Description: Insights on the use of humor and fun in the work place as a tool for team-building, reducing stress, improving motivation and concentration, and increasing productivity.

Description: Background on, and best practices guidelines for dealing with, bid reviews and audits for Medicare Advantage plans.

Description: In the summer of 2012 the SIC decided the time was right to find out what current practices were with respect to Asset Adequacy Testing. This article summarizes the survey process and results obtained. The purpose of the survey was twofold: first, to educate actuaries prior to year-end work about current AOMR practice reflecting changes since the American Academy of Actuaries’ (AAA’s) 2004 Practice Note had been issued; secondly, to provide enough information such that an update of that practice note could be done should the AAA decide a revision to the note was desired.

Description: The article is Part 1 of two articles that provide a case study for the development of a profitability and risk dashboard. The sample dashboard provides distilled information regarding actual to expected (A/E) ratios for key risks, agent quality scores and customer value scores. The dashboard would also provide the value of new business written, surplus strain, debit balances, and expected losses on debit balances at different levels, down to the agent level. A product mix index is provided, together with visual comparisons of key metrics to the company's business plan. The Part 2 article will add information to the dashboard regarding risk margins, target capital, and company value.

Description: What does “accountable” mean? You will see how the accountability culture can transform spectators into protagonists following the Four Steps to Accountability.

Description: Mentorship. Leadership, Coaching, Teamwork. Recognizing the benefits of a diverse workforce

Description: Article describing the Assumption Development and Governance Discussion Group.

Description: Chairperson’s column discussing a few of the important initiatives of the Financial Reporting Section.

Description: A summary of the responses to the article “Stochastic Cherry Orchard”. A situation where a subordinate actuary was asked by his superior to reduce the number of scenarios run on a UL valuation in order to meet a time deadline.

Description: Actuaries must be able to present compelling arguments to win over their audience. For the first time, they may be managing a staff looking for direction, making recommendations to senior leaders, or trying to persuade non-actuarial colleagues who see the world differently. This series of articles is intended to educate young actuarial professionals on key business influencing skills that will be beneficial in the near term as well as throughout their careers. Part 1 is focused on leading and influencing a team.