Agency Intelligence

In this episode of Front Cover: A Rough Notes Podcast on the Agency Intelligence Podcast Network, Jason Cass sits down with Nancy Mendizabal and David Brush, Agency Principals of Apple Valley Insurance the agency featured on the August 2024 front cover of Rough Notes Magazine.  Key Topics: Impact of a past feature article in Rough Notes 20 years ago Detailed strategies for recruitment emphasizing cultural fit and employee satisfaction Discussion on the critical role of happiness and culture alignment in hiring processes Overview of leadership role evolution and its influence on agency operations Techniques for maintaining a positive and productive agency culture Future goals for the agency and the strategic initiatives planned to achieve them Reach out to: Nancy Mendizabal David Brush Jason Cass Visit Website: Apple Valley Insurance Rough Notes Magazine Episode Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by The McGowan Companies. For more information about all their insurance products, visi

I have a confession to make: I firmly believe insurance agents are prospecting all wrong. And, it is not only costing them thousands of dollars every year in new business commission, but they are losing literal weeks (months?) of their lives in the process. But, I also have some good news as well. The good news is that you can be happier as a producer, more successful, get more hours of your life back, and win more frequently. It all boils down to prospecting the low-hanging fruit. In this episode, I (Charles Specht) will tell you what the low-hanging fruit is and also how you can win it! Key Topics: Introduction of "low-hanging fruit" in insurance sales Analogy of picking ripe figs to explain targeting easy opportunities Importance of using the Broker of Record (BOR) letter in acquiring new clients Techniques for identifying and capitalizing on straightforward sales opportunities Discussion on the mindset needed for low-effort, high-return sales approaches Insights into streamlining the sales process

In this episode of "Talkin' Tech" with Danny Lawrence on the MVP Podcast! Co-Host Danny Lawrence sits down with Nick Vitali, Co-Owner & Vice President at All About Insurance. Nick discusses how they overcame the challenges of manual, error-prone sales reporting by implementing Agency Zoom. This solution provided real-time reporting and sales tracking, perfectly aligning with the agency's culture of celebrating wins and achieving sales goals. Episode Highlights: Transition from captive to independent agency technology Challenges of integrating new technologies that don't mesh well The shift from Agency Matrix to AMS 360 and the initial loss of crucial KPIs and sales reporting Adoption of Agency Zoom for enhanced, real-time sales reporting and cultural engagement The importance of professional onboarding and training for new technology Agency Zoom's role in improving customer interactions and automating communication The broader impact of technology on enhancing business processes and staff involvement

What percentage of your time is spent in sales-related activities? In this episode, Brent Kelly continues the Good Results Traps with Trap #3 - Having Part-Time Producers. Learn the culture and skills needed to turn your sales team into full-time producers and watch your revenues grow. If you're ready to learn more about our programs for growth-minded agencies, visit www.sitkins.com/bookacall There's more Good Results traps ahead, don't let your agency fall into one!

In this episode of the "Stuff About Money" podcast, host Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA, ChFC®, welcomes Carey Wallace, a Fractional CFO for independent insurance agency owners. They explore the crucial role of a Household CFO and discuss how the financial strategies Carey uses in her professional life can be adapted for managing household finances. Carey shares her expertise on topics such as the power of compound interest, the differences between business and personal financial management, and the emotional aspects of personal finance. Join Erik and Carey as they offer practical advice and strategies to improve your financial literacy and stability, whether you're a business owner or simply looking to better manage your household budget. This episode is packed with valuable insights to help you create effective financial plans, balance your budget, and make informed decisions to secure your financial future. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Carey's wealth of experience and knowledge. Episode Highlights:

What if you could win 12-15 signed Broker of Record Letters from your prospects in the next six months? How profitable would that be for you? Well, that's what one of my "12X Commission Mastermind" members accomplished for his agency in just the first six months of 2023, and since becoming a Mastermind member now only a total of seven (7) months ago.  In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, my guest is Illinois-based agency owner Ryan Cox and he shares what he's doing to prospect, to set appointments, and to win new business via BOR. And ... if you're interested in learning more about the "12X Commission Mastermind" then visit either www.12X.Club or go directly to: https://permissiongroup.com/mastermind/ Episode Highlights: Ryan discusses his involvement in the management of employee benefit plans and medical insurance for small and midsize businesses. (2:19) Ryan shares what led him to shift his attention to the Denver area and what made it so successful. (4:31) Ryan me

In this episode, the DIPP crew discuss benchmarking in the insurance industry with IBAO COO Brett Boadway. They cover topics such as metrics for sales, measuring efficiency, customer sentiment, and colleague satisfaction. The conversation explores various metrics used in the insurance industry and how they are measured. Key criteria include employee satisfaction, carrier relationships, transaction costs, tools and systems for measurement, lagging vs leading metrics, and understanding good metrics. The conversation explores the importance of benchmarking and increasing participation in benchmarking programs. It discusses the challenges in getting brokers to participate and the current participation numbers. The potential for expanding benchmarking nationwide is also considered. The benefits of benchmarking and collaboration are highlighted, emphasizing the value of comparing data and staying ahead of industry trends. The conversation concludes with a call to action for brokers and insurance company personnel

In this "Greatest Hits" episode, originally aired on January 6th, 2023, James welcomes Bradley Flowers and Scott Howell, co-hosts of the Insurance Guys Podcast. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Episode Highlights: Bradley discusses The Insurance Guys Podcast, how it got started, and what the podcast's hook is. (6:04) Bradley believes that people should create content around their passions, and that podcasting is a great way to do it. (9:51) Scott and Bradley explain that consistency is the key to having more than 300 episodes and that skipping an episode for a week is a good litmus test to see how many people are waiting for that show to drop. (13:29) Bradley mentions that

How do you set a new producer or insurance advisor up for success? From selecting a training program, developing internal processes to align the team, and understanding your target market, bringing on new agents or advisors can be difficult. It's a competitive market – and every independent agency is different. Colby Allen, a financial consultant and analyst at AgencyFocus, helps independent insurance agency owners understand the value of their agency. He joins us today to discuss which milestones your new producers should be hitting and how you can develop a plan to get them there. Enjoy the episode! Episode Links: Ellerbrock-Norris: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com Ellerbrock-Norris Wealth Strategies: https://www.ellerbrock-norris-ws.com AgencyFocus: https://agency-focus.com LAUNCH: https://getlaunch.io/ Elliot Bassett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515 Colby Allen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbytallen This episode is sponsored by LAUNCH. In the world of insurance, indepe

In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Kaleigha Moore Fitch, Agency Owner of 212 Insurance Group. Kaleigha and Teresa about how she has built her agency through authenticity with her community, involvement and by being transparent about her challenges. Key Topics: The importance of authenticity in professional and personal interactions Navigating life and business with empathy and understanding The significance of support systems in dealing with personal challenges Personal stories of overcoming adversity through resilience and support Insights into the dynamics of communication and relationship-building in business The role of personal experiences in shaping professional practices Connect with: Kaleigha Moore Fitch Teresa Kitchens Visit Websites: 212 Insurance Group Sterling Insurance Group Produced by: PodSquad.fm

What is your agency's set offense? Can you clearly articulate the differences of your agency versus everybody else? Are your pipelines overflowing? If any of those answers are no, you may be falling into Good Results Trap #2, which we cover on today's Agent Leader podcast. In this episode, Brent Kelly continues the Good Results Traps 7-part series by covering the “trap” of doing good despite having No Unique Sales Approach. Visit www.sitkins.com/bookacall to Schedule your Free Agency Assessment Episode highlights: 3:50 Brent talks about how 2023 was a record breaking year in organic growth percentage across the board as reported by Reagan Consulting. 6:36 Brent warns that when good results are coming easy, we often forget about what's possible for our agency. Four Areas in Trap #2 to Consider: 6:50 Commodity-based Selling rather than being a trusted advisor 10:15 Not knowing or unable to define your points of differentiation. 12:27 Having pipelines that aren’t full of ideal clients 19:50 Having low referr

Are you a crusty old insurance agent who hates BORs? If you are, then, goodbye. (I doubt you'd be reading this anyway if you were). However ... If you're a savvy, hungry, passionate insurance agent who wants to win and not lose, then today's topic is for you.  In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host Charles Specht will explain to you why going after the BOR makes more sense than offering quotes, but also why there is nothing wrong with quoting... so long as you're being wise about getting what you want out of the relationship. And, if you're interested in leveling up your sales game, visit www.12x.club and consider joining the 12X Commission Mastermind to learn how to build a $1,000,000 or more Book of Business through a signed Broker of Record Letters. Episode Highlights: Charles discusses the importance of both quoting and pursuing the Broker of Record letter in the insurance industry. (3:38) Charles explains that when presenting quotes, insurance producers must foc

The DIPP crew explore the evolution of contingent profit sharing commissions (CPCs) in the insurance industry, as well as the factors that affect CPCs, such as loss ratio and retention, and the challenges brokers face in managing CPCs. They also explore the role of brokers in fraud prevention and the importance of data accuracy. The conversation highlights the impact of external factors, such as weather patterns and regulations, on CPCs. The participants discuss the need to reevaluate CPCs for the future and find ways to incentivize desired behaviors. They also touch on the changing landscape of insurance and the challenges brokers face in navigating the current environment. The conversation explores various challenges and considerations in the insurance industry, particularly related to property insurance rates, moving portfolios, penalties for insurers, contingent profit commissions (CPCs), challenges for smaller brokers, the trade-off between CPCs and efficiency, causes of insurer profitability issues and

In this "Greatest Hits" episode, originally aired on July 22nd, 2022, James talks with Troy Smith, Retired Detective and Hostage Negotiator with the San Antonio Police Department. Troy is now with the Black Swan Group. To learn more about Black Swan Group, Visit https://www.blackswanltd.com. Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Episode Highlights: Troy shares his background story and how he ended up joining the San Antonio Police Department as an officer and later as a hostage negotiator. (5:19) Troy discusses what led him to the Black Swan Group where hostage negotiation skills are applied in a business environment. (6:28) Troy shares the story of a powerful moment when he gave

What's the difference between running a law firm and an insurance agency? No, that's not the start of a joke – it's a mindset that you should be using as a risk advisor. When someone is hiring an attorney, they aren't quoting out 10 different ones, they are finding one that they trust.  Brandon Schuh, head of specialty insurance practice at Christensen Group, joins the show to discuss how you deliver service. Are you going to quote out hundreds of policies you won't win every year, or are you going to lock in a client before you ever approach a carrier? When you act as an advisor, your business changes, your client relationships change and your growth potential changes.  Learn more from Brandon today and better understand the makeup of your business model. Enjoy the episode! Episode Links: Ellerbrock-Norris: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com Ellerbrock-Norris Wealth Strategies: https://www.ellerbrock-norris-ws.com Christensen Group Insurance: https://www.christensengroup.com LAUNCH: https://getlaunch.io/

In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Stacie Cooper of Liberty Mutual Insurance | Safeco Insurance. Stacie and Teresa talk about how agencies can level up their marketing and how Safeco is partnering with agencies to make it easier. Key Topics: Evolution of Safeco's 'Bricks and Clicks' program and its impact on digital marketing. Integration of SEO and social media to improve agency visibility and client acquisition. Overview of the 'Agent for the Future' initiative and its resources for adapting to consumer behaviors. Importance of a strong digital presence, including effective websites and Google My Business profiles. Strategies for client engagement and retention through personalized digital content and referral programs. Use of video content in marketing, including the effectiveness of video proposals. The need for continuous learning and adaptation to remain competitive in a digital market. Connect with: Stacie Cooper Teresa Kitchens Visit Websites: Ag

As business owners, the majority of our net worth is tied to the value of our business. What steps should we take today to maximize this value for a future sale?  In this episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, host Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®, sits down with tax attorney David Foate JD, LLM, to explore practical advice on preparing your business for a successful sale. David specializes in the buying and selling of agencies and shares his extensive experience with our listeners on how to increase the saleability and value of their agencies. Episode Highlights: David shares his background in tax law and his focus on succession planning for business owners. (01:04) David discusses the financial burdens of student loans and the wisdom of financial pacing. (05:20) Erik shares the key strategies to enhance an agency’s value before selling. (10:04) David explains the legal and financial preparations necessary for selling an agency. (13:57) Erik discusses the importance of understanding why one wants

Is your agency getting good results? Careful, these good results could very well be traps that are holding your agency back from becoming its best version possible. In the first of a seven-part series, Brent Kelly is going to talk about having no clear strategic or financial plan. Get ready to ask yourself if your business model is leading your agency to the place that you ultimately want to arrive at, plus more important insights on this episode of The Agent Leader.

In this episode of the Digital Insurance Pint Podcast, host Tom Reid and his colleagues interview Louis Gagnon, CEO of Intact Financial Corp. They discuss various topics, including Louis Gagnon’s journey to becoming CEO, improving service in facility insurance, Intact’s strategy for CSIO standards-based APIs, balancing connectivity and aggregators, and the system switch and platform development at Intact. The conversation covers various themes related to the insurance industry, technology, customer experience, and challenges for the future. The complexity of technology and the need for constant improvement and security are highlighted. The benefits and usage of Client Center, as well as the evolving role of brokers, are discussed. The comparison with other industries and the importance of service and connectivity are explored. The challenges of cyber security, social issues, and climate change are also addressed. In this conversation, Louis Gagnon discusses the need for brokers to adapt to the changes in the

In this "Greatest Hits" episode, originally aired on May 20th, 2022, James talks with Cory Schnabel, Agency Principal at KC Insurance Group in Kansas City, MO. To learn more about KC Insurance Group, visit https://www.hubinternational.com.Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed. Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better. Episode Highlights: Cory talks about how he got started in the insurance industry. (5:27) Cory shares that he bought his first Allstate agency in 2010. (6:42) Cory how he started KC Insurance Group and what helped him to get contracts with several carriers. (12:51) Cory shares that his referral partners are one of the secrets to his success. (20:46) Cory explains how he connects with his referral partner