information is critical so insurance decision making; managing it is becoming far more difficult.