TECHNOLOGY and EDUCATION twin priorities

Technology was a dominant theme of the 79th annual IBAO Convention as Ken Orr, president of the association for the 1999/ 2000 term, issued a cautionary tone on the industry’s interface future. Speaking at the convention’s final day luncheon, he says development of single entry multiple company interface (SEMCI) has become critical to achieving the necessary efficiencies between brokers and insurers.

And, although there has been a great deal of market excitement over Internet-based interface solutions, Orr cautions brokers against focussing their efforts on single company internet connections which will provide little change on the current splintered approach to the industry’s electronic interface problem. “Single company Internet communications is little more than having individual terminals for each company in your office,” he remarks.

Orr also unveiled the IBAO’s strategy theme for the coming year — “Pulling Together” — and asserts co-operation among all players is essential. “SEMCI will benefit all companies by reducing time and efficiency costs, but by ensuring that we provide quick, efficient service for our clients and most of all consumers by lower premiums through cost-effective operations.”

Other key priorities for the year include membership growth and retention, education expansion, encouraging participation, and continued strong interaction with government officials, says Orr. He suggests IBAO members should become more participatory in the coming year. “Many ask, ‘what difference can I make?’ Did you know that Hitler was elected to the German Parliament by one vote? History might have been very different if only a few more people had participated enough to vote against him.”