FINANCIAL-STATEMENT ANALYSIS by John Jaques This article provides an overview for evaluating the financial strengths and weaknesses of an independent insurance agency. The material provid...

FIND A CHALLENGE AND IMPROVE MORALE TODAY by Grace Bauer With agencies trying to keep up with renewals, remarketing everything, and j...

FIND OUT WHY YOUR CUSTOMERS LEAVE by Jack Fries It costs about five times more to obtain a new customer than to retain an existing one. Though companies spend thousands of dollars to cr...

How do you know what to change to make your agency run better? You're proud of your accomplishments, but can't seem to make the progress you desire year-by-year. In this document, Al Diamond recommends that during your planning process, instead of focusing outwardly on your competitors, the industry, or the economy, try focusing inwardly instead.

As your agency grows, you will probably recognize the need for the services of a public relations (PR) advisor to help you get media exposure.
To choose the appropriate PR advisor, you should have a good idea of what to expect in the way of services, what you need (or more accurately, want to accomplish), where to look for an advisor, and how to select one. Not an easy task, but it's a lot more manageable if you plan ahead.

FINDING AGENCY PERSONNEL by John Caswell 'Good help is hard to find.' That old adage has never seemed more true, given the increasing difficulty employers are experiencing when looking to fill an ...

FINDING NEW TALENT STARTS WITH SMART HIRING PRACTICES by Mark Shlien Although the recession has resulted in layoffs, many insurance agencies are still hiring. However, changing job requir...

FINDING THE RIGHT CSR by William Vericker Where, and what, to look for hiring quality CSRs. When clients call, e-mail, or visit your agency, they count on someone to service their bus...

How to determine if your agency or brokerage has a true sales culture

Even though you might be able to show extensive evidence that your agency is highly productive, profitable, or well capitalized, how do you measure your “sales culture?”

FOCUSING ON TARGET MARKETS by Al Diamond 'Target marketing' became the buzz phrase of the '90s, yet successful agents were targeting markets for years before. Why? Because it work...