What's your New Year's Resolution for 2009? Usually it's a question we dread, reminding us of bad habits or extra pounds we need to shed. Here at FirstBest Systems, we think it's a great opportunity to reflect on all we've accomplished in the past year, and focus on what we want to achieve in 2009.

In 2008, we hit some major milestones:

• AMERISAFE, a specialty writer of workers' comp insurance, has become our latest valued customer. Check out the news here.
• UMS 2.0, our latest release of the Underwriting Management System^TM, recently launched with major new ease-of-use features for agents and underwriters. Read more here.
• Financial Insights named FirstBest one of six outstanding "Up and Coming Tech Firms, Class of 2008," and the only provider of "disruptive technology"—widely defined as an innovation that brings major change to an industry. More information here.
• The ACORD Innovative Implementation Award went to our customer ICW Group, a leading provider of P&C insurance, for deploying our next-generation UMS. The award was presented at the 2008 ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum. Read more here.

So, what's next for FirstBest? What are our resolutions for next year?

• Don't just say it—do it. Let's stop talking about greater ease of doing business between carriers and agents—let's do it. With new Web 2.0 technologies that create virtual online spaces for real-time collaboration, there can be no more excuses. Let us help you make it happen.
• Be more disruptive! It's not enough to be named the only disruptive technology provider in 2008. Let's make it two years in a row. And you can be disruptive in your thinking, too! Challenge the status quo and bring fresh thinking to our industry.
• Focus on ROI. Whether it's a soft market or a hard market, getting a better return on your investments is always the right move. We can make it easier for you to have visibility into your entire underwriting process, and measure what you were never able to see before.

Just some food for thought as we approach the New Year with hope and anticipation of a better business climate and a stronger economy in the months ahead.

Now, we'd love to hear what your 2009 New Year's resolution is. See question in sidebar.

Our warmest holiday wishes go out to you and your families! We look forward to working with you in the coming year.

John Belizaire
CEO and Founder, FirstBest Systems

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