Presentations were hosted by Lee McDonald, Vice President of Communications for A.M. Best Company, and Paul Tinnirello, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for A.M. Best Company.

Be sure to check back for completely up-to-date audio and digital versions of this year's E-Fusion presentations. Visit the E-Fusion Podcast homepage to download exclusive interviews with the E-Fusion speakers.

E-Fusion Award Recipient Announced; Closing of E-Fusion 2008 (12/3/08)

The 2008 E-Fusion Award recipient is American Family Insurance for the Teen Safe Driver Program. Watch their October 30 presentation here.

 

The Payback of the Information Dashboard (12/3/08)

Transcript & Audio Version (Click to watch and read)

Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)

The benefits of strict information management are huge, but so are the risks. Becoming too dependent on simplistic information can be limiting. Learn how insurers are refining their information-collection and management systems to build internal guidance systems that boost productivity.
Presenters: Patricia Saporito of Business Objects, a SAP company; Mark Allaben of The Hartford Insurance Group

Building a Knowledge-Based Insurance Organization (11/19/08)

Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)
Insurers are automating processes and storing all the data they can, but knowledge escapes retention with each major retirement. We'll explore the ways organizations are building smarter workforces and how savvy technologists are educating themselves and their teams for 21st century competition.
Presenters: Craig Bedell of Cognos; Britta Schatz of Penn National Insurance

E-Fusion Award Finalist #3 (11/19/08)
Allied North America: mySocrates
Transcript & Video Version (Click to watch and read)

Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)

Custom-tailored for the construction industry, mySocrates is a collaborative online service aimed at unifying the people, processes and data integral to managing the inherent risks in construction. Learn how Allied North America uses portal technology to create a uniquely transparent system for employees, customers and partners to share information, making insurance claim analysis and tracking easier than ever before.
Presenter: Lisa Buglione

Is the Web Out of Control? (11/12/08)
Transcript & Video Version (Click to watch and read)
Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)
Social networking, instant communications, blogging: They're all important but huge threats to corporate security and consistent delivery of strategy. Managed poorly, these technologies can become strains on productivity. Hear how companies use communication technology to their advantage and reach customers they might never have otherwise.
Presenters: Michael T. Wise of IdeaStar; Charles Wasilewski of The van Aartrijk Group

E-Fusion Award Finalist #2 (11/5/2008)
The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies: F3 Internet Quoting Application
Transcript & Video Version (Click to watch and read)
Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)
F3 is an insurance quoting application specially designed for consumers who want to purchase their insurance directly from Progressive via the Internet. Hear how the sophisticated Flash-based interface collects a consumer's input data and provides an accurate car insurance rate instantly.
Presenter: Dan Gehrmann

E-Fusion Award Finalist #1 (10/30/2008)
American Family Insurance: Teen Safe Driver Program
Transcript & Video Version (Click to watch and read)
Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)
The Teen Safe Driver Program is a driving safety feedback system used by parents to teach and motivate their teen drivers to reduce crashes and claims. Young drivers are up to 10 times more likely to crash than adults, and the resulting deaths and injuries are of epidemic proportions. See how American Family Insurance has developed and employed a Video Event Recorder to record risky driving events for parental review and teen driver instruction, cutting risky driving and crashes by more than 65%.
Presenters: Rick Fetherston, William B. Westrate, Deborah Brancel

Value-Centric E-Commerce (10/22/2008)
Transcript & Video Version (Click to watch and read)
Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)
Selling insurance is unlike selling anything else and best new e-commerce practices reflect that. We'll discuss how marketing employs, pushes and trumps technology to better the online insurance-shopping experience. See where outside vendors fit in and how an insurer can make certain that e-commerce initiatives continue to reinforce the brand.
Presenters: John Pogas of Aon Corp.; Jaimie Pickles of Canal Partner LLC; Brian Ocheltree of DoublePositive Marketing Group Inc.

Technology-Based Underwriting (10/08/2008)
Transcript & Video Version (Click to watch and read)
Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)
Insurers are using technology to provide new forms of auto and homeowners' underwriting. Hear how GPS monitoring systems, advanced mapping analysis and other technology help companies customize rates and compete for customers. Discover the best uses of spatial information, what works and how technology will affect the future of underwriting.
Presenters: Glen Daraskevich of Karen Clark & Co.; Barry Rabkin of Financial Insights

Redefining the Economic Value of IT (10/01/2008)
Transcript & Video Version (Click to watch and read)
Audio Version (Click to listen; Right click and "Save As" to download)
As the economy struggles, insurers are investing their money more prudently. Learn how IT professionals are demonstrating new strategic and economic value to their organizations. Hear the latest trends in effective insurance project management and how staff, vendors or outsourcing can be used most effectively.
Presenters: Matt Josefowicz of Novantas; Jeff Goldberg of Celent

(Updated 1/30/09)