https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/2417/How-To-Build-Your-Personal-Lines-Book-Part-II/
.... KEEP AN EYE ON CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTERS
Several major companies have opened centers to offer such service support as cla...o says that insurers have opened the centers because the agency/company interf...
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/563/Agency-Automation-In-The-21St-Century/
...ugh the agency because of Service Centers and direct client reporting, agency ...vendors and even the carrier Service Centers are steps in the right direction....
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/510/Use-Online-Tools-To-Enhance-Customer-Loyalty/
... It’s nice to see you once again shopping on our Web site. How did the stereo ...ty inventory. Let’s say that you’re shopping for a car online, and have a 'Typ...
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/1679/AGENCIES-AND-BROKERAGES-OF-THE-FUTURE/
...ovide the equivalent of one-stop shopping. Lines will include Personal, Commer...more prospects in those areas. Sales centers and telemarketing will also be mu...
https://completemarkets.com/company/CompleteMarkets/Articles/content-package/IMMS-Library/TabCategory/article-post/161/Best-Practices-Of-Financial-Management/
... is usually a member of the senior management team, involved in virtually every strategic decision made in the agency, and ideally has the skills needed to respond to the new challenges. In small and mid-size agencies, this role is likely to be filled by an accountant or bookkeeper, with the senior principal taking a more active role in addressing many of the issues that a CFO would in a larger shop. What role does your financial manager play in the management of your agency? How would you answer the following questions: Are you getting the highest possible return from your investment in producers and staff? Do you clearly know which departments or products are profitable (and which aren't)? Is your budget truly an effective management tool? Are you maximizing your agency's investment income? Is your accounting ... manager may have responsibility for the accounting, automation, and/or administration departments, but his role has expanded significantly. With the amount and speed of change occurring and the significant pressure on profit margins, the financial manager is having to do much more than ever in the past. In the past, financial managers tracked the agency's overall performance. Today, operating performance is needed on every profit center, department, book of business, and producer. Decisions are made every day on marketing strategies, producer compensation, staffing, and so on. Consequently, detailed and accurate information is required on every aspect of the operation. With the pressure on profit margins, an agency must effectively manage revenues and expenses. As a result, the financial manager is not just tracking receivables, investment income ...
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/865/How-To-Power-Up-Your-Business/
... of the list. Dunkin' Donuts products are popular because the company has made them enjoyable. Without question, the donut, a product that historically borne the label of sinker' because it was heavy, ' has been made light, airy, and even healthier by having fun with it. People flock to fun! This may be one reason why there are traffic jams around Dunkin' Donut shops between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. every day. Fun is serious business. With annual sales pushing toward the $100 million mark, Gerald Elovitz, a.k.a. Jerry Ellis, has created a highly profitable business out of insurance salvage by selling good stuff cheap. For more than a decade, New Englanders searching for a bargain have flocked to his Building #19 stores (the ... time and resources and de-energizes the people who must make something happen. In other words, don't become beguiled by anyone offering a quick fix. 2. Look sharp! Throw off the old image. Old-timers are fond of saying, If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Although this may be good advice most of the time, there are occasions when new makes a positive difference. A copy center increased its copying business by 30% during the slowest time of the year. When the results were analyzed, only one change occurred during the period: The increased business came after a new copier was installed! During difficult times, companies tend to ignore what is often viewed as nothing more than frosting on the cake, ' such as a new logo, new communications materials, new marketing ...
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/948/EXTERNAL-GROWTH-WITH-SUCCESSFUL-ACQUISITIONS/
... in which there's not enough volume to support both producers, but there is enough to fund a buyout of the older one. To expand a niche agency's market beyond its immediate geographic region by buying another agency as a branch office. To reduce a niche agency's vulnerability to a single market by buying an operation with another specialty. For example, an agency specializing in Attorneys Legal Liability might acquire a shop that sells and services Accountants Professional Liability. To nullify the competition. In smaller communities there might only be enough business to support one medium-sized independent agency. If two smaller operations are spending most of their time trading the existing accounts, it might make sense to explore a business combination — unless, of course, there has been too much bad blood spilled during the years of heated competition. ... they had originally planned. Merger and acquisition activity has been heating up in recent years, with current estimates indicating that 10 or 12 business combinations are being consummated every day. Whether you're actively looking for them or not, chances are that potential deals have been or will be presented to you shortly. Be prepared! An acquisition might be just the catalyst your agency needs to get off of dead center — or it could literally drive you into the ground. The temptation to seize upon an opportunity before the competition gets the chance to steal it away from you can be overwhelming. Many ill-fated business combinations have been made defensively. YOUR ACTION PLAN Because of the need to act quickly when an opportunity arises, it's important to have an action plan that will force you to assess the situation rationally ...
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/161/Best-Practices-Of-Financial-Management/
... is usually a member of the senior management team, involved in virtually every strategic decision made in the agency, and ideally has the skills needed to respond to the new challenges. In small and mid-size agencies, this role is likely to be filled by an accountant or bookkeeper, with the senior principal taking a more active role in addressing many of the issues that a CFO would in a larger shop. What role does your financial manager play in the management of your agency? How would you answer the following questions: Are you getting the highest possible return from your investment in producers and staff? Do you clearly know which departments or products are profitable (and which aren't)? Is your budget truly an effective management tool? Are you maximizing your agency's investment income? Is your accounting ... manager may have responsibility for the accounting, automation, and/or administration departments, but his role has expanded significantly. With the amount and speed of change occurring and the significant pressure on profit margins, the financial manager is having to do much more than ever in the past. In the past, financial managers tracked the agency's overall performance. Today, operating performance is needed on every profit center, department, book of business, and producer. Decisions are made every day on marketing strategies, producer compensation, staffing, and so on. Consequently, detailed and accurate information is required on every aspect of the operation. With the pressure on profit margins, an agency must effectively manage revenues and expenses. As a result, the financial manager is not just tracking receivables, investment income ...
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/907/E-Marketing-Strategies-That-Are-More-Bricks-Than-Clicks/
.... Dealerships will become service centers.
Travel agencies and per...
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/710/Get-Customers-To-Toot-Your-Horn-And-Build-Your-Bottom-Line/
... Egberto Willies, owner of Willies' Insurance Center, has increased sales 30% by adding the testimonials of clients and companies to his Web pages, direct mailings, and brochures. Because he sells insurance to programmers, he scours his database for high-profile decision makers. If a corporate executive compliments your company directly, ask to include the firm's logo on your marketing materials. PLAY UP THE BENEFITS Prospects shop with their gut. Often, before making a purchase, they'll look for information that justifies their premeditated decisions. That's why testimonials work: They confirm to prospects that your company is a wise choice. To help reduce the apprehensions of first-time buyers, use positive recommendations that highlight the unique advantages of your product or service. "Your testimonial can't just say, ‘Great service! ... the perfect spokesperson from among your satisfied respondents, include enough room on the form for the client's full name (avoid using initials), address, job title, background, and other credentials. Better yet, if someone of high esteem has sent you a positive letter, include a copy of the whole letter in your press kit. For instance, Egberto Willies, owner of Willies' Insurance Center, has increased sales 30% by adding the testimonials of clients and companies to his Web pages, direct mailings, and brochures. Because he sells insurance to programmers, he scours his database for high-profile decision makers. If a corporate executive compliments your company directly, ask to include the firm's logo on your marketing materials. PLAY UP THE BENEFITS Prospects shop with their gut. Often, before ...