Agency Operations

In this article, agency consultant Chris Burand explores the myth of “bigger is better.” While, in general, growth is essential for agencies to retain markets and profitability, Chris demonstrates why…

Do you believe there has been an industry shift towards short-term profits at the expense of long-term stability and service? I am writing a book on the subject, and want…

An aggregator, according to our definition, is an entity that “clusters” distribution entities together to achieve economies of scale, without assuming the autonomy or ownership from the individual owners. Consolidators…

One or a few employees seem to be congenitally late. One or more of them are even valuable or essential employees but other tardy employees are just marginal. You want…

The key to the successful agencies, even in this market, is a positive mental attitude that begins with the owners and is reinforced with a vengeance on every employee of…

Motherhood, apple pie & partnering with carriers. We all agree that these things are inherently GOOD, but what does an agency partnering with its companies imply? What are the commitments…

The components of Planning remain the same, but the importance is now on the long term goals of the company more than on the tactical (annual) operational plan. If you…

Motivated people can be hired and the motivation can be squeezed right out of them depending on their treatment by the business managers and owners. Conversely, some unmotivated people with…

There are many agents who choose to worry about backlogs, but not attend to them until they become crises. These are the “firefighters” among us who are too busy to…

Understanding the five basic insurance agency personality types can help an agency principal or manager hire the right person and properly motivate existing personnel, thus achieving optimum performance. The five…