The Insura-Preneur Podcast

Joseph D'Souza – Founder & CEO of ProNavigator

Startup founder shows ‘here’s how insurtech can be the agent’s friend.’

How do your customers feel when they call for service – and they’re put on hold? By you or their carrier. Joseph D’Souza tells the story of what happened when an insurance provider put him on hold. And he waited... And waited... And waited... Before he said, ‘Enough is enough!’

Then, he did something about it. Joseph created a ‘chat assistant’ – a bot that delivers customer service for independent insurance agencies. (And, it’s probably talking to someone’s insurance customer right now).

Join this fascinating conversation between Michael Jans and the founder of ProNavigator. An agent-friendly insurtech that promises a predictably great customer experience. Every time.

Joseph shares his insights on:

• The dramatic shift in the balance of power… so the customer ‘has it all.’ Joseph shares his insights on what agents need to do to stay relevant in this Modern Age of Insurance.
• The surprising way that bots help deepen relationships, not the other way around.
• How the emergence of new technologies—including artificial intelligence—is completely changing the game for the Modern Insurance Agency.

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the insurance industry’s leading innovators.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster?  Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industry’s leading figures.

Marc Maselli – Founder & Managing Director of Morgan Partners

An investment banker explains why the next three years matter to the independent agent

Who can best predict the future? Maybe it’s the people who fund it. Our guest, Marc Maselli, is the Founder & Managing Director of Morgan Partners, one of the premier boutique investment banks that focuses on financial technology. As an MIT engineering graduate, he has an uncanny insight on how technology evolves – and, he’s been behind some of the most transformative deals in insurance.

Because Morgan Partners works with enablers and replacers, Marc delivers a balanced perspective on what an agent needs to do to thrive in today’s modern insurance era including:

• Watching Insurtech enablers and displacers, the forces and trends that can help you navigate the near-term future.
• Understanding the surprising impact reliable growth has on your agency’s valuation… and how to move your agency in the right direction.
• Making strategic decisions. Unless you’re getting ready to sell now, Marc has suggestions on ‘the big decisions’ you’ll need to make in the very near future.

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the insurance industry’s genuine transformers. Whether we’re getting ready for the future or not, this week’s guest is helping to make that future happen.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster?  Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industry’s leading figures.

Michael Jans – The 5 Levels of the Modern Insurance Agency

Michael Jans on ‘The 5 Levels of the Modern Insurance Agency’ – Where do you stand?

Are you ready for the Modern Insurance Age? It’s not coming. It’s here. In this special 100^th episode of the Connected Insurance Podcast, Agency Revolution Founder, Michael Jans reveals:

• The 5 big domains of change that will drive the industry in the next three years.
• The 5 Levels of the Modern Agency… designed to reveal both how prepared your agency is to dominate the market of your choice – and, show how to get to the next level up.
• The dangers of addressing change in the wrong way (like chasing the ‘Guru with a gimmick’ or the next shiny new thing the marketing world tosses your direction.)

Wondering how prepared your agency is for tomorrow’s marketplace? (Or, today’s?!) If you’re a serious professional, don’t miss this chance to get a clear sense of direction – in an era that demands clarity, confidence and control.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster?  Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.

Ken Crerar – President & CEO of The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers

“It’s the speed of change that’s really changing.”

Ken was recently named one of the industry’s ‘Top 100 Game Changers’. In this podcast, you’re about to discover why.

Under Ken’s leadership, The Council—as its often called—had grown six-fold and solidified its unique position as the association for the largest commercial insurance firms in the world.

Ken shares his insights on a wide-range of topics affecting today’s retail agent, including:

• How today’s leader faces the unique challenges of guiding the future of a 3-generation workforce
• Ken’s keys to success. He paints a clear picture on how the best of the best get that way. With changes in behavior. In attitude. In the way they treat others. And, in the way they treat themselves.
• How the industry deals with change. (You may be surprised at his answer. Most people think the industry resists change. Or tries to sleep through it. Not Ken.)

If you’ve got time to invest one podcast in your own business and career, make it this one. Ken is both insightful… and delightful.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster?  Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.

Keith Savino – Managing Partner at Broadfield Insurance Group

Chairman of PIA National & Father of the ‘Insurance Buy-Button’ declares, ‘This is still a relationship business. But, relationships are different!’

Keith Savino has probably attended more meetings, led more industry organizations, logged more volunteer hours, and led more industry organizations than a thousand agents. Keith brings a long resume of advocacy and activism for the independent agency channel to this conversation.

He currently serves as the volunteer President of PIA National. Keith has served as State Director of the New Jersey PIA, President of the New Jersey PIA, Chairman of NetVU (the Vertafore Users Group), Chair of Industry Relations for Agents Council for Technology (ACT), the CPIA Society, board member for AUGIE and much more.

Of course, he’s also an agency principal at the highly successful Warwick Resource Group, LLC/ Broadfield Group a national insurance agency/brokerage with roots dating back to the 1800's.

What hasn’t Keith done? Well, he’s never been on the Connected Insurance Podcast... Until now! In this episode discover Keith’s insights about:

• How agents & brokers need to get involved with the insurance community so they can really prepare for the future.
• The reason the agent-broker channel is in a great position today (and why the ‘efficiency’ of direct sales isn’t the colossal threat many believe it is).
• Keith’s ‘Insurance Buy-Button’ philosophy to building a great experience for both the customer and the agent.

What does the future of insurance look like for retail agents? No one else has the unique perspective, connections, and experience as this agency owner. If you have time to listen to one agent, please make this conversation a priority!

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster?  Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.

Kitty Ambers - CEO of Network of Vertafore Users

Kitty Ambers, CEO of Network of Vertafore Users Paints Clear Picture of the Future for Successful Agents

Are you ready for 2019? If you’re hoping to make this your best year ever, you don’t want to miss Michael’s conversation with Kitty Ambers. Kitty has been providing independent agents with guidance and leadership through her many positions and professional roles for over 25 years. She is the Executive Director of the Instar Users’ Group, CEO of NetVU, CIC Faculty member… the list of her qualifications goes on and on. Like many of our best guests, Kitty also cares about the agency channel. (It’s been in her blood for three generations). In this interview, she shares her insights into our fast-changing industry like:

• The three critical roles of the agency principal of the future: Strategic Leader, Relationship Manager, Team Leader…and, how that’s different today from how it’s ever been! (As Kitty says: With today’s media, ‘It’s like being on stage all the time!’)
• Why it’s not just the change but the speed of change that scares so many agents – and Kitty’s remedy for staying on top!
• How the nature of the Independent Insurance Agency is forcing agents to re-think their ‘business blueprint’… and how your deepest expertise drives growth.

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the industry’s most respected thought leaders. Listen today and get ideas you’ll want to put into your 2019 business plan!

Dan Faggella – Founder & CEO of Emerj

Why this leading expert on Artificial Intelligence is urging insurance agents to 'lean upmarket'

Whether you realize it or not, Artificial intelligence is part of your everyday life. It’s even become part of normal operations in the insurance industry. But, for as much as AI has permeated our lives, this is just the beginning.

Our podcast guest, Dan Faggella, predicts big changes ahead. As the AI consultant to the UN, INTERPOL, The World Bank, global pharmaceutical and insurance companies, Dan Faggella has a clear-eyed view on the promise (and potential pitfalls) of artificial intelligence in the insurance industry. In this podcast you will learn:

• How artificial intelligence will likely affect the purchase of insurance (and how agents select their markets) in the very near future.
• Why insurance agents must pay attention to the rise of AI in other industries because, as Dan says, ‘Those very waves will hit you.’
• The four places in the insurance value chain most likely to be transformed by AI (including customer relations).
• The strategic imperative that agents must wake up to quickly (and how that may change your entire book of business for the better)!

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the world’s top artificial intelligence experts. Listen today and be better prepared for tomorrow.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster?  Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.

Jay Weintraub – Co-founder & CEO of Insuretech Connect

CEO of Insuretech Connect: ‘Service and support is never a commodity!’

Why did 6000 insurance professionals swarm Las Vegas a few weeks ago? Because Insuretech Connect had their third conference. (Yes, you read that right. 3 years. 6000 people.) In the middle of it all is this week’s podcast guest, the Co-Founder and CEO of the conference, Jay Weintraub.

Anyone who plans to be in this industry (more than a few months!) must keep their finger on the pulse of this game-changing mash-up of technology and insurance. Hear what this industry giant shares about:

• The ‘safest harbors’ for the retail agent in the future of the industry.
• How to exploit insuretechs for your own growth.
• The challenges and disruptions insuretech is most likely to cause for retail agents in the near future.

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the insurance industry’s most respected ‘match-makers’ and transformers. This is an important conversation!

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures. 

Jeff Roy – President & CEO of Excalibur Insurance Group

Jeff Roy, Award Winning Broker: ‘The ones at the top aren’t in the insurance business first. They’re in the experience business first.’

How can you know what’s really working today in insurance marketing? One way is to listen to agents and brokers whose marketing is doing just that: working.

Jeff Roy, President & CEO of the Excalibur Insurance Group in Canada delivers a plateful of ‘real beef’ in this podcast conversation with Michael Jans. You’ll discover why he was awarded Aviva Canada’s first Broker’s Hackathon, a contest designed to encourage groundbreaking ideas on how technology can enhance the industry:

• Be prepared to take notes when Jeff describes the different technologies he uses to communicate with his customers and marketplace. (And ‘take note’ when he explains that ‘technology is not’).
• Get Jeff’s take on the agency of today… and which ones are not prepared for the industry of tomorrow.
• See how Jeff’s agency connects with customers at the deepest possible levels… with content the customer actually wants!

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the industry industry’s most respected insurance brokers. Listen today and get ideas you’ll put into practice tomorrow!

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster?  Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.

Bruce Dickhoff – President & CEO of the North American Software Associates

Long-time insurance software executive warns, ‘pay attention to the changes. Know what’s happening!’

Bruce Dickhoff was a coder, crashing through barriers of ‘old school’ insurance agencies 32 years ago. And, he never stopped. As CEO of North American Software Associates – commonly known as NASA – Bruce has been delivering solutions to insurance agencies for decades. (Little known secret: The Home Shopping Network had an insurance agency – once upon a time – and Bruce provided their agency management system.) In this interview with Michael, Bruce shares his insights on:

• What the future may look like for today’s agents… including their use of software solutions, ‘getting modern’, and emerging competition.
• The mindset shift agents must make about technology. (Not-too-subtle hint: make it your friend, not your enemy!)
• Why and how agents must become ‘lifelong learners’ to survive in a turbulent, fast-moving marketplace.

Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the industry industry’s most respected providers of agency management systems – and a long-time industry observer and thought leader.

What are other agents & brokers doing to thrive? What are the biggest trends affecting the retail insurance agent & broker? What are the most important strategies and tactics you need to grow faster? Find out here in the Connected Insurance Podcast, where Michael Jans discusses the biggest issues affecting the independent insurance agent and broker with the industries leading figures.