The Insura-Preneur Podcast

Jim Keating – Founder, CEO, and Chairman of The Keating Group

0 to $200 million revenue in 12 years…
Jim Keating, founder, CEO and Chairman of The Keating Group has earned the right to talk about maximizing technology. It’s been core to building the fastest growing wholesale brokerage in the US. Every agent who cares about the future of the industry must listen to Jim share his insights on:
Why retail agents should feel bewildered or confused about the fast-changing world of technology (and what that means to retail agents)
How Jim used technology to leverage hyper-fast growth
The cornerstones of success in today’s insurance world (what remains the same…and what’s different forever)
What separates the winners from the losers in the insurance world
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.

Tammy Lesueur – Marketing Director at Bancorp Insurance Agency

500% growth? This agent shows how it’s done.
If you think you’re facing challenges and obstacles as an insurance agent, do not miss this conversation between our host, Michael Jans, and his agency principal guest, Tammy Lesueur. She shares how she and her partner, overcome inherent obstacles to growth – and skyrocketed to 5 to 6 times revenue.
The first big change they made to accelerate growth. (Regardless of history, size of culture, any agency can implement this…fast!)
The critical structural change they made in staff that guaranteed a decades-long track record of consistent growth. (More and more agencies are doing this now. Tammy started it almost 20 years ago – and has the results to prove its value.)
How to get ready for the future (and the next generation). As more agents look to a generational transition, Tammy shares her outlook on what it will take to own the future.
Please don’t miss this conversation with one of the industry’s best agent-marketers. If you want more growth in your agency’s future, learn from Tammy’s experience – and listen to her insights.
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.

Umberto Fedeli – CEO of the Fedeli Group

The most amazing insurance agent in America?
Umberto Fedeli started knocking on doors for a tiny insurance agency to help pay for college. A little over ten years later, he became a friend and client of Michael Jans – he had bought that agency and already had 125 people working for him. He may own the largest single-owner, privately held agency in America. And, he’s done it by executing some unusual strategies.
Don’t miss this unique conversation, where Umberto shares his remarkable insights on:
How to scale your agency, regardless of what size you are now. (Remember, Umberto started out very, very small.)
Why he’s hosted over 20,000 people in his home – and what that’s meant to his business. (Yes, it’s a big home, and, yes, he has a ‘trattoria’ inside it. But, this is a strategy anyone can use!)
The four cornerstones of Umberto’s success – and how to apply them to your own agency.
How never to sell insurance as a ‘commodity’ – and never, ever, ever sell on price!
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.

Richard Kerr – CEO of MarketScout

Is this the future of retail insurance?
Once a month, agents and carrier execs from throughout the US hungrily devour Richard Kerr’s MarketScout Barometer. It’s easily the most comprehensive analysis of market conditions the industry offers today. Yet, it’s only a side project for Richard, the founder and CEO of MarketScout, an electronic insurance exchange with 35,000 member agencies in its network. In this conversation, Richard shares:
Insights on what you can expect in changes to insurance pricing in the next 12 months
Observations on the changing forces that affect market conditions for retail agents
His own controversial predictions about the future of insurance – and how insurtech will change everyone’s lives – and precisely what retail agents must do now to prepare
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.
 

Charles Specht – President of Permission Group Inc.

Million dollar book of commercial business... per producer? Here's how...
How would you know if someone could help a producer build a million dollar commission book? First question: did they do it themselves?
In this case, the answer is a resounding YES. Charles Specht, CEO of The Permission Group delivers detailed instructions (and provocative insights) every producer should know:
The unstoppable method to position yourself as the ‘Obvious Choice’ in the marketplace…before you ever make an outbound call.
The reason you should never give quotes away…even if that’s the established practice…even if the prospect wants to play it that way…ever, ever, ever. (Listen to the end, where Charles makes this an ethical issue…not just a business issue.)
The direct route to Broker of Record letters (instead of competing against the incumbent…and competing for the underwriter’s attention!)
Easy ways to deliver an ongoing stream of value to your prospects and customers (and how to present it so they know it!)
If what used to work doesn’t work so well anymore…or, if you just want to boost your production of that of your producers, don’t miss this important podcast conversation with Michael Jans and Charles Specht.
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.

Brandie Hinen – Founder & CEO of Powerhouse Learning

Insurance industry coach reveals how to get people to get more done (and love doing it)
If you want more productivity, less 'noise' - and a team that's aligned around 'getting important stuff done' - you'll want to tune into this podcast with Brandie Hinen, Founder and CEO of Powerhouse Learning. A few of the topics she addresses: 
How to create agreements with people so everyone is crystal clear on moving forward
Two 'extra' questions to ask people to make sure they 'get it' on the inside. (You know, not just nodding their head, secretly ready to bolt!)
How to build a culture of high performance
The powerful role that mentoring can play in transforming an agency
How to listen to customers so that you can 'wow' them with high-value content they love
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.

Michael Jans – Co-founder of Agency Revolution

Insurance Marketing Today: What's working (and what's not)
Michael Jans turned the tables. This time, he let YOU - the audience - choose the questions. He gives his most poignant answers. (With a few surprises.)
Do NOT miss this podcast if you want to hear what Michael’s answers are to any of these questions:
What is the ONE place I should invest my resources for rapid organic growth?
Do commercial lines producers really need to ‘do digital marketing’ if they’re already constantly in touch with their clients?
Should the Independent Agency Channel give up on Personal Lines? (Do not miss Michael’s response to this important question.)
My CSR’s keep telling me that prospects just want the cheapest price. What should I do?
What are the ‘4 Kinds of Money’ in insurance. (This question comes from a broker who saw Michael’s recent keynote at an industry conference.)
Maybe I’m old school, but I just don’t ‘get’ digital. Should I throw in the towel?
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.

Seth Greene – Lead Generation & Marketing Expert

Renowned marketing expert shares 5 questions you must answer to effectively market to your audience
World class marketer Seth Greene is the only person to be nominated 3 times for the GKIC Dan Kennedy Marketer of the Year award. He's also the author of 7 best selling marketing books, and co-host of the SharkPreneur Podcast, alongside regular Shark Tank judge, Kevin Harrington. Seth has also been written about in Registered Rep Magazine, Insurance News Net, Horses Mouth, and is a regular contributor to Life Health Pro, and Think Advisor. He has also been featured in Inc Magazine, CBS MoneyWatch, CBS News, LA Times, The Boston Globe, The Miami Herald, and more. This episode Michael and Seth talk about marketing, marketing, and marketing. Discover exactly how you should be finding, defining, and reaching out to your audience using reliable processes and techniques, and learn about an unusual new marketing technology that generates leads based on specific locations.
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.

Brett Pierce – Digital Marketing & Social Media Manager at Travelers

Major carrier's digital marketing expert delivers a masterclass in best practices for independent agents & brokers
Get ready to pay close attention as Brett Pierce delivers advice every insurance agent & broker would be wise to implement. This discussion is packed with tips, suggestions and best practices that can be applied to any agency quickly, and get results right away. From how to improve your website so it attracts more traffic and gets more conversions, to what you should be doing on social media platforms and which ones you should be focusing your attention on, and even the right way to build and influence feedback on major review platforms like google and yelp. Get ready to listen to this discussion twice, you don't want to miss a detail!
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.

Dave Christensen - Chief Product & Technology Officer at FMG Suite

What if prospects thanked you for your marketing?
The old ways of marketing are dying out, because in today's world where something interesting exists around every corner, consumer expectations have changed drastically. That's why Dave Christensen (and Agency Revolution) believe so strongly in marketing that constantly delivers valuable content to the audience you want. Together Dave Christensen and Michael Jans discuss what makes really great content marketing, and how it really is the most respectful way to advertise. They also discuss the fact that not everyone running an agency or brokerage is equipped to write blog posts, create interesting graphics, or videos – and how AttractTM, the powerful suite of tools he created with Agency Revolution, will help insurance agents & brokers overcome the barriers of content creation and distribution.
Learn more about AttractTM here
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.