Garr Reynolds: PresentationZen
More and more agencies are using presentations to convey information to their clients and staff. I highly recommend this book as a resource for ideas for successful presentations. The book discusses people process information and ways to present so that they get the most from the presentation. Practical examples are given.
Jan Hargreaves: Strictly Business: Body Language: Using Nonverbal Communication for Power and Success
I saw Jan at the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas annual meeting in Austin, TX in June 2007. She is fabulous. Everyone should read this book and see her speak if you have the opportunity.
Jim Collins: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't
I consider this required reading for the agencies I work with as well.
John G. Miller: QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life
Should be required reading by everyone in your firm.
Patrick M. Lencioni: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
I was fortunate to be able to attend Patrick's Building Winning Teams Workshop in November 2007. It was an awesom workshop. I recommend this book to every agency I work with and I highly recommend Patrick's workshop.
Patrick M. Lencioni: The Three Signs of a Miserable Job: A Fable for Managers (And Their Employees)
Another great book by Patrick that should be read by every owner, partner, manager and supervisor.
Insurance Agency Operations/Technology Specialist
Patricia M. Alexander, CIC, is a consultant, coach and mentor. She has many years of experience in the insurance industry. Her experience spans standard carriers, retail agencies, surplus lines insurance carriers and managing general agencies. She has been an agency owner in addition to holding several executive level management positions throughout her career. She has managed large, national programs both at the carrier level and at the managing general agency level.
While always involved at some level in the operations area, this became her focus in 1995. She has been involved in the definition and organization of several organizations from their start-up to fully operational. Patricia thrives on the challenges of researching, defining and implementing new systems. She considers herself an agency systems and operations specialist with an insurance background. She is dedicated to the best use of technology as a means to enhance the service experience for clients and agency staff and to improve agency profitability.
Patricia feels that her diverse experience enables her to be an asset to her clients. Her knowledge of the insurance industry eliminates the need for her clients to spend valuable time explaining how the industry works.
She speaks at industry events and writes for several industry publications.
travel, reading, white water rafting, hot air ballooning