Scott Simmonds - Insurance Newsletter

Helping Insurance Experts Build Great Businesses
www.ICMentor.com

November, 2007

Useful Tool Number One

For the past few years I have experimented with voice recognition software. Recently, Dragon NaturallySpeaking has come out with a new version that I think is excellent. I tried version 8 in the past. Not very good. However, version 9 allows me to dictate virtually any text with between 95% and 100% accuracy. I don't know about you, but I speak faster than I type. I'm also a poor speller. Dictating letters, e-mails, and articles lets me bypass the constant backspacing that goes on when I type.

My use of Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 9 was featured in a recent Boston Globe article. See it here.

Useful Tool Number Two

The different tools made available by Google are saving me a great deal of time. About six months ago I changed my "homepage" to iGoogle. This tool allows me to place any number of gadgets, calculators, to do lists, and calendars at easy access. I've also moved to using Google's calendar to keep track of my schedule. The fact that it's accessible from any computer with an Internet connection is a real advantage. Their presentation software and collaboration features works well too.

Useful Tool Number Three

I'm an inveterate note taker and have played with small recording devices on and off over the years. I recently started using the Olympus DS-2. It’s about the size of a pack of gum. I can dictate quick notes to myself, longer messages, or can record seminars and meetings I attend. The sound quality is excellent. I can record between 4 and 24 hours of material -- depending upon the quality setting I use. When I return to my desk, I plug the unit into my computer and the voice files are automatically downloaded. I plan to experiment with using the sound files from the Olympus in the voice recognition software I mentioned above. I'll let you know how that works out.

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Referral Network - I'm building an online listing of insurance consultants. This may grow into a referral network and directory. I need to know who is out there! If you're interested in being a part of a directory, please complete the form. There is no cost or fee.

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Please Forward This Newsletter To Other Insurance People

Scott Simmonds, CPCU, ARM, CMC
Insurance Consulting
Phone 207-284-0085
Fax 802-992-4027
Scott@ScottSimmonds.com
www.ScottSimmonds.com

Insurance Consultant Services Website: www.ICMentor.com

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Comments regarding insurance policies or products in this newsletter do not constitute an endorsement. I accept no fees of any kind from any company mentioned in this newsletter.