The Insura-Preneur Podcast

Doing Remote the Right Way from NYT Best-Selling Author

David Heinemeier Hansson, Co-Founder, Basecamp
New York Times best-selling author, Google Hacker of the Year, Le Mans Rookie of the Year, Creator of the Ruby on Rails web dev framework, and co-founder of Basecamp. You may think he’s done it all, but right now, in this crisis David Heinemeier Hansson is famous for yet again leading businesses successfully to the remote revolution. 
Everyone with remote employees owes it to themselves to listen to this candid, direct, and practical conversation on how insurance agencies can do remote the right way – so they’re stronger, more effective, and more productive than they’ve ever been. Tune in for insights including:
Simple and effective solutions for common objections to going remote
The tools and techniques David uses in his company with employees scattered across the globe
How to help employees feel comfortable and confident while boosting productivity
Every modern agency needs to master the rules of remote working in today’s business landscape. Make this conversation a priority and deliver better leadership to your agency. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

Crisis Leadership Advice from the Top Insurance Communications Advisor

Jeanne Marie Salvatore, President, JMS Consulting
Jeanne Marie Salvatore knows crisis. In her time as the Chief Communications Officer for the Insurance Information Institute she guided leaders through 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, The Great Recession, and more. Recently she’s guided top carriers through the current COVID-19 pandemic. 
Crises test leaders. They also have a way of demanding that leaders step up to their best performance ever. With more skill, more sensitivity, and more courage. 
Jeanne shares her expertise to help agency leadership get through this period stronger, not weaker.
How to lead your agency when team members are anxious, afraid, and at times overwhelmingly sad
How to lead your clients when they’re seeking confidence, comfort, and clarity
Mistakes every leader must avoid in times of crisis
If you’re looking to excel in difficult times, make this conversation a top priority. Jeanne has advised the top leaders in insurance, and in this podcast she does that for you. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

How Digital Marketing Grew This Established Agency

Dave Clausen, CEO, Coastal Insurance Solutions
When Coastal Insurance Solutions adopted the tools and mindset of the modern insurance age, including digital marketing strategies, they saw results in everything from lead generation to client retention. CEO Dave Clausen shares:
The tools and technology he uses to guide his clients from stranger to raving fan
The free and low-cost tools Dave uses to test his messaging before unleashing it
Small changes you can make now to prepare your agency for the future
It’ll be easy to see why Dave was selected for Insurance Business America’s Top 100 Producers two years in a row when you listen to this episode. As you look toward the future of your agency and the future of this industry, this discussion offers valuable guidance. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

Expert Insight on COVID-19 and Insurance Coverage

Bill Wilson, Founder, InsuranceCommentary.com
Your clients will have questions. Your team will have questions. Bill Wilson has answers about the technical and legal issues regarding insurance coverages affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Bob Rusbuldt, CEO of the IIABA said, “Bill Wilson is the nation’s foremost leading expert on form, coverage, and technical issues.” Bill holds nothing back:
How do business income policies cover coronavirus or shutdown by civil authority?
Examining exposure for remote workers on your team and your clients’ teams
New liabilities clients could be unknowingly exposing themselves to
Now is the time to be an insurance expert, not just an agent. This discussion will give you the confidence and clarity to help you lead your team and your agency in the crisis – and keep your team out of trouble. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

Protecting Your Data When Moving to a Remote Work Environment

Brad Ruben, President, Archway Computer
All of a sudden, agencies throughout North America are going remote. But as team members adapt to this new work environment, gaps in security become exposed – and the consequences of a breach could hurt you and your clients. 
Brad Ruben, President of Archway Computer—an insurance IT firm that specializes in insurance agency security and remote access—shares critical tips that every agency principal and manager must attend to quickly:
How to setup remote employees without causing damage
Which scams agencies need to be aware of
Security updates to keep your data safe
As working remotely becomes a necessity, the information Brad shares in this discussion has become a priority. Take note as Brad shares security tips for remote log-in access, which operating systems are most vulnerable, and more advice that will keep your data secure and your community protected. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Independent Agencies

Robert Hartwig, Director of University of South Carolina Center for Risk and Uncertainty Management
This episode is a cannot-miss for every serious insurance professional. Please make this a priority for this week. Chief insurance industry economist, Robert Hartwig, PhD, CPCU, delivers a rational and clear-eyed perspective on how the coronavirus will affect the lives and agencies of the modern insurance agent. Dr. Hartwig shares his expert perspective on:
The projected economic impact through the year, and how agencies’ ongoing operations will be affected
The impact the virus will have on policies, including workers’ comp, EPLI, business income, E&O, and more
How the virus will affect insurance pricing
What agents should be doing now to navigate the difficult months ahead
Dr. Hartwig is the immediate past president of the Insurance Information Institute. He serves as a regular media spokesperson for the property & casualty insurance industry and is frequently quoted by leading publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Financial Times, Newsweek, Fortune, Forbes, The Economist and any others. Dr. Hartwig also appears regularly on television, including programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, CNBC, Fox, PBS, and BBC. 
He now serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Risk Management, Insurance and Finance in the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina and Director of the school’s Center for Risk and Uncertainty Management. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

Unprecedented Upheaval Coming to Agency Channel

Michael Konialian, VP and General Manager, CoverWallet for Agents
Trailing the disruption of financial services channels and functions—banking, payments, etc—Michael Konialian has declared that insurance has hit the tipping point. Yet he’s bullish on the independent agent. He sees more profit moving in the direction of the agency, along with a superior customer experience. 
But not for everyone. Drawing on his experience as VP and General Manager at CoverWallet for Agents, in this podcast episode he shares his insights on:
The critical skill sets future agents will need to rise above the pack
The unstoppable momentum of technology in the modern agency – and how agents can ride it in the right direction
How today’s agent can deliver superior service and earn more loyal clients
The world of insurance is changing fast. If keeping up—and winning—is a priority for you, this conversation is a must-listen episode. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

Measuring Customer Loyalty to Transform Your Agency

Brandon Brown, VP Product Experience & Creative, Agency Revolution
How loyal are your customers to your agency? How do you really know? The future of your agency can be measured in the strength of your bond with your customers. How do you go from “I think they really like us” to the data science that gives you the facts?
Brandon Brown, VP of Product Experience & Creative at Agency Revolution reveals what today’s agency principals must know about the science of loyalty. 
Two simple but powerful questions that reveal the best indicators about how your clients feel about your agency
How to use the Net Promoter Score to get the most honest, unvarnished feedback about their relationship with you
The action items that will drive deeper loyalty from your clients
If you believe the heart of your agency is the relationship with your customer, do not miss this masterclass on measuring and building customer loyalty by using modern tools that make it easy.
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

Best-Kept Secret on Tripling Referrals

Stacey Brown Randall, Award-Winning Author 
If you have time to invest in rock-solid, practical-tactical advice on generating the best leads your agency can get, please invest it in this one conversation. 
Award-winning author and business coach, Stacy Brown Randall, pulls the curtain back on the system she shares with her private clients:
Her simple 5-step system to make your referral generating strategy run automatically
Why the traditional system of asking for referrals doesn’t get you nearly the referrals it could
The small but overlooked tweak that makes people love giving you referrals
Everyone who talks to clients, closes business, or has a book of business must catch this timely advice for the modern insurance agency. You’ll see why Stacey’s book Generating Referrals Without Asking: A Simple 5 Step Plan to a Referral Explosion is flying off the shelves. If you’re looking for a dose of practical marketing vitamins, you’ve found it in this episode. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.

How to Sell Your Agency High and Buy One Low

Michael Mensch, Managing Partner & Client Advisor, Agency Brokerage Consultants
Agency valuations are at an all-time high. But will those sky-high valuations be there when you need them? Our guest Michael Mensch, CBI, M&AMI, is a managing partner at the esteemed Agency Brokerage Consultants. With over 150 M&A transactions and hundreds of valuations in his portfolio, Mike reveals:
The forces pushing agency valuations up, and where they’re going in the future
His checklist to make your agency more valuable and generate higher income before you sell
How to buy an agency now at the lowest price
Listen to this discussion for practical real-world advice to determine what your agency is worth, and how you can make it worth more. Don’t miss this must-listen discussion with one of the industry’s most respected M&A specialists. 
Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides weekly opportunities for listeners to dive deep into the trends affecting insurance agents and brokers today and to gain proven strategies and tactics for agency growth. Our hosts facilitate thoughtful panels and 1:1 conversations with a variety of prominent thought leaders, with a focus on how to streamline and drive operational efficiency for your independent agency through the intelligent use of technology.