This checklist outlines the major factors an insurance agency and a producer should consider in negotiating an employment agreement. It should not be construed as a specimen contract or agreement but merely a guide for reaching a meeting of the minds over subjects important to both parties. If you are engaged in this kind of negotiation now, use this form to check off these considerations in the blocks provided, as they are agreed upon. Be sure to consult an attorney for assistance in drafting the legal language necessary to implement a formal contract.

CHECKLISTS PROTECT AGAINST ERRORS AND OMISSIONS by Grace Bauer I recently got to babysit my two nephews for four days. My sister gave me a long list of daily things to do as well as rules t...

CHOOSING AN ACCOUNTANT by Chris Burand The agency external accountant plays an integral part in every agency's operations. After reviewing many agencies financials, I've seen the unfortunate ...

Dear (Customer Name): One minute it's day care . . . the next minute, a counseling appointment . . . followed by a session in strategic public relations. You...

CLUSTER TIPS by Chris Burand Cluster contracts among individual agencies or groups of agencies (not necessarily the major cluster-type agency organizations) are almost alw...

COACHING SALESPEOPLE by Bob Ayrer All of the selling expertise and rah-rah sales rallies in the world dont mean a thing unless you can convert this knowledge into skill ...

Most agencies plan, measure and record the sale of new business, but very few take the time to really control the loss of business to the agency. It is the opinion of our firm that no agency really profits if business keeps coming in the front door and going out the back.

COMMISSIONS VS. CONTINGENCIES by Chris Burand Do independent agents serve the insurance company or the consumer? One of the most perplexing aspects of the con...

COMMONALITY BREEDS RELATIONSHIPS by Jack Burke We're more alike than we think. Relationships, whether face-to-face or cyber-distanced,...

COMMUNICATION BUILDS TRUST by Bill Cates Why we all need honest communication in our business and personal lives. In his book Just Be Honest, Steven Gaffney believes that withhold...