1st     Insuring Commercial Casualty CISR Class – Jackson, MS

2nd     Life and Health CIC Class, Jackson, MS

16th     National Boss’ Day

17th     IW of SW MS Monthly Business Meeting

18th     Deadline for MS State Meeting registration and
            room reservations

27th     Daylight savings time ends

31st     Halloween

2nd         Louisiana Renaissance Fair – Hammond, LA

5th         Election Day

8-10th     MS State Meeting in Tupelo

11th         Veterans Day

28th         Thanksgiving Day

Do you like networking?  Insurance professionals know that networking produces well–qualified referrals that can be developed into new accounts.  Networking does not mean haphazardly and unenthusiastically attending a few card exchanges and after hour mixers.  By focusing on others and learning about them, it will be easy to build trust and gain referrals.

The key to networking is to learn about others first.  By focusing on others, you can set yourself apart.  When you focus your attention on others, you become known, liked and trusted.  You also gain a steady stream of referrals.

How can you get to know other people?  Ask them questions like, “How is your company different from your competition?” or “What sort of problems have you solved for your clients?”  Asking these types of questions will help you understand people better.  It will also help you understand what their business is about.

Another key to networking, is to make sure people do not forget you.  Send a brief note or a thank you card when you meet someone new.  When you meet a person that can benefit from someone’s service that you know, send him or her that way with a referral.  Just as you like to be remembered, so do the people that you network with.

from her parents as they traveled back from Missouri to Nevada in late September.  Keri also recently attended the Jackson PIA luncheon and learned of some interesting rate and rule filings from guest speaker John Wells of the MS Dept. of Insurance.
 

Deborah Ledford enjoyed a visit from IW of SW MS members who were attending an agency management update meeting in Baton Rouge, LA recently.  Deb is diligently working on her costume for our 2003 State Meeting invitation.
 

Virginia Zeigler has become a soccer grandmother.  Her grandson, Hayden, has started playing soccer in Hattiesburg.  Their first game was scheduled for September 28, 2002, but it was rained out.  His games begin at 8:30 A.M. so; “Gran” will be making the early morning commute.  We hope Hayden has fun and wins!!
 

Ruthie Phillips has spent her free time working in her yard and on her writing.  She is working hard on the Pinnacle Award paperwork.
 

Mary Jones just returned from a “flying” trip to Nashville, TN.  Mary attended a round of wedding parties for her daughter, Dawn and future son-in-law, Kevin.  She had a great time visiting with friends she hasn’t seen in a while.
 

Bea Jones is scheduled to attend a continuing education class on October 24, 2002.  The class will be on Professional Development.

We hear about leaders every day on the news and radio.  But who exactly are leaders and what do they do?  While this article does not cover every aspect of a leader, it does give out some basics.

Leaders come from all walks of life.  They come from different professions, ethnic backgrounds, social economic levels, geographic areas, and political parties.  Despite these differences, however, leaders usually perform some of the same functions.  For example they:

· shape visions and goals

· help a group make decisions and reach goals

· resolve conflicts

· motivate others

· attract, support, and defend the work of the group

· collaborate with other groups

· delegate tasks and responsibilities
 

While some people refer to a “natural born” leader, anyone can become a leader with practice.  There are several leadership opportunities in NAIW.  Take the time today to learn and practice your leadership abilities.