Topics

It’s a new decade. As you plan for growth, consider three major challenges—ones already affecting business around the world

After the triumphant 1990s, the first decade of the 21st century reminded everyone of the dangers that sneaked up behind globalization and prosperity. SARS and swine flu were scary illustrations of how quickly danger travels around our shrinking world. And some of the most violent terrorist attacks in history had a devastating effect on our collective consciousness.

Case Studies

The claims division of the global hotel company continues to push the boundaries of cost-efficiency and quality service with the help of advanced technology solutions
In the world of workers' compensation and disability management, it's almost unheard of for a company as large as Marriott to be both self-insured and self-administered. Yet not only does Marriott Claims Services cover...
Helping attract and retain talent with enhanced benefits
United Technologies Corp. (UTC) may not be a brand you think of often. But the products and services it provides, from Otis elevators to Kidde fire alarms, broadly affect the everyday world. A widely diversified company...
The Hartford transforms its human resources business process to great acclaim
In September 2009, The Hartford began its search for a new Human Resources Business Process Outsourcing (HR BPO) provider. No stranger to outsourcing, Joan Trantolo, vice president of HR Operations at The Hartford, took...

Technology

Advanced loss calculation platform enables insurers to create customized risk management solutions to protect against catastrophes
In May 2003, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit northern Algeria, killing more than 2,000 people and leaving 150,000 homeless. Estimated economic losses reached 10 percent of the country's GDP. Lawmakers in this North...
The more committed a business is to risk management, the better its bottom line
Is the maturity of an organization's risk management framework associated with improved financial performance?
Aon offers the New York-based provider of medical, dental and animal health products more than just guidance on global insurance products
A company need not be a household name to make a big difference in households around the world. Take Henry Schein Inc. as an example. The world's largest provider of medical, dental and animal health products to office-...

Insurance

It's a complex undertaking. However, the right strategy and tools help optimize performance and boost bottom-line results
Today's global environment presents enormous challenges. But nowhere are the risks greater than in the arena of multinational risk financing. There are cultural issues to address, regulations to confront, business...
The collapse of two insurance industry titans offers lessons for how to navigate today's uncertain business environment
If there's one constant in today's world it's that change is an absolute and ongoing necessity. Organizations that take a "business as usual" approach and fail to evolve their practices and cultures are doomed to...
Tearing a page out of the insurance carriers playbook, these business growth strategies for developing market strength in a weak economy apply to any business
In the quest to increase revenue and profitability, no industry is immune to the obstacles that emerge during an economic downturn. Leaders of businesses big and small must balance the desire to grow against the need to...

Organization Management

Cities are like organizations—they need talent too. So where is this talent going?
Often referred to as "human capital," talent is the core engine that enables organizations and cities to function and compete in the global economy. A study focusing on New York City's place in the world's financial and...
As employee benefit plans go global, multinational companies are facing growing difficulty in creating effective corporate governance programs
For multinational companies, regardless of the operating system, effective corporate governance of employee benefits is becoming an increasingly important consideration. The financial costs and risks of benefits have...
Hybrid learning environments offer a more nuanced and organic approach to skill building
Throughout history, organizations have relied on training and development to build a better business. Ensuring that workers have the skills and knowledge necessary to do their jobs faster and better usually leads to a...

Research

Results indicate the majority of companies are prepared for today's most significant business risks
Even as economies show signs of recovery from the global financial crisis, respondents to Aon's biennial Global Risk Management Survey still saw economic slowdown as the top risk. As with 2009, regulatory data and...
Aon's 2009 Benefits and Talent survey spotlights areas of importance for the years ahead
For the fourth consecutive year, Aon Consulting surveyed employers across the United States to examine their benefits and talent management practices and challenges. Conducted in March 2009 during a period of...
Aon survey shows continued maturity and impact of ERM programs
In the last issue of Aon One (Q309), our cover story cited a broad commitment to risk management planning as key to successfully operating in both good and bad economic times (one.aon.com/focusing-big-picture). Based...

Risk Management

The right strategies can help you avoid and deal with business disruptions when disaster strikes
Whatever name you attach to it—hurricane, megastorm, post-tropical cyclone or superstorm—Sandy wrought great personal devastation on the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut region and revealed just how easily disasters can...
As technology and legal frameworks evolve, both the insured and the insurer struggle to protect against data breaches
In early 2011, hackers breached the security of Sony's PlayStation Network, exposing the personal information of 100 million customers. The breach resulted in more than 50 class-action lawsuits and at least USD180...
Advanced loss calculation platform enables insurers to create customized risk management solutions to protect against catastrophes
In May 2003, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit northern Algeria, killing more than 2,000 people and leaving 150,000 homeless. Estimated economic losses reached 10 percent of the country's GDP. Lawmakers in this North...