Description: A compilation of reader responses is presented to a real life situation posed involving a management, leadership, or other business decision. This issue’s case study involved an actuarial hiring decision.

Description: The article provides a general description of the DISC assessment, and how it can be used in your professional and personal life.

Description: Tips on Making an Effective Presentation by Philip J. Lehpamer from The Stepping Stone Newsletter, September 2001, Issue No. 7.

Description: In Search of Relevance by Dave Duncan from The Stepping Stone Newsletter, July 2004, Issue No. 15.

Description: Negotiation has been a critical skill for me for most of my career. I’ve worked as a product actuary, represented a major distributor and now I’m a reinsurance intermediary. Technical actuarial skills were never my strength. However, I’m often able to get parties with differing goals to find a common ground, enabling a project to be completed to everyone’s satisfaction. From The Stepping Stone, April 2005, Issue No. 18.

Description: This article discusses the determination of the proper level of centralization of functions in a company. The author makes the case that more is not always better.

Description: As one of our key areas of focus this year, the Management and Personal Development Section Council has been working with the staff of the Society of Actuaries on the image campaign. As was mentioned in the “Turn Risk Into Opportunity” video, we each own a little piece of the image. To some circle of people, whether within my department, my division or my company, I = ACTUARY. Within these circles it is realistic for me to tackle my image and hence the image of actuaries. From The Stepping Stone, July 2005, Issue No. 19.

Description: This article discusses how to convert your speaking engagements into business opportunities.

Description: This article is authored by a career counselor who works with job seekers frustrated with their search, and professionals struggling to increase their visibility and influence at work. This paper focuses on making the most of your references.

Description: This article suggests that attitude is the single most important factor in achieving success and provides a script for orchestrating attitude and thereby success.