Venture Expands Cyber Liability Coverage for Club and Hotel/Resort Programs

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PREFERRED CLUB and Suitelife programs respond to increased demand for broad, affordable privacy and data breach protection; complimentary risk management and data breach response services included.

West Chester, Pa. — April 1, 2014 — Venture Insurance Programs (www.ventureprograms.com) today announced it has expanded and enhanced privacy and data breach protection for its PREFERRED CLUB program for golf and country clubs, and its Suitelife programs for hotels and resorts.

The policy offers flexible, more affordable coverage for the costs to respond to a data breach, along with the costs to defend and resolve claims for statutory violations, negligence, regulatory investigations and breach of contract. Risk management and data breach prevention and response services are also offered. Coverage is written through Hiscox, a cyber insurance specialist with an A.M. Best rating of A (Excellent).

“The alarming increase in cyber attacks has highlighted the need for privacy and data breach protection in the hospitality industry, and we’re pleased to offer coverage that is not only broad in scope, but also more affordable for clubs and hotels of all sizes,” said Philip J. Harvey, founder and president of Venture Programs. “Club members and hotel and resort guests expect their information to be secure, and whether an attack is a targeted hack or simply a lost employee laptop, the result can be a costly claim and damaged reputation.”

Venture offers clubs, hotel and resorts a fast, easy process to obtain privacy and data breach protection, with limits up to $2 million and coverage available for risks up to $100 million in revenue. Coverage highlights include:

  • Retentions available from $5,000 to $25,000 and scaled based on revenues
  • Full limit for breach notification costs, with an option for Breach Costs Outside the Limit
  • Full limit for computer forensics
  • Duty to Defend policy
  • Coverage for breach of contract claims, including those under a payment card processing or service provider agreement
  • Coverage for regulatory actions, including investigations by the FTC or state attorney general, as well as coverage for civil penalties (where allowed), and compensatory awards such as consumer redress funds
  • $25,000 of PCI Fines coverage and PCI Remediation coverage included at no additional premium
  • Ability to add additional coverage modules including: Multimedia Liability, Hacker Damage, Cyber Business Interruption and Cyber Extortion

 

Coverage also includes complimentary risk management assistance and prevention services, as well as complimentary breach response services, including one hour with a data breach coach and access to breach response providers.

About Venture Insurance Programs
Venture Insurance Programs (www.ventureprograms.com) is a leading program administrator that designs, underwrites and distributes industry-specific insurance packages. Based in West Chester, Pa., Venture has underwriting alliances with the world’s leading carrier groups, including Chubb, Allied World, RSUI, USLI, Zurich North America, ACE, Monitor and Lloyd’s of London. Founded in 1993, Venture provides specialty insurance packages for select vertical industries—including golf and country clubs, golf destination resorts, hotels, resorts, hunting and fishing lodges and city and social clubs.

The Secret to National Media Coverage

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There is a very simple formula you can use to secure free, national coverage by media outlets throughout the United States.

Few PR professionals are aware of it, but those who use it are wildly successful.

It’s called … seriously? You know there is no silver bullet to successfully enhancing your business’ reputation. It takes hard work, planning and no shortage of skill and dedication.

In any event, everyone at Kimball Communications wishes you a very happy April Fool’s Day.

april-fools-day-meme

Image courtesy of quickmemes.com

Responding to Consumers on Social Media

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It’s vital to respond to posts, tweets, questions, etc., on social media, but there’s a right way to handle responding. It’s important to be present for your customers. You certainly do not want to be a ghost on your social media accounts. Below, we explore the right versus wrong ways to respond.

ivanpw / Foter / CC BY
  1. Wrong: Do not acknowledge a mistake a customer brings to your attention via social media. Right: No matter how small the mistake, always acknowledge a mistake and apologize promptly.
  2. Wrong: Listen but don’t respond. Being a ghost and not responding to customers is not a good reflection on your company/brand. Right: It’s important to respond to both positive and negative posts.
  3. Wrong: Respond to everyone with a generic message so everything is consistent. Right: Craft responses that can be personalized to handle different types of comments.
  4. Wrong: If there’s an issue, don’t ask for personal information such as an email address or phone number when responding. Right: Ask the customer to email you (be sure to provide an email address that will go directly to you and not a generic email response center). This also ensures the conversation will be handled privately and not online.
  5. Wrong: Take your time to respond to followers. Right: Ensure someone at your company responds to posts in a timely manner and directs the posts to the appropriate person if there’s a question or issue.

Social media managers, do you have any additional tips to share? Comment below.

Photo credit: ivanpw / Foter / CC BY

Cohen Feeley Altemose & Rambo Takes Time For Lehigh Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters Event

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BETHLEHEM, Pa., March 4, 2014 – Cohen Feeley Altemose & Rambo, a Lehigh Valley personal injury and commercial litigation law firm, was an event sponsor for Bowl for Kids’ Sake on Sunday, March 2, 2014. The annual event is hosted by Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley and was held from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at the AMF Parkway Lanes in Allentown.

The law firm received a Corporate Sponsor Award for making a $1,000 donation to the event. Employees of the firm volunteered their time to participate and bowl for the children. Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo has supported Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Lehigh Valley for more than 20 years.

ABOUT COHEN FEELEY
Cohen Feeley, Altemose & Rambo is a personal injury and commercial litigation law firm serving the needs of those in the Lehigh Valley and beyond for more than 30 years. Cohen, Feeley Altemose & Rambo has offices in Bethlehem and Allentown, Pa. For more information, please visit www.cohenfeeley.com

ReSource Pro Named a Top 100 Best Human Resource Management Company

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NEW YORK – ReSource Pro, a leading provider of business process management solutions for the insurance industry, has been named to the list of Top 100 Best Human Resource Management (HRM) Companies operating in China. This is ReSource Pro’s fourth time being listed as a Top 100 Best HRM Company since the list began in 2006.

The independent panel of judges that selected ReSource Pro identify companies that distinguish themselves based on a series of criteria that include training, employee benefits, leadership development programs, and an outstanding dedication to making the workplace a postive and rewarding experience.

The list is compiled annually by 51job (Nasdaq: JOBS), a leading human resource solutions provider with 25 offices in mainland China serving hundreds of thousands of domestic and multinational companies.

“We pride ourselves on building a culture that respects and provides opportunities to our people because it aligns with our values and returns better results to our clients,” said ReSource Pro CEO Dan Epstein.

Headquartered in Manhattan, ReSource Pro recently announced the opening of a third China office in the city of Huangdao.

About ReSource Pro
ReSource Pro LLC, a premier provider of business management process solutions, was named one of the top 100 global outsourcing companies by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals, and has appeared on the Inc. magazine list of fastest growing US companies in the past five years. ReSource Pro is focused on productivity growth for more than 160 of its insurance business clients including retail and wholesale brokers, MGAs, program administrators, carriers, and TPA’s. For more information, please visit www.ReSourcePro.com.

ReSource Pro Opens Office in Third Location in China

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NEW YORK – ReSource Pro, a leading provider of business process management solutions for the insurance industry, announces it has opened an office in the Chinese city of Huangdao. This is the third office in China for the organization, whose headquarters are in Manhattan.

The new 19,000-square foot Huangdao office will house Processing and Operational Excellence staff. Other ReSource Pro offices in China are located in Qingdao and Jinan.

“As insurance organizations continue to look for ways to drive productivity growth and improve performance, our business continues to grow to meet their needs,” explained ReSource Pro CEO Dan Epstein. “China offers a rich field of English-speaking college graduates eager to learn about, and grow with, the insurance industry and we continue to see it as an outstanding location for finding quality professionals.”

The new office is led by long-time ReSource Pro veterans, and overseen by Leaf Zhang, VP of Operations and Finance. Located within a 180-acre office park just minutes from the Huangdao business center, the two-floor office currently employs nearly 50 employees and will soon accommodate 235 employees.

ReSource Pro received a number of awards in 2013 related to its business growth, including ranking fourth on the list of Rising Stars from the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals’ Global 100 List. Additionally, ReSource Pro was named for the fifth consecutive year in 2013 to Inc. magazine’s list of fastest growing, privately held companies in the United States. ReSource Pro has been recognized among leading global companies for its human resource management practices, and learning & development curriculum and data security initiatives.

About ReSource Pro
ReSource Pro LLC, a premier provider of business management process solutions, was named one of the top 100 global outsourcing companies by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals, and has appeared on the Inc. magazine list of fastest growing US companies in the past five years. ReSource Pro is focused on productivity growth for more than 160 of its insurance business clients including retail and wholesale brokers, MGAs, program administrators, carriers, and TPA’s. For more information, please visit www.ReSourcePro.com.

Ignorance Is Not a Brand Attribute

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Media outlets everywhere have covered Groupon's Presidents' Day marketing stunt. The question is if this hurts or helps the brand in the long term.

Many media outlets, like the Chicago Tribune, have covered Groupon’s President’s Day marketing stunt. The question is if this stunt hurts or helps the brand in the long term.

As marketing tools, sometimes stunts work. They get the media’s attention. They take your brand “viral.” They get people talking about you. They create “buzz.”

When activists delivered a 13-foot tall gluten-free cake to Capital Hill in May 2011 to advocate that the Food and Drug Administration enforce gluten-free labeling standards, the stunt worked. There was plenty of media coverage. It supported the mission to which the activists were committed. It alerted consumers to issues surrounding the food they eat.

However, Groupon’s latest stunt – calling Alexander Hamilton “undeniably one of our greatest presidents” to promote a Presidents’ Day special – will not serve the brand well.

Sure, Groupon is quirky. Some might say it’s quirky to the point of being ridiculous. I’ll also grant you the Groupon stunt is getting buzz. There’s plenty of media coverage (heck, it prompted me to write this spiffy blog post).

But this stunt also gives the impression Groupon doesn’t know the facts (e.g., Hamilton was U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, not President). In trying to look too cool for school, Groupon instead comes across as out of touch with details – something that might make consumers wary. Thoughtful consumers might at first be amused. But on reflection, will they trust leaving their credit card information with a company that portrays ignorance as an attribute?

Hamilton’s briefly mistaken moment in U.S. presidential history won’t sink Groupon – assuming people are still using it. In fact, in the short run, it will have everyone talking about Groupon. That is what stunts do; they create buzz.

It’s the long run that is a problem. How does Hamilton fit the brand? More importantly, how does portraying a fundamental misunderstanding of history convince consumers to spend their Hamiltons, and Washingtons and Lincolns with Groupon?

Any good public relations professional will tell you buzz doesn’t always last and stunts like this don’t help the long term reputation of Groupon with consumers.

Mr. Hamilton would not be amused or impressed by Groupon’s stunt. Those using his likeness shouldn’t be either.

 

 

ReSource Pro Named to IAOP’s Global Outsourcing 100® List for the Fifth Time

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NEW YORK, NY, Feb. 17, 2014 – ReSource Pro, a leading provider of business process management solutions for the insurance industry, has been named for the fifth time to the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals® (IAOP) Global Outsourcing 100® list for 2014.

“ReSource Pro’s continued ranking on this respected international list is further validation of our professionalism and leading-edge efficiency solutions for the insurance industry,” said Dan Epstein, ReSource Pro CEO. “We’re honored to have our efforts recognized, and we continue to work to improve productivity growth across our clients operations.”

The 2014 Global Outsourcing 100 and The World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors recognizes the world’s best outsourcing service providers and advisors. These rankings are based on applications received and evaluated by an independent judging panel organized by IAOP. The 2013 panel is led by IAOP managing director of thought leadership, IAOP, Jagdish Dalal, COP and president of JDalal Associates, LLC.

“At a time when there is a growing need to outsource, The Global Outsourcing 100 and The World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors lists have become invaluable reference tools to help companies research service providers,” said Debi Hamill, IAOP CEO. “The companies named on these lists and sub lists have demonstrated their expertise following a rigorous, independently judged process and represent the top in the industry.”

About ReSource Pro
ReSource Pro LLC, a premier provider of business management process solutions, was named one of the top 100 global outsourcing companies by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals, and has appeared on the Inc. magazine list of fastest growing US companies in the past five years. ReSource Pro is focused on productivity growth for more than 160 of its insurance business clients including retail and wholesale brokers, MGAs, program administrators, carriers, and TPA’s. For more information, please visit www.ReSourcePro.com.

About IAOP: The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals® (IAOP®) is the global, standard-setting organization and advocate for the outsourcing profession. With more than 120,000 members and affiliates worldwide, IAOP helps companies increase their outsourcing success rate, improve their outsourcing ROI, and expand the opportunities for outsourcing across their businesses. To learn more, visit http://www.IAOP.org.

The media contact for IAOP is:
Kate Tulloch-Hammond
IAOP Manager, Media & Communications
+1.845.452.0600, ext. 122
Kate.hammond@IAOP.org

About The Global Outsourcing 100
The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals® (IAOP®) is in its eighth year of compiling its annual ranking of the world’s best outsourcing service providers and advisors – The Global Outsourcing 100. As part of The Global Outsourcing 100, IAOP also introduced a new list in 2009, The World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors.

The Global Outsourcing 100 and its sub-lists are essential references for companies seeking new and expanded relationships with the best companies in the industry. The lists include companies from around the world that provide the full spectrum of outsourcing services — not just information technology and business process outsourcing, but also facility services, real estate and capital asset management, manufacturing and logistics. They include not only today’s leaders, but tomorrow’s rising stars.
The World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors is geared specifically to companies that are outstanding global outsourcing advisors and consultants. In addition to being part of The Global Outsourcing 100, the new list of advisors ranks the top consultant, legal and related advisory firms globally, and is a valuable reference tool for companies needing expert advice and guidance with their outsourcing projects.
The Global Outsourcing 100 for service providers is composed of both today’s known leaders and tomorrow’s rising stars. The judging category of Leader or Rising Star is based on size criteria, which is a combination of yearly revenue and employee numbers set by the judging panel. The groups are judged separately. The final ranked list is composed of the top 75 Leaders and top 25 Rising Stars. The evaluation criteria is weighted to ensure that small to mid-size companies have as much of a chance to be selected as a large, recognized name. Consultants and advisors applying to the World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors list are judged together as a single list. The application process for both The Global Outsourcing 100 and the World’s Best Outsourcing Advisors mirrors the customers’ request for proposal (RFP) process in many ways. The application is composed of three required parts: Company Information, Company Profile and Evaluation Criteria. The first asks for basic contact and company information. The second allows companies to select their top services provided, industries served and regions where they provide services. These answers are used to qualify them for sub lists. The third part includes numerous questions broken into four sections — Size and Growth, Customer Satisfaction, Depth of Competence and Management Capabilities.

Recurring Role: Insurance Agent Stars in Web Series

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American Modern Insurance Group: The Build

Listen to the Friday, Jan. 24, 2014, radio interview of Adam Boca with Kentucky’s 93 WKCT News Talk radio about his fourth episode on the popular web series, The BUILD. Adam, a licensed insurance agent with the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY, filmed a series of episodes in June 2013 that began airing in January.

The series, with thousands of viewers tuning in via YouTube and Facebook, follows the step-by-step rebuild and restoration of a classic 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS.

The BUILD is sponsored by American Modern Insurance Group, a Kimball Communications’ client, and is filmed just outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Why it’s a bad idea to link Facebook and Twitter posts

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I sometimes cringe when I see Facebook and Twitter posts/accounts linked. Linking accounts automatically posts the same content from one account directly to another account. My initial thought when I see a Facebook account linked to a Twitter account or vice versa is a robot is running the account. I fear no one is listening to their customers on a given platform if the two are linked.

Brands may think it makes sense to link these accounts for a few different reasons. Someone running the account simply may not realize he/she should not be linking the accounts. Brands may think it saves a significant amount of time and cuts out a step.

Though it may save brands a minute or two, it may hurt the business in the long run. Yet, some companies still link their posts. Below, I’ll discuss why it make sense not to connect Facebook and Twitter accounts.

striatic / Foter.com / CC BY

Here are a few reasons not to link Facebook and Twitter posts/accounts:

  • Linking accounts gives brands a robotic feel. It can make it seem like brands are not listening.
  • Less clicks may occur when posts are the same across networks.
  • It lacks personality. It’s like a machine is just spewing out information and tweets instead of a human.
  • There’s no conversation/engagement when Facebook is linked to Twitter. Brands could be engaging with other accounts and mentioning Twitter handles.
  • Often people pause when they see accounts linked and may be less likely to visit a page.

If time is an issue, which it is for most, take advantage of a social media management platform. This will allow brands to login to one account to manage multiple social media networks. This way businesses won’t have to login to Facebook and Twitter separately. We like HootSuite and SproutSocial for managing our accounts.

Photo credit: striatic / Foter.com / CC BY