Customer Service Focus Making the client an active participant in effective customer service Independent insurance agents certainly under- stand the importance of effective customer service in maintaining a profitable book of business. As a producer in a small independent insurance agency for the past 30 years, and as someone with ownership interest in an agency for over 15 years, I have always handled both customer service and production responsibilities. In
Management
Winning Strategies And what are you going to do about it? I’m sure you’re familiar with the opening line of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times …” I believe this may apply to today’s independent insurance agencies, as well. It’s the best of times because agency values have never been higher and the United States economy is
Agency Financial Management Yes, Baby Boomers, the Millennials are knocking at your door Whether or not you enjoy coming into the office every day, there’s one simple fact we all have to face: You can’t do it forever. There will come a day when you will stop working. Some insurance professionals plan to keep at it until their bodies and minds give out, but most have at least some image
Beyond Insurance Discover your why to gain enhanced clarity, purpose, and passion A few months ago, I was introduced to Simon Sinek and his book Start with Why. Sinek, author, motivational speaker, and marketing consultant, has made the foundation of his work the examination of “WHY”—the exploration of who we are and what inspires us to act. By first asking WHY, there is compelling evidence of how much more we
Winning Strategies Accountablility—one to the other In last month’s column, I discussed why so many agencies have low organic growth rates and how I would change that if I were their sales manager. As I explained, acceptable organic growth is often attributable to a skilled sales manager who inspires producer success by mentoring and coaching them. Both agency owners and their producers have to be equally committed to achieving success.
