How are you? When we ask each other this question, the reply is typically “I’m good” — regardless if that’s actually the case. It’s a simple question, but it can’t be answered simply as there are often many layers to how we are doing. Having said that, I think the start of a year is a great time to consider how you are truly doing.
As a new year begins, many of us often make commitments or resolutions for improvements we want to make for ourselves or goals we want to achieve. So, why not really take some time to focus on those improvements?
This January/February 2024 issue of CFMA Building Profits provides you with some thoughts about methods for refining processes in your companies, improving your company’s culture, and optimizing technology.
But what about you? Two things I can assure you about CFMA’s culture is that we want our members to be doing as well as possible, and we are here to support each other. As a member-based association, these values have been built into CFMA’s DNA from the start.
CFMA focuses on supporting every member, enabling them to improve their companies by helping them improve themselves. We accomplish this by providing information on the industry, education covering best practices, accounting and tax changes, and — notably in this issue — the impacts of technology such as artificial intelligence (AI).
As I read the articles in this issue, I wonder how the information can be applied. What do I need to share?
A couple of important things pop out from the issues raised in these pages.
One such topic is the use of AI, which will be critical for the future of our industry. We use tools and look for better ones to help us build, but our safety directors and insurance professionals are quick to point out the hazards of using these tools without the proper training and protection. The same should be true for AI — its development has impacted us so fast that I think we need to ensure that we are utilizing it in the safest way possible.
These pages also contain some thoughtful insights on diversity, equity, and inclusion. As part of our improvements in the upcoming year, I would like to encourage you to look at how focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion helps makes our lives and those of our companies’ employees better with a greater variety of voices and a better environment for all.