Surveys Find Training Needs Growing; Tips on Engaging Emerging Leaders
With unemployment levels in the double digits, and many Boomer retirement plans on hold, is the “experience gap” identified by the Member Opinion Panel three years ago still an impending risk for the property-casualty insurance industry? Two studies were conducted by the CPCU Society in 2009 to assess the outlook for training and professional development. The Member Opinion Panel was asked in November 2009 to update their assessment of the importance of engaging young professionals with the industry, the CPCU, and the CPCU Society. At the same time, CPCUs and CPCU students aged 35 and under were also asked for their insights on how best to engage their peer group. Earlier in the year, over 300 senior executives and Human Resources managers were asked about their outlooks for professional development and training. Read up on what the Society found out about employers’ future training needs, and tips on how to engage the emerging leader.

What Happens Next? Survey Assesses Outlook for Industry’s Future
Six months after investigating the implications of the financial crisis for property-casualty insurance employers and for CPCU careers, the Member Opinion Panel was asked in May 2009 for a status update. Society members on the Panel were also invited to look two to three years beyond the current recession and into the industry’s future. What emerging risks should the industry prepare to address? And how serious is their threat to industry profitability? Based on their outlook, what do members think the CPCU Society should do to improve the value of membership? Check out a summary of the Panel’s vision of the future, or dive into the detailed survey findings (doc).

Survey Measures the Impact of the Financial Crisis
In November and December 2008, the CPCU Society asked its Member Opinion Panel for their expert opinions on the crisis roiling the financial markets and financial services industry. How will recent events, from the bursting of the real estate “bubble” to the AIG rescue plan impact the property-casualty insurance industry now and in the future?  How have their employers been affected, and how will they respond? And what does all this mean for CPCU careers? What can the CPCU Society do to insure their members’ success in dealing with the turmoil?  Check out the summary of the survey results, or delve into the detailed survey findings.

Survey Profiles Enhanced Member and Employer Benefits from the “CPCU Experience”In March 2008, participants in the CPCU Society’s Member Opinion Panel were asked to share their experiences as a CPCU. How did they first become aware of the designation? How long did it take them to complete their CPCU studies, and what could the AICPCU and CPCU Society do to help future students? Since receiving their designations and becoming a member of the CPCU Society, what benefits have they experienced? Read a summary of the survey results, or explore the detailed survey findings (doc).

Survey Flags a Potential Crisis of Confidence
In November 2007, the CPCU Society’s Member Opinion Panel revisited the issue of ethics and confidence, explored in the first panel survey in May 2005. CPCUs were asked to assess their ultimate customers’ confidence that the industry would deliver fully on its promises if they were to submit a claim, and whether their confidence levels had changed in the past five years. Insurance consumers, as represented by the ICR (an independent market research company) Consumer Omnibus Study of U.S. adults, were asked similar questions. Society members were also asked about measures their employers had implemented to restore customer confidence, the effectiveness of these measures, and what steps should be taken next, including what role the CPCU Society should play. Read a summary of the survey results, or explore the detailed survey findings.

Survey Finds Continuing Education Is the Answer for Staff Retention!
The March 2007 survey of the CPCU Society’s Member Opinion Panel asked CPCUs to describe their insurance careers, and the tools they found most valuable in managing their careers through good times and bad. Panelists were also asked about employer support for their professional development efforts, and their likely response if employers significantly reduced that support. Read the survey summary report, or examine the detailed survey findings (doc).

Is Your Company Prepared? Survey Finds Gaps Ahead!
A November 2006 survey of the CPCU Society’s Member Opinion Panel asked CPCUs about their readiness to deal with a variety of broad socio-economic trends expected to change the insurance industry in the future. In addition, members were asked how well prepared their employers were to deal with the implications of these trends, particularly an “experience gap” resulting from the retirement of experienced Baby Boom generation professionals. Panelists also provided recommendations for addressing the challenges ahead for property/casualty insurance businesses. Read a summary of the panel survey results, or immerse yourself in the detailed findings and panelist recommendations (doc).

Survey Finds CPCUs Are a Competitive Advantage
In April 2006, members of the CPCU Society’s Member Opinion Panel were asked about awareness and understanding of the CPCU designation among employers and customers. Panelists were also asked whether a competitive advantage could be gained by promoting the designation in company communications. Read the summary of our members’ reactions!

Member Opinion Panel Survey Finds Volunteering Develops Leaders
In November 2005, members of the CPCU Society's Member Opinion Panel were asked to complete a survey on the value of volunteering. Read an overview of the survey results, or download the complete survey findings (doc).

CPCU Society Announces Results of Consumer Confidence Survey
In May 2005, the CPCU Society conducted a survey of its Member Opinion Panel and insurance consumers to measure awareness of recent charges of collusion and unethical practices in the insurance industry, and to gauge the impact on consumer trust. Read the survey report today.