The Insura-Preneur Podcast

Cyber Expert Predicts Emerging Threats and Opportunities Jack Kudale, Founder, CEO, Cowbell

There’s a looming cybersecurity threat over small and medium business clients. Jack Kudale, Founder & CEO of Cowbell—a leader in cyber insurance for SMBs—has the bird’s-eye view on the critical trends in cyber risks.
 
His company monitors 23 million US based businesses for cyber threats (for perspective, that means nearly 3 out of every 4 of your commercial lines clients). And Jack doesn’t like what he sees. 
 
In this podcast, Jack shares his remarkable insights on cyber threats and insurance, including:
 
The key factors that are forcing huge spikes in demand, and why this is a huge growth opportunity for agencies
Three imperative forms of protection you should use in your own agency—and share with your customers
How everything from the Russia-Ukraine War, Work-From-Home, and Supply Chain weakness amplify cyber threats
A practical action plan for any business who gets hit by a cyber threat
 
Any insurance professional who is serious about protecting their customers, and their own organic growth, should make this podcast a priority. This may be the new E&O threat agencies can no longer ignore. 
 
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 Agents Can Sell More Virtually

For the insurance producer, COVID claimed a reliable marketing tool—in-person meetings. Agents were forced to communicate online; some figured it out, some hated it, and many were in-between. 
 
Now, a series of best practices can make online selling a high-leverage (and easy-to-use) avenue that saves time and boosts conversion rates. 
 
In this workshop-style episode, Amazon best-selling author, international sales trainer, and Founder and CEO of The Authority Factor, Steve Brossman, shares his method for the mastery of online selling: 
 
What to do before an appointment to boost the “buying energy” for an online sales call
How to give prospects a taste of the relationship before closing the sale
Steve’s “Presentation/Annotation” method to move prospects to your side of the table during sales calls
Simple webcam tricks to help producers master their video presence
 
Steve Brossman doesn’t just train clients in these sales methods across five continents. He uses them every day himself. If you’re a producer, sales manager, or principal looking to boost conversion rates, you don’t want to miss this jam-packed and practical podcast discussion. 
 
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.

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.