AVON, CONNECTICUT, USA (August 19, 2008) – The latest results of Eastbridge Consulting Group�s Voluntary Industry Confidence Index survey found that 42 percent of respondents say their company�s voluntary sales to date have been higher than expected. This was significantly higher than the 34 percent of companies that were ahead last year at this time and the 31 percent who ended 2007 ahead of plan.
Based on the survey results, six percent of companies said their results to date are �much higher� than expected and another 36 percent said theirs were �a little higher.� The most frequently cited reasons for the better than expected results were:
- More new cases than expected
- Higher number of producing brokers/ reps
- New product introductions
But not everyone is ahead of the game. Thirty-three percent of respondents said their company�s sales are lower than expected thus far. Six percent said the results were �much lower� than expected. The most common reasons for the lower results were:
- Fewer new cases than expected
- Smaller average case size
- Lower levels of participation
The Voluntary Industry Confidence Index study is conducted semi-annually and includes responses from individuals active in the market � carriers, brokers, and vendors. The report is available only to Eastbridge Insight and Information Partner companies as well as to participants. The survey will be conducted again in July of 2008. For more information on becoming a participant, contact the company at [email protected].
About Eastbridge
Eastbridge Consulting Group, Inc. is a marketing advisory firm serving insurance and financial services organizations in the United States and Canada. www.eastbridge.com
