Brad Ruben of Archway Computers joins us to talk about all things IT for independent agencies:

• Cybersecurity and unusual requirements in carrier contracts
• How DMARC impacts your agency emails and what you must do immediately
• Why Multi-factor Authentication is so critical
• One easy-to-use tech tool that customers love
• How AI is being used in agencies today

As an independent agent, it's easy to push IT to the back burner but as Brad explains, having up-to-date software and security procedures is critical. Outsourcing the management of your agency's IT is a good way to reduce the risk of cyber crime and system downtime.

Links:
Archway Computer:            myarchway.com

Full show notes and more episodes:           Insurance Agency Trendsetters

#041 -  Join us for an engaging discussion as Charlotte Hicks and George Robertson chat with Ron Shroyer from Aureus Analytics about the latest developments in their company over the past two years. In this podcast episode, we dive into the world of insurance technology and its impact on the industry's operations and client services.

 Ron sheds light on the growing utilization of AI and big data analytics in insurance agencies. These technologies are playing a significant role in streamlining operations and improving efficiency, ultimately leading to better service for clients. He also shares insights into Aureus Analytics' successful integrations with management system platforms like Applied and EZLynx, as well as their partnership with Agency Zoom.

 This isn't Ron's first time on our podcast, and his experience and expertise in the insurance industry make for a fascinating conversation. He offers valuable insights into the future of the industry and how technology is driving demand and adoption by new players in the market.

If you're interested in learning more about the evolving landscape of the insurance industry and the role of technology in shaping its future, join us for this informative discussion with Ron Shroyer from Aureus Analytics. 
 

00:35 Revisiting the Journey of Aureus Analytics
00:54 The Evolution of AI in Insurance
01:26 The Impact of AI on Insurance Agencies
02:23 The Role of AI in Customer Retention and Cross-Selling
02:57 The Increasing Interest in AI Among Insurance Agencies
04:12 The Integration of Donna with Other Platforms
04:35 The Difference Between Reporting and Analytics
05:44 The Role of AI in Enhancing Agency Workflows
09:14 The Future of AI in Insurance Agencies
21:27 The Impact of Acquisitions on Tech Adoption in Insurance Agencies
26:38 Emerging Insurtech Solutions

 Links:

Aureus Analytics

Insurance Agency Trendsetters Episode 041 (with full show notes)

#032 – Aubie Knight of IIANC see a “great day of reckoning” coming for insurance agents. Find out how IIANC is helping their agents prepare and succeed as the insurance landscape changes.     

 In today’s podcast, Aubie discusses:

• The biggest challenge agents say they are facing in the next three years
• Why insurance education isn’t enough to guarantee CSR success
• What is now causing a great divide among agencies and how you can be on the profitable side 
• One thing you must be spending money on right now if you want to grow
• The integration of Nationwide agencies into the independent agency system and the benefits they brought with them
• How data analytics is changing how we sell insurance

Plus, we talk about the newly launched Catalyit with a big announcement for IIANC agencies!

Aubie can be reached by email: aknight [at] iianc.com or phone: 919-863-6546

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/032-2

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#031 – Most agency owners spend their entire careers making sales but forgetting to prepare for the one that has the most impact — selling their agency. Find out what you need to do now so you don’t leave money on the table.   

In today’s podcast, Carey talks about:

• The aging demographic in the industry and what that means to you
• How the pandemic has changed agency owners’ plans
• Four trends impacting agency value today
• Avoiding a fire sale price — easy steps to take today to protect your business
• What to never put in your perpetuation plan
• The #1 value driver of insurance agencies
• What agencies have done to make their acquisitions successful
• The top 2 things CPAs say you should do now to maximize your agency’s value

Plus, we talk about the newly launched Catalyit and how it’s helping agents simplify their technology decisions.

Get in touch with Carey: Carey [at] agency-focus.com or visit Agency Focus

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/031-2

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

Related Episodes:

Episode 26: Lisa Lounsbury
Episode 29: Seth Zaremba

#030 – Discover how Chris Paradiso has established a solid, consistent brand that resonates with his ideal customers and has given him consistent, high-quality growth. 

In today’s podcast, Chris talks about:

•  What a brand guide is and why you must have one
• How and why to take a stand and quit trying to please everyone
• The three key things that you need for a strong online presence
• What his agency does to drastically improve the customer experience – and increase retention
• The tech tools that are helping him better serve his customers

You’ll be inspired by this time with Chris – we certainly were!

Plus, Chris made a very special offer on the podcast to our listeners – you don’t want to miss this gift!

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/030-2

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

#029 – Data. It’s been in our agencies all along. We just haven’t been able to see it in a way that’s helpful. 

Seth Zaremba, founder of batomic and creator of neon, isn’t just helping agents with data analytics. He’s changing the way we do business and making it better for the consumer, more profitable for the agent, and bringing more value to carrier relationships.   

In today’s podcast, Seth reveals:

• How Otis Elevator Company scooped the insurance industry
• The fatal flaws in most agency data reporting
• Four ways the data in your agency can increase your revenue
• How most agents are bringing a knife to a gunfight and the one thing you need to make it a fight you can win
• The two things any technology you use must do

Seth gives us some real-life examples from his agency that show how the right information can make boosting both new business and retention much easier.

Links:

Learn more about batomic and neon here

Contact Seth: Seth [at] batomic.com

Twitter: @sethzaremba

Special Event! Master the secrets of client attraction in today’s digital world. Join the free Category of One challenge happening October 18-22. Get all the details and sign up here.  

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/029-2

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#028 – Recently, two 911 calls highlighted a common problem –- we don’t always communicate clearly, even when we’re speaking the same language.  

We’ll listen to the 911 call and then talk about how it applies to our conversations with customers, prospects, and others we do business with. 

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/028

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

#027 – CNA recently experienced a severe and sophisticated rasomware attack. George and Charlotte examine the aspects of the attack and the wide-ranging impacts. 

Just some of what’s covered in today’s discussion:

• What happened and the impact to CNA’s ability to conduct business
• How policyholders were impacted
• What was done well and what could have been done better
• How agents can protect themselves from similar attacks
• Steps every agent should do for their customers in this situation

 For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

 www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/027-2

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

#026 – In today’s episode, George and Charlotte talk with Lisa Lounsbury of the Big I New York about their experience through the pandemic, the new ways they are supporting independent agents, and the upcoming launch of Catalyit. 

Just some of what’s covered in today’s discussion:

• The impact of the pandemic on their agents and association
• How they reacted to the regulatory directives from the state government
• The challenge of finding talent in the insurance industry and how they are solving the problem
• The importance of an agency tech stack and how it impacts hiring success
• The launch of Catalyit and the benefits it provides for agents
• Are agents retaining remote work or returning to fully in-person?

Plus, Lisa reveals her new hobby and how it’s developed during the pandemic. 

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

 www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/026

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

LINKS:

Insuremycareer.com

Catalyit.com

Big I NY 

#025 – In today’s episode, George and Charlotte talk with Chris Lane of Tarmika about streamlining the commercial lines quoting process so agents can focus their time on the customer, not carrier applications. 

Just some of what’s covered in today’s discussion:

• The sneaky way profits may be leaking out of your agency
• Painlessly streamlining policy placement
• How agencies are benefiting from Tarmika’s partnership with bAtomic and Neon 
• TarmikaX and agency lead generation
• Customizing Tarmika for your carrier appointments

Plus, discover the story behind the Tarmika name.

Links:
For a demo to see how Tarmika can help your agency, visit Tarmika.com

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

 www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/025

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

#024 – In today’s episode, George and Charlotte talk with Jason Liu of Zywave about how the tech needs of today’s agencies drove their acquisitions and platform build-out. 

Just some of what’s covered in today’s discussion:

• Why agents need to shift now into next generation sales and productivity
• How the acquisition of ITC gives agents the full stack agency they need to be successful
• How Zywave is making data more automated and efficient for agencies
• The Netflix model and how it’s changing customer relationships
• The shift that’s happening right now in agencies across the country… and what you need to do so you’re not left behind
• How you can get a deeper insight into your agency and why that creates growth

Plus, how Jason made the TV news at the running of the bulls in Spain!

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/024-2

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

Links:

Get The Sales Revolution, Digital Disruption Demystified: The Ultimate Guide for Driving Agency Growth by Don Bailey and Jason Liu for free at InsuranceSalesRevolution.com 

Find out more about Zywave

#023 – In today’s episode, George and Charlotte talk with Kat Ternes, VP of Revenue at Agency Zoom, about the one step in goal setting most people forget about and how it can make all the difference in the success of your agency. 

Just some of what’s covered in today’s discussion:

Most agency owners are great at two of the three key steps in goal setting. It’s the critical third step that can make the difference between achieving a goal and missing it. 

Agency zoom is helping agency owners see if their goals are being met and what’s working the best. 

Are you optimizing your business?  You may already have enough leads. But do you know which leads are producing the most clients or the best clients?

Do you know when you need humanize the buyer’s experience and how?

When you do, you’ll have...

For full show notes go to:

 www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/023

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

Links: 

Find out more about Agency Zoom

Episode #40

Discover how Ali McLaney and Dana Grodin of Digipraise have created an easier, faster, and more affordable way for your customers to update their jewelry appraisals.

What is preventing your customers from keeping their jewelry appraisals current? The hassle of taking their pieces to a jewelry store? The expense of the appraisals? Simply forgetting about them once they are scheduled on the policy?

Digipraise has solved all of these problems and given insureds a quick and affordable way to update their most treasured jewelry.

Listen in as we dive into Ali and Dana's history in the jewelry business, their patented process for streamlining jewelry appraisals, and the unique way they can prevent a total loss of heirloom pieces.

Companies and agencies: Partner with Digipraise to enhance your customer relationships!

Full show notes can be found here:

insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/040-2

 

#022 – In today’s episode, George and Charlotte discuss the recent SolarWinds hack and other current cyber liability issues. 

Just some of what’s covered in today’s discussion:

Could you have been impacted by the SolarWinds hack? It had implications far beyond what you might have thought. 

What should you do in the event of a breach?

Good news – your cyber liability carrier may be able to help in an emergency. 

When – and how – to train your staff to recognize and react to phishing, hacks, and other cyber attacks. 

One simple step you can take to add a layer of protection now. 

Password dos and don’ts. Plus, how to tell the difference between a normal tech glitch and a cyber attack. 

Links: 

You can listen to Part 1 here and Part 2 here. 

For more information on the SolarWinds hack, this WSJ article outlines the latest.  

#021 – In today’s episode, George and Charlotte discuss online censorship and how agents can mitigate the risk to their agency.   

What would you do if your Facebook business page was suddenly taken down? 

Or if your online ad account was shut down?

Or you discovered someone was impersonating you online?

And most importantly, how can you protect yourself from the negative consequences of the ban hammer?

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/021

If you missed Part 1, you can find it here: 

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/020

#020 – In today’s episode, George and Charlotte discuss some of the acquisitions that have happened in the last few weeks and what that means for independent insurance agents.  

In 2020, agency merger and acquisitions were up a whopping 20%. And there’s been plenty of activity in other areas of the industry as well. 

We dive into Applied Systems’ acquisition of EZLynx, Zywave’s acquisition of ITC, American Family’s acquisition of Bold Penguin, and Brown & Brown’s acquisition of CoverHound. 

Indio Technologies was acquired last year by Applied. We interviewed Ken Wohl of Indio on Episode 3 of our podcast. 

Also, we explore potential acquisitions for agency owners, including some industries you may not have thought of as potential targets. 

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/020

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#019 – In today’s episode, we talk about the impact of sudden data loss, ransomware in the news, and how you can keep your agency’s digital assets protected. 

Discover what Charlotte did right – and what she did wrong – before her hard drive crash last week. 

We discuss the Garmin ransomware attack and how you can protect your own data from the same risk. 

And, we delve into the many aspects of protecting your agency in an online world.  

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/019

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#018 – Contrary to popular belief that InsurTech is disrupting the insurance industry, Tucson agent Jeff Arnold says we’re actually the ones in control. Find out how he is integrating the best of InsurTech with the unique talents of the independent agent to deliver a better experience to his agency customers.   

In this episode, we dive into InsurTech – past, present, and future and talk about how technology is allowing us to speed up the insurance buying cycle. Plus, we talk about how agents are outperforming InsurTech companies. 

Jeff also explains how he eliminated traditional phones in his agency a decade ago and how it helped them go remote during the COVID lockdown. 

Like many business, Jeff has seen an impact from the pandemic. He tells us about how the pandemic impacted his new business flow and how they are bouncing back from the challenge. 

Plus, he talks about how he’s using an artificial intelligence device and a robot as employees in his agency. 

As we wrap up, Jeff gives us some insight into who can be successful in the insurance industry – you’ll be surprised!

Find out more about Jeff and his many business ventures in the insurance industry at www.jeffarnold.com 

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/018

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#017 – Coming into the family insurance agency as a young agent, it would be easy to accept the status quo but that’s not what Cameron Annas did. Find out how he was able to implement significant changes in the agency with the full support of his dad and the existing agency staff.  

Cameron is a graduate of the Appalachian State University Risk Management and Insurance program and has forged a mutually beneficial relationship with ASU and their agency. Plus, he’s developed a creative interview process that gives them a higher confidence level of success. 

Cameron discusses his path to finding a niche market he could serve well and how his agency is now the #1 provider of insurance to that market. 

He also outlines the ways the agency has changed and the support he got from his dad for those changes.

Then, we talk about how they’ve integrated new technology into the agency to improve both sales and operations. 

Cameron’s ideas and insights are helpful to agency owners of any age.  

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/017

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#016 – 2020 has thrown us enough challenges to last a decade. It’s also forever changed how we communicate with our staff, clients, and prospects. Today, we take a deep dive into how communication has changed and what you need to know about internal and external communication in 2020 and beyond.  

There are three main areas of impact:

1.     Pandemic-related

2.     Racial tensions

3.     Social Media and offensive speech

We’ll address these and other questions:

What do you do if your staff member or a customer in your office tests positive for COVID?

Can you advertise now? 

How does your marketing message need to change?

How are companies handling the current racial tensions?

Is it safe to post on social media?

What’s the most important thing agents can do right now to lead their staff and community through this difficult time? 

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/016

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#015 – As the pandemic spread, Chip Bacciocco was faced with the difficult situation of determining what would happen to the Elevate 2020 conference. Hear how Agency Nation pivoted from an in-person conference to an online conference. 

The first question was how to translate the energy of an in-person kick-off to an online event. Being aware of what would and wouldn’t work was important and resulted in a big win right out of the gate. 

The keynote speaker did a fantastic job of shifting a stage presentation to a much-different online presentation by adding key visual elements that kept attendees highly engaged. 

Chip also talked about the challenges with sponsor participation and how they made sure they could connect sponsors with attendees and keep their sponsors happy. 

There were also many technical challenges to overcome including making sure everyone could login to the conference. 

One big takeaway is how the quality of content was important because the attendees wanted to learn. 

From the initial decision to the end of the conference, you’ll be amazed at how Agency Nation made Elevate 2020 a huge success. 

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/015

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#014 –  The pandemic has shifted consumers attention online. Hear how agencies are attracting new prospects through their websites and online marketing.

Becky Schroeder, CMO of ITC joins us to discuss agency websites and how agencies have been successful attracting prospects with online marketing. 

As the leading provider of agency websites, ITC has access to key analytics which have shown a significant increase in website traffic and online quoting. In addition, there’s been a continued shift toward mobile — now accounting for 78% of online views. 

We also dive deep into SEO and what drives traffic to websites: blogs, Google My Business, and more. 

Are you getting reviews for your agency? Becky covers the three aspects of reviews that impact your business and how to handle that difficult bad review. 

She also shares two success stories and what has made them so successful. 

Finally, we talk about why it’s so important to have offline and online strategies that work in tandem.  

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/014

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#013 – Today’s guest is Dr. Michelle Osborne, Chief Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Department of Insurance. 

In this interview, Dr. Osborne talks about the technology they’ve used to communicate with staff during the pandemic as well as how they’ve been able to continue the operations of the department while working remotely. 

We also discuss the mobile app and how it’s helping agents and consumers get faster service. 

Then, we dive into how the DOI has shifted to online continuing education and communication. 

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/013-2

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#039 — George Robertson and Charlotte Hicks look at some of the main challenges facing agents this year and three ways to be successful in 2023. 

They talk about:

• ChatGPT by OpenAI and potential benefits for agents 
• The long-term impact of developments in cryptocurrency
• What to expect from the hard market and anticipated recession
• How insurance coverage could be affected by pandemic court cases
• Challenges finding staff and the role of a remote workforce

Plus, three tips for positioning you and your agency for success in 2023.

A full transcript and previous podcast episodes can be found here

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

#012 – As we emerge from stay-at-home orders with a greatly weakened economy, here’s what agents need to do now to ensure the health of their agencies.  

We discuss the three most important financial actions to take, three areas of clarity every business must have today, and the three keys to successful customer acquisition. 

Charlotte goes into more detail in the new special report, The Way Forward — A Crisis Recovery Roadmap. 

To download the Crisis Recovery Roadmap and for full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/012

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#011 – Although insurance agencies have been designated as “essential businesses,” most agencies have had to shift to working remotely in order to comply with state stay-at-home orders. 

In this podcast, George shares:

• How his agency operations changed with remote work
• His top technology tools that have made the shift to remote work go more smoothly
• Cyber-liability impacts to agents and your clients

For full show notes and links, please visit:

 www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/011

Also, be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#010 – Are you using video in your agency? If you’re not, you’re missing out on connecting with thousands of potential customers. In this episode, Jane Sanford of Simple Video Academy explains how you can produce pro-quality videos quickly, easily, and inexpensively so your agency is found online by your best prospects. 

Over 80% of online traffic today is being driven by video. If you don’t use video, it’s likely your business won’t be found online. Video has a much greater reach than blogs, articles, and other online content. 

Video is valuable because it’s the face-to-face of digital marketing. 

Trust has eroded and video helps you build trust better and faster than any other online content. 

Video allows you to create the relationship first which makes the sale easier. 

Two main types of video:

1. Recorded
2. Live

Main reasons business owners aren’t using video:

• Don’t know how to start
• Don’t know what to say
• Don’t have the time

Good news – all of those can be overcome and it’s much easier than you think. 

In the podcast, Jane gave tips to help you get started. Plus, you can download a free Gear Guide of recommended equipment that will allow you to make professional quality video without expensive equipment. 

Go here to download the free Simple Video Academy Gear Guide or go to: SimpleVideoAcademy.com/IAT

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/010 

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#009 – At the recent IIANC Technology Symposium, George Robertson discussed three major tech trends that will impact how you’ll run your agency in the future. 

He also gives us his top takeaways from presentations by Syd Roe, Jack Wingate, and Kitty Ambers. 

For full show notes and links, please visit:

 www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/009

Also, be sure to click “subscribe” in iTunes or your podcast provider so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#008 – In this episode, discover what prospects really want and what the real problem is when they don’t buy.  

The closing ratio across all industries is around 19%. That leads sales people to believe people hate to buy. 

The reality is people love to buy – but they hate to be sold. 

Instead of a process that extracts value, we need to build one that exchanges value. Then, the client feels like they walked away with as much or more value than they gave you in payment. 

The key to achieving this goal is to make sure your sales process follows the same process as a normal human relationship. 

In a nutshell, that means, “Don’t be creepy!” Begging for a sale before you’ve built a relationship is creepy. 

Instead, follow the Customer Value Journey®. 

For a downloadable copy of the Customer Value Journey Worksheet and full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/008

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

007 - Charlotte Hicks interviews Joe Hagan, founder and president of Freedom Through Systems and creator of Agency Sales Machine. 

Joe helps insurance agency owners maximize sales effectiveness, operational efficiency, and ultimately, agency profitability, cash flow, and market value. 

Listen in and discover:

• What a true system is... and isn't
• What benefits you can enjoy by implementing true business systems in your agency
• Common mistakes agencies make that rob them of the benefits of having systems

Joe also gives us a peek into his Agency Sales Machine software that can significantly boost sales from the leads and customers you have now. 

You can get full show notes and links at www.insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/007-2

Contact Joe at:
joe@freedomthroughsystems.com

And visit:
FreedomThroughSystems.com and AgencySalesIgnite.com

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#006 – In this episode, you’ll get to know business growth and marketing expert Charlotte Hicks. 

She discusses how the Growth Triad and the Customer Value Journey are critical components of business growth as well as the top three mistakes most agency owners make today that hinders their growth. 

For full show notes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/006

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

#005 – In this episode, we get to know George Robertson. Find out how George became an expert in insurance agency technology and how he’s helping agencies integrate technology so the business runs smoothly and efficiently. 

For full show notes and links go here:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/005 

Be sure to click "subscribe" to get all upcoming episodes, including special bonus episodes. 

#004 - Your agency management system is packed with valuable data. In this episode, hear how InsuredMine extracts this data and presents it in a way that helps you leverage the information to make more sales and improve customer value. 

George Robertson talks with Raution Jaiswall about how clients can use this technology to resolve questions they have quickly and efficiently.  

For full show notes and links go here: 

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/004-2

Be sure to click “subscribe” below so you don’t miss a single episode, including special bonus episodes. 

#003 - Are you tired of entering in the information for your commercial clients over and over? Want to decrease the time it takes to complete a commercial application by as much as 73%?

Discover how Indio is streamlining the commercial application process and creating a better customer experience. 

George Robertson talks with Ken Wohl about how Indio is helping agents with integrated technology that clients love to use. 

For full show notes and links go here: 

https://insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/003-2/

Be sure to click “subscribe” below so you don’t miss a single episode, including special bonus episodes. 

#038 — Ron Berg, retiring director of the Agents Council for Technology (ACT) joins us to discuss how technology impacts customer satisfaction, the critical role of cyber security in agencies, and how insurtechs are helping agents serve their customers better. 

Listen in as we talk with Ron about:

• How the customer experience has changed and how it impacts workflows
• What technology touchpoints agents need to implement to build customer loyalty
• How to get access to the ACT resources for free
• The critical role cyber security plays in your technology strategy and the cyber guide developed by ACT
• The emerging technologies that impact agents and their clients
• Where tech is working and where improvement is needed

We also talk about how agencies have adapted with the challenges of the last two years. 

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/038

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

Links:

Find out more about ACT: IndependentAgent.com/ACT

Email ACT: ACT@IIABA.net

#002 - We caught up with Jeff and Una Roy of Clinton, Ontario after the IIANC InsurExpo and chatted with them about the changes they made to boost their agency growth and instill a new culture in the business. 

They reveal:

• What they did to establish a clear brand that stood out in the market
• How to take advantage of other agents’ learning curves
• Why failure is good

For full show notes and links visit:

https://insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/002-2/

Be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including special bonus episodes. 

#001 - Join Charlotte Hicks and George Robertson as they discuss trends in marketing and technology to help insurance agents be more profitable and efficient and deliver a customer experience that attracts and retains their ideal clients. 

In this podcast you'll discover how to get more from your agency technology and marketing activities, how to transform your agency into a smoothly running machine, and how to create stronger relationships with your customers so they become promoters of your agency. 

You can access the links and show notes for this episode here:

http://www.insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/001

Be sure to click "Subscribe" so you're notified of new episodes, including special bonus episodes. 

#037 — Jes Lipson, CEO of Levitate joins us to talk about the lost art of keeping in touch and how doing it the right way can spur higher sales and higher agency value. 
 
Just some of what we cover in our discussion:

• The problem with most email services today
• How you can stay top of mind with your prospects and customers
• The difference between networking and building relationships
• A surprise use for Levitate — what he calls “black belt mode”
• What’s coming next for Levitate users 

 We also talk about the key advantage small agencies have over larger agencies that few leverage to win more accounts. 

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/037 

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes. 

Links: 

 Find out more about Levitate: Levitate.ai

#036 — Diane Wagner and the First Choice Agents Alliance had a huge task: Help Nationwide agents negotiate the transition from Exclusive Agent to Independent Agent. 

Hear how the transition has gone, how FCAA is helping agencies thrive, and how they are partnering with IIANC to tackle the biggest challenge in the industry today — attracting new talent. 

Listen in as we dive into the topic and discuss...

•  Choosing and implementing an Agency Management System
• What Nationwide agents have brought to the IA system
• What challenges did the agents face during the transition
• The importance of marketing the industry to high schools and colleges
• The benefits of Insure Academy to all agencies

 For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

 www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/036

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

Links and Recommended Resources: 

FCAAlliance.com

 Investprogram.org  

 BigIHires.com

 IndependentAgent.com  

 Related Episodes:

Aubie Knight: Helping Agencies Thrive in the Insurtech World

#035 – George and Charlotte look back at highlights from the last year and give their predictions for the industry in 2022.

Referenced Podcast Episodes:

Chris Paradiso 

Aubie Knight – IIANC  

Chris Lane - Tarmika  

Kat Ternes - Agency Zoom 

Carey Wallace – Agency Focus  

Ron Shroyer – Donna for Agents 

Peter MacDonald and Joe Schnare - Wunderite 

Seth Zaremba - bAtomic

Are Your Customers Hearing What You’re Saying?

CNA Cyberattack Case Study

Lisa Lounsbury- Big I NY

Jason Liu - Zywave

Recent Happenings Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

 www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

Description:

#034 – What you don’t know about your customers can hurt you — and them.  In this episode, we talk with Ron Shroyer of Aureus Analytics about how Donna for Agents is helping agents improve their customer experience, increase retention, and grow their agencies. 

There’s no question, we’re living in the age of data analytics. Companies outside of the insurance industry are using it to provide a better customer experience so your agency customers expect that level of service from you too. 

Listen in as we dive into the topic and discuss...

·      What customers have been trying to tell us for years... and we haven’t been hearing

·      Why looking back at past data isn’t enough and how to be proactive

·      How the SentiMeter ® score helps you save your accounts

·      The role unstructured data plays in improving customer loyalty

·      How Donna seamlessly drives higher profitability 

Plus, we discuss the move toward API-driven integrations that are improving the ease of doing business for agencies.  

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/034

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.

Links:
Videos and more information about Donna can be found here: DonnaForAgents.com
or email: Ron [at] aureusanalytics.com

Related Episodes:
Chris Paradiso 

Aubie Knight  

Tarmika 

Agency Zoom 

Carey Wallace  

#033 – One form. 550 fields. Agents hate it. Customers hate it. But now there’s another way. Discover how Wunderite has transformed the information-gathering process so it’s simple, effective, and customer-friendly. 

Peter MacDonald and Joe Schnare join us on the podcast for an inside look at how Wunderite is helping agents focus on what they do best — advise their clients. Just some of what we discuss… 

• The key problem Wunderite was created to solve
•  How we’ve been missing opportunities to add value to prospects and customers
•  Why Wunderite decided to be an API-first solution and how that helps you
• What it means to have a frictionless purchase experience
• The one thing agents must focus on to be successful now

Plus, Peter shares his secret for discovering what insurance buyers want. Turns out you can use the same tactic to get great employees.

Links:
Toll Free Phone: 888-WUNDERITE
Website: Wunderite.com

For full show notes and previous podcast episodes go to:

www. Insuranceagencytrendsetters.com/033

And be sure to click “subscribe” so you don’t miss any upcoming episodes, including unannounced bonus episodes.