The Insura-Preneur Podcast

Former Safeco Agency Advocate Shares Secrets of Reliable, Long-Term Agency Growth

Chuck Blondino, Author, The Remarkable Insurance Agency 

 

He was Safeco and Liberty Mutual’s Director of Agency Capabilities and Programs. He’s walked through the front door of thousands of agencies. He’s taught reliable methods of growth to agency principals from coast-to-coast. 

 

Chuck Blondino is a rare three-time encore interviewee because he always brings the goods. This time, Chuck shares the inside story of 11 actual agencies, actual steps to growth, and actual, real-world results. Drawn from his long, practical background and the extensive research he has done for his new book, The Remarkable Insurance Agency, Chuck shares practical secrets any agency can put to work for growth. 

 

• How these remarkable agencies generate up to 700% more referrals than the industry average
• The growing role of the marketer in the modern insurance agency
• Why it’s people, not technology, that drives disruption for independent agencies
• The simple trick these 11 steady-growth agencies used to boost retention an average of 4.85%

 

Every serious insurance professional responsible for growth should make this practical conversation a priority. 

 

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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.

 

Six Game-Changing Lessons for Independent Agents

Michael Jans, Co-Founder, Agency Revolution, Principal, Michael Jans. 

A message from our host, Michael Jans:

“I’ve interviewed over 225 top leaders in the insurance industry. I want to share the most important things they’ve said to me. I’ve analyzed those conversations. And as I organized them, some critical themes and messages were very clear, and they were all connected to six areas the serious insura-preneur must pay attention to… 

 

• Strategy
• Technology
• The Modern Consumer
• Marketing & Communication
• Entrepreneurship
• The Rapid Change of Pace

 

This episode will show you the lessons I’ve learned in each of these areas across hundreds of discussions.” 

 

Michael has conducted some of the most eye-opening conversations in the independent agency system, always guided by one principle: what should the serious insura-preneur know and do now to thrive in this industry?

 

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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.

Why Agencies Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Embrace Change

Eric Ayala, Senior Vice President, U.S. Market General Manager, Novidea

 

Our guest today is a long-time venture capitalist, tech pioneer, and sales leader who sees the insurance industry as the ideal marketplace for entrepreneurs. Eric Ayala, SVP and GM for Novidea says “It’s big and it’s ripe for disruption.”

 

When the industry is constantly changing, understanding the forces driving new change can make all the difference. Listen to this episode for Eric’s insights on: 

 

• Why the line between “tech companies” and any other is disappearing
• The difference between truly innovating and merely going digital
• What agents need to focus on today to thrive in the very near future

 

Novidea is an ambitious young company with an interesting story to tell about the insurance industry and a whole lot of VC funding. Invest 30 minutes into your agency’s future and listen to this episode today. 

 

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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.

Here’s an Insurance Agency That Doesn’t Look Like Any Other

Matheus Riolfi, Co-Founder, CEO, Tint

 

What does a modern insurance agency look like? It might not be what you’d think. Today’s podcast guest, Matheus Riolfi, is Co-Founder and CEO of Tint—one of these “modern agencies.” Like other agencies, Tint sits between consumers and carriers. Where things get interesting, though, is how Matheus’ company embeds insurance into its tech platform. 

 

In this discussion, Matheus shares his insights on: 

 

• Why carriers will support embedded insurance
• Why more and more companies will embed insurance into their product
• The direction embedded insurance is moving and how it’s impacting the industry

 

If you’re ready for an eye-opening look into the future of insurance, make this podcast a priority for your agency this week. 

 

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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 Agency Tech Increases Growth & Margins

Kabir Syed, Founder, CEO, Ennabl

 

When Kabir Syed was a Managing Director at Marsh, he was given a little data project that generated millions of dollars and opened his eyes to just how much money agencies leave on the table. 

 

This seasoned insurance professional and entrepreneur said, “I’m not really that good at technology, but I LOVE data.” That’s why he built a team of engineers to handle the technology for him while he showed them where to mine and how to polish the wealth of data hidden within every single agency today. 

 

Since he started Ennabl, Kabir has learned a lot about agency data, including: 

 

• How to mix private and public data for a huge marketing advantage over the competition
• Why agency margins should be much higher than the average agency sees today
• Remarkable secrets about clients, carriers, producers, and niches hiding inside an agency’s book of business

 

Data makes you an expert in your business. It also makes you an expert in your customers. Hear from one of the insurance industry’s leading data analysts on how to unleash the power of data in your business when you listen to this episode.

Agency Marketer Reflects on Past Successes

John Jackson, Insurance Copywriter, SME, Agency Revolution

 

Every agency is seeking growth, and many are turning to professional marketers to help. This jam-packed episode turns to a seasoned agency marketer for insight. John Jackson, formerly the marketer at Alliance Insurance Services in North Carolina is now a copywriter and content creator for Agency Revolution clients. John looks back at his success at Alliance and shares what worked. 

 

Whether you have a marketer on your team, are thinking of hiring one, or are a marketer yourself, you’ll want to hear John’s insights on:

 

• What worked to boost retention by 7 points and nearly double the policy-per-customer count
• How an agency marketer can make the biggest impact on agency growth 
• How a marketer and agency principal can work together for the best results

 

The agency marketer is the fastest growing position in insurance. Get the most results from this critical position when you listen to John’s poignant and practical insights.

 

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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.

J.D. Power Reveals Trends Agents Must Monitor and Understand

Marty Ellingsworth, Executive Managing Director, P&C Insurance Intelligence, J.D. Power

 

Over his many years of observing and working in the insurance industry, Martin Ellingsworth has created innovation at almost every link in the P&C value chain. Now Marty holds a birds-eye view of the entire industry in his position as Executive Managing Director of P&C Insurance Intelligence at J.D. Power. 

 

In this important podcast, Marty directs his attention toward the independent agency channel and the trends that are changing their very business:

 

• What’s causing the hard marketing in auto insurance and where it’s going
• Why independent agents should keep their eye on the State Farm business model
• What agents should watch for as tech continues to have a massive impact on our industry

 

Serious agents, industry leaders, and insura-preneurs from all corners of the industry must make Marty’s insights a priority. 

 

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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.

Three Secrets About the Self-Scaling Insurance Agency

Michael Jans, Co-Founder, Agency Revolution, Principal, Michael Jans Advisory

 

Our host, Michael Jans, takes the mic to answer the question “Can an insurance agency grow by itself?” The Co-Founder and former CEO of Agency Revolution serves as a growth advisor to many of the largest and fastest growing insurance agencies and insurtechs in North America.

 

In this podcast, Michael pulls back the curtain on how his own fast-growth client agencies grow 25-40% or more per year. He openly shares insights on: 

 

• Why a few key growth systems sky-rocket top-line revenue when installed
• The four-stage process that gives agency principals and marketers clarity on how to drive growth
• A simple method fast-growth agencies use to add new skills, capabilities, and customers
• Why highly productive agents and principals choose peer-accountability groups for networking

 

If you’re serious about making growth easier and faster in the modern age, make this episode a priority!

 

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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.

What 80,000 Insurance Consumers told Bain & Company About Our Industry

Darci Darnell, Partner, Global Head of Customer Practice, Bain & Company

 

You know insurance is changing. So do consumers—and it shouldn’t surprise you that they want it to change. They don’t want it to be slow, frustrating, or confusing. 

 

Few people know the insurance consumer better than our gest, Darci Darnell, Partner and Global Head of Customer Practice at Bain & Company. Bain’s insight on the relationship between the industry and the modern consumer is legendary. 

 

In this conversation, Darci reveals insights on critical issues the savvy agent must address today:

 

• How climate change, disease, and tech disruptions are producing new types of risk
• The direct line relationship between customer loyalty and customer lifetime value
• How insurers are going beyond reimbursing damages by incentivizing preventative behaviors to reduce risk

 

This episode will be one of the most important conversations about changes to the agent's role in insurance consumer behavior you’ll hear this year. Serious agents must make this conversation a priority. 

 

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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.

Head of IBM Insurance Shares Important Research

Mark McLaughlin, General Manager - Insurance, IBM

Market forces continue to shift and agents who want to thrive in the future must be ready for change as the market demands it. Our guest, Mark McLaughlin, IBM’s General Manager of Insurance, reveals the direction their research shows the wind is blowing—and the response agency principals must have today.

Listen to this discussion for Mark’s powerful insight: 

• What 12,000 insurance execs reported as the top driver affecting their business
• How the customer experience across other industries is forcing insurance to play catch-up
• Why more consumers are judging agencies by the experience and not the product
• How savvy agents are standing out from other channels and increasing customer loyalty

Agents who want to lead their enterprise into a thriving future should make this discussion a top priority today.

Presented by Agency Revolution, the Connected Insurance Podcast provides bi-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.