The Insura-Preneur Podcast

Making Insurance Better for the Customer

Jeff Harris, Co-Founder, CEO, Appulate

 

Years ago, this tech entrepreneur groaned at the sight of the insurance application process. So he decided to do something about it. 250,000 users later, Jeff Harris, Co-Founder, and CEO of Appulate can claim some progress. Founded 17 years ago, Appulate is one of the industry’s earliest insurtechs and one of the most widely distributed today. 

 

In this important essential discussion, Jeff shares insights on:

 

• What parts of the insurance process can be fixed by pushing buttons, and the parts that should be reserved for the human touch 
• What modern agencies can do to prepare for emerging technology in the insurance industry
• How the agency of the future will look and behave, compared to today’s agencies

 

If you want to stay on top of the latest industry trends, make this discussion with an industry transformer 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.

Could This be the Future of the Insurance Agency?

Aaron Gordon, Vice President, Gordon Companies Insurance Services

 

Our guest Aaron Gordon is a second-generation insurance agent with 11 years in his family’s agency in Manhattan—and is rapidly becoming a leading voice for millennials in the insurance industry. Aaron has something to say to boomers as well as younger generations: “The future is bright.” However, there’s a big “but” attached to that optimism. 

 

Listen to hear Aaron share insights on: 

 

• What to know about recruiting and retaining talent today
• Why Gen X and millennials are saying “Thank you” to the boomer generation but “respectfully moving on.”
• Technologies that help agencies grow and better service clients

 

Whether you’re seeking to hire or contemplating perpetuation, this agency VP has a message that can’t be ignored. 

 

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.

National PIA Survey Reveals Major Agency Trends

Mike Becker, CEO, National Association of Professional Insurance Agents

 

The Industry is changing, consumer behavior is changing, and so are agencies. But how well are today’s agents keeping up with market trends? What about your agency? 

 

Our guest, Mike Becker, CEO of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents will help answer this question and share the results from the just-release 2022 Annual Independent Agent Survey. PIA and National Underwriter worked together to ask thousands of agents the questions we need to get our finger on the “state of the agency” today. 

 

In this fast-paced conversation, Mike shares illuminating details on topics such as:

 

• The dramatic shift in agents’ opinions on the use of tech to build trust
• The biggest challenges to growth and operations agencies across the country are facing today
• How agencies are planning for their post-COVID workforce—and where those workers will actually perform their job

 

Find out how your insurance agency stacks up against the rest of the industry as our guest unpacks the results of the most important agent survey of the year. If keeping up matters to your agency leadership, make this podcast a priority 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.

What Agents Must Know About Cybersecurity Coverage

Kingsley Flynn, Head of Insurance, Sayata

 

A client shows up at their office at 8 am, turns on their computer… and sees a ransom demand. After breaking out in a cold sweat, they call you. What do you say?

 

This scenario doesn’t “only happen in movies” anymore, it could happen to any agency, as it already has for others. And protecting, advising, and guiding a client’s cyber decision-making is quickly becoming an agent’s job.

 

Our guest, Kingsley Flynn, Head of Insurance at Sayata brings 46 years of insurance experience—from Marsh to Lloyd’s—to today’s cyber industry. 

 

In this timely conversation, Kingsley shares insight on:

• Emerging cyber threats to small and medium businesses
• Trends in cyber premiums agents should be aware of
• Breakthroughs in delivering cybersecurity to today’s client base

 

Every serious commercial lines agent should 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.

7 Predictions for Insurance Marketing in 2022

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

 

In recent years we’ve seen a dizzying pace of change, a steady stream of new tech, and constant changes in consumer behavior. Against a backdrop like this, how should an agency grow in 2022?

 

Our podcast host, Michael Jans, dives into that very question and delivers 7 predictions for insurance marketing, including: 

 

• What fast-growth agencies are doing differently than average agencies
• How will the agency tech stack look different in 2022
• How hungry agencies can rise above the noise and command their market

 

If agency growth is on your agenda in 2022, make this podcast a 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.

The Insurance Agency Leadership Challenge

Jim Kouzes, WSJ Best-Selling Author, The Leadership Challenge

Whether you’re recruiting talent or guiding your agency to new strategies, your business demands the clarity, vision, and direction of a strong leader. In this conversation, Jim Kouzes delivers straight talk to agency principals. Jim is the author of The Leadership Challenge, a WSJ Best-Seller and Fast Company’s Best Business Book of the year. Jim was declared one of the twelve best educators in the U.S. 

 

In this eye-opening discussion, Jim shares:

 

• A 5-step model to becoming a stronger, better, and more respected leader for your team and customers
• The best actions to take as the industry changes faster and presents new challenges
• The top qualities that research reveals teams want most from their leaders

 

Challenging times call on us to be our best, and the success of your business rests on rising to the challenge. Be sure to listen in as Jim delivers actionable answers to help guide your agency to a strong and profitable future.

Simplifying Life for Agent and Customer Alike

Nobody is a fan of the insurance application process, especially not your busy customers. Peter MacDonald, Cofounder, and CEO of Wunderite sees a better way to do things—where technology handles the heavy lifting to make life simpler for agents and customers alike. 

 

In this robust discussion, Peter and Michael discuss:

 

• How agencies can recruit and retain talent in a competitive job market
• What agents are doing now to simplify the application process
• Understanding the key triggers that drive people to purchase insurance
• How agency principals should structure their technology buying process

 

If growing efficiently is a goal for your agency, make this conversation a priority and learn how agencies are solving stubborn industry problems. 

 

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 This Agency Gew from $1.5 Million to $100 Million

Mike Mathisen, CEO, Owner, Colorado Insurance

"I bought a small, $1.5 million premium book. We had an 85% retention rate. Now, we're pushing $100 million in premium with a 93% retention." Mike Mathisen, President, Colorado Insurance, made a few key, strategic decisions in the year 2000. 21 years and almost $99 million in new premium later, Mike looks back and shares key insights to the secrets of super-high Organic Growth:

 

• The method Mike uses to keep his team focused on key growth indicators
• Mike’s strategy to achieve high retention on a super-sized book of business
• His twist on the traditional structure to turn his agency into an policy selling machine

 

If you want proven growth strategies, this may be the most important conversation you’ve heard in a long time. Get inspired with proven, practical strategies. 

 

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 Tech Enhances the Human Touch

Luis Pino, CEO, Founder, Agentero

Many insurance agents push back on new technologies in fear of losing the human touch. Luis Pino, CEO & Founder of Agentero and former Analyst at McKinsey & Co., believes the right use of tech will do just the opposite, freeing you up for more human touches and supporting you where expertise is most needed. 

 

Luis shares insights on the fast-moving world of agency distribution and technology: 

 

• How to use new tech to enhance the agent’s role as a trusted advisor
• Simple ways tech will free your time so you can focus on what matters most
• Using tech to analyze your book of business and uncover hidden opportunities and unseen threats

 

Listen to this episode to catch up on the accelerating trends impacting the independent insurance agency system. 

 

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 This Agency Grew Their Top Niche 30% YoY

Marc Petersen, President, American Advantage - Petersen Group

How did Marc Petersen, President of American Advantage - Petersen Group, pull off such fantastic growth results? Most agencies do it by “hiring more producers,” but for this agency, the secret to success was a robust communication strategy. 

In this revealing podcast discussion, Marc openly shares his strategy for rapid and reliable growth:

• Why building the right content for your audience changes everything
• Marc’s strategy for nurturing his growing leads list and converting them into clients
• How the content strategy de-emphasizes insurance to get the conversation started

If organic growth is important to your insurance agency, make this conversation a priority. Marc holds nothing back and offers practical ideas that can transform your agency quickly.