What’s New: In Brief (April 24, 2007)

Policy Works Inc. has announced the launch of its Certified Data-Exchange Partner Program, designed to recognize insurers who have worked in partnership with Policy Works Inc. to ensure accurate transfer of commercial lines information. The program focuses on three key areas: standards, verification and security. Certified partners must be committed to implementing the CSIO commercial XML standards and to working closely with Policy Works Inc. through all the stages of analysis, development, testing and roll-out, explains a company release. The program is designed to benefit brokers by giving them confidence that their data will be transferred properly to certified partners. More information can be found at www.policyworks.com/solutions/cdep.aspx

In a recent Global Risk Management Survey conducted by Aon, over 50% of the organizations surveyed noted that they were unprepared when it came to protecting their reputation. Executives now see reputation as the major source of competitive advantage, Ruth Joplin, Aon Global Risk Consulting managing editor, said. While tangible, reputation is one of the most important corporate assets and one of the hardest to protect. The survey, which included responses from 320 organizations in 29 countries, also found that when it comes to risk in Canada and the United States, we believe that failure in technology and data loss are the primary risks, whereas Europe foresees mergers and acquisitions as major threats.