Share this:

As many of you know, a motor carrier with a Department of  Transportation (DOT) number is required to update the information that Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has about them.  One of the most common questions we hear from our agents is,

“How does my insured update his motor carrier information on the Safer web page?”

One of the leading experts in the trucking industry, Tommy Ruke, has shared a really great blog that provides a step-by-step process for updating the insured’s motor carrier information with SAFER (Safety and Fitness Electronic Records).

“Updating Motor Carrier Information (MCS-150 Form)” by Tommy Ruke

A motor carrier with a DOT number must update information the FMCSA has about them.  This is achieved by updating the MCS-150 information.  This can be done online, but it does require the motor carrier to have a PIN number.  A number of small motor carriers, primarily private carriers, don’t have a PIN number, or know the information needs to be updated every two years.  If you need to know how to help your motor carrier obtain a PIN number, email a request for the steps to trs@ibci.net.

The key to the update is the last two digits of the motor carrier’s DOT number.  The second number from the end is the year, even or odd.  The last number is the month, with number one being January through number zero being October.  No one is required to update in November or December.

Example:  Services to Distributors, Inc., DOT # 2290494, has to be updated April of every odd year.

That is the requirement.  How do you know if the motor carrier has updated timely.  On the SAFER web page it reflects the “MCS-150 Form Date”.  That shows the date the information was sent to the CSA.  In addition when looking at “SMS Results”, which leads to A & I Online Safety Measurement System, you’ll see carrier registration information with a date that the information has been updated.  An orange flag in that box reflects that the information has not been updated.  The two areas that must be updated are the number of power units and the annual miles.  A motor carrier who does not update as required is “flagged”.  What does that mean?  Depending on other factors, the motor carrier is now on the DOT “watch” list, which could lead to a visit by the DOT, depending on the size and past records.  I don’t think any motor carrier wants to be flagged by the DOT.  It’s simple to remove the flag.  Just update the MCS-150.

Can a motor carrier update more often?  Yes!  Should a motor carrier update more often?  Yes!

Why?

Two of the BASICs of CSA, crashes and unsafe driving, have a “normalization factor”, which uses the average number of power units for the past 18 months as reflected on the MCS-150, times a “utilization factor”, which is a function of the number of miles as reflected on the MCS-150.  So the MCS-150 information is a function of the motor carrier’s peer group.

When a motor carrier obtains insurance, the underwriter matches up the information on the application with the information in SAFER, which reflects the information sent by the motor carrier in the MCS-150 update.

My suggestion is that 60 days before renewal the MCS-150 needs to be updated, so the information matches the request for insurance.

Lastly, it is relatively new that states are looking at the number of power units reflected in SAFER when issuing apportioned tags (IRP), as reflected in the article authored by Don Jerrell.”

Additionally, Tommy, along with other insurance professionals, has formed the Motor Carrier Insurance Education Foundation (MCIEF) and Transportation Risk Specialist.  Transportation Risk Specialist will offer live training events (basic and advanced motor carrier insurance seminars), an annual conference, and much more – including the industry’s first and only motor carrier-specific insurance designation.

If you would like to be added to Tommy’s blog mailing list, please send an email to trs@ibci.net.  Thank you to Tommy for allowing us to share his great article!

Introduction by : Sandi Fritz, Vice President, Branch Offices

Sandi Fritz joined J.M. Wilson in 1981 and currently serves as the Vice President, Branch Offices.  She manages the transportation team in Michigan and in the branch offices, as well as works with our companies to foster relationships, communication, training, and goals.  She also manages each of our branch offices helping them to meet their goals, communicate, and train.  Sandi loves everything about insurance.  She can’t imagine doing anything else, anywhere else.  She loves helping people write business and meet goals.  Sandi feels very privileged to have met and known some of the greatest people in the insurance industry.  In her free time, Sandi enjoys being involved with her church, running, biking, skiing, and spending time on the beach.

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use. Legal

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

Do you want to try rating your next policy online, but don’t know where to start?

We can help!  We are thrilled to announce the addition of two new eLearning Video Tutorials to our Agent Resources section on www.jmwilson.com.  Hosted by Erin Herson, Agency Relations Manager, these tutorials walk you step-by-step through the quick and easy online rating process.

Want to get a rate indication?

Learn how to get an insurance rate indication for your insured online. This video walks you through the process step-by-step, showing you how fast and simple it is to get this information on your schedule.

Want a bindable quote?

Learn how quick and easy it is to get a bindable insurance quote for your insured online from J.M. Wilson by watching this short video.

 

About The Author : Kristin O’Leary, Project Coordinator

Kristin has been a proud member of the J.M. Wilson Marketing Team since 2005 and currently serves as the Project Coordinator.  She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.  Outside of the office, she enjoys running, working with her family at their pet supply store, and spending time with her husband and their Miniature Schnauzer, Vinny.

Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn  Circle Kristin on Google+

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use. Legal

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

Qualifying for Boston is a dream for many runners. I was fortunate enough to qualify in 2012 and would be running the Boston Marathon in 2013!!    I was so excited!

As I stepped up to the starting line on Monday April 15^th, 2013, the thought crossed my mind, “could I run a Boston qualifier at Boston”?   I felt great, the issues I was having with my knee and IT band had totally disappeared and I had been sleeping well, so with that thought I set my sights on running the course under 4 hours.  I will tell you I have no idea where that thought came from, and I would only later know the importance of my decision.

I ran amazingly strong, kept my pace the entire course, and crossed the finish line running 3:59:01, a sub 4 hour at Boston, and yes, at my age that is a Boston Qualifier.

 I did it!

I made my way down a few steps to get my medal, and as the young man was putting the medal on me, I saw & heard the first explosion. We both looked at each other and within seconds, the second explosion.  I immediately said to the young man, “that is not supposed to happen”, and he replied that I was correct.

The officials began to quickly move us down Boylston Street away from the finish line.  The fear was overwhelming, and I had no idea where my husband Mike was.   His plan was to ride the subway out to Heart Break Hill (around Mile 21), in hopes of seeing me on the course to cheer me on, which he did.  Then, to take the subway back to Boylston Street, in hopes of seeing me cross the finish line.

The plan was to meet at the family meeting zones if we did not see each other at the finish line, so I hurried to see if he was there. He was not. Our plan B was to meet at the hotel if we did not find each other within 30 minutes of me finishing, so I went to the hotel. Still, no Mike.

All I could do was pray that he had not made it back to the finish line. I had no phone with me, so I asked many folks to use their phone in hopes of getting a call to Mike and my family. Everyone was very kind and willing to let me, but calls were not getting out.

What I did not know, was that at the time of the explosion, the subway stopped and everyone was taken off the subway and diverted.  Mike, my family, friends, and my office family at J M Wilson; had been tracking my time. They all knew that I was at the finish line at the time of the explosion.

 Almost 2 hours passed before Mike and I were able to find each other.

As I stood in the lobby of our hotel with so many others, I attempted to text Mike one more time – just as he walked through the hotel doors. To see Mike was an answer to prayer. As you might guess; we hugged, cried and hugged some more.

I know God gave me the strength to run strong that day and put it in my heart to run under 4 hours, because that was never in my plan.

I am truly overwhelmed with the love and concern from our friends & family. We are so blessed to share our lives with some of the greatest people in the world.  We love you all.   Thank you all for your prayers and love. It was felt in Boston that day.

The Boston Marathon was filled with many emotions for me, and many have asked me: “will you run it again?” To that I reply: YES!!!

One of my favorite quotes of the day:

If you’re trying to defeat the human spirit, marathon runners are the wrong group to target. -David and Kelvin Bright

Sandi Fritz, Vice President Branch Offices

About the Author : Sandi Fritz, Vice President, Branch Offices

Sandi Fritz joined J.M. Wilson in 1981 and currently serves as the Vice President, Branch Offices.  She manages the transportation team in Michigan and in the branch offices, as well as works with our companies to foster relationships, communication, training, and goals.  She also manages each of our branch offices helping them to meet their goals, communicate, and train.  Sandi loves everything about insurance.  She can’t imagine doing anything else, anywhere else.  She loves helping people write business and meet goals.  Sandi feels very privileged to have met and known some of the greatest people in the insurance industry.  In her free time, Sandi enjoys being involved with her church, running, biking, skiing, and spending time on the beach.

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use. Legal

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

Being the IT Director at JM Wilson, I take an interest and awareness in the different aspects of today’s technology that I’d like to share with you.  Here’s my take:

With this on-going Hi-tech world, staying up to date with the latest technology is mandatory for a business to survive against the competition:

• Orthodontists & Oral Surgeons now have instant 3-D X-rays
• Doctors send your prescriptions directly to the Pharmacy of choice
• Amazon sets the bar with get it quick and ship free, all on-line
• New gadgets/devices are being launched daily

This technology is to service you better & quicker.  I want the Doctor with the good stuff.  Don’t you?  People like quick & efficient service.

On a personal level, you should always stay up to date on your home PC, Internet Explorer, antivirus, malware, etc.  If you don’t, older versions of Internet Explorer won’t be compatible with your other software.  Then your other software might not function correctly because it no longer supports your version on Internet Explorer. Things are changing rapidly so stay with the pace. Don’t keep saying “not now” to those upgrade prompts.

If you don’t have Wi-Fi access at home, get it!  The internet can support your “life is good” theory.  Do you know how many times my son or coworker has asked me a question and I said, “Google it”.  Recently, our Goldfish was swimming sideways.  My son heard that if I squeezed the Goldfish it might live.  I found myself squeezing the Goldfish every other week until my son did some internet research.  We saved our Goldfish!  It had a buoyancy problem because we were feeding it the wrong type of food.  “Flash” hasn’t swam sideways since.

Now the scary part. . . . . Cybercrime.   Hackers are on the rampage and we all just need to get along.  Do your due diligence!  Protect your Userids and passwords.  Don’t give out your userids & passwords and don’t feel bad about saying, “I need to log-on for you.  It’s a security risk”.  Keep your anti-virus and malware software on your PC active & up to date.  Mobile malware will be the next biggest thing.  Always put a password on your phone and don’t swipe your phone with another mobile device.  It’s a big security risk.  Would you walk down a dark alley in a big city?  Then, always use caution when you’re surfing the internet.

I can’t end without talking about Social Media.  I educate myself in Social Media for my job however I don’t indulge.  It’s just not my thing.  I’ve tested the waters and had my Facebook stalkers so I keep my Facebook to family and close friends.  I’ve had someone try to hack my Facebook.   I’ve had my Twitter account hacked and I don’t even use it.   Now, I just like to see what my son’s doing on Facebook or Twitter.  Facebook is out & Twitter is in however Instagram and Snapchat are the hottest “kid things”–social photo-sharing.  Bottom-line, Social Media is fun but dangerous.

 About The Author : Tammy Dodd, IT Director

Tammy Dodd joined J.M. Wilson in 1982.  She is responsible for information technology and computer systems that support enterprise goals, formulating and implementing ongoing information system plans, and managing her team.  Outside of the office, Tammy enjoys running and spending time with her son.

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use. Legal

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

Sometimes we say, write and do things that we ultimately regret. Perhaps we said them out of anger or frustration or maybe didn’t pay attention to the way we delivered the information and it was misconstrued.  Sound familiar?

Especially susceptible to being misunderstood are e-mails. Unlike the spoken word which is full of voice pitch variations giving us a clue as to the emotion behind what is being said, the written word leaves itself open to interpretation by the reader.  What we’ve intended with our written correspondence and what the reader gets out of the message can sometimes be two completely different things.

With our increasing use of “text speak”*, the danger of miscommunication is even greater.

* Wictionary.org – Text Speak: Any of a number of different measures of abbreviation used to shorten the length of text messages, such as omitting vowels, forgoing the use of punctuation, representing “you” and “your” as “u” and “ur”, using “da” (or, rarely “t’”) in place of “the”, and so on.

To ensure your next e-mail message is clear, professional and delivers the message you intend it to, consider the following before you click “Send”:

• Read and Re-read – Read it back to yourself as if you are the recipient. Is your message clear? Does it come across as rushed, harsh or rude?
• Have someone else read – Sometimes it’s good to have a friend/co-worker read your e-mail and let you know if your message is clear and understood the way you are intending.
• Avoid Sarcasm – Sarcasm often misses the mark in written form. Without the inflection your voice gives in speaking, it’s hard to tell what you mean when you write “I Love Mondays.”
• Mind your Manners – Especially in a professional setting, be sure to use proper grammar, punctuation, capitalization and by all means a greeting and a salutation.  Save “Text Speak” for texting with your friends.

So instead of:

need that rept by 3- Thx.

Try :

Hi Suzie Q,

Do you have that report ready for me? I would like to have it by this 3:00 this afternoon if possible.

Thank you!

Cathy

It’s easy to become complacent with our e-mail messages, assuming that the recipient will understand what we want regardless of our manners and tone. However, we are communicating with fellow human beings so why not speak through e-mail as though we were speaking in person?

About the Author : Cathy Baldwin, Marketing Manager

Cathy has been a member of the J.M. Wilson Team since 1990 and currently serves as the Marketing Manager.  She oversees the marketing team, which provides marketing support for our underwriting teams in commercial transportation, property/casualty, professional liability, personal lines, and surety.  Cathy loves the variety in her position as marketing manager.  She has the opportunity to work with everyone at J.M. Wilson, our agents, and the companies we represent.  In her free time, Cathy loves to work out at CrossFit – AZO.  She also enjoys reading and listening to music – her favorites range from Neil Diamond to Led Zeppelin.

Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use. Legal

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

The key to success is “Diversity”.

Here we are in 2013 and no crystal ball is needed to see that we are in tough times with an ever-changing environment.  The need to expand or diversify your business’ offerings is imperative.

Insurance agents, what are you selling and who are you selling to? I know if you are a Benefits shop, you certainly have concerns with the latest news in the media. Maybe it’s time to partner with a Property & Casualty shop to diversify you book?

Producers, look at your production.  Are you a niche market “focus agent” and, if so, what direction is your revenue going and why? If you are chasing contractors only, I am sure you will need to look at other types of business to stay successful with this market.

The fork in the road is one mile ahead…

What direction is your company going to go? Should you continue on the road to the fork at all and just take a chance on which direction to go?

Or is it best that you make a legal U-turn before you get there and re-evaluate where you are, where you have been and how you got there?

Back in early 2005, I spoke in front of two associations and consulted with the members on risk management, contractual language, and what it takes to be successful. Whether you are selling insurance, driving a big rig, or building homes….the absolute key to success or even staying in the game is diversifying your operation. Now, I didn’t have a “crystal ball” so I had no idea that in late 2005-2006 the housing market would crash. But it did, and those that failed to take my advice were out of business that year. For example, take a large contractor that had been in business over twenty years as “The Basement Contractor”. All of the larger home builders in town used this company to dig their basements and foundations within their developments. The “second generation” had taken over the company and kept operations as they had been for years (Why not right? It had worked for this long). One way they could have diversified  may have been to do the unilateral open cuts for sewers or mains since the equipment was available and their bonding capacity was adequate. As you all can imagine, when the housing market crashed, many builders went out of business so there was much less need for their operation. They closed a year later.

Here is a good story about diversity. I received a call from a client of mine who needed help. For years he had been bidding on any and every job he could get and losing them to the next new business in town that just started up. He was paying his employees’ payroll out of his personal bank account just to keep them on staff and the funds were drying up. We met at his office and agreed that now is the time to re-evaluate his operation. Why was he so successful for so many years and why is he failing now? Was it him or was it an economic scale that he can’t control? We developed a business plan that changed the direction of his company and still to this date has worked very well for him. Instead of bidding on every local job as he had for years, he hired a marketing person that retired from a large paint manufacturer who had many connections for him. This person knew what it meant to earn his living on commission selling paint. The company is now the preferred painter for many Fortune 500 companies and he travels the country to work for large companies that are calling him to work on their facilities.  A local newspaper published an article about his company’s change, which was great exposure.

Stay ahead of the game and talk to your peers, consult with your competitors, and hire a good risk manager to make sure you are prepared when you get to the fork in the road.

 About the Author : Chuck Craycraft, Ohio Branch Manager

Chuck Craycraft joined J.M. Wilson in 2010. He is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the Ohio Branch Office, maintains current clients, fosters new relationships, and visits agencies helping them find resolutions to their needs. He loves everything about his position and feels he is working with the greatest group of people in the industry. Outside of the office, Chuck enjoys playing golf, coaching youth sports, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity.

Disclaimer : This article is for informational purposes only. There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered. The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information. This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson. It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information. Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors. Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use. Legal

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

Whether you prefer to call, email, fax, or mail, we try to make it as easy as possible to connect with our staff.

In this short post, I’ll share all of the places you can find us.  Reach out – we’d love to hear from you!

Web :

• http://www.jmwilson.com

Social Media :

• Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/jmwilsonmga
• Twitter : http://www.twitter.com/jmwilsonmga
• LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/company/j.m.-wilson
• Google+ : http://plus.google.com/112613211382337123392
• Blog : http://jmwilsonmga.wordpress.com/

Phone :

• Home Office (Michigan) : 1-800-666-5692
• Find Branch Office 800#s by Clicking Here

Fax :

• Home Office General Fax (Michigan) : 1-269-327-2620
• Find department specific fax numbers by Clicking Here

Email :

• All J.M. Wilson personal email addresses follow this format : firstinitiallastname@jmwilson.com (i.e. Kristin O’Leary is koleary@jmwilson.com)
• Find department specific email addresses by Clicking Here

Mail :

• Home Office (Michigan) : 8036 Moorsbridge Rd, Portage, MI 49024
• Illinois Branch Office : 85 W. Algonquin, Ste. 300 Arlington Heights, IL  60005
• Indiana Branch Office : 650 E. Carmel Dr., Ste. 320 Carmel, IN  46032
• Missouri Branch Office : 4700 Belleview, Ste. 205 Kansas City, MO 64112
• North Carolina Branch Office : PO Box 220105, Charlotte, NC 28222
• Ohio Branch Office : One Executive Parkway Building, 4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 215 Westerville, OH 43081
• South Carolina Branch Office : PO Box 32065, Charleston, SC 29417-2065
• Wisconsin Branch Office : 406 Science Drive, Suite 306 Madison, WI 53711
• Affiliate Office : Enright & Wilson : 5555 Hollywood Blvd., Ste. 200 Hollywood, FL 33021

Hope to hear from you soon!

About The Author : Kristin O’Leary, Project Coordinator

Kristin has been a proud member of the J.M. Wilson Marketing Team since 2005 and currently serves as the Project Coordinator.  She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing.  Outside of the office, she enjoys running, working with her family at their pet supply store, and spending time with her husband and their Miniature Schnauzer, Vinny.

Connect with Kristin on LinkedIn  Circle Kristin on Google+

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use. Legal

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

We all have those days when we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, or something happens during the day to just put you in a foul mood.  In every life there comes some rain, and possibly some severe thunderstorms too. Every second of every day, whether we even realize it, we make choices. One of the biggest choices that we make is how we view our world.  We have all heard the expression about your glass being half full.  Although it’s a cliché, it is actually very true.  We can choose to be negative or positive every moment of the day.

Believe me, this is not easy, but simply being aware that you do have this choice can be very empowering.  When you have a negative outlook, you are actually allowing yourself to be a victim; a victim to your circumstances, a victim to someone else, and a victim to yourself.  When you think about it, being a victim is really not a whole lot of fun.  When you choose to have a positive attitude, you are owning your life and everything that happens in it.

Next time you have a negative thought or attitude, remember that you can make a choice to change how you react.  You may not be able to change what happened, but you can change your attitude about it and even find some humor in it all.  It’s hard to frown when you are laughing.

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort” -Herm Albright

About the Author : Jeanne Callan, Illinois Branch Manager

Jeanne has been a member of the J.M. Wilson Team since 2008 and currently serves as the Illinois Branch Manager.  She works closely with her team of underwriters to give our retail agents the resources that they need to write business.  From underwriting to training to motivating to marketing to answering the phones, Jeanne does whatever it takes for her team to succeed!  Jeanne loves that there is never a dull moment in her position. She loves the variety.  She also admits to being a bit of a sap – she loves insurance!  In her free time, Jeanne enjoys experiencing live music.  She has seen over 160 artists in the past ten years – some of them more than once!

Connect with Jeanne on LinkedIn

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use.

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

Not too long ago, I made the abrupt decision to completely change my life. I decided to give up bacon. This is a pretty big step for me! I happen to love bacon. I really loved twinkies too, may they rest in peace. I also enjoyed way too many cookies, and cake, and tons of queso dip, bread, fast food, and…. you get the general idea.

I have never been a big fan of discipline when it came to my health. I always figured that I was too young to really worry about it. My weight has been an issue on and off throughout my almost twenty-six years on this planet, but I’ve had a mantra. I know how to cope. There’s a saying: “Those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter.” While this is true to a point, I left out one important person in that thought process. Myself. I matter. And I mind.

Sure, it’s always been easier to ignore that little voice in the back of my head that reminds me indulgent foods are supposed to be limited. It’s easy to ignore the doctor’s advice, and the numbers on your jeans tag. It’s super easy to stay on the couch and watch TV, and to simply pull forward at the drive-thru. Life is so stressful, and I’m always so busy. I don’t have time to chop and dice and prepare fresh food each night. I don’t have to time for a walk, or time to hit the gym. My life is insane, so it’s really normal that I’m this tired and feel this poorly. I’ll just guzzle down an energy drink with my egg mcmuffin hashbrown combo and call it good. That’s been my life for a long time. So what changed? A New Year’s resolution? Jumping up another dress size? Being engaged?

Well all of the above, really. That doctor’s advice? It gets pretty hard to ignore when you start having serious complications. But I would have to say though, that one of the best things that helped form this lifestyle shift, was a career change I recently made.

Let me tell you, it makes a noticeable difference when your workplace is named one of the healthiest employers in Michigan. We have a small gym downstairs, so I can workout on my lunch. We have a water cooler, so my water bottle is never empty (which makes me pine for my old standby, Diet Coke). We have healthy snacks from time to time, which are provided by a committee here that specifically targets the well-being of our employees. Speaking of employees, everyone is so encouraging! They ask me about my progress and how I’m feeling, they’ve helped give me recipe ideas, and shown me how to work our weight machines.

Do I miss cookies and  bacon? You bet! And I won’t lie, there have been days where I’ve had one or the other. I’ve made the wrong choice, I’ve skipped workouts, I’ve eaten too much. I’m a human being, so I’m going to make mistakes. The best part about it though is the knowledge that I can always try again. I know I have the support of my co-workers too. I can’t honestly say I would be making this effort at all if I worked anywhere else. I went almost twenty-six years set in my ways - it took being surrounded by others’ efforts to help pull me out from where I was.

If you have any questions about ways to make your workplace just a little bit healthier, please feel free to contact us. I’d love for you to be as happy and healthy as you can be!

About the Author : Amanda Montgomery, Property & Casualty Underwriting Assistant

Amanda Montgomery joined J.M. Wilson in 2012.  She is responsible for servicing Commercial Property & Casualty accounts.  Outside of the office, Amanda enjoys traveling, musical theater, and reading.

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use. Legal

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation

Share this:

There are probably thousands of books on managing and leading people. I’ve read many of them, and I’m still no expert.  I am, however, motivated and passionate about being a good manager and leader to my team.

I am the Manager of the Marketing Team at J.M. Wilson. While we are a small group of 3 people, we are a powerful and important component in the engine that drives this corporation. That’s not an exaggeration – we’re kind of a big deal!

Here are a few things that I’ve realized work really well for me and my team, so naturally, I keep doing them!  Pretty common sense stuff, but not always easy to implement.

Kick your Control Freak to the curb – What’s that saying?…”Delegation will set you free”!  No truer words have been spoken. At first it was hard for me to let go of controlling my team, their day-to-day tasks and projects. Once I did, the following points came easily….

Empower and Engage – Our team is part of the big picture – I try to help my associates see how what they do has impact on the overall corporate direction and goal.  I’ve learned what excites them and motivates them to come to work every day – then try to create opportunities for them around those interests.

Ego be Gone – While it sometimes pains me to realize I’m not the smartest cookie in the room, I don’t allow myself to feel threatened by the things my team knows, what they are good at and can teach me.  We are a better team for the combined strengths of all of us!

“How do I Love thee?” – Okay, that may sound a bit over the top…..I believe it’s important to show appreciation and let them know their value to me as a Manager, to the team and the company.  A simple “Thank You” or “Great Job” goes a long way.

Have some FUN! – We’ve been dubbed “The Happy Team” by our President, David Wilson.  We’ll take that compliment all day long! Our workdays are a significant chunk of our lives, so why not have some FUN?  We sometimes take 10-15 minutes of a meeting just to play a game for team building or “getting to know you better”.  We’ve done a triathlon relay together, had sushi team lunches, and are planning on incorporating some standing and walking meetings to help us think outside the box.

I learn something new as a manager every day so I don’t profess to be any management guru (even though I’ve read all those books), but I think I’m doing some things right.  The best test for me was recently when I took a two-week vacation. More time out of the office than I’d ever spent in my 22 years at J.M. Wilson!  I left with confidence that my team could handle anything that came their way in my absence. I came back to the office well rested, fairly tan and most importantly to a clean desk and a Happy Team!

About the Author : Cathy Baldwin, Marketing Manager

Cathy has been a member of the J.M. Wilson Team since 1990 and currently serves as the Marketing Manager.  She oversees the marketing team, which provides marketing support for our underwriting teams in commercial transportation, property/casualty, professional liability, personal lines, and surety.  Cathy loves the variety in her position as marketing manager.  She has the opportunity to work with everyone at J.M. Wilson, our agents, and the companies we represent.  In her free time, Cathy loves to work out at CrossFit – AZO.  She also enjoys reading and listening to music – her favorites range from Neil Diamond to Led Zeppelin.

Connect with Cathy on LinkedIn

Disclaimer :  This article is for informational purposes only.  There is no legal advice being suggested or proffered.  The author assumes no responsibility or liability for the actions taken or not taken by the readers based upon such information.  This article is the opinion of the author and is not supported or endorsed by J.M. Wilson.  It should not be relied upon and may contain inaccuracies or content may have changed over time, contact your underwriter for the most current and accurate information.  Any comments or responses are the opinions of their authors.  Content on this site is believed to be covered under Fair Use.

Copyright 2013 J.M. Wilson Corporation