A JOINT VENTURE IN A SMALL TOWN by Ron Rensink The heated debate over bank activity in the insurance business has focused primarily on happenings in major metropolitan areas, where huge blocks of bu...

Here's a letter I received recently:
Dear Dave:
I am the manager of a four-person Life/Benefits department of a P/C agency. The agency is set up with profit centers such as Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, Surety, and Life/Benefits. Each profit center shares in the common overhead of the agency office supplies, salaries, etc.
I have no problem having my department pay for what it uses.

AGENCY LITIGATION SUPPORT PRIMER by Paul DiStefano At one time or another, many agents become involved in litigation surrounding the agency or its principals and will require the professio...

AGENCY MANAGEMENT 202 by Carol Hammes Often, its not money that motivates people as much as it is the environment. Few people will leave a job for additional compensation unless other...

AGENCY/BROKER PROFILING The agency profile tells the agency's story and presents the agency's expertise to prospects, clients, and companies. It's like a resume. If you're loo...

When a bank buys an insurance agency it's a marriage made in heaven. At least, it seems that way. On the agency side, principals have the opportunity to cash out at a time when values are declining. For those wanting to remain in the business, a bank offers a needed infusion of capital.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR by Chris Burand Many agency owners lament their staffs lack of a work ethic. Agency owners typically judge their employees work ethic against t...

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS: SURVIVING/THRIVING WITH A MERGER by Carol Hammes These guidelines will help you meet the challenges of merging your agency. Most industr...

'BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO ADVERTISE!' by Al Diamond Why on earth would agency principals pay a consu...

CHANGING ENVIRONMENT MAKES HIGH VALUED AGENCIES EASIER TO RECOGNIZE by Robert Smith Stories are starting to circulate around agency/brokerage meetings, 'Did you hear what the ABC or XYZ Age...