<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1602061480087256&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">

R&R Insurance Blog

Rick Kalscheuer

Recent Posts

Careers Uncovered | R&R Involved in Aligning Education to High-Growth Industry Pathways

Posted by Rick Kalscheuer

BridgingTheGap_Header-817x213Through R&R's partnership with the Waukesha County Business Alliance, we are proud to support 'Careers Uncovered,' a program aimed at aligning education to high-growth industry pathways. R&R is actively engaged in assisting employees in attracting and retaining top talent.

This new program allows Waukesha County educators the opportunity to visit a local company in one of the largest growing career pathways: healthcare, information technology, construction and manufacturing.

Experiences through the program's events will include:

  • General information about the company and career pathways available in the industry
  • Tours of the company that include networking opportunities with employees from all areas of business operations
  • Round-table discussions with industry leaders.
  • Educators working together to reflect and put together an action plan to apply the knowledge they gained to assist with the academic and career planning process.

'Careers Uncovered' supports educators in a handful of ways:

  • Gain first hand knowledge of what careers in high growth industries look like in 2018 and see how classroom content and skills are visible in industry settings
  • Enhance classroom curriculum with real-world career connections and examples
  • Identify career pathways within the industries to assist students in career and college readiness planning, helping students make educated choices for their futures
  • Connect with industry leaders to foster mutually beneficial partnerships

To learn more about upcoming 'Careers Uncovered' events, or for additional information, we invite you to contact the Waukesha County Business Alliance.

Q&A: Local Government Property Insurance Fund

Posted by Rick Kalscheuer

State Budget

Leading up to the 2015 budget decision regarding the LGPIF, below is a list of common Q&As provided by the LWMMI. Our knowledge brokers have been following the issue closely and understand the business, the coverage forms, and the insurance markets that would replace the LGPIF if needed.

 

What is the Local Government Property Insurance Fund?
The Fund is established by Chapter 605, Wis. Stat. The purpose of the Fund is to make property insurance available for local government units. The Commissioner of Insurance by law is designated as the Fund’s manager.

 

Why is the Governor considering discontinuing the Fund?
Based on wording within the proposed State Budget, property insurance is an area that the Governor believes is best handled by the private sector. The Fund’s surplus is currently in a deficit position, so the move is not an attempt by the State to take money from the Fund for use in the General Fund.

 

Will Fund Coverage Pricing Change?
According to the OCI and ASU, coverage will remain the same. Pricing could change based on each insured’s experience and the experience for all municipalities in the Fund.

 

When will I know whether the Fund is being changed or discontinued?
The proposal to close the Fund is part of the State Budget Proposal, which is currently being considered by the State Legislature. The process of reviewing, amending, and adopting the budget typically takes until June. We will continue to provide information and updates to you as they become available.

 

What if I have been contacted by an agent that said I have to get bids?
With access to unlimited markets, working with R&R can save you time and the headache of working with multiple agencies.

 

Please contact one of our knowledge brokers if you have additional questions. Or, join our webinar on March 23 at 3 p.m. to learn more about “What Happens if the LGPIF Closes.”

Topics: Schools, Local Government Property Insurance Fund, Municipalities LWMMI, LGPIF, municipalities

Kentucky Mayors Relive 2009 Ice Storm - Agility Recovery Saved Lives!

Posted by Rick Kalscheuer

Kentucky Ice StormAssume for a minute a disaster strikes your community – a tornado – maybe a major ice storm – an industrial explosion – or a fire in a water/sewer facility.

What is your next step to keep your municipal operations functional?

Video IconTake a look at this heart wrenching video of Kentucky Mayors reliving the January 2009 Ice Storm – the largest to ever hit the state.


What do your residents want?

  1. Toilets that flush.
  2. Water pressure in faucets.
  3. Communication and information on what’s happening.
  4. Police and fire services.

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities Insurance Trust (Trust) has purchased a service (no cost to your community) that will do the following:

  • Arrange for priority delivery of emergency generators, communication equipment and temporary office space
  • Assistance in orchestrating logistics and connecting the equipment
  • All within 24 – 48 hours of the event

Yes – You may already have a contingency or disaster plan – but, does it include information on generator hook ups and vendors that guarantee equipment, fuel and service for you?

Yes – You have access to the County Emergency Disaster Coordinator – so do all the other county municipalities, schools and private businesses.

The Trust has teamed with a nationally recognized Disaster Recovery Service: AGILITY RECOVERY, which provides the assets and resources to service Wisconsin LWMMI Insureds, including generators, satellite voice and data connectivity, computers and portable office units. Maybe even more important, Agility will help your staff create or enhance your existing Disaster Plan, thereby ensuring the right pieces of the puzzle are in place during the chaos of a disaster.

What do you need to do? Direct your staff to contact Sandy Hagen or Dennis Tweedale at 608-833-9595 or sandra@lwmmi.org for more information. If you are not part of the LWMMI Trust program, contact knowledgebroker Rick Kalscheuer for more information.

The Trustees thank you for participating in the LWMMI Insurance Program. Our mission is to work together, ensuring Wisconsin Municipalities provide the quality services our residents expect.

More images from the 2009 Kentucky Ice Storms

Topics: Business Insurance, Municipalities LWMMI

Economic Predictions for 2013

Posted by Rick Kalscheuer

In January I attended the Economic Trends Seminar presented by the Biz Times. Speakers included Mike Knetter, PhD - President of UW Foundation, Gerry Frye - President The Benefit Services Group, Peter Gottsacker - President of Wixon, Larry Borgard - President & CEO Integrys Energy Group, and Jeff Yabuki - President & CEO Fiserv. Each gentleman spoke to his specific industry, where it was last year, and predictions for 2013. There was a lot of information shared - too much to put in to one article!

Following are my notes and predictions made by the presenters:

  • Stock Market will be up 10%
  • Real GDP will grow by 2.2%
  • Unemployment will be 7.8%
  • Inflation will be 2%
  • Healthcare costs will increase
  • Commodity costs will increase
  • Food Stocks will underperform the market
  • The Carbon tax is real
  • In the future more alternative natural gas vehicles will be sold than alternative electric vehicles
  • The economy will exit 2013 stronger than it was in 2012

Please contact me if you have questions on any of my observations. Have a successful and purposeful 2013!

Topics: Business Insurance

5 Tips to Executing a Successful Acquisition

Posted by Rick Kalscheuer

While no two acquisitions are alike, Inc.com provides five basic components to executing a successful acquisition:

  1. Assembling the team - an internal team of finance, sales & marketing, and operations; an external team of experienced advisors such as lawyers, accountants, and investment bankers
  2. Initiating a target search - will an investment banker find & evaluate targets or will flow be generated internally through screening, networking and industry contacts?
  3. Developing a plan - draft a plan that includes objectives, relevant industry trends, criteria for evaluating target companies, and a timetable for completion
  4. Pricing the deal - not only understanding the financials of a business you are looking to acquire, but also looking at the culture of the company and how it may, or may not, work with your own culture
  5. Financing the acquisition - determining factors include the size & complexity of the transaction, the buyer's cash position, the terms of the purchase price, and market conditions

Topics: Business Insurance