Agency Intelligence

If we could predict how the stock market performs, we'd be retired! The only thing CERTAIN right now is UNCERTAINITY. But is this uncertainty, new? War, presidential elections, inflation, oil, & ongoing recession talk have us all feeling a bit, well, yucky!  In this episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA sits down with Michael Laughlin, CFA, FRM, Head of Portfolio Specialist Team at Morningstar to discuss some key ingredients to building long-term-investment portfolios. You will be surprised to learn one key ingredient is humility. Episode Highlights: Michael discusses his role as a translator and liaison for the investment team which is helping clients understand market environments and build intentional portfolios to manage risk. (3:21) Michael mentions that investing is a slow but effective way to build wealth, especially through the power of compounding and sticking to a long-term plan. (5:45) Michael explains that trying to time the markets is not recommended, as studies

In this episode, James talks with Scott Knowles, Co-Founder of Loss Scan. To learn more about Loss Scan, visit https://lossscan.com/. Visit our website to join our email list, get the scoop on our LIVE coaching calls and never miss an episode: https://www.agencyfreedom.com Connect with Agency Freedom Podcast on Facebook at the Agency Freedom Podcast group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@agencyfreedom.com with ideas, questions, complaints or your favorite grilling recipe. Episode Highlights: Scott mentions that he has been in sales for a long time, starting with a food broker and then transitioning to insurance. (3:13) Scott shares his experience with a potential acquisition and the cautious approach he took in sharing information with a direct competitor. (9:57) Scott discusses his decision to start a new business venture in the insurance industry called Loss Scan, which aims to solve the problem of extracting data from loss runs accurately using an algorithm. (15:56)

Find what works, and do more of that. Find what doesn't work, and stop doing that. In many cases, operating an insurance agency can be that simple. Ryan Hanley, Founder and President at Rogue Risk and the creator of the Finding Peak Podcast, joins the show to discuss success, personal growth, and setting aside blinders that could be holding your agency back. Enjoy the episode! Episode Links: Ellerbrock-Norris: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/ Ellerbrock-Norris Wealth Strategies: https://www.ellerbrock-norris-ws.com/ Rogue Risk: https://www.roguerisk.com/ Finding Peak: https://ryanhanley.com/ LAUNCH: https://getlaunch.io/ Elliot Bassett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/ Ryan Brott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-brott-cepa%C2%AE-77a278a/ Ryan Hanley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhanley/ This episode is sponsored by LAUNCH. In the world of insurance, independent agencies fight to survive. Brokers are forced to compete by blocking markets and bid for the lowest price. Wor

In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens is joined by Austin Moorhead, Founder of Lava Automation. Austin and Teresa talk about how automation can help the agency of the future. Episode Highlights: Austin shares his insurance background and how he transitioned to automation technology. (1:37) Austin mentions that Lava Automation has successfully assisted numerous agencies in getting their CRM up and running in just a few months, compared to the longer timeframe it used to take in the past. (4:12)   Austin discusses the importance of CRM tools for agency owners in managing lead data and staying accountable. (7:26)  Austin explains that the CRM automation and features save approximately 2.3 weeks of monthly work per person, allowing for more follow-ups and time savings. (14:18) Austin mentions that creating regular accountability meetings and maintaining clean data in business software is crucial for success. (20:09) Austin discusses the different attitudes towards automation be

In this episode of 10 Rules of Business, recorded live from IndieTech 2023, venture into the world of data-driven insurance with Thomas Berry, Director of Sales at Trufla. Thomas sheds light on Canada's unique data standardization, the pivotal role of SEO in organic traffic, and the innovative use of AI in blog content creation. A must-listen for those curious about how tech is changing the insurance world!

In this throwback episode of Agents Influence podcast, host Jason Cass interviews Travis Parry, Ph.D., Balance Coach and Bestselling Author of Achieving Balance. Travis shares why we need to shift our focus from perfection to becoming perfected and shares how you can achieve balance in your career and life.  Episode Highlights: Jason started his show by discussing what balance is. (1:20) Travis shares that he is an iPhone user. (4:22) Travis says that the last application he downloaded was Pos Bean. (4:33)  Travis answers the question of whether he loves to win or he hates to lose. (5:34) Travis chooses luck over skill as the bigger factor in his career. (6:34) Travis shares his background story, how he started, and where he is at this point. (7:34)  Travis talks about his father and his achievements. (12:13)  Travis shares the reason that made him write his book, Achieving Balance. (18:03)  Travis shares what we can do to achieve more balance in our life. (25:54)  Travis explains the diffe

In this episode, James talks with Georgi Nenov. Visit our website to join our email list, get the scoop on our LIVE coaching calls and never miss an episode: https://www.agencyfreedom.com Connect with Agency Freedom Podcast on Facebook at the Agency Freedom Podcast group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@agencyfreedom.com with ideas, questions, complaints or your favorite grilling recipe. Episode Highlights: Georgi shares his journey of coming to America, starting with a student visa and working various jobs, eventually finding love, pursuing education, and becoming a proud American citizen. (5:12) Georgi discusses the importance of focusing on the positive and providing excellent service in the hospitality industry, including getting to know customers and personalizing their experience. (15:09) Georgi mentions that the key to successful sales is to focus on creating a great experience for the customer, rather than simply selling them a product or service. (23:41) Geo

If you're like most insurance agents out there, you're not getting the new business commission results you know you're capable of. You're either not prospecting enough, prospecting inefficiently, not setting enough appointments, not sure how to transition to asking for the signed Broker of Record Letter, or how to close the business if you go through a quoting process. Usually, this boils down to doing things over and over and over again that do not work or do not get a high enough ROI.  In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host Charles Specht will talk about how you should Pivot, what to Pivot to/from, and how to determine if the Pivot you make will be profitable or not for you or your agency. Episode Highlights: Charles explains that a common issue that people have is that they can't stop doing one thing and start doing something else. (4:53) Charles shares that pivoting starts at the very beginning of the building process. (7:02) Charles talks about his experience

Sean Brooks, Divisional Manager at Buckingham Strategic Partners, joins hosts Elliot Bassett and Ryan Brott to discuss how to go from a transactional-based business model to an agency based around client experience. An experience is something you see or feel – where service is just background work.  Listen in to learn how to showcase your value and reduce friction for your clients. Enjoy the episode! Episode Links: Ellerbrock-Norris: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/ Ellerbrock-Norris Wealth Strategies: https://www.ellerbrock-norris-ws.com/ Buckingham Strategic Partners: https://buckinghamstrategicpartners.com/ LAUNCH: https://getlaunch.io/ Elliot Bassett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/ Ryan Brott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-brott-cepa%C2%AE-77a278a/ Sean Brooks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-brooks-aif%C2%AE-76482621/ This episode is sponsored by LAUNCH. In the world of insurance, independent agencies fight to survive. Brokers are forced to compete by blocking m

In this episode of The MVP Podcast, recorded live from IndieTech 2023, Mitch Gibson sits down with Steve Mohr, Founder of Insurance Industry Index. Steve discusses the future of the insurance industry, the significance of integrating technologies, the importance of perpetual learning, and the mantra of 'trusting the journey.  Resources Mentioned: Steven Mohr Insurance Industry Index Reach out to Mitch Gibson

In this episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Megan Thomas, Founder of Social Coverage Collective. Megan and Teresa talk about social media and how to get started. Resources Mentioned: Megan Thomas LinkedIn Social Coverage Collective Contact Teresa Kitchens Sterling Insurance Group

Bánh Mìs and Daiquiris have nothing to do with money. But what better way to celebrate achieving a financial milestone than with a bang bang shrimp Bánh Mì (Vietnamese po-boy) and a crawgator Daiquiri? In this episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA celebrates with Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC as he recently achieved a financial goal that took self-discipline and a lot of delayed gratification. And driving around an old 2008 Honda! Episode Highlights: Xavier discusses his recent financial experiences, including unexpected debt incurred from traveling to help his daughter move to DC, and the challenges with his current car, including the AC breaking down. (4:28) Xavier shares that he set a goal that if he was able to pay off his debt by October 1st, he would get a new car. (7:47) Erik discusses the importance of celebrating milestones along the financial journey, even if it temporarily sets back the ultimate goal. (13:44) Xavier shares how they successfully retrained themselv

Listen in for an exclusive sneak peek inside one of our Agency Intelligence Mastermind meetings featuring insights from special guest, Andy Neary.  This guy gets insurance agents, and he brings a new perspective to the things that we do. Not to mention he is a professional athlete and you know how athletes dominate insurance.

In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host Charles Specht teaches you how to determine what type of business you should target for prospecting. In other words, Charles will teach you the step-by-step process he takes his 1-on-1 coaching clients through to determine their own most profitable micro-niche focus. This is the topic Charles gets asked about most, which is why he gets very detailed in the process of it in this episode. Episode Highlights: Charles explains the difference between a niche and a micro-niche. (1:48) Charles shares that if you do not know what you are targeting, then everything is a target. (5:00) Charles explains that you can be passionate about other things, but it does not necessarily have to be your micro-niche. (7:30) Charles shares that micro-niching means you are focusing only on a specific area of a niche and not different areas. (11:16) Charles explains that it is important to consider your geographic territory when creating a micro-ni

In this episode, James talks with Mike Fusco, CEO of Fusco & Orsini Insurance Services. To learn more about Fusco & Orsini Insurance Services, visit https://foagency.com/. Visit our website to join our email list, get the scoop on our LIVE coaching calls and never miss an episode: https://www.agencyfreedom.com Connect with Agency Freedom Podcast on Facebook at the Agency Freedom Podcast group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@agencyfreedom.com with ideas, questions, complaints or your favorite grilling recipe. Episode Highlights: Mike mentions that he learned valuable lessons in efficiency and multitasking in the general business world from working in a call center to managing a team of agents and starting his agency. (6:57) Mike shares his experience working at an independent agency with no structure, where they had to create their opportunities and eventually manage a challenging sales team. (14:54) Mike believes in constantly pushing for improvement and not settling

In this throwback episode of Power Women In Insurance, Teresa Kitchens sits down with Kelly Mora, owner of Heritage Insurance Agency. They discuss how to create a culture of caring and how in Kelly’s agriculture-based agency, her team cares and builds community. Episode Highlights:  Kelly mentions she comes from a hospitality background and considers herself to be more of a creative thinker than a technical thinker. (04:30) Kelly emphasizes that they want to have control over who they associate with, not just within their agency but also with the clients they serve. (10:37) Kelly believes that when you're happy and feeling fulfilled by your day, you owe it to your community and that you're incredibly privileged to serve the people you do. (12:10) Kelly shares that metrics are hard and that's something they're working on currently to help them fill out their analytics a little more. (16:53) As leaders of their organization, Kelly mentions that their role is to help people achieve their goals. (17:52)

How do you light a fire and empower your team? Brett Young joins Elliot Bassett to share how their Leadership Summit is driving their team forward. Internal events cost time, money, planning and the ROI is apparent right away. But regular events for your teams are about belief. You're inspiring your team, bringing transparency and, more than anything, helping your team believe in your mission. Enjoy the episode! Episode Links: Ellerbrock-Norris: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com/ Ellerbrock-Norris Wealth Strategies: https://www.ellerbrock-norris-ws.com/ Erb and Young: https://www.erbandyounginsurance.com/ LAUNCH: https://getlaunch.io/ Elliot Bassett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliot-bassett-aip-cpcu-84499515/ Ryan Brott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-brott-cepa%C2%AE-77a278a/ Brett Young: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettins/ This episode is sponsored by LAUNCH. In the world of insurance, independent agencies fight to survive. Brokers are forced to compete by blocking markets and bid for the lowest

In this special episode, get an inside listen to the opening of IndieTech 2023 where Jason Cass & Mitch Gibson lay out the cause and vision for IndieTech, which focuses on independent agents and the technology that empowers them to profit.

In this episode, James talks with Cyrus Jaffery, Founder of Quotamation. To learn more about Quotamation, visit https://quotamation.com/. Visit our website to join our email list, get the scoop on our LIVE coaching calls and never miss an episode: https://www.agencyfreedom.com Connect with Agency Freedom Podcast on Facebook at the Agency Freedom Podcast group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom Email us at podcast@agencyfreedom.com with ideas, questions, complaints or your favorite grilling recipe. Episode Highlights: Cyrus shares his experiences growing up as a refugee from Afghanistan and finding his place in America. (3:03) Cyrus mentions that to succeed in the independent world, people must learn to sell value because this will lead to success in the independent channel. (12:32) Cyrus discusses his decision to leave State Farm and build a legacy as an independent agent. (21:25) Cyrus discusses the four verticals of Quotamation which include Jafri Insurance, CJ Insurance Group, Real Est

In this episode of Agency Intelligence podcast, host Jason Cass interviews Zach Simmonds, Account Executive at Eber & Associates Insurance Services. Zach talks about his career as a new agent and his niche in the insurance industry. Episode Highlights: Zach shares his background. (5:14) What has attributed to Zach’s success, skill or luck? (10:03) Zach shares some of the strategies he uses to be successful. (13:52) Zach mentions his biggest learning curve. (18:28) Does Zach have any niches? (21:05) Zach shares the full package, plus work comp that they offer. (22:43) Zach shares his thoughts about having the right relationship. (35:12) Zach mentions what he’s currently doing in the agency. (39:26) Key Quotes: “I think in this industry, any sales position, you have to be willing to just kind of throw yourself in the fire.” - Zach Simmonds “I think people genuinely, for the most part, do want to help younger people in their career. When you show that you're willing to put the work in, I thi