Aflac 2007 Annual Report Download - page 24

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98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
49
59
6.6 6.3 6.6
7.5
8.5 8.9 9.0 $9.3
Japan U.S.
Aflac has, and will continue to, streamline
transactions for policyholders and sales
agents alike. For the last 14 years,
SmartApp®, our proprietary, laptop-based
enrollment system, has improved our ability
to process our strong sales. Our recently
enhanced version, called SmartApp Next
GenerationSM (SNG), incorporates many
advantages over the previous version to
further streamline the enrollment process.
SNG enabled Aflac to process about 66%
of policy applications in 2007 without
any human intervention. In 2007, 91%
of our applications for coverage were
electronically submitted using SNG and
other Internet-based programs.
Adoption of our Billing Transformation
Program (BTP) initiatives also continued to
grow throughout 2007. BTP has delivered
technologies that improve internal
processing and expanded the self-service
options available to our customers,
resulting in more efficient and accurate
billing, reconciliation and service to our
payroll accounts. At year-end, nearly
91,000 payroll accounts, or 23% of our
total accounts, were using our Online
Services system to reconcile their invoices
and submit policy service requests.
To respond to changing communication
needs of a growing sales force, we created
MobileAflac.com in 2007, a wireless
extension of our Web site for agents.
MobileAflac.com allows agents to handle
various business transactions from
remote locations. We also rolled out
AflacAnywhereSM, a new technology that
enables sales associates and coordinators
to receive electronic notification on
important payroll account and policy
information. Expanding service choices
for all of our customers, while also
improving our internal operating
efficiency, will continue to strengthen
our service model.
There’s Only One Investment
Approach for Aflac – Conservative
We have always believed that a con-
servative investment approach helps
ensure that Aflac is well-positioned to
fulfill its promises to claimants, policy-
holders, employees, sales associates and
shareholders. Our conservative investing
stance also produces a dependable source
of investment income that benefits our
earnings growth. Some investing highlights
from 2007 include:
Benefits and Claims
(In billions)
Aflac paid or provided for
$9.3 billion in benefits for
policyholders in 2007.
Amber Ruehlman (right) and Vui Nguyen, cake
decorators with Busken Bakery, enjoy the creativity
their jobs entail. Amber, an Aflac policyholder for
more than two years, is particularly thrilled when
her creations bring smiles and enjoyment to her
customers, and the Aflac Duck is a big fan of her
work. When a car accident disrupted her life in
April 2007, she found that her Aflac accident policy
provided financial relief when she needed it with
cash benefits she was able to use at her discretion.
She says that her Aflac sales agent filed her claim
for her and the process went very smoothly.
Knowing that she is covered by an Aflac accident
policy gives her peace of mind in the event she needs
to use it again in the future. Busken Bakery, a food
icon in the greater Cincinnati area, has offered
Aflac policies to their 180 employees since 2004.
The bakery has been a beloved, family-owned and
operated fixture in the Cincinnati area since 1928.
Award-winning confections like cookies, bread,
coffee cakes, pies and schnecken (a scrumptious
sweet and buttery cinnamon raisin roll), combined
with a flair for great customer service and
innovative advertising with a humorous twist,
have earned Busken Bakery a stellar reputation.
Busken Bakery’s 20 stores in Ohio and Kentucky,
and more recently their national distribution
through Busken.com, were lovingly developed
throughout three generations and bring smiles to
those who love sweet treats throughout the region.
There’s Only One Aflac