Tips on Setting Goals for 2018

With the start of the new year only a few days away, health and fitness goals tend to get the most attention. But for those working in claims that want to climb the ladder, it’s important to contemplate work goals, too.

In the last Claims Insights podcast of 2018, Kevin Quinley, founder and principal of Quinley Risk Associates, explains why goal-setting is important, the challenges facing claims managers in 2018 and offers 18 goal examples to start the new year off right.

Quinley, who has spent four decades in the industry as an adjuster, supervisor, vice president of claims and most recently as a claims consultant, said goal setting is important for anyone working in claims that aspires to work in management.

“I think thoughtful goal setting at this time of year as we wind up 2017 and begin 2018, will really serve anyone well in positioning themselves for promotion, to reach their job goals and to make more money,” said Quinley.

Professional goals can aid not only the person setting them, but also the department as a whole.

During the podcast, Quinley outlined 18 possible resolutions for claims managers to consider.

One example that claims managers or supervisors might consider centers on cost management, like capturing 10 percent savings in the departmental budget. Quinley added that this doesn’t mean a reduction in claims payments, rather it means reviewing vendor billing and other areas where potential leakage might exist.

Additional examples include internal networking with colleagues in other departments, monitoring staff satisfaction and coordinating employee continuing education.

Self-care and work/home balance can also be considered when creating goals at work.

As goals are considered, Quinley offered tips on the questions one should consider when developing them. Some questions include:

1. Can goals be broken down into smaller, daily steps?
2. Are they handy and reviewed regularly?
3. How is the claim staff doing? Do they have goals?
4. Is there appropriate communication on how claims fit into the company’s big picture?

It isn’t just about putting a few ideas for goals on a piece of paper and forgetting about it. Rather, Quinley, said it’s important to review goals regularly and to evaluate their status.

“Put your goals in your top drawer or next to your phone. Someplace where you will see them daily and then calendar reminder notes to look at your 2018 plan the first of each month and to pick activities for the next thirty days that you’re going to focus on,” said Quinley. “The key to success here is implementation.”