IA Forward

Ever gotten really excited over the idea of having 100+ carriers to write with? Shane and Tonya discuss managing your choices for maximum profitability and efficiency, and being selective in order to be the best. Join the IA Forward Community on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Ever wonder why some agency owners seem to be having more fun at work? Shane and Tonya discuss taking what you are passionate about and designing your marketing and networking around that concept to create success and long-term enjoyment in your agency.  Join the IA Forward community on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Want to make sure you are getting the right kind of referrals? Shane and Tonya discuss creating the best narrative to get the right referrals from your customers, being relational versus being transactional with your clients and employees, and why the NCAA's RPI is creating a commitment problem.  Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media channels, or lear...

Ever wondered how to go from being that insurance salesperson to someone who people actually want to talk with at networking events? Shane and Tonya discuss being your agency's "chief translation officer," authenticity during networking events, and a State Farm commercial flashback that is triggering for most independent insurance agents.  Join the IA Forward community on your favor...

Shane and Tonya discuss saving time and money by using the technology you have before investing in a new "shiny object" or subscription, intentional listening, and a bizarre incident at the Philadelphia airport at 4:00 am. Learn more about the IA Forward movement for independent insurance agents at iaforward.com or on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwo...

Wonder how the insurance world is trending during the current economic challenge? Shane and Tonya are in prediction mode to help you prepare for the upcoming hard market. They discuss why this is the best time to take the risk and start an independent insurance agency, and the advantage of being a disrupter in the industry. Join the IA Forward community on your favorite social media channels or at...

Have you ever wondered if taking the risk was worth it? Shane and Tonya discuss the agony of defeat, making sure we choose the right game to play, and starting over in business. Join the IA Forward community of insurance agents on your favorite social media platforms or iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Ever wonder why business owners don't like rules? Probably because if they did, they would be working for someone else. Join Shane and Tonya as they discuss why independent agents don't like rules, how best practices really can help, and a bizarre situation regarding high school baseball rules in Florida. Join the IA Forward community of independent insurance agents at IA Forward on your...

Do you need a college degree to be a successful independent agent? Shane and Tonya discuss the importance of experience versus education, and which is more valuable in owning an insurance agency. Join the IA Forward community of independent insurance agents at IA Forward on your favorite social media channels or learn more at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Have you ever thought, "If only my employees would think like me"?  Shane and Tonya discuss why this is not going to happen, and changing your mindset to how that can be a good thing. Really. Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Do you wonder if you need a change of culture or a change of scenery would help you get the excitement back for your business? Shane and Tonya discuss doing business your way, why unwritten rules should sometimes be broken, and how fear and apathy keep us from making the changes that would make us happiest.  Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or by visiting iaforward on your favorite soc...

Are you thinking of adding commercial lines to your independent agency? Shane and Tonya discuss how to be successful and avoid pitfalls and mistakes as a commercial lines agent.  Learn more about IAForward at iaforward.com or on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Are you wondering if you need office space, even in this work-from-home, post-Covid world? The answer is yes. Shane and Tonya discuss the options of brick and mortar, retail, and co-working spaces, as well as creating the right internal work environment for enjoying your work. Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow IA Forward on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at In...

How much energy do you exert trying to act important? Shane talks about embracing humble beginnings and being taken down a notch; Tonya chimes in on the Boss Babe trend; and a discussion on the debacle of the University of Tennessee Baseball wooden bat game. Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork....

Ever wondered how much you should be making? Shane and Tonya discuss profits, bonus money, paying yourself, the pitfalls of living out of your business checking account, and the dreaded b-word (budgeting). If you want to skip this one, then it's probably the one you really should listen to. Learn more about the IA Forward community at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

What does cleaning out your bedside table have to do with your agency? Shane and Tonya discuss decluttering your book, "Julie-izing" your business from the beginning to make it efficient, and why writing the monoline policy now and upselling later creates chaos.  Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Have you ever thought that your biggest challenge is thinking you know more than you know? Probably not, because then you would know. Shane and Tonya talk discuss the possibilities of learning the knowledge without having the experience, the power of mentorship, the importance of chasing core values, and the Jayhawks win over the Tar Heels in the NCAA Men's Championship Game. Learn more about...

Does being independent mean the same thing to you as it does to your clients? Shane and Tonya discuss the perception of the big brands versus the independent agent, the future of the choice model, and the power to walk away.  Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Ever wonder how to turn that "no" into a "yes"? Shane and Tonya discuss the importance of humility and passion for success with your independent insurance agency, as well as their picks for the NCAA Men's National Championship.  Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Wonder what Insurance and Physics have in common? Shane and Tonya talk about why getting your flywheel rolling is imperative for your independent insurance agency. They also discuss boredom, passion, and choosing the right focus for you.  Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Is it possible to train your customers so that price is not an issue? Shane and Tonya discuss creating an amazing customer experience at your agency and why independent insurance agents should never compete with the British lizard - we're not even playing the same game.  Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at Inte...

Does grinding equal success? Does true authenticity increase sales? And what is the future for female independent agency owners?  Shane and Tonya discuss why owning an independent insurance agency is the ultimate lifestyle business to create a work-life balance for women and for men.  Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward on your favorite social media channels. Learn mor...

Wonder what Insurance and Netflix have in common? Shane and Tonya discuss why being an independent insurance agent is the ultimate subscription model, how to discuss rate increases with your clients, and a little bit of college basketball.  Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartnerNetwork.com.

Shane and Tonya talk about being a rainmaker or a technician, and successful solutions from the playbook for both personality types when starting an insurance agency. Additional insights include creating busyness out of fear, going into business for yourself based on emotional reactions, and making the (imaginary) cash register ring. Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward...

Are you playing your agency's business game for short-term or long-term success? Shane and Tonya discuss Baseball versus Afghanistan,  hiring with a 365 mindset, challenging yourself to have a life,  and why it's the best time to own an independent agency.   Learn more about IA Forward at iaforward.com or follow iaforward on your favorite social media channels. Learn more at IntegraPartn...