Agency Navigators™

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oVUNmlOuP2c Most agency owners think they have operating systems.  Many actually have something else.   A collection of workarounds, tribal knowledge, and processes that live inside people's heads.  And while that may keep the agency running today, it creates risk tomorrow.  In this episode of Agency Navigators™, Roe, Don, Cayla, Adam, and Linds...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sSrJW2JGTBI  Most agency owners say they want a business that can run without them.   But have they actually built one?   In this episode of Agency Navigators™, Roe, Don, Cayla, and Shawna tackle the first and arguably most important transferable value driver: Management Team Development .   Too many agencies are built around the owner. The owner han...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TPkEKZrzCUA   Think exit planning is only for agency owners ready to sell?  Think again.   One of the biggest misconceptions in our industry is that exit planning begins when you're ready to walk away. In reality, it starts the moment you decide to build a stronger, more transferable business.   In this first episode of our new Value Drivers Ser...

Team AgencyCFO® is Growing Again! Meet our newest CFO, Lindsey Spence! Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zRNAV9c1YCs In this special Expertise Files episode of the Agency Navigators Podcast, we’re excited to officially welcome Lindsey Spence to the AgencyCFO® team! With 20+ years of insurance accounting and finance experience—including leadership roles at Acrisure and over two decade...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pVPKZ5Ko5Ek  🚀 Industry Premiere: The AgencyCFO® Client Survival Metric™ — Your Client Retention Secrets Revealed What if the real problem in your agency isn’t what’s coming in… but what’s quietly slipping out the back door? In this episode, Roe, Don & Adam pull back the curtain on a game-changing, industry-first approach to finally understandin...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/crE-I0UDSG4 The market is shifting faster than expected, and many agencies are already feeling pressure.  In this episode, Roe and Don break down what a soft market really means and why it matters right now. Over the past few years, growth has felt strong, but much of it was driven by rising premiums, not true growth in clients or policies.  Now, tha...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1aRUHPjYvDo   This episode is a big one! We’re taking you behind the curtain on Dashboard 2.0! Roe, Don, and Adam walk through what’s really changed, and how this evolved from a simple reporting tool into a true decision-making engine for agencies. On the surface, it may look familiar. Underneath, everything has been rebuilt to be faster, cleaner, an...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rVNpCHMlk8M This special end-of-year episode of the Agency Navigators Podcast is a little different—in the best way. Instead of charts and spreadsheets, the full AgencyCFO™ team comes together to reflect on 2025, celebrate meaningful wins, and share what they’re most excited about heading into 2026! From promotions and professional growth to deepened...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-H68BYPMKJw In this Expertise Files episode, Don and Roe sit down with someone who has become far more than a client over the years — Christopher Cook , President of Alliance Insurance Services. What began with a single unexpected phone call has grown into one of the most meaningful professional partnerships of our AgencyCFO™ journey.   This conversa...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QiaLQlsa1xs  How do you really know if your agency is winning? In this episode of Agency Navigators , Roe and Don unpack the true scoreboard every agency owner should be watching — value creation .  CFOs don’t just crunch numbers — they measure impact. From growth and profitability to long-term agency valuation, Roe and Don reveal how to track the va...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/t6RaQW_xY1s   In this episode of Agency Navigators , Roe, Don, and Cayla team up with Kelly Donahue-Piro of Agency Performance Partners to explore the power of industry connections.   Together, AgencyCFO™ and APP show how data and performance insights can unite to solve agency challenges—from boosting productivity and cutting out “busy work,” to buil...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tHk8vDmDJ0g  Ever feel like your agency is stuck in neutral? In this episode of Agency Navigators , Roe, Don, and Cayla break down the concept of inertia —what keeps agencies from moving forward, and what it really takes to turn things around.  Using analogies from freight trains and cruise ships to real-world agency operations, they explore:  🚀 Why...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jjbj5rOgo7U In this episode of Agency Navigators , Roe and Don sit down with Lauren Roberts from Kite Technology Group to explore the critical foundations every insurance agency needs to thrive. Together, they break down four game-changing areas: Change Management – why leadership buy-in and positive momentum make or break system migrations. Right Pe...

You don’t sell a lot of insurance without giving great advice.  In our latest Expertise Files episode, Larry Linne breaks down what separates a producer from a true advisor—and why consulting your future self may be the mindset shift you need.  From the five levels of consulting to building momentum through goal-setting, this one’s packed with insight.  Roe and Don also reflect on how Larry helped...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PjZzHHRY8pM Avoiding financial “surprises” in the new year starts before December.  The AgencyCFO™ team breaks down the critical steps you need to take now to protect your agency’s financial health in 2026.   Understand the importance of:  Staying ahead with mid-year CPA reviews  Keeping debt covenants and policy cancellations under control  Prepping...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A5hkjuWfUyY What do we mean when we say, “We’ve got a Jamie for that”?  It’s about having a teammate who just gets it—someone who bridges the gaps, lightens the load, and keeps everything moving forward.  In this episode, Roe, Don, Adam, and Cayla celebrate Jamie’s journey from Executive Assistant to AgencyCFO™ Experience Coordinator and the lasting...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W8doZ-tpCSk   Agency Navigators started as a COVID-era project that eventually lost momentum. With Adam Bushey taking on the roll as the newly appointed Podcast Producer, Ryan Miller streamlining production, Ryan McGrogan elevating the visuals, and a renewed focus on intentional topics, the show has been brought back to life.  The team shares how the...

You don’t sell a lot of insurance without giving great advice.  In our latest Expertise Files episode, Larry Linne breaks down what separates a producer from a true advisor—and why consulting your future self may be the mindset shift you need.  From the five levels of consulting to building momentum through goal-setting, this one’s packed with insight.  Roe and Don also reflect on how Larry helped...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GGAGltyUJgk   AI is powerful—but it’s meant to enhance human intelligence, not replace it.  We see too many agencies get caught in the shiny object trap: pouring money into tech without first investing in the people using it.  With limited resources, ask yourself:  Are we technology-rich and human poor?  Before chasing the next tool, take a step back...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-2xcslmmhX8   Where do you even start when hiring a new producer—and how do you justify the investment?   There are plenty of tools to help (lots of routes to Vegas, so to speak), but at the end of the day, a producer’s ability to prospect is what drives success. That’s where the SPQ Gold/FSA comes in—it helps identify reluctance before someone is in...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bcbXEG-U_TE   How healthy is your agency’s growth trajectory? Are you gaining ground—or losing it? The ACFO Magic Ratio answers both of these complex questions using just two data points and one simple formula.  More than just a metric, the Magic Ratio gives your entire agency a shared understanding of performance. And when everyone’s on the same pag...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h12wAl8B8gE   The good, the bad, the ugly—and why your perspective on industry benchmarking matters .   In this episode, Don, Roe, and Cayla break down the real value of benchmarking in the insurance industry. Yes, it takes effort—but the insights can be transformative.  Submitting your data is just the beginning. The real growth happens when you und...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dg5fzZdPhhQ Is your agency outgrowing the startup mindset —but still running with startup-level financial reporting? In this episode of Agency Navigators , we introduce the Mid-Agency Mindset and break down one of the most important financial upgrades you can make as you scale: departmental financials . We’ll cover: Why simplicity can become a liabil...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dTLv2piKPtI Staying focused on the core of selling is key to long-term agency success. While the initial spark may fade, consistent sales efforts fuel your growth, stability, and long-term impact. As Don says, “Go sell some… stuff!”—because value is built through selling, not slashing expenses. A strong sales culture never goes out of style: write bu...

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ngxGSGtuL9s ✨ What kind of gravity do you create as a leader? ✨ In this episode, Roe and Don unpack the often-unseen influence leaders have within their agencies. Through candid insights and real-world experiences , they explore how self-awareness , intentional communication , and a human-centered approach can shape culture, inspire teams, and driv...