Comments on: Errors and Omissions (E&O) Rules Still being Written for Social Media

By: NBrown

NBrown — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:19:07 +0000

Thanks for sharing the resources Brian. It remains a process of real time education for those on the front lines, so keeping tabs on analyst reports and topical webinars will help insurance and IT professionals understand how social media can be used effectively and safely.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:11:03 +0000

As an IT consultant I am fully aware that IT management is struggling with whether social media is productive or obstructive for companies and their employees. Software is being developed and policy and restrictions are being decided everyday by IT managers. The security of the networks of various organizations are at stake but the potential for innovation using social media is a large enough incentive for the discussion of how to properly utilize the medium continues. Palo Alto networks came up with a whitepaper, http://bit.ly/d2NZRp, which will explore the issues surrounding social media in the workplace. It is important to not only understand the immediate benefits of doing business how one lives, but the threat it presents to an organization’s greater ROI and productivity when it comes to the server’s safety and security. If your IT Department wants to block social media apps on the company network…http://bit.ly/d2NZRp and http://bit.ly/cR80Al

By: NBrown

NBrown — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:45:31 +0000

My thanks to you Leslie for breaking the ground. Your knowledge on this topic is appreciated, especially as social media is more readily adopted by agencies for marketing purposes and the rules are continuing to be written. You’ve managed to inspire another post, as I plan on reviewing the organizations you’ve referenced to write a, “Social media lessons the insurance industry can learn from …”

Adding Risky Chronicles to my blogroll as well.

Nick Brown

By: Leslie White

Leslie White — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:28:01 +0000

Thanks for including portions of my posting in yours. Insurance agencies have specific problems as a highly regulated industry. Agents’ social media efforts need to be compliant with its multitude of regulations (binding coverage, “tie-in sales, etc.) in addition to all of the other social media risks of plagiarism, copyright, defamation, invasion of privacy etc. However social media is becoming critical to a business’ success as a way to engage and meet your clients needs. Social media gives you “high touch” with your clients but needs to be done properly or will be seen as just bad marketing.

Associations are in the forefront of using social media to engage with their members so check some of them out. The National Association of Realtors is also from a regulated industry and in the forefront of social media usage (www.realtor.org). Other social media-savvy associations include American Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://www.asha.org, American Academy of Physician Assistants (www.aapa.org), and the American Red Cross has an awesome Social Media Handbook (http://sites.google.com/site/wharman/social-media-strategy-handbook)

Thanks again for the mention.

Leslie White

By: NBrown

NBrown — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:05:49 +0000

Thanks for sharing your take Chris. It's funny because 10 years ago, agencies didn't even have to think about the risks of content creation, but now, it's woven into the insurance marketing strategies of many agencies. Your comment about the social media policy is especially relevant since it's designed to stop potential problems before they arise. Nick

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:12:03 +0000

Having a social media policy in place is imperative to protecting the liability of the agency. When we blog at our agency, we often give tips, recipes, and techniques. Many things like our driving techniques blog involve practice and skill to master. Although we make it clear in the blog to use common sense, things can happen.. As with anything people find on the internet, it is up to the reader to have discernment and common sense when implementing any techniques or following any tips. In today’s sue-happy society, protecting the agency is of utmost importance, especially when a large audience reads your material on a daily basis. Its a trade-off because interesting material garners risk and calls the reader to action in the real-world.