IA Forward

Shane and Tonya celebrate their 50th podcast by discussing why we never "feel ready" to take the next step, and why sometimes you should "just do it" anyway.  Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on Instagram, Linkedin, or Facebook or learn more at iaforward.com Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Shane and Tonya discuss why humorous advertising mascots can create a challenge when building trust with potential clients, as well as ridiculous online articles about the industry, and the "insurance paid for this roof" sign.  See the sign on the IA Forward social media channels, or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Fall is almost here, and with cooler weather comes huge marketing opportunities! Shane and Tonya discuss community involvement, what to do, what not to do, and how to handle "the ask" during the upcoming autumnal season. Follow IA Forward on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Shane and Tonya discuss how having too much data can be counterproductive and why choosing the right KPIs will help you grow as an agency owner and still leave you time to do business. As for the "no more smell sign" that started this conversation about too much data, check it out on the IA Forward social media pages. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Shane and Tonya discuss Shane's daily routine, specifically making time for your spouse, when is the best time to see clients, and their thoughts on "Where the Crawdads Sing." Join the IA Forward community of agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Shane and Tonya discuss building relationships with referral partners, bankers, and potential customers, as well as setting expectations and ignoring the noise. Follow IA Forward on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

We are always looking at success stories, but do you ever wonder why agencies fail? Shane and Tonya discuss finances, lack of focus, office location, spending habits, and more. Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com.  Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

In this hard market, you're talking with clients that you may not have heard from in years. Shane and Tonya discuss how choosing a positive or negative lens gives you an opportunity to change the conversation.    Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Ever noticed that you spend more time trying to get things done but your to-do list keeps getting longer? Stop spuddling! Shane and Tonya discuss popular business growth, time-saving, and efficiency hacks that don't work.  Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels, or at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Shane and Tonya discuss agency digitization tools, their favorite time savers, and using what you're already paying for. Join the IA Forward Community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels, or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Why is "How to Market to Millennials" one of the most Googled questions? How do you talk value in a world that is so focused on price? Shane and Tonya discuss changing the price conversation, generational marketing, and why you should stop Googling and start talking to people. Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforw...

Shane and Tonya talk with Holly Howard, Vice President of Operations for Integra Insurance Services, about how the industry has changed over the last 20 years, what a new agent needs to focus on, and always doing the right thing. Join the IA Forward movement of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels, or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

When it comes to the virtual assistant world within the insurance biz, Beaux Pilgrim is the expert. Shane and Tonya talk with Beaux regarding why his VAs are the best, empowering your employees, why you need a mentor, and quitting is not an option. Discover more about IA Blueprint, Beaux's specialized insurance virtual assistant organization, at iablueprint.com. Join the IA Foward community o...

Shane and Tonya discuss why "simplify" is a great mantra in the insurance business, even when all the outside voices are saying diversify and make it complicated. Join the IA Forward movement of insurance agents on your favorite social media platforms, or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Shane and Tonya look at the parallels between sports and running an agency when it comes to success, failure, goal setting, and staying on an emotional even keel.  Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media platforms or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Think it's impossible to go on vacation as an agency owner? Shane and Tonya discuss the reality of how it is possible to vacation and continue to run a successful agency, as well as the importance of why.  Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com.  Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Ever wonder what's happening when your business is just not "fun" anymore? Shane and Tonya discuss motivation, mentorship, no man's land, and the tipping point of business growth. Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Shane and Tonya share the best pieces of business advice they have even been given - and how those thoughts have shaped their success. From finances to attitude, productivity to people, the best advice is that which gets repeated.  Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Have you ever thought "insurance is insurance" and decided to add Property and Casualty as a side business to create a new profit center? Shane and Tonya share their thoughts on the idea, and ponder why others don't always show respect to the independent insurance industry.  Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaf...

If we ask any agent what sets them apart, the answer is always the same - "We offer the best service." Shane and Tonya discuss ideas on serving your clients, being Chief Translation Officer, meeting your clients where they are (figuratively), and finding opportunities to shine. Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels, or learn more at iafo...

Wondering if your small agency can successfully compete against the dominant agents in your area? Shane and Tonya talk about finding your way to play the insurance game, how being a new agent gives you an advantage over established agencies, and why being the underdog works in your favor. Join the IA Forward community on your favorite social media channels, or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn mo...

Ever have one of those days where you were crazy busy, but didn't feel like you accomplished anything? Shane and Tonya discuss the stop-doing list, time blocking, managing email, and other ways to create time efficiency within your independent agency. Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels, or learn more at iaforward.com Learn more at IntegraP...

Ready to start selling commercial lines? Shane and Tonya discuss commercial lines marketing, sales, prospecting, personnel, client gifts, and more. Oh, and somebody forgot to bring Shane steaks last November. You know who you are.  Join the IA Forward community on your favorite social media channels, or learn more at IAForward.com.  Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Don't you hate it when things don't turn out the way you expect them to? Shane and Tonya talk about expectations, being an entrepreneur, setting your business up for success, and why you need an org chart - even if it's only you in your agency. Join the IA Forward community of independent insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn m...

Have you ever considered doing nothing as an option when growing your business? Shane and Tonya discuss how the choice of doing nothing in a hard market can actually give you more time to focus on new business and growing your agency. Yes, it sounds crazy - but the logic is sound.  Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.c...