July 2010

In this issue: How Innovative Leadership Drives Growth

When Eric Schmidt first joined Google as its CEO and chairman, founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin had four words of advice: “Don’t screw this up.”

Not only has Schmidt not messed things up, most analysts agree he has added process and rigor to the Mountain View, Calif., company. Schmidt recently talked about the challenges of leading a company with an offbeat culture.

June 2010

In this issue: EX-NBA PLAYER DROWNING IN LEAKY ROOF PROBLEMS

Elgin Baylor, probably best known for his ability to rain down jump shots during his illustrious 14-year career in the National Basketball Association, now is trying to keep from getting rained on himself.

April 2010

In this issue: TRUCKER SCREENING RAMPS UP

A pre-employment screening program for commercial drivers due to be launched in December by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration will allow commercial motor carriers to electronically access applicants’ driver inspection and crash histories. Employers say they will be able to use the information to more easily access safety risks of potential driver-employees. And drivers will be allowed to check the RMCSA data and correct any discrepancies.

March 2010

In this issue: STATE HASHES OUT SMOKING POLICY

Employers in California may have the choice of whether to allow medical marijuana users to smoke pot in the workplace under guidelines issued by California Attorney General Jerry Brown.

The Attorney General drew up the guidelines to clarify California’s Compassionate Use Act of 1996, or Proposition 215, which voters approved to allow patients to consume marijuana when a doctor recommends its use.

January 2010

In this issue: British Ballplayer Can't Get Coverage While Traveling

Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng is un-insurable – at least that’s what he and the British Basketball Federation have been told. The reported $80 million man, Mr. Deng can’t find an insurer to cover his recently signed six-year contract with the Bulls while he plays with Great Britain’s national team during qualifying for the 2009 European Basketball Championships, according to reports. As of last week, the British team was looking at possibly self-insuring Mr. Deng, who would be the only NBA player on the squad.

November 2009

In this issue: Nice Insurers finish first

The findings of the J.D. Power and Associates’ “2008 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study,” indicate the policyholders are more content and thus more inclined to renew policies with insurers who have adjusters who express empathy and effectively meet their expectations.

Drawing upon 11,671 responses from auto insurance customers who filed a claim within the past 12 months…

September 2009

In this issue: Hall of shame inducts new members

The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud has released its annual list of the year’s most unforgettable fraud cases. The organization compiles the list after evaluating the most outrageous insurance fraud scams over the course of the year. The following are just a few of the cases that made it into the Coalition’s 2007 Insurance Fraud Hall of Shame. For the complete list, go to insurancefraud.org. – by Michael Houts.

Timothy Nicholls is now serving a life sentence in prison after intentionally burning down his Colorado Springs home to collect the insurance money while his three children were inside. Life was becoming more difficult for Timothy and Deborah Nicholls with severe debt and drug addictions. According to the CAIF, the couple owed the IRS about $12,000 and more than $200,000 to a drug- dealing motorcycle gang for the expensive methamphetamine addiction. Deborah Nicholls is awaiting trail.

August 2009

In this issue: Worst insurers revealed

Allstate ranked as the worst insurer for consumers, according to the results of an investigation conducted by the American Association for Justice (AAJ) that analyzed thousands of legal documents and financial filings.

The AAJ, formerly known at the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, claim their rankings “show a distinct pattern on insurance industry greed amongst 10 companies who refuse to pay just claims, employ hardball tactics against policyholders, reward executives with extravagant salaries, and raise premiums while hoarding excessive profits.”