Can Drones Help Insurers Settle Claims?

thoughtblazers' commentary
Drones are changing our marketplace, not only from a manufacturing standpoint, but also the financial services sector, including insurance. How can you bring your personal or your company's expertise to grab a piece of this market?

Enjoy the following article from the San Antonio Business Journal.

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USAA Favors Drones to Expedite Insurance Claim Process
from San Antonio Business Journal

Open-source Machine Lets You Recycle and Make Your Own Plastic Products

thoughtblazers' commentary
Dutch designer Dave Hakkens has developed a open-source prototype for a plastics recycling machine. So many concepts here! One is, what other types of open-source programs are out there for your manufacturing business to take advantage of. Another is having abundant recycled plastic for your own 3D printer that all businesses and homes will no doubt have in the next 5 - 10 years. Why not get a head start on your competition?

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Photo courtesy of treehugger.com

For the full article and additional visuals from treehugger.com, click here.

The Explainer: Disruptive Innovation

Catlin Insurance Company's Gorgeous Waterfall

thoughtblazers' commentary
As you look at and read about the magnificent interior waterfall at the Catlin Insurance corporate headquarters in Bermuda, the only commentary I have is: Who says you can't make money in this business?

Enjoy the article from Harmonic Environments below.
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See full article in: Harmonic Environments 

Catlin Insurance Company's Gorgeous Waterfall
This magnificent waterfall greets visitors at the Catlin Insurance Company corporate headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda. Terceira Quarterly & Associates and Harmonic Environments designed a 32' long by 9' high multi-panel Translucence Series® glass water wall with accented cast glass logo, to elegantly divide space in this contemporary office design. 

Insuring the World Cup Finals

Video courtesy of http://youtu.be/_xvuY0B7F7M

thoughtblazers' take:
"Insurance enables things to happen...", including the World Cup! This video shows the countless global risk issues arising from this one event. As with any other industry, depending on the specific job and the type of insurance product or service being offered, you can have a fun and fulfilling career.  

Hi-Tech and Vintage Coworkers Can Flourish Together

thoughtblazers' take:
This amazing high-tech vintage amplifier from Heartless Machine is the perfect image of the ideal multigenerational workplace. Seriously!? Yes! And here’s why: 1) The smartphone represents the Millenials and Gen Xers with their extreme tech savviness, knowledge of pop culture and younger buyers, along with flexibility; 2) The horn - that actually becomes an external speaker for the smartphone - is a visual for the rich, full experience that Baby Boomers and Traditionals bring to their work; 3) The solid base is the innovative leadership that holds it all together.

At first glance, it’s somewhat odd looking. But then you begin to see the genius of it, and wonder if this would fit in your office or living room. 

Those companies who can bring their vintage and high-tech workers together will flourish.
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source: heartlessmachine

Exclusive Video: How Burberry Sells Trench Coats

Video courtesy of Fast Company http://youtu.be/WSLiLsQBMqg

thoughtblazers' take:
Angela Ahrendts shares how David beat Goliath when she was Burberry's CEO. Their winning approach included not going after mega-competitors head on, but rather looking at subset of the market and developing some unique ways to reach that population. You won't believe how much wisdom is jammed into a 2.5 minute video.

The Geography of Marriage
thoughtblazers' take:
Job-seeking Gen X and Gen Y folks might find the following Pew Research study to be of particular interest. This might be another parameter to include in your "Pro vs Con" chart when considering employment opportunities.
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Mapping the Marriage Market for Young Adults

from www.pewsocialtrends.org

The share of American adults who have never been married is at a record high (20%), and young adults are at the leading edge of this national trend.

A Younger View of the Internet
thoughtblazers' take:
This article from Pew Research Center contains much more than facts about younger Americans' view of the Internet. It also shares stats on their community activities and what they do for entertainment. If you are looking to reach the younger generation, this article, as well as the additional research it references, is well worth the read.

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Younger Americans' View About the Internet
from Pew Research Center 

Anxiety In the Workplace
thoughtblazers' take:

This piece from the Guardian UK gives some great insights into the relationship between Social Anxiety Disorder, phobias, and procrastination regarding certain tasks.

While the article doesn't have all that much on solutions, it will give you a better understanding of the dynamics of Social Anxiety, which may be impacting you or a fellow coworker.

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Social Anxiety: Why the Mundane Can be Terrifying 
from The Guardian UK  

Article Photograph: Blend Images/Alamy

Planting Seeds of Wellness
thoughtblazers' take: 

The findings in this article from the Association for Psychological Science should come as no surprise that work spaces with plants can increase employee productivity and satisfaction. We're even willing to bet that pictures, mini water fountains, and other knick-knacks can make for a more efficient work environment. But it's great to have a bit of research to back it up.

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Offices That Have Plants May Provide a Boost to Employee Engagement and Work Performance from www.psychologicalscience.org