Description: In this paper, Honorable Mention Essay for the Society of Actuaries' Entrepreneurial Actuaries Section 2010 Papers Competition, the author examines the rapidly increasing costs of maintaining the U.S. prison system and the fiscal pressures the federal and state governments are faced with, and proposes a plan for an early prisoner release program “with a rigorous, merit-based approach that can be expected to demonstrate favorable outcomes for the general public and the released prisoner.” This plan involves “an optimized process for evaluating the perils associated with freeing candidates eligible for early release - an individualized assessment and quantification of those risks…” The article goes on to describe the costs, benefits, risks, and critical success factors. The report includes two appendices.

Description: In this article the authors ask: “what if you could be more focused, calmer and better able to perform? …what if the only thing you needed to do to perform better was to become aware of a few things, and that by doing these things, you could improve performance and help others achieve better results?” Referencing David Rock's latest book, “Your Brain at Work,” which shares key findings on the science of the brain and how the brain functions, the authors explain how we can be more focused and productive and help others do the same, and how to understand and correct what's happening when we head off-track.

Description: In this article, the author discusses an estate planning strategy that is extremely effective in an environment of low interest rates and depressed asset values, and was made more attractive by the December 17, 2010 legislation that provides extensive estate tax relief, although only for two years: the Grantor Retained Annuity Trust or GRAT. The articles discusses how a GRAT works, strategy for setting one up, income tax considerations, certain drawbacks, and the need to act quickly, given congress is considering legislation that would impose restrictions.

Description: This review of Nancy Ancowitz’s book “Self Promotion for Introverts,” states that it reads “as though it were written with actuaries in mind.” The reviewer highlights how the book can help both the actuary promoting his own business and the actuary who is a member of a large organization.

Description: Find out how to join the Entrepreneurial Actuaries Section LinkedIn Group.

Description: These 'Notes from the Editor' offer a run-down of topics covered in the August 2011 issue of The Independent Consultant, the newsletter of the Entrepreneurial Actuaries Section.

Description: In this column from the section chairperson, he suggests that in a world where 'too big to fail' is encouraged, entrepreneurs must adapt by developing marketing strategies and capabilities that deal effectively with both the end user of the services and the procurement professionals and process.

Description: This article is a discussion of social media tools such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, MySpace, Friendwise, Yahoo! 360, Orkut, and Classmates and how they relate to entrepreneurial practitioners and the way they do their jobs.

Description: The author discusses how to speak boldly, and that communicating as a professional and a leader is a powerful tool.

Description: In this article the author discusses 10 ways to have a successful business with limited business travel, including redefining success and living near a big city.