News

Anniversaries are scary things. The stark reality is that they mark time – either well-spent or irretrievable. My wedding anniversary definitely falls into the former and is one of the most important days of the year for my family. Teri, I, and the kids all sit down and watch our wedding video filmed by our brother-in-law (it comes complete with commentary). Doing so reminds us that the path we started on together is worth seeing through to the end – plus the kids get a kick out of seeing their ‘younger parents’.

It has been 40 years since Bill Tuscano started down the road of building a better wholesale insurance shop. As he travelled around the state in the late 60’s working for a now defunct regional carrier, he felt certain he could fill a much-needed void. He was convinced that retail agents could use an insurance wholesaler that cared about what they cared about; who was committed to hard work, honesty and integrity; and above all else, valued customer service and relationships. Much has changed since then, including both the insurance marketplace and the Tuscano Agency. Sometimes I am nostalgic for the ‘old days’ when competition came from your peers and regulations were manageable. Now, it takes all of our skill and knowledge just to stay one step ahead of our peers. Remember the old joke - You don’t have to outrun the bear, just the fellow behind you.

I have no more influence over the marketplace in 2010 than Bill did back in 1970. But now, as then, we do have control over living out our values system and staying true to our course. However, I am also reminded by my sister Jinny – change or die. So, while we stay the course: committed to exceptional customer service, providing insurance solutions for our customers, and building the relationships that will carry us into the next 40 years, expect to see many changes and innovations on how we build a better wholesale insurance agency, AND deliver on our promises.
As in a marriage, communication in business relationships is critical. Teri knows me well enough to give allowances for my sometimes poor communication skills (“I never said that…”) but, I am aware that I get no such exception at the office or in business. The letter I write twice a month is without a doubt the Tuscano calling card. I get more comments and feedback from the newsletter than on anything else we send. One of my goals for 2010 is to be an even better communicator, and that will start with one very important change being made to how we deliver our mid-month newsletter.

After 40 years of mailing two newsletters a month via the U.S. mail, Tuscano is finally going to make a partial leap. We have decided to start sending our middle-month newsletter via e-mail beginning January 15th. By going to email-only delivery, we will actually make it easier for the people who want the newsletter to receive it directly rather than the old-school method of passing paper around the office. It will also be simple for those folks in your office who do not want email to opt-out of the delivery. One thing is certain, the mid-month mailing is no more*.

As always, I am willing to listen. But, I hope you view this as I do – a win-win for all newsletter addicts and the green movement!

Ring out the old and bring on the new – let’s have a great 2010!


*This also means that policy expiration lists will now need to be retrieved electronically from our website.