Risk Services Of Arkansas - February 2020

The line between technologies that are beneficial for large businesses and those beneficial for small businesses continues to blur. While the latest software programs were once only available to large companies that could afford them, some of these programs have also become available and profitable for small businesses to use. In an age of increasing connectivity, these are a few tech trends that small businesses should watch out for. While it certainly shouldn’t replace every customer interaction, using AI software programs for small tasks — like email marketing, data entry, accounting, and some low-stress forms of customer service — is invaluable to small businesses. Delegating menial tasks to AI can free up time for you to focus on those more important face-to-face interactions with your customers. “Big data” is intimidating. For years, sifting through customer data and extracting valuable information that can be used to grow businesses was something that only the largest companies had the time, funds, and expertise to do. However, more programs that reduce the upfront investment and expertise necessary to contextualize customer data are popping up. If you can make use of your customers’ data, you can give them an experience with your business that they won’t find many other places. Social media marketing remains an effective tool for attracting customers to your small business, even if the tools continue to change. While marketing on Facebook and Instagram might seem like old news, marketing on trendier apps, like TikTok, Pinterest, or Snapchat, can still work to your business’s benefit. A recent study showed that 45% of consumers head to social media when they have a question about something — are you going to be there to answer it? Keeping up with the latest and greatest tech trends in small-business management can be exhausting, but in an age where technological advancement is accelerating faster than ever, it’s necessary for the survival of businesses of all shapes and sizes. Keep Up With the Big Businesses 3 Tech Trends to Accelerate Your Company Collaboration With Artificial Intelligence Increased Use of Data Analytics Continued Reliance on Social Media

This past October, right before Halloween, we welcomed a new member to the Risk Services/INSURICA team. Bringing on a new team member is always a little scary, but Sara Roper CPCU, AIC quickly proved to be a welcome addition for the rest of the team and our clients. As our newest account manager, Sara is already doing wonders. “Back in December, I was helping a customer solve a problem. He was unhappy with his current carrier. We were able to improve his coverage and save him some money by finding him a new home. He was very happy, and I was thrilled to get him such a good outcome. Being able to use my knowledge to take care of my clients in every way possible is the best part of my job.” Sara graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in human resources, though her first job out of college was doing insurance claims. This began a diverse career in insurance. Sara has done claims, underwriting, special investigations, and a little bit of just about everything the field calls for. “I moved from the carrier side to the agency side back when I lived in Springfield, Missouri,” Sara says. “It was a way to bring together everything I’ve done. I like being able to help people, and I’m best able to help my clients as an account manager. That’s why I feel so at home with Risk Services/INSURICA. It’s a really good atmosphere. You can tell everyone is here for the right reasons; plus, they work well together. It’s a real friendly, family dynamic, which is nice to have at your job.” Sara moved to Little Rock because she was looking for a change, and she certainly found it. Little Rock’s natural beauty is second to none. “Being right on the river is very nice,” says Sara. “It’s really pretty, and there are a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities. Little Rock also has some solid places to go shopping. Finding clearance deals is my stress relief. I love to hit the shops on the weekends and find great deals!” Considering how good Sara is at saving our clients money, it’s no wonder she’s so great at finding deals of her own. We’re thrilled to have Sara’s skills and experience on our team, and we look forward to seeing what she’ll achieve next.

2 • www.insurica.com • Specialized Insurance Programs for Specialized Industries.

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