News of the Day

sponsored by 

Report: P/C industry closed 2008 with adequate reserves
The property/casualty insurance industry's reserves were sufficient by the end of 2008, but several statistical factors suggest a possible future reserve deficiency, according to a report from Fitch Ratings. Unstable financial markets and a deepening economic crisis could adversely affect the industry, creating "tremendous challenges in estimating loss reserves going forward," the rating agency said. PropertyCasualty360.com (11/3)

• P/C insurers still have enough risk capital despite decline, report says: The property/casualty insurance industry continues to have enough capital for its asset, credit and underwriting risks despite a slump in its risk-adjusted capitalization by 17 percentage points last year, according to a report from A.M. Best. The capital decline could be attributed to tough market conditions, record-high catastrophe losses and the financial meltdown, the firm said. Business Insurance (11/3)

Industry Watch

Government forecasters to improve storm advisories
The National Hurricane Center is planning to change its public advisories on tropical storms to make them easier to understand. Some people have complained about the difficulty of finding the information they need on the advisories, an agency spokesman said. The Miami Herald/The Associated Press (free registration) (11/3)

Army Corps starts $1 billion New Orleans flood-protection project
The Army Corps of Engineers has begun work on a $1 billion project in New Orleans that aims to protect the city's western section from flooding during a powerful hurricane. Many residents have returned since Hurricane Katrina, but the area remains highly prone to flooding, experts warn. MSNBC/The Associated Press (11/3)

Other News

• Army Corps of Engineers to use $90 million in stimulus funds for river-levee inspections
  WDAF-TV (Kansas City, Mo.)/The Associated Press (11/3)

• New York enforces law prohibiting motorists from texting while driving
  Insurance Journal/The Associated Press (11/3)

• Indiana lawmaker to seek texting ban for all drivers
  The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Ind.) (11/3)

• Missouri transportation department bans employees from texting while driving
  KOMU-TV (University of Missouri) (11/3)

Trends & Technology

Deaths caused by single-car collisions on the rise in Delaware
Most of the traffic fatalities in Delaware could be attributed to single-car crashes and distracted driving, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. Government data show a "troubling" increase in the number of deaths caused by single-vehicle crashes in the state every year, an official from the group said. The News Journal (Wilmington, Del.) (11/3)

Other News

• Iowa's road fatalities could hit record low this year
  The Des Moines Register (Iowa) (11/3)

Business Leadership

How to compete with a BlackBerry -- and win
Meetings need to be more interactive with participants continually called on to get involved to stop them from using a cell phones, laptop or BlackBerry instead of paying attention, Michael Schrage writes. "You manage attention not by regulating devices but by managing expectations," he writes. Harvard Business Review online/Conversation Starter blog (11/2)

Charitable efforts lift employee morale, engagement
Employee engagement and morale can be boosted when a company asks workers to use their specific skills to help with philanthropic efforts, writes Sylvia Ann Hewlett, the founding president of the Center for Work-Life Policy. Such efforts are especially key when a company has been rocked by bad press or tough economic times. Harvard Business Review online/Winning the Talent War blog (10/30)

Featured Content Cardmember Profile: Consultants 2 Go  OPEN Forum Connectodex 4 Easy Low Budget Ideas to Market Your Small Business  Ivana Taylor 13 Ways to Network Beyond Facebook and LinkedIn  John Jantsch 'Eco-Angst' Joins 'Buyer's Remorse' in Consumer Regrets  Jill Fehrenbacher Tapping Your Way Into a Loan  Julia Rogers  from Wise Bread

Best Practices

10 strategies to boost sales through the end of year
Online marketer Travis Campbell has put together 10 tips to help businesses close more sales to bring a stronger finish to the year. Among his ideas: Plan a webinar series, publicize a customer case study and poll top-25 customers. Small Business Trends (11/1)

Elite sports offers business lessons in winning strategies
Elite sports has plenty of parallels with big business, ranging from long-term and short-term strategies, goals, teamwork and perseverance. Some important lessons that sports offer are that elite athletes are not born but made, that planning and a positive mind-set are essential, and that it's equally essential to celebrate victories. Forbes (11/2)

SmartQuote

Email: namic@dailylead.com
Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004
Legal and Privacy information at http://www.dailylead.com/legal.jsp
Unsubscribe