EMB University Agenda

View past EMB University topics.

 To register for any session of EMB University: Send an email to with your name, company and email address to .  A webinar invitation is sent out for each session approximately one week in advance, allowing attendees to register for only the topics that are of particular interest.  Questions and inquiries about EMB University can be directed to the same email address.

In response to current market trends and customer demand, a few of our EMB University topics have been changed or replaced recently.  EMB University session times remain the same.

Senior Year of EMB University (2008 - 2009)

No session in December.  Have a happy and healthy holiday season and we'll see you in 2009!

Getting the Most Out of EMB Emblem  Tuesday, January 20, 2009 11AM (ET)  This session will provide useful tips on using EMB Emblem GLM software effectively.  This session will be geared toward existing EMB Emblem clients, but is open to non-users as well. (A basic understanding of EMB Emblem is recommended.)

Is Optimization for You?  Tuesday, February 17, 2009 11AM (ET)  Optimization is the hot topic for personal lines predictive modeling.  This session will provide a brief overview of optimization and identify some of the key issues.

Merging of Worlds: How does Predictive Modeling fit into ERM?  Tuesday, March 17, 2009 11AM (ET)  Predictive Modeling has revolutionized the understanding of risk drivers in personal and commercial insurance in recent years.  To date, the power of predictive modeling has not yet been used in ERM modeling efforts.  This session will cover potential ways to bridge this gap from inputs to a model to interrogating results of our ERM models.

Competitive Intelligence: Is There Such a Thing?  Tuesday, April 21, 2009 11AM (ET)  Competitive analysis is becoming more and more difficult.  This session will identify some of the issues associated with competitive analysis and offer tips on addressing these issues.

Getting the Most out of EMB Rate Assessor  Tuesday, May 19, 2009 11AM (ET)  This session will provide tips on using EMB Rate Assessor pricing implementation software.  This session will be geared toward existing Rate Assessor clients, but will be open to non-users.

Past EMB University Sessions (2006 - 2008)

For information on past EMB University sessions or on older topics not listed here, please contact us at .

Reserve Ranges  May 16, 2006 11 AM (ET)  Estimating the variability inherent in a reserve estimate is getting increased attention from rating agencies, capital markets, regulators, and management. It’s time to move away from old rules-of-thumb and take advantage of the advancements made in this area.

Getting ERM Started: Quick Tips And Common Pitfalls  June 20, 2006 11 AM (ET)  Successful companies are performing internal capital assessments. This session covers the major items that should be considered when implementing ERM to ensure that there is value added.

Understanding The Secrets In Your Data: Basic Modeling Strategy  July 18, 2006 11 AM (ET)  GLM is the standard for ratemaking. This session covers basic statistical and practical tests to help the practitioner build the “best” model.

Predictive Modeling: What Is Out There?  August 15, 2006 11 AM (ET)  There are a variety of predictive modeling techniques. This session discusses different methods with pros and cons of each.

How To Achieve Success With Commercial Lines Modeling  September 19, 2006 11 AM (ET)  Personal lines have a proven track-record with respect to predictive modeling. This session provides a management-level discussion of the opportunities and pitfalls associated with commercial lines modeling.

Getting The Most Out Of Your ERM Modeling Process  October 17, 2006 11 AM (ET)  ERM results address a broad spectrum of issues. This session covers how companies can leverage the analysis across the organization to get the most out of the ERM process.

Comprehensive “Multivariate” Competitive Analysis  December 5, 2006 11 AM (ET)  Multivariate analysis has increased the complexity of rating algorithms and rendered traditional competitive analysis inadequate. This session discusses new comprehensive analysis techniques so companies can understand their true competitive position.

Avoiding Common Predictive Modeling Pitfalls  January 16, 2007 11 AM (ET)  Companies make common mistakes when implementing predictive modeling. This session covers the mistakes and offers suggestions to ensure full benefits of predictive modeling are realized.

Commercial Lines: Predictive Modeling Challenges  February 20, 2007 11 AM (ET)  Predictive modeling techniques can be used effectively on commercial lines of business. This session provides a more detailed look at some of the unique challenges encountered with commercial lines modeling.

Optimal Pricing: Bridging The Gap Between Pricing And Marketing  March 20, 2007 11 AM (ET)  Elasticity and risk models can be combined to determine the true impact of scenarios on profitability and market share. This session covers opportunities and pitfalls associated with price optimization.

Pricing And UW: Working Together To Improve Results  April 17, 2007 11 AM (ET)  UW and Pricing have historically worked separately to ensure profitability. This session discusses ways for the two to work cooperatively to improve profitability.

A Better Way To Include Geographic Considerations In Rates: Territorial Ratemaking  May 15, 2007 11 AM (ET)  There are various approaches for analyzing territorial boundaries and relativities within the multivariate framework. This session covers pro’s and con’s of the different methods. 

Reserve Variability  June 19, 2007 11AM (ET)  This session will build upon last year’s EMB University session and focus on two approaches to evaluating reserve range variability: Mack’s Method and Bootstrapping. An overview of these approaches will be provided as well as a discussion of their uses, benefits and limitations.

Predictive Modeling: Project Management  July 24, 2007 11AM (ET)  Many of our sessions have focused on specific aspects of predictive modeling.  This session will attempt to discuss the various stages of a predictive modeling project at a high level as a means to provide a blueprint for successful project management.   

Getting the Most Out of Rate Assessor  August 21, 2007 11AM (ET)  This session will provide some helpful tips to help current users use Rate Assessor as efficiently and fully as possible.  The session will be targeted towards current Rate Assessor users, but non-Rate Assessor users are welcome to watch. 

ERM: What the Rest of the World Is Doing  September 25, 2007 11AM (ET)  ERM should be part of the core daily function of a company’s decision making. This session will discuss the use of ERM in insurance markets around the world, and in particular, actual benefits and changes in insurance management due to the UK’s Internal Capital Assessment (ICA) Regime. The session will also discuss how European risk regulation may affect US companies including rating agencies views toward risk management.

Hot Topics for Increasing Lift  November 20, 2007 11AM (ET)  There are many different ways to improve the performance of the rating algorithm. This session will discuss many of the more cutting edge activities that insurers have been doing to develop the right rate for the risk. The focus will not be on a specific approach but more of a high level discussion on how different techniques can improve your overall lift.

Getting the Most Out Of EMBLEM  December 18, 2007 11AM (ET)  This session will provide some useful tips to help current users use EMBLEM as efficiently and fully as possible.  The session will be targeted towards current EMBLEM users, but non-EMBLEM users are welcome to watch.

Comprehensive Competitive Analysis  January 22, 2008 11AM ET)  Simple standardized rate comparisons may no longer provide an accurate picture of a company’s true competitive position. Indeed such comparisons may not even be possible. See how companies may elect to get a better handle and understanding of their competitiveness using tools like Rate Assessor.

Adjusting ERM Models for Major Changes  February 19, 2008 11AM (ET)  An ERM model should be a living representation of the enterprise’s underlying risk profile. As such it should change where and when needed to address new potential risks. This session will cover how a company should considering modifying its ERM model including building in possible management response mechanisms and “Operational Risk” knock on effects.

Getting the Most Out Of ResQ and Igloo  March 25, 2008 11AM (ET)  The loss reserving risk is a critical component of a company’s daily reserving process and its ERM structure. It should naturally flow between both and as such the different software products used should have synergies. This session will discuss how specifically EMB’s loss reserving and ERM software can be used in an efficient manner to address both areas needs. While it will be pointed specifically at EMB software, the attendees will also be presented with general tips on managing the reserving risk process in an ERM framework.

Applications of Scoring  April 22, 11AM (ET)  This session will look at different uses of scoring by insurers in underwriting or other proprietary applications within your rating plan. This session will also discuss how this is accomplished in our GLM modeling software, EMBLEM.

Avoiding Common Predictive Modeling Pitfalls  May 20, 2008 11AM (ET)  Through working with companies, EMB has seen mistakes that many companies make with respect to building predictive models.  This session will discuss a few of those pitfalls in depth.

Bridging the Gap Between Pricing And Marketing  June 24, 2008 11AM (ET)  The more advanced companies are heavily using predictive modeling for marketing applications.  This session will focus on integrating pricing and marketing predictive models to develop rates and rating structures that will help companies meet all their goals.

Why Usage Based Rating Is the Future of Auto Insurance  July 22, 2008 11AM (ET)  You hear about it everywhere, but what is usage based insurance really? Learn about the possibilities and pitfalls of usage based insurance and find out how other

Are You Ready for Demand Modeling?  September 23, 2008 11AM (ET)  Price optimization, retention modeling, elasticity modeling...  Whatever you call it, you already know you should be looking into demand modeling, but actually getting started can be a daunting task.  Join us to learn how your company can prepare for the future, including a discussion of what data you need to start collecting today. (This replaces the originally scheduled session, "Setting and Achieving Company Goals.")

Communicating Reserving Results  October 21, 2008 11AM (ET)  You’ve worked hard to ensure your reserve estimates are on target and now you have to communicate this technical material to the rest of your company.  In this session we’ll discuss what to share and how to present it so that your results are clear and understandable for a wide audience.  We’ll also cover tips on the charts, graphs and visual aids to support your reports. (This replaces the originally scheduled session, "Benchmarking Modeling and Non-modeling ERM Processes in the Industry.")

External Data: What Is Out There?  Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11AM (ET)  This session will be an update to a session held in 2007.  This will highlight some of the external data sources that companies may want to consider using in their own analysis.