Agency Nation Radio

You'll notice that you've just made it a lot easier for people to learn how much you know about insurance. It's definitely a difficult place to get to because just the idea of producing video consistently sounds daunting. However, once you realize that all the power lies in starting instead of perfecting will have you never looking back. The more efficient your process is the more you'll notice ge...

It all starts with over communicating everything to make sure everyone knows what needs to be done. This needs to happen the entire time something bad is happening to your client. Because it only takes one missed phone called to ruin the entire experience for everyone. That means you better have relationships ready across all your carrier claims teams to make sure that doesn't happen. That's what...

It might sound counterproductive, but that's how you look and sound different than the big boys. They're always telling everyone what to do instead of asking what might be best. It seems simple enough, but caring more about the outcome they want can seal the deal. That combined with a mindset of positivity is all the power you need to punch above your weight.  That's what I talk to Ryan Collier, o...

You have to know who you're meeting first way before you plan anything else. Sure, there's basic tactical knowledge required to properly execute proper marketing communication. However, what makes picking a time and place dramatically easier is having a detailed understanding of the person that should be there. When you do it makes everything else about the message ten times more effective. That's...

There's a good chance they can because they work everywhere your agency does. You just need to be persistent in delivering value to make sure people want to keep sending you business. That usually starts with you being able to send them business first, which always gets someone's attention. That's when your internal lead generation machine will finally activate and deliver high-quality results. Th...

People will find you, trust you and ultimately want to do business with you over everyone else who isn't. If there is one marketing strategy that is the easiest to deploy and generates the best results, it's this. Constantly and consistently answering questions relative to the type of insurance you want to sell can change the game for your agency. The only thing you have to make sure you do is tel...

You normally end up discovering a whole new world of insurance and can't wait to keep exploring it. It's that exploration that not only lights the fire but keeps it burning longer than you ever thought possible. When you start exploring the right corners of the industry you discover all these game-changing moments. It's those moments that provide the vivid detail outlining a career that could be w...

It's not every day an agency finds someone obsessed with telling people what you do. To make things worse, most of the time that obsession is suppressed and sometimes even ignored. It's ignored for traditional "prospecting" methods and ultimately questioned for immediate results. Which are prioritized over creating marketing assets that build attention an agency can carry well into the future. Tha...

Your insurance life can be hard if you don't have the right people to talk to. Not because you don't respect their experience and wisdom in the industry, but because they can't see where things are going. Your ability to geek out on camera gear or latest automated workflow will severely limited. It's in these cycles of loneliness that you ambition gets destroyed and ideas That all can change if yo...

The truth is they probably don't need to be as strong as you think they need to be at the start. Of course, in a perfect world having the most powerful tools and resources at your fingertips would dramatically improve your ability to deliver results. However, that simply isn't reality and you will almost always have to prove yourself with lesser tools than others might have. With that being said,...

If they don't start with the end in mind they might fall short of your goals. It also doesn't hurt to put them in a very specific order to avoid any confusion what's most important. Because without that structure it's easy to flounder in any direction allow day after day to get away from you. It also becomes a lot easier to identify the payoff ultimately waiting when they habits start working. Tod...

Really comes down to connecting more things that can make us smarter and our agencies better. That's the groundswell sentiment bubbling up from the industry's most passionate data freedom fighters. The people that want to stop doing the same work twice and introduce a level of customization most think is impossible. When both sides of the industry are armed with that cooperative knowledge, the cus...

I doubt it, but it might not be up to us to decide anymore because today's consumer expects to find it. Deciding not to give it to them, has and will continue to lead to other, less qualified, sources providing it. That's not a great spot to be in because not only are we missing out on a chance for good business, it also puts more people at risk of making bad decisions. That's not even mentioning...

Sometimes you need to follow the recipe exactly the way it's written for it to work. There are plenty of tried and true strategies and tactics that have worked for a long time in the industry. Did you ever stop to think why that might be and how strategies and tactics translate for today? It doesn't matter if it's a welcome kit, referral program or the time you spent in the community, they all can...

Sometimes you just have to ask a handful of questions that seem painfully obvious. The best part is that it doesn't really need to be more complicated than that. The answers aren't the point, just increasing the consistency in which you confront them is. That's why I thought it might be fun to mix it up today and just help ask a few questions you might forget to ask yourself. P.S. This is a good p...

During the process, you'll also have to make a few tough decisions and stick with them longer than might feel comfortable. Because in order for your agency to grow beyond what you're capable of, other people need some permanent motivation. That motivation usually comes in the form of "ownership" and is never easily volunteered. However, if/when it is will finally be the time you can focus on the c...

First starts by knowing who that client is and everything that might make them need you. Once you know that, then you know the game that you'll need to play to get them. Not only will you need to know that, but you'll also need to know where to play it. if you're always focused on that ideal client give you more room to work with everything else that falls short. That's what I talk to Jared Bellmu...

It's hard to say, but there's a good chance that's not the only thing causing problems. Just because you say you have a niche doesn't mean all your insurance troubles decide to go elsewhere. In fact, it actually just enhances them and exposes all the glaring weakness currently present in your operation. The change will be anything but sudden, however, if committed to can have the potential to chan...

Starts in the classroom and ends with how well you display your culture. At least that's what the new wave a talent entering the industries is looking for. The agencies that invest time before graduation are the ones attracting the best and brights new insurance minds. Risk management and insurance majors are popping up all over the country, proving us a brand new way to find and develop young tal...

It's possible you could have a whole new level to get to with your agency's most important partner. At least that should be the goal if you want to maximize the speed, accuracy, and attention enjoyed be the best of the best. It's also a relationship that shouldn't be taken advantage of and treated with respect. Because you never know when they might save you from a potential E&O claim. That's what...

The only thing you have to do is figure out a way to help them first without being there. If you're worried about getting stuck where you're at these clients will also make sure that doesn't happen. Because the level of appreciation they develop for you and your agency even before talking to is overwhelming. The better question is how many do you want to find and what do you want to sell. The answ...

Some say your agency can only be as good as your culture, which won't happen on accident. The other crazy thing is that you can't buy your way to having a great culture. It's something that instead needs to be filled with a deeper purpose that's truly motivating. It's the purpose that provides a solid foundation for your culture to be built on. That the one thing Grant Botam, of Stewardship Insura...

It's easy to always be waiting for the next best thing to solve all your insurance problems. Who wouldn't want to blame the current state of their agency on the features of their tools and services? Maybe instead, taking an extra long look at what's in front of you and how it might make the long run easier. The hardest thing to do always waiting for more is voting with your wallet. That's what I t...

Sometimes the best insurance conversations happen over lunch and cover every major topic in the industry. You never know what pleasant surprises you'll find when you start shaking the way you do things up. That's exactly what the Westfield team discovered when they embarked on a dramatic transformation of their campus. Teams are working more efficiently and closely together than ever as they trans...

It's hard to start all the way at the bottom and make it to the top. Only a handful of people have the drive, determine and dedication to stay the course no matter what. It's amazing what happens along the way and the amount of impact your might ultimately be afforded if you do. That's exactly what Westfield CEO Ed Largent did in his 30 plus years with the company. I say down for a one-on-one conv...