The Insura-Preneur Podcast

What’s on the Mind of Today’s Agents and Leaders?

Justin Lair, Senior Enterprise Development Manager, Agency Revolution

 

Few people engage as many people in the insurance industry as this episode’s guest, Justin Lair, Senior Enterprise Development Manager at Agency Revolution. 

 

Justin has heard it all—but what’s most fascinating is how dramatically these conversations have changed over the years. In this eye-opening discussion, Justin shares insights on: 

 

• How COVID forced thousands of agents to pick up the pace of change
• Why the conversation has changed course in the last two to three years
• How this year’s sudden changes have opened agents’ eyes to untapped potential

 

Listen to this episode now to understand what agents and industry leaders are thinking, and how your agency stacks up to the current conversation. 

 

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.

Seven Skills Agencies Need to Succeed

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

 

The path to success for today’s insurance agent is far different than it used to be. The pace of change is demanding that agents adapt faster. Our host, Michael Jans, takes the microphone to share powerful insights on the new skills agencies need to master in today’s insurance landscape. 

 

Listen to this episode to learn:

 

• Simple methods to meet the changing demands of modern consumers
• What fast-growth agencies are doing to get maximum customer lifetime value
• How to leave behind old-school tactics that are holding you back

 

Michael has been guiding growth-driven agencies for over 25 years. His keen understanding of the industry and how technology fits into the modern agency’s growth plan will light a path to success in this rapidly changing world. 

 

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.

Why Some Agencies are Thriving in 2020

Madelyn Flannagan, Vice President, Agent Development, Education, and Research, IIABA

 

Madelyn Flannagan lives, breathes, analyzes, and guides the independent agents in America’s workforce. How are agents doing now? Who is thriving and who is not? How has the pandemic affected the independent agent channel? How will that change the future of agent operations? 

 

Madelyn dives into her research and observations to share insights on:

 

• What successful agents in 2020 are doing differently
• The business characteristic that will be crucial for agents moving forward
• Big changes agencies are making now to prepare for a very different future

 

For more than 25 years Madelyn has had her finger on the pulse of the independent agent. Listen to this discussion for important insights on where the industry is going. 

 

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.

Modernizing Insurance Industry Standards

Mica Cooper, CEO, President, InsureCrypt

 

Few things strike at the heart of day-to-day agency operations like standards—the manner in which data is transferred from one place to another. Industry pundits declare that legacy standards are hurting the independent agency channel, even more than the direct, digital, and captive channels. 

 

Mica Cooper—Founder and CEO of InsureCrypt, former System Architect at Vertafore and former Senior Architect at Hotels.com—is one industry leader who takes this seriously. He wants agents to understand how deeply this affects profits, customer satisfaction, and innovation. 

 

In this episode, Mica shares:

 

• What every agent needs to know about the campaign to update industry standards
• Why new, more modern standards will unleash a wave of insurtech innovation
• How swift updates to standards will enable agents to deliver something closer to the “Apple experience”

 

If staying current and preparing for the future is important to you, don’t miss 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.

Practical Growth Tactics for the Modern Insurance Agent

Jeremiah Desmarais, Best-selling Author, Keynote Speaker, Insurance Marketing Expert

 

It’s hard to keep up. What once worked loses efficacy. New things pop up left and right. How do you know what to do, and what to ignore? What will grow your agency? What will waste your time?

 

In this episode, we get practical with one of the industry’s most respected marketers. Jeremiah Desmarais is the former VP of Marketing for Applied Systems and a long-time marketing consultant to agents and financial advisors.

 

In this episode, Jeremiah shares:

 

• How to generate a non-stop stream of leads from LinkedIn
• A simple but powerful trick to keep your agency focused on the best growth activities
• How insurance agents can use webinars to delight current clients and close more sales 

 

Listen to this episode for a discussion loaded with practical growth advice your agency can put into use right away.  

 

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.

Is your agency ready for the new economy?

Jay Bregman, Founder, CEO, Thimble

By 2021 over half of small and medium businesses will be owned by millennials. By 2027 the majority of the US workforce will work as freelancers. Is your agency ready to serve them? Jay Bregman saw three things about the “new economy” that tend to make traditional insurance agencies frightened: It’s moving. It’s fast. It’s different. 

 

As Founder & CEO of Thimble—an insurtech with substantial backing—Jay reveals:

 

• How his company can craft policies as short as a month or even an hour
• How agents can serve the freelancers lurking outside the traditional insurance industry
• How Thimble has slashed “buy-time” to as little as 60 seconds

 

If you want to make sure your agency doesn’t get left behind in the new economy, listen today.

 

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.

NYT Best-Selling Author Dr. Robert Cialdini

Robert Cialdini, President, Influence at Work, New York Times Best-Selling Author

 

Our host, Michael Jans, describes this week’s guest’s best-seller Influence: The New Psychology of Modern Persuasion as “the most important book in my marketing library.” President of Influence at Work, Dr. Cialdini is hailed by marketers, academics, industry leaders, and media around the world. Listen to this discussion for Robert’s keen insight that every producer, principal, and marketer in the insurance industry should take note of: 

 

• How to leverage the six proven principles of persuasion in your agency.
• Easy tweaks to make your website, social activity, and other communications drive the market in your direction.
• Simple but powerful techniques to influence prospects early in the conversation.

 

Listen to this discussion for powerful advice to grow your book of business without working harder. 

 

 

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 Untapped Goldmine in Agency Data

Ryan Deeds, Vice President, Technology and Data, Assurex Global

 

Ryan Deeds, VP of Technology and Data at Assurex Global has been digging deep into one of the largest goldmines of data in the insurance world: agency data. Listen to this fast-paced discussion to learn how he’s helping Assurex’s agency partners leverage this data for consistent revenue growth: 

 

• Four data points every agency can use to fuel reliable growth
• How to find your best growth strategy by analyzing your segmentation
• Why insurance consumers are “buying differently” and how to attract the right leads

 

Listen now for reliable, data-driven guidance to accelerate your agency’s growth and win the right insurance consumers. 

 

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 Climate Change is Already Impacting Insurance

Peter Picetti, Senior Vice President, Heffernan Insurance Brokers

 

Climate change is often treated as a problem that won’t impact most of us until much further down the road. According to our guest, Peter Picetti, SVP of Heffernan Insurance Brokers—one of the largest independent agencies in the nation—this couldn’t be further from the truth. 

 

In this timely conversation, this 30 year veteran of the insurance industry explains why climate change keeps him up at night, and why agents should prepare their own plan of action now. Listen for Peter’s insight on:

 

• How climate change is already forcing hard-market pricing
• What you can expect to be telling your personal and commercial lines clients in the next 12-24 months
• How recent natural disasters are shaping the next year of insurance, and what this means for today’s agent

 

Don’t let your agency get caught flat-footed and left behind. Make this podcast a priority to prepare for the future. 

 

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 Telematics Helps Today’s Insurance Agent

Chief Customer Officer, TrueMotion

Telematics isn’t the newest technology, but advancements in adjacent technology—GPS accuracy, machine learning, and smartphones—has made telematics an effective tool to increase customer satisfaction, and boost retention. 

 

David Morse is the Chief Customer Officer at TrueMotion, the leading smartphone-only driving data platform. In this fascinating discussion, David reveals:

 

• How your agency can leverage telematics
• How telematics can help you be there for your customers the moment they need you most
• Why captive and direct carriers are dominating the telematic market—and how it’s changing the way they write policies

 

Telematics will continue to expand in use and capability over the next few years. Listen to this podcast to understand why your agency should pay close attention.

 

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.