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'Nothing happens until somebody sells something.' Traditionally, in the independent insurance agency that 'somebody'...
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After an automated sales center is up and running, it's up to producers to act on the qualified leads that the sales center coordinator, assistant, and support staff have worked on.
Prospecting is an old term; replace it with "business development."
Business development requires a positive attitude, confidence, and discipline. The business development mind-set can be picked up by anyone who has a desire to step to the front line and just do what must be done. Commit to a business development plan of action, then organize and follow through.
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Roughly defined, disintermediation means removal of the middle man. Do a linear projection based on historical forces and you'll conclude that the disintermediation of the agent from the Personal lines process is inevitable. After all, when Warren Buffet, Conning & Company, banks, large insurance companies, and others agree on something, they must be correct, right?
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My E&O classes include discussion on claims frequency by line of business. When I bring up the issue of Life insurance, many folks have trouble identifying...
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It used to be the $1 million ceiling. That was the level of revenue at which an individual performing agent with a few helpers had to become a business with different people handling different clients and responsibilities. Everyone still worked for the agent, but the agent no longer made every decision.
However, running an agency as a business doesn't automatically result in growth and a high quality of professional service. By the time the agency reaches $2 million, it runs into another "invisible ceiling."
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It's one of the oldest jokes in the world: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? The answer: Practice!. The punch line is obvious; however, so...
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If you’re a Microsoft Office user who touch-types, you might prefer the keyboard to the mouse for entering commands. However, chances are you wind up using the mouse, because Windows and Office keyboard shortcuts are difficult to remember, and trying to find them is like searching for hidden goodies in a treasure hunt. Once found, though, shortcuts can be invaluable time-savers.
This isn’t a list of every shortcut in Windows and Office. We’ve concentrated on the most helpful and won’t delve into the shortcuts you probably know already, such as those that copy (Ctrl-C), cut (Ctrl-X), or paste (Ctrl-V) objects.
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PERSONAL PRESENTATION
One of the things that can irritate an already upset person is your personal presentation. If they feel that your grooming and dress are unprofessional or inappropriate, they're more likely to hassle you. Some areas of personal presentation, if not seen to, might have a negative influence on an upset person. Check to make sure that your:
Hair is clean, brushed or combed, and well kept.
Clothing is pressed, neat, clean, and in good repair.
Breath is fresh.
Hands and fingernails are clean, with no chipped polish.
Face is shaved, or mustache/beard is neatly trimmed.
Makeup is applied neatly, moderately, and appropriately.
Stockings are run-free.
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In addition to working in the business, more and more agency principals and managers are working on the business by focusing on technology and workflow improvements. The latest Future One agency survey confirms this trend ― 72% of the agents surveyed responded that core management issues for them are to make their internal operations more efficient and to use technology to conduct business with carriers more efficiently. Jeff Yates shows you how to improve agency workflows with technology.
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Dear Dave:
Our agency has hired a full-time Life producer to handle Personal Lines only. We believe we have enough accounts to justify that move. She tested well for personality and potential, but she is fairly new in the Life business. She is closing about one out of four presentations, which sounds fine for a relative beginner, since the closing average for all agents is about one out of three. But since she deals with many Mortgage policies and writes reducing Term policies at fairly low premiums, the bottom-line dollars are low. We need to create more cash flow. What can you suggest?