EBCA Vice President and contributing newsletter writer, Kelly Sullivan, with her latest profile subject, Board Member Stevan Muir, CSAA.

A truly packed house turned-out for the March meeting. 80 people, of third of which were adjusters, attended to hear Lon Anderson.

Mike Boshard, of Vanderbuilt Construction, and Board Member Susan Spencer, area Branch Mgr. of Cunningham Lindsey, at the March meeting.

2007 EBCA President, Karen Cowan, was overjoyed and a bit blown away by the capacity crowd in attendance.

EBCA Past President Bob Tucknott, of Tucknott Electric Co., was well-suited in his Irish green, as seen here with Kelly Symulewski of V and M Restoration, Inc.

Lon volunteered Mike Boshard to demonstrate Lon's tool belt pack that he wears to keep him hands-free at a property loss.

It was a standing room only crowd at the March meeting. All are highly encouraged to get your RSVPs in early for the April 11th meeting.

Kelly Sullivan, Karen Cowan and Diana Allen, of Aaberg Claims Services, share a laugh.

L-R: Scott Rively, Crawford and Co.; Ken Pearce, retired; John Cowperthwaite, Bennett, Samuelson, et al; and VP Kelly Sullivan, Summit Ind. Claims Service.

L-R: Justine Bone, Data Safe; Nathan Roberts, Restoration Mgmt; Kelly Sulliivan; Karen Cowan; Michelle Kaufman, Oregon Mutual; and Brenda Ponce, Oregon Mutual.

EBCA President Karen Cowan thanked Lon Anderson for sharing his depth of knowledge.

Frances Hewitt, of Tucknott Electric, put together the festive centerpieces for the March meeting, each of which was given away.

Bob Tucknott with his likeness from the centerpiece.

A big thumbs-up on the day from Tom McGyver and Steve Grigsby, of CRDN.

Consistent Methodology Key to Success
By Bryan Harrison

"Take ownership of what you do," instructed long-time industry professional and guru to many, Lon Anderson. Lon was adamant in his opening remarks at the March 14, 2007 luncheon meeting of the East Bay Claims Association. "Create a systematic and proactive approach that works for you," he strongly suggested. "Tailor a system for doing whatever you need to do to regulate your activity, do a thorough job, and do it the same way all the time."

Maintaining a strong positive attitude is a "vital component" as well, he stated. He clarified that he wasn't talking about being falsely sun-shiny, but "keeping a smile in your voice/on your face." He spoke about drawing on your "energy flow from within", and how he centers himself each day to focus on doing the best job he can. That approach is as important, he said, as the pragmatic details of your working system. "I remind myself I'm happy," he stated.

He went on to discuss the importance of establishing and maintaining your own signature methodology. "We demand it fro our experts," he stated. So, we should also demand it of ourselves. "Take a 'photo-journalistic' approach," he advised. "Your own systematic fingerprint on everything you do will allow for a level of consistency and professional that will be unquestionable."

He then went on to illustrate and demonstrate how he goes about scoping a job on a property loss, driving the systematic approach point home. Using the volunteered services of Mike Boshard, Lon demonstrated how he has developed a hands-free method that works really well for him. His intention at each loss site is to accomplish a thorough "one and done" investigation. "I don't want to have to return to the site for more measurements or information," he stated. "So, I'm very thorough in getting all I need the first time there."

He recommended that all adjusters carry a compass to help identify locations, rooms, etc. "Using the first name of the person whose room is involved, rather than 'room 1'," he stated, "goes a long way with your insured toward personalizing their loss experience, and improving customer relations."

Lon's method includes always going counter clockwise in his scope, measuring all openings, and working from the floor up.

The bottom-line, he said, is that creating your own custom systematic approach that works for you will make your job easier, will help you work smarter, not harder, while taking to you to a new level of professionalism in the industry.

Get Your RSVP in Now for a very special Panel Discussion at the April 11th EBCA Mr. Kelly Taylor of CSE Insurance will lead a panel, including Dan Adams, of CIG, and Steve Tilghman, of Claims Professional Resources, discussing important claims and coverage issues.