David R. LengOutsourced Chief Risk Officer · Author · Speaker

Speaking

Keynotes and workshops

For associations, chambers and conferences whose members run businesses. Insurance cost is part of it. So are turnover, injuries, productivity, and whether the business would make it through a shutdown. I work with the organizer and talk with members before the event, so the examples and priorities fit the room.

On stage

Built for the room, not read off the slides

I talk with members before the session, use their kinds of claims and their numbers, and leave time for the questions people actually came with. Sessions have run from association keynotes to the PSAB Annual Conference session PCN carried statewide.

Check a date

David R. Leng presenting to an audience
David R. Leng presenting to a full ballroom at the Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association convention
A full room at the Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association convention.

“Thank you for helping to make our annual convention such a huge success. Your session was well received and provided our participants with the knowledge to not only save money on workers compensation but also to reduce their workers compensation premium by understanding Risk Management and how to better manage those risks.”

Mary GaiskiExecutive Vice President, Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association

Most requested

Four sessions organizers book most

Improve Your Risk Profile, Improve Your Bottom Line

A clean loss history doesn’t always bring a lower premium. This session explains what else carriers weigh, and the operating changes members can influence.

Attendees leave knowing

  • How underwriters score a business today, and what goes into the file they read
  • The changes that move a company from tolerated to wanted
  • Why the same changes that lower premium also cut lost time and turnover

Good fit for: Owners, CFOs and operations leaders. Keynote or workshop, sized to your agenda.

“Members surveyed felt the session responded directly to their dilemma of increasing insurance premiums and decreasing coverage. They walked out the door with ideas for manageable solutions to control their rising premiums.”

Linda JovanovichExecutive Vice President, Hardwood Manufacturers Association

Avoiding Failure

Insurance is one part of recovery. This session shows what it takes to keep employees, customers and cash flow through a long shutdown.

Attendees leave knowing

  • What it takes to keep employees, customers and cash flow through a long shutdown
  • The assumptions in a recovery plan that need testing now, before you rely on them
  • The coverage holes that show up only after a total loss, using real fires and real numbers

Good fit for: Owners, CFOs, lenders and CPAs. Keynote or workshop, sized to your agenda.

“David also understands the industry which is critical to helping companies remain in business should they suffer a major loss. David was well received and has already helped a number of members.”

Philip BibeauExecutive Director, Wood Products Manufacturers Association

A Safe Culture Shift

Turnover, recurring injuries and production pressure often share the same conditions underneath. This session looks at how everyday decisions shape all three.

Attendees leave knowing

  • What leaders do day to day that builds or breaks a safe, productive workplace
  • How to use safety as the habit that pulls the rest of the culture with it
  • Where turnover, injuries and lost productivity share a root cause

Good fit for: Owners, HR, operations and safety leaders. Keynote or workshop, sized to your agenda.

“David provided constructive ways to address our business culture and risk management, minimize costs and improve productivity. I found his insight and information most helpful.”

Ken HedgecockExecutive Director, American Club & Property Management

Conquering Zero

Hiring, turnover, injuries and insurance cost usually sit with different people. This session connects them and helps members pick the first change worth making.

Attendees leave knowing

  • How hiring, onboarding, job demands and supervision feed injuries, and how those injuries show up in the mod for years
  • How to measure reporting, corrective action and suitable work during recovery, along with the injury and cost trends that follow
  • Where to start when you can only fix one thing this year

Good fit for: Owners and leadership teams. Keynote or workshop, sized to your agenda.

“As an association, your members will see and understand the uniqueness with which David Leng works with his business clients. You will understand how he “builds a fortress” designed to fend off a multitude of employee injuries.”

Preston DiamondManaging Director, Institute of WorkComp Professionals

From Stop Being Frustrated & Overcharged

Stop Buying Lottery Tickets

Why shopping workers’ comp every year does not bring it down, and where the money is actually going.

Good fit for: Owners, CFOs and controllers

Your Audit Is Probably Wrong

How premium audits and class codes overcharge good companies, and how to build the audit before the auditor does.

Good fit for: Owners, controllers and payroll staff

The Mod Nobody Checks

What the experience modifier is, why it jumps after a claim, why your customers are starting to ask for it, and how to find the errors in it.

Good fit for: Owners, CFOs and safety leaders

Also available

Avoiding Municipal Liability Blind Spots

Real Pennsylvania municipal claims, what each borough could have done differently, and a practical process for assigning corrective action and keeping the record.

Good fit for: PSAB, municipal leagues, councils and managers

Turning Premiums Into Profits

Group captives, retros and self-insurance for companies over $100,000 in premium. What they cost, what they return and when they backfire.

Good fit for: CFOs and owners of mid-size companies

Business Out of Focus

OSHA and HR compliance are the floor. This session connects them to the culture work that actually prevents injuries.

Good fit for: HR and safety professionals

Workers' Compensation on Drugs

Medical marijuana, opioids and what employers can and cannot do about either in a work comp claim.

Good fit for: HR, claims and risk managers

How a session gets built

I talk to your members first

In 2016 the Hardwood Manufacturers Association and the Wood Products Manufacturers Association both asked me to speak. Before I wrote anything, I called members. Some had seen their premiums double or triple without ever having a claim. They wanted to know how carriers decide what to charge them, and how to get the attention of the few carriers still writing their industry.

That became the Hardwood session, and later The 10 Laws of Insurance Attraction. The Wood Products members had a different worry: what happens after a fire. I built that session around CCF Industries, a wood products plant that burned in 2014 and reopened. It became Insured to Fail.

David R. Leng presenting Risk Profile Focus Areas at the Hardwood Manufacturers Association National Conference
Presenting to the Hardwood Manufacturers Association National Conference.

“In addition to being incredibly knowledgeable about what wood products manufacturers require to properly insure their business and manage their risks, David also understands the industry which is critical to helping companies remain in business should they suffer a major loss. David was well received and has already helped a number of members. We would be more than happy to have David address our members at a future meeting.”

Philip BibeauExecutive Director, Wood Products Manufacturers Association

For organizers

What I need, and what you get

Everything for your event materials is here to download, no email needed: speaker introduction, high-resolution headshot and speaking photo. Handouts go to you ahead of time so you can print enough for the room. Books are available for attendees, with a discount on larger orders.

In the room: a wireless lavalier mic, a handheld mic or two for audience questions, and a projector or screen with HDMI. A confidence monitor facing me helps but isn’t required.

Fees depend on the format, how much the session is customized, and travel. We’ll confirm the format, audience, customization and travel, then agree on the fee.

Check a date

David R. Leng speaking at the PA State Association of Boroughs Annual Conference, broadcast on PCN
PSAB Annual Conference, as broadcast on PCN.

Typical formats

  • Keynote
  • Breakout or workshop
  • Half-day working session for a leadership team
  • Member webinar

From the people in the room

What organizers and attendees said

Associations and business groups

“Members surveyed felt the session responded directly to their dilemma of increasing insurance premiums and decreasing coverage. They walked out the door with ideas for manageable solutions to control their rising premiums. I personally was impressed that David spent time prior to the session acquainting himself with members of our Association, making sure his material was indeed focused to their needs. It was spot-on.”

Linda JovanovichExecutive Vice President, Hardwood Manufacturers Association

“David Leng's understanding of the intricacies of Workers Compensation and Risk Management is deep and impressive. He helped a packed room of Westmoreland County Chamber members to better understand the challenges (and opportunities) this complicated issue presents to many business owners.”

Chad M. AmondPresident, Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce

“As an association, your members will see and understand the uniqueness with which David Leng works with his business clients. You will understand how he “builds a fortress” designed to fend off a multitude of employee injuries.”

Preston DiamondManaging Director, Institute of WorkComp Professionals

“Thank you for helping to make our annual convention such a huge success. Your session was well received and provided our participants with the knowledge to not only save money on workers compensation but also to reduce their workers compensation premium by understanding Risk Management and how to better manage those risks.”

Mary GaiskiExecutive Vice President, Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association

“David provided constructive ways to address our business culture and risk management, minimize costs and improve productivity. I found his insight and information most helpful.”

Ken HedgecockExecutive Director, American Club & Property Management

Manufacturing

“I thought my knowledge of Workers’ Compensation was pretty good, until David’s seminar! I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know. When it comes to Workers’ Comp, ignorance isn’t bliss...it’s costly.”

Don GutwaldPenn Metal Fabricators

“Having been an insurance adjuster, I really thought I had a good handle on Workers’ Comp, but the workshop opened my eyes. It gave me what I need to tackle our Workers’ Compensation costs.”

Phil BladelSuperbolt

“I found David’s remarks and recommendations in his Workers’ Compensation cost reduction workshop very informative, easy to follow, and presented in a way that I can easily implement his suggestions.”

Adelene AlvarezEl Grande Industries, Inc.

“The entire workshop was great! It made me realize I really did not have as much grasp of the (work comp) system that I thought I did.”

Robin WeissEl Grande Industries, Inc.

“I used to be happy with what my agent was doing for us, but following your workshop I now realize that there is a lot more that can be done to reduce my workers compensation costs. Thanks for a great workshop!”

Richard DeCeccoClark Metal Screw Products

Construction

“David provided constructive ways to minimize premium costs. I found his insight and information most helpful.”

John KerstenNew Dominion Construction

“David provided me with enough information to point me in the right direction to take an aggressive approach to strengthening our work comp program.”

Linda GutowskiLytle Construction Services, LP

“David’s workshop provided me with the information I needed to beat the insurance company at their own game!”

Doug SciottoR & L Development

“David Leng is clearly knowledgeable in the ways to save on Workers’ Compensation premiums. I gained a lot of information that we can use.”

Theresa ZingroneZingrone Landscaping & Construction

“I was not aware of how in-depth businesses really needed to go to understand the areas of managing injuries, back to work situations, and safety/compliance.”

Jacklyn RechelEverydry Waterproofing

Automotive

“I found the whole seminar and all of the information very helpful in reducing employment costs and better managing the operations of our company!”

Lori BodnarHR Director, C Harper Automotive Group

“David’s processes for reducing Workers’ Compensation costs were clearly defined and easy to follow.”

Sue Gross#1 Cochran Automotive

“David’s clearly conveyed steps helped minimize our risks in hiring bad employees.”

Jeff PryclRocky Mountain Garage

“David was very informative and entertaining. Now I know what I need to do to reduce my premiums.”

David NorrisD & D Auto Salvage

Transportation

“As an employer we need to keep informed on many issues. David was able to convey the importance of what documentation and information we needed to have and the timeline for when things should be done. The whole seminar was very informative.”

Georgeann MayhueSmith Bus Company

“I thought all of the subjects had a tremendous value to our company. It was amazing the amount of information and documentation that was provided.”

Richard SerafinSmith Bus Company

Healthcare

“David gave me the tools and direction I needed to implement a more active Workers’ Comp management program.”

Douglas CookUnion Orthotics & Prosthetics

Past audiences include the Hardwood Manufacturers Association National Conference, the Wood Products Manufacturers Association, the National Workers’ Compensation Symposium, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs Fall Legal Conference, the Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association, SMC Business Councils, the Manufacturers & Business Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Associated Builders and Contractors (Western PA), the Westmoreland HR Association, the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce and Keystone Insurers Group. Well over four dozen associations and business groups in all.

Check a date

Planning a conference or member meeting?

Tell me who will be in the room, the date, and what your members are struggling with. I’ll suggest a session built around it.

Check a date