AUTO QUESTIONNAIRE by Jack Fries Have your producers use this questionnaire from Jack Fries to garner needed information from Auto prospects: AUTO INSURANCE QUESTIONN...

HOMEOWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE by Jack Fries Have your producers use this questionnaire from Jack Fries to garner needed information from Homeowners prospects: HOMEOWNERS I...

HOW NOT TO HATE PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS by Emily Huling Emily Huling explains that a properly executed performance evaluation can help both individuals and organizations improve. ...

LETS TALK ABOUT AGENCY PROCEDURES AGAIN by Grace Bauer We all have similar agency management concerns. Grace Bauer reminds you why we develop procedures and why we need to keep ...

THE HIGH COST OF EMPLOYEE TURNOVER by Don Phin Money has little to do with turnover. Most surveys have found that satisfied employees wont leave a job unless theyre offered a r...

$200,000 GROSS COMMISSION PER PRODUCER: DREAM OR REALITY? by Chris Burand Whats your agencys break-even point for producers? Does $200,000 sound high? Read this document b...

lsquo;TAKE THE KID OFF MY POLICIEShellip; WHAT SHOULD YOUR INSURANCE AGENCY DO? by Curtis Pearsall, CPCU Recently, a long-time agency associate contacted me; during our c...

I recently listened to an interview with Vic Conant of Nightingale-Conant talking about the shift in their program sales. During the 80s and 90s, such corporate names Tom Peters and Warren Bennis dominated program sales. However, since the early 2000s, there’s been a significant shift to programs for those want to become in charge of their own destiny. This “Brand You” trend has been going on for more than a decade, posing a significant exposure to today’s companies. As the workforce ages and changes, we’re going to have less available talent than ever. Given future economic uncertainty, more and more of the available talent will opt out to work for themselves.

Selling insurance isn't easy. Agency principals, producers, and staff can still reap rewards, but their ranks are thinning under pressure from lower premiums, reduced commissions, and greater demands from carriers and clients. Add to this the ever-increasing expense of technology.
The formula for a great insurance career used to be simple: 'Work hard for 20 years building the book of business, and the book will take care of you for the 20 years after that.' Not anymore.

10 RULES FOR FAMILY-RUN BUSINESSES by Catherine Oak Family businesses can be a blessing or a disaster. The root of a well-run family business depends on treating it like a business, not a...