Agency Intelligence

In this episode of Agents Influence podcast, host Jason Cass interviews Raution Jaiswal, CEO & Co-founder of InsuredMine. Raution discusses what fuels InsuredMine's growth and success, and explains why he believes they are the best all-in-one insurance CRM platform. Episode Highlights: Jason mentions that a lot of what the tech world in the insurance business is doing now is what Raution was doing since 2013. (4:02) Raution mentions that he has returned to using an iPhone after a long period of using Android. (4:37) Raution shares that he loves winning since he does not keep track of what he loses. (6:41) Raution explains that the idea for InsuredMine came to him when he was the Senior Director of M&A for CBRE in 2016-2017. (9:55) According to Raution, InsuredMine began by solving business problems and he did not originally envision creating a CRM. (17:05) Raution explains the two factors that set InsuredMine apart from other companies. (18:23) InsuredMine, according to Raution, is integrating A

In this episode of the Digital Insurance Pint Podcast, Tom, Jeff, Steve & Adam get down & dirty with Braden on what the future holds for the future of agent digitization and what Braden is doing to help agents achieve that goal. Braden’s been in insurance since he was 16 years old and an entrepreneur for most of his life. He’s owned & managed retail brokerages and now he’s growing a digital one (Nuera Insurance) while also developing the great Canadian BMS system under the cheeky (get it?) moniker of Nude Solutions. Braden talks about: How the customer experience at Nuera – powered by Nude solutions – can be significantly better than at traditional retail brokerages The lack of evolution in insurance and his frustration at the friction that exists in the industry The experience of younger staff who are used to operating digitally in their personal life The need for carrier APIs to enable a digital carrier experience The behavioral scoring & advanced front line underwriting tools available in Nude How cu

In this episode of the Agency Freedom Podcast, James talks with Jason Johnson and Katherine Jones from Coterie Insurance. Episode Highlights: Katherine discusses her role as Director of Communications for Coterie. (4:49) Katherine and Jason explain that Coterie is a managing general agency and that they do not want to be a direct to consumer company. (7:56) Jason explains his role as the Director of Agency Experience as well as his philosophy within the company. (10:50) Katherine and Jason share their experience of letting go of talented people in order to balance the financial stability of the company. (15:04) Jason shares about their new products and services that are about to come out, like the technology they call "Simply Bind". (21:42) Katherine shares how grateful they are to agents and brokers, and opens up about their company's podcast. (28:15) Jason explains that Coterie is helping agents by focusing on speed, simplicity, and finding new ways to make sure that agents are capitalizing on

In this solo episode of The Ryan Hanley Show, Ryan Hanley breaks down three things he's learned about growing a digital, commercial insurance agency after the first 120 days of Rogue Risk being part of the SIAA ecosystem. This is an episode for the ages...Don't miss it. Episode Highlights: Ryan opens the episode by sharing his feelings lately about being creative. (2:00) Ryan explains that he looks at everything as an obstacle, and how he surrounds himself with great people. (7:14) Ryan shares that he has been happy with SIAA, and there are so many things that they are doing. (12:52) Ryan shares why they are currently getting from Hubspot from an insurance perspective. (17:43) Ryan shares that they are now in the process of transferring from Hubspot to using Nexsure. (25:58) Ryan explains that the vision and process for Rouge is on the right path. (29:34) Ryan shares that the biggest issue they always had was not having enough producers to do all the business. (35:12) Ryan shares how important

In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Monica Adwani, host of TranscendwithM podcast, and Managing Partner of Savvital. Monica helps insurance agents with their day to day tasks with finding and locating Virtual Professionals. They take an 8 week training program and another 6 weeks with training to make sure the VP and the agency are ready to add a virtual professional to their team. Episode Highlights: Monica discusses the TranscendwithM podcast and its goals. (3:11) Monica explains that everything she created with Troy Thompson, including the training for the VAs, is based on their experiences and the way they do business now. (13:45) Monica discusses their eight-week internal program that nourishes insurance knowledge into their Virtual Professionals. (17:45) Monica discusses the importance of having realistic expectations. (20:27) Monica mentions the fact that they hire people specifically to solve problems. (22:29) Monica explains the reason why they refe

In this solo episode of Agency Freedom Podcast, James talks about the possible benefits of being a producer instead of an agency principal. For many people, the producer career track may yield greater happiness, satisfaction, and personal wealth than the agency principal track. Episode Highlights: James explains that for some, depending on one's goal, and how they are wired to be in the industry, being a producer is better than an agency principal. (0:53) James shares that some benefits of being a producer are that there is no overhead and you are not paying any payroll because all you have is revenue. (02:53) James explains that as a producer, you don't worry about vendors, tech stack, and administrative things. (03:33) James shares why being a producer simply means having no distractions. (04:13) James shares that, as a producer, you can increase your personal revenue with ease and your proximity to your client is a huge advantage. (05:15) James shares that another advantage of being a producer

In this episode of Agents Influence podcast, host Jason Cass sits down with Heath Shearon, Sales Coach at Agency Performance Partners. Jason and Heath discuss the secrets of closing a sale, not just for new insurance agents but also for those who have transitioned from personal to commercial lines. Episode Highlights: Heath discusses how his commercial course is jam-packed with information ranging from prospecting to closing deals to building niches. (5:13) Jason shares that the number one secret he has discovered to be true is that no matter how good a salesperson you are, if you are a better prospector, you will make it. (7:14) Heath believes that since he is fearless, he is good at prospecting and cold calling. (8:27) Jason shares how he came to the realization that nearly everything the more experienced people in the insurance industry had told him was true. (13:17) Heath explains why finding a niche is still important despite being overused. (14:08) Heath discusses a time when he started taki

he Digital Insurance Pint Podcast is pleased to announce that they have completed a hostile takeover of The Insurance Podcast. “The combination of these two entities will form an unrivaled podcasting empire in the Canadian insurance space” said co-host Adam Mitchell. “There can be only one”, agreed co-host Tom Reid. The deal was led by co-hosts Steve Earle and Jeff Roy. They have identified some significant synergies and economies of scale in the deal. As a result, Pete Tessier has been released from his role with immediate effect. “$#^$! you guys” said Pete. With this acquisition, DIPP will now control 90% of the Canadian insurance podcasting market either directly, or indirectly, through its network of affiliates. The company has agreed to abide by anti-monopoly laws and will not raise its prices for at least a few days. This deal is subject to regulatory approval, but is expected to pass easily because no one really cares about it. More detail can be found in the attached video, where we also cover: How s

In this episode of Cease & Desist podcast, Sean, Andy & Ryan welcome Chris Langille to the Cease & Desist Podcast! Chris is the founder of Advisor Evolved and has the inside scoop on web development. Want to know just how common an ugly website is in the insurance space... Make sure you give this episode a listen.

In this episode of Agency Freedom Podcast, James talks with Erik Garcia, Certified Financial Planner and Investment Advisor with New Century Financial Group and the Founder of Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors. He is co-owner of Garcia Insurance Services in New Orleans. And, he is the co-host of the podcast Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You In School. Episode Highlights: Erik discusses what made him decide to enter the insurance industry. (11:16) Erik explains that there is a difference between gaining cash flow and business growth. (17:37) Erik tells business owners that they need to build their business as though they're going to sell it. (23:02) Erik shares that the thing that drives him most crazy in the industry is contracts and the process of getting them. (29:51) Erik discusses the captive agency he was with and the underwriting guidelines that had to be arranged when Katrina hit. (37:36) Erik debunks the myth that because you own a business, you have attained freedom. (40:47) Erik talks

Delivering bad news to current clients is an art. So is uncovering bad news from your prospects. In fact, the best and most wealthy insurance agents out there are typically the ones best at advising their current clients on industry trends, and uncovering pains/problems with their competition.  In this episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host Charles Specht will explain how to do this for better client retention and for winning more signed Broker of Record Letters from your prospects. Episode Highlights: Charles explains that giving bad news and uncovering bad news are critical aspects of building a $1 million or more book business since it all comes down to winning and retaining clients. (3:30) Charles discusses why delivering bad news to current clients is challenging. (9:21) Charles explains the three most important strategies for maintaining a strong and loyal relationship with current clients and how to deliver bad news and get good results. (11:39) Charles mentions that insura

In this throwback episode of Power Women in Insurance Podcast, Teresa talks to Nancy Huff Nicklow, the president and owner of Huff Insurance in Pasadena Maryland. She started in the insurance industry at 14 years old when she worked for her father filling and doing claims.  Nancy took over the insurance agency at age 35, right after her father passed away. She shares the challenges she went through during that period and the changes she had to make to grow the agency. Listen in to learn how Nancy together with her husband has grown Huff Insurance massively by incorporating the right technological and digital marketing strategies. You will also learn the hiring strategy that she uses in hiring the right person for the team. Top Takeaways: Taking over an old insurance agency and changing how things work. Understanding how technology works in growing an insurance business. How to deal with change resistance among the staff members. How to connect with clients through the use of extensive videos.  Finding t

In this episode of Agents Influence podcast, host Jason Cass interviews Peter MacDonald, Co-Founder & CEO of Wunderite. Peter discusses how Wunderites simplifies the process of submitting insurance applications, supplementals, and accords for both insurance brokers and their customers. Episode Highlights: Peter mentions that he will speak about sales automation at the Agents Leadership conference in Niagara Falls in September. (6:59) Peter explains that Wunderite's main function is to simplify insurance applications, supplementals, and accords. (9:12) Peter mentions that Wunderite’s goal is to make data collecting simple and straightforward so that insurance agents could win transactions, earn a lot of money, and have a great career. (13:00) Peter recalls meeting his Co-Founder, Joe, on the first day of their business class in Boston in 2017. (15:22) Peter expresses his gratitude for the remarkable things Jason Cass has done for the industry. (21:00) Jason explains why insurance is the best indust

In this episode of the Digital Insurance Pint Podcast, Ben Isotta-Riches – EVP & MD of strategic partnership at Aviva Canada, continues our Brit Invasion theme, raises money through Movember; likes Alanis Morisette, and speaks the queen’s English. Instrumental in setting up the Aviva Digital Garage helping brokers digitize, engineering, API’s and holding events like hackathons spawning such ideas as Catalyst, the ability to quote, bind, and issue a commercial policy in 12 questions (later becoming Aviva Ally). The Garage also brought leading digital brokers together from across the country in various forums to share and challenge the status quo. Episode 7 opens the “garage door” and the crew (Jeff Roy, Steve Earle, Adam Mitchell, Tom Reid) discuss: Top leadership change at Aviva and if the new Global CEO will change things for brokers Learning from the digital garage and will it re-open? Acceleration of digitization due to Covid How connectivity, standards, and DX fit into Aviva’s plans and what can we ex

In this episode of Agency Freedom Podcast, James talks with Troy Smith, Retired Detective and Hostage Negotiator with the San Antonio Police Department. Troy is now with the Black Swan Group. Episode Highlights: Troy shares his background story and how he ended up joining the San Antonio Police Department as an officer and later as a hostage negotiator. (5:19) Troy discusses what led him to the Black Swan Group where hostage negotiation skills are applied in a business environment. (6:28) Troy shares the story of a powerful moment when he gave his badge to a young boy with terminal cancer who wanted to be in law enforcement one day. (9:06) Troy explains his day-to-day setup as a Black Swan coach and facilitator. (19:40) Troy shares that the foundation skills as part of the training are labeling, mirroring, and dynamic silence. (22:57) Troy shares how to use dynamic silence as a way to stay in the conversation and continue to get the information that you need. (29:54) Troy explains that if you ar

Darrin Schenck, VP of Sales and Marketing for TriageNow joins the podcast for a deep dive into nurse triage services. We learn what nurse triage services are, how they work, and why nurse triage is a necessary value-added service for all commercial independent insurance agents. Episode Highlights: Darrin mentions he's been with TriageNow since day one and has witnessed the company grow from an idea written on the back of a napkin to one of the top providers of telephonic nurse triage services in the nation. (5:56) Darrin explains that telephonic nurse triage services bridge the gap between businesses that can afford to have a doctor or nurse on-site and those that must send everyone to the clinic down the street. (7:14) Ryan shares that they utilize TriageNow for a few of their clients and that it was recommended to them by the Workers Comp Renegade, Mike McDonough. (9:10) Darrin explains how TriageNow functions when someone is injured. (14:12) Darrin believes that their total client base, regardles

Writing small accounts may help you pay the bills, but, you'll never achieve wealth writing small accounts. In today’s throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host Charles Specht teaches you how to determine what size account you should prospect and how to be more successful at building a Book of Business. Writing small accounts may help you pay the bills but, you'll never achieve wealth writing small accounts. Episode Highlights: Charles shares a story about his conversation with an insurance agent, who has been very successful over the last 5 years getting lots of new clients. (2:06) Charles explains why producers should stop going after small accounts. (5:26) Charles mentions what the agency principle should not allow their producers to do. (12:53) Charles shares what could happen if you allow your producers to go after small accounts. (13:44) Charles teaches you how to set prospecting goals with your producers. (14:34) Charles explains what could happen if producers go

Meet Jennifer Klages, a woman who has been in the insurance industry for 28 years and owns an independent agency in Chandler, Arizona. She started in the industry at 18 years right out of high school with an answering phone job and never left.  In this throwback episode of Power Women in Insurance Podcast, Jennifer describes her journey from answering phone calls to an agency owner. She shares how she juggled being a present mother and running a successful insurance agency. Listen in to learn the methods that Jennifer uses to build lasting relationships with her clients and people in the insurance industry. You will also learn how you can start connecting with close communities on Facebook as a part of growing your business. “If you’re being very intentional about the clients you want to write, they will then become your little team of referrals.”- Jennifer Klages  Top Takeaways: Finding a family with the IOA relationships. How to cultivate authentic relationships with the right clients for massive busines

In this episode of Agency Intelligence podcast, host Jason Cass interviews Billy Wagner, Author of Business Masterclass: What Would It Look Like if It Were Easy, and Multi-Unit Owner at Brightway Insurance. Billy discusses his new book which includes tips on how to find and employ a world-class, profit-producing team member, as well as why autonomy is important in any business. Episode Highlights: Billy discusses the thought process of writing his book: Business Masterclass: What Would It Look Like if It Were Easy (4:35)  Billy explains why he talked about autonomy during Brainshare and why it is so important to him. (7:43) Billy mentions that one of the interesting things he's been doing is owning his mornings by listening to audible podcasts, walking and exercising with his dog, and then working on his top priority. (10:30) Billy explains why people must ensure that their email address is not shown on their website. (12:58) Billy explains the significance of analyzing where you spend your time and

In this episode of the Digital Insurance Pint Podcast, Dave Lechasseur and Julian Stillitano from The Croo Group (Croo.io) join us on this podcast. A crew, in breakdance folklore, is a collective of b-boys and b-girls. In this episode, Dave and Julian throw it down as their company, croo.io, is cyphering the insurance industry and keeping things fresh, popping and locking with their nifty communication product. A crew, in breakdance folklore, is a collective of b-boys and b-girls. In this episode, Dave and Julian throw it down as their company, croo.io, is cyphering the insurance industry and keeping things fresh, popping and locking with their nifty communication product. Croo is redefining custom communication with their kick-ass managed cloud phone system, designed for insurance brokers at a great price and backed with fantastic service from real people who care. Their phone system is easy to implement, cheaper than many of the VOIP phone competitors, scales well is feature-rich, and has API integrations w