Don't Set Sail in 2011 Without an Agency Plan--It's Not to Late! (On the Level‪)‬

2011 is here and what are your plans for this year? We have a new governor in a state saddled with budget issues and skyrocketing taxes. New York is hardly business friendly and that coupled with our stalled economy doesn't make for a positive environment in which to operate your business. How do your clients and prospects feel about the current state of affairs? Will the poor economy and unsure future have them concentrating on premium at the expense of protection? If that's the case you and your staff will need to figure out how to overcome that thinking and get them concentrating on value. How did your agency do in 2010 and what will you do differently in 2011? There are many questions to be answered. If you have done a good job planning for 2011 then you have answered these questions and many more as part of the process. If you haven't done a good job analyzing and planning then you're flying by the sit of your pants with no idea where you're going. If you have completed your planning for 2011, are you comfortable with the final product? Have you communicated it to your whole staff and have they "bought in" to their piece of the plan? Were they given an opportunity to participate in the process? If they were, their feeling of ownership will be greater. Does your staff have all the training and tools they need to carry out the plans you have made?