This time last year, pandemic conditions meant that businesses and colleagues were adjusting to remote-work conditions, kids were holed up at home doing schoolwork, and families were weighing an ongoing public-health risk with the desire to commune with loved ones for the winter holidays.
Go back a bit further and just like the assassinations of JFK or MLK, most everyone today has a concrete memory of where they were when the news hit that society would be forever changed by COVID-19.
I was at a concert with my husband on Thurs., March 12, 2020. A friend was spit-talking in my face as a text came in on my phone alerting me to the fact that my daughter’s school would be closing the next day.
For how long, we wondered… This can’t last more than a week or two, can it?
The lessons we all learned about work, community and ourselves over the last year and a half are still hard to measure as each of us was tested in unique ways by the chaos and loss unleashed by the pandemic.
Now, given the gift of time and perspective, my hope is that we can reflect on recent trials and feel like we came through this era stronger, wiser, and more connected and secure.
If nothing else, we can at least enjoy a holiday toast.
That’s what we’re doing with the December 2021 issue of NU Property & Casualty magazine.
First, we raise our glasses to the inaugural class of PropertyCasualty360 Insurance Innovators. My colleagues and I developed this new recognition program to honor companies, people, programs and practices that are helping to modernize and humanize the P&C insurance business. Like any new endeavor, we could not be sure how the idea would be received or whether anyone would participate. Alas, we fielded roughly 180 nominations. We evaluated each of them based on specific criteria that included such factors as the nominee’s impact on clients, the company, community or industry; a demonstrated ability to achieve goals and display ingenuity in terms of creative thinking and problem-solving; and a personal commitment to the highest ethical standards, service and excellence. Within the December issue of NU Property & Casualty, we are thrilled to be able to celebrate the 50 honorees in the Class of 2021 PropertyCasualty360 Insurance Innovators.
This month’s issue of NU Property & Casualty also spotlights the 2021 winners of the Workers’ Comp Risk Management Award for Excellence. This well-established program recognizes outstanding loss control, safety and return-to-work programs.
In 2020, the pandemic forced us to hold this award program in a virtual setting. This year, winners will be honored with a podium trophy presentation, hosted dinner and breakout session during the Workers’ Compensation Institute (WCI) 75th Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference and 32nd Safety & Health Conference happening Dec. 12-15 at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
Since the pandemic pushed WCI to cancel its conference last year, this year’s gathering is sure to be a celebratory, inspiring affair that brings together colleagues and friends after too many months of maintaining relationships via emails, phone calls and virtual meetings.
As I’ve written before: There’s never a dull moment in the P&C insurance world. This month’s larger-than-usual issue of NUP&C is a testament to the resilience and steadfast professionalism of the property & casualty sector. Use the stories highlighted in the pages that follow to ease into a holiday season awash in festive toasts with colleagues, friends and family.
That’s what’s top of mind for me this month.
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