UNITY GROUP OFFERING SAFETY WORKSHOPS

The Unity Group is hosting safety-related workshops as part of the complimentary services they offer to their clients. This series is designed to offer clients access to valuable, up-to-date information that will help to develop businesses, improve processes and policies, and ease the administrative burden within organizations.

Workshops will cover various topics in the areas of Worker’s Compensation, Employment Practices Liability, Risk Management, OSHA Compliance & Reporting, and Claims Cost Containment.

This series will be in addition to their Business Development Series which covers topics for HR professionals and Managers to help control their overall company risks.

The Unity Group Wins Local Bocce Tournament

Andrew Olive, Sheldon Smith, Duncan Kirk, and Sheldon Satterthwaite represented The Unity Group at the Tenth Annual Bellingham Bay Bocce Tournament on Saturday, April 21, 2012. This was The Unity Group's first entry into the tournament in which they competed against thirty-two teams to win first place. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center. 

Tournament details are online at: http://www.boccemon.com

Celebrities Who Started In Insurance

For some, a job in insurance is a starting point that can open the doors to other opportunities. Here are eight celebrities who worked in the insurance industry before making it big outside our industry.

• Mark Burnett is best known as the producer of Survivor and the creator of the Apprentice. But before becoming a TV producer, Burnett worked in an insurance firm for two years and left it for a weekend job selling tee shirts.
• Charles Ives, who was one of the first American composers to achieve international fame, had a prosperous career as the director of a successful insurance agency in the early 1900s.
• Charles Lane, who appeared in hundreds of films and television shows including It's a Wonderful Life and I Love Lucy, started out as an insurance salesman.
• Wallace Stevens, who was an American Modernist poet, spent most of his life working as an executive for The Hartford.
• Anne Rice, who was a best selling author of novels like Interview with the Vampire, worked as an insurance claims processor.
• Bruce Jenner, who won the gold medal for the decathlon in the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics, sold insurance to support himself while training for the Olympics.
• Tom Clancy, who is best known for his military thriller novels, was the owner of the O.F. Bowen Agency.
• Colonel Sanders, who was famous for developing his secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices for the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food chain, had worked as insurance salesman.

(Source: National Underwriter)

Businesses Get Opportunity to Benchmark Their Employee Benefits Against Other Northwest Washington Companies (Press Release)

How Does Your Employee Benefits Package Measure Up?

With the cost of healthcare skyrocketing, employers are faced with evaluating their employee benefits packages on a regular basis.  If an organization has ever wondered how the benefits package they offer their employees measures up to other Western Washington companies, The Unity Group is offering an opportunity for them to find out at no cost.

The Unity Group is partnering with a national actuarial firm to conduct the 2012 Washington Health Benefits Benchmarking Survey.  By participating in this survey employers will receive customized benchmarking – a comparison of their unique plan(s) to others in their industry, of similar size, and all from Northwest Washington. With this data, organizations can assess their ability to attract and retain their most valuable asset, employees.  All information remains private and confidential. 

Employers with 50 or more employees are encouraged to participate.  The more surveys completed, the better the data will be for all participants.  Those who complete the survey will receive an individual custom report and an invitation to a seminar this Fall, which will include an interactive discussion and review of regional and national results.

For more information about the survey and a link to begin please visit, http://www.theunitygroup.com/health_benchmarking_survey.php

THE UNITY GROUP SUPPORTS JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT'S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

Every year, The Unity Group (TUG) participates in Junior Achievement's Bowling Classic. This event is JA's largest fundraiser and the funds support their efforts to provide a series of business, economics and life-skills programs to enhance the education of young people in Whatcom County.

Several of TUG team members volunteer to teach the programs and have really enjoyed seeing their lessons positively impact the live's of local youth.

On March 16th, internal campaign coordinator Amanda Brock and JA's Regional Director Gretchen Pfluegar rallied employees at the annual kick-off meeting. Six team members volunteered to represent Unity at the JA Bowling Classic which is scheduled for May 11th.

Interested in supporting TUG's team? You can make a monetary donation on JA's website in support of TUG's team.

To learn more about Junior Achievement, how to participate, or about event sponsorship opportunities, please visit JA's website at www.jawashington.org.

Four New Employees in Q1-2012 (Press Release)

The Unity Group Insurance & Employee Benefits is pleased to announce the addition of four new employees: Jason Smith, Darrin Bode, Kara Van Metre and Amelia Mendenhall.

Jason Smith joined the organization as an account manager in the Employee Benefits Department. Jason earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Washington State University and brings with him over ten years of Customer Service experience.

Darrin Bode joined the sales team focusing within the Commercial Insurance Department. Darrin brings with him a successful track record in outside sales and positive recommendations from many members of the Whatcom business community.

Kara Van Metre, another new addition to the sales team, will be focusing on Commercial Insurance for small businesses. She brings ten years of combined sales and management experience with her as well as a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Washington University.

 Amelia Mendenhall, the newest team member, also joined the sales team. Amelia is specializing in the Personal Lines Department and brings with her two years of industry experience as an insurance agent. Amelia graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor’s Degree, worked for two years in Spokane and then returned to her hometown of Bellingham.

Unity is Hiring!

Career Track Sales Position

The Unity Group, an employee owned insurance and financial services company, is looking for a Personal Lines Producer to join our organization.


Description:

This is a sales position responsible for generating new accounts and relationships through direct solicitation and referral resources. This individual will act as a liaison between the client and the agency by contacting prospective clients, gathering information, completing applications, collecting new business premiums and fulfilling other required professional advisory functions in the insurance sales process.

Responsibilities include:

•Prospect for new business from existing clients and identified target groups.

•Sell a variety of products from each partner insurance carrier.

•Keep abreast of trends and techniques; use agency & industry selling aids to maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.

•Develop a marketing plan; create list of prospects using current or developing centers of influence, detail the sources of new prospects; business development efforts; report to Manager as requested outlining sales activities and sales results.

•Educate clients concerning agency payment expectations; service staff and service expectations; claims and cancellation procedures.

•Enter activity items and clearly document all actions and correspondence, between client, agent, and carrier into agency computer system (TAM) and follow up in a timely manner.

•Maintain production reports and attend all sales meetings as required.

•Promote agency and insurance industry in the community.

•Keep informed of industry developments through review of trade press and by attending insurance carrier training meetings on new products, etc.

•Perform other specific duties and projects as assigned by agency management.

Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:
•Must be energetic, self motivated, and goal-oriented.

•Advanced communication skills, both verbal and written are essential.

•Strong technical ability

•Should enjoy both a face-to-face and telephone sales environment.

•Ability to obtain and maintain a Property & Casualty Insurance Agent License.

Preferred Qualifications:
•Minimum 2-years of successful sales experience.

•Bachelors Degree (strongly preferred)

The Unity Group is a company that invests in technology, appreciates its employees and has a family supportive management philosophy. We offer excellent compensation and benefits, and, most importantly, we are one great company to work for!

If you have a positive attitude and a passion for sales, please go to www.theunitygroup.com/employment.html and submit your application, resume, and cover letter.