The best part is that it doesn't really need to be more complicated than that.
The answers aren't the point, just increasing the consistency in which you confront them is.
That's why I thought it might be fun to mix it up today and just help ask a few questions you might forget to ask yourself.
Because in order for your agency to grow beyond what you're capable of, other people need some permanent motivation.
That motivation usually comes in the form of "ownership" and is never easily volunteered.
However, if/when it is will finally be the time you can focus on the core things you're good and grow the agency.
That's what I talk to my longtime friend Carlos Vargas, of Vargas and Vargas Insurance, about how much freed he got for part of this ownership.
Once you know that, then you know the game that you'll need to play to get them.
Not only will you need to know that, but you'll also need to know where to play it.
if you're always focused on that ideal client give you more room to work with everything else that falls short.
That's what I talk to Jared Bellmund, of Carolina Living Insurance, about as he lays out a few of his and what he needs to get them.
P.S. This is a good place to learn how to play a bigger game.
Just because you say you have a niche doesn't mean all your insurance troubles decide to go elsewhere.
In fact, it actually just enhances them and exposes all the glaring weakness currently present in your operation.
The change will be anything but sudden, however, if committed to can have the potential to change your insurance game forever.
That's what I talk to Landon Bentham, of Callahan and Rice Insurance, about as he tries to figure out his.
P.S. We talk about a lot about niches and solving problems here.
At least that's what the new wave a talent entering the industries is looking for.
The agencies that invest time before graduation are the ones attracting the best and brights new insurance minds.
Risk management and insurance majors are popping up all over the country, proving us a brand new way to find and develop young talent.
That's what I talk to Dr. Jill Bisco, Professor at The University of Akron, about how her program is changing the industry.
P.S. Elevate 2019 is also a great way to know and love insurance, you should come.
At least that should be the goal if you want to maximize the speed, accuracy, and attention enjoyed be the best of the best.
It's also a relationship that shouldn't be taken advantage of and treated with respect.
Because you never know when they might save you from a potential E&O claim.
That's what I talk with Josh Witt, of The Insurance Group, as he outlines his relationship-building secrets.
P.S. There's 99% chance that a great relationship is already waiting for you here.
If you're worried about getting stuck where you're at these clients will also make sure that doesn't happen.
Because the level of appreciation they develop for you and your agency even before talking to is overwhelming.
The better question is how many do you want to find and what do you want to sell.
The answer to the questions will go a long way to determine how fast you can get somewhere else.
That's what I talk to Avery Moore, of ECI Insurance, about how those lifetime clients are finding her.
P.S. You can easily find your way to purchasing a ticket to Elevate 19 right here.
The other crazy thing is that you can't buy your way to having a great culture.
It's something that instead needs to be filled with a deeper purpose that's truly motivating.
It's the purpose that provides a solid foundation for your culture to be built on.
That the one thing Grant Botam, of Stewardship Insurance, credits as dramatically changing his agency.
You want to hear Grant break down step-by-step how to build that culture in your agency: Register to Attend Elevate 2019 right now.
P.S. Seriously, this your chance to set your agency's culture on fire.
Who wouldn't want to blame the current state of their agency on the features of their tools and services?
Maybe instead, taking an extra long look at what's in front of you and how it might make the long run easier.
The hardest thing to do always waiting for more is voting with your wallet.
That's what I talk to Bogus Handzel, of Handzel and Associates, about what makes his life easier.
You never know what pleasant surprises you'll find when you start shaking the way you do things up.
That's exactly what the Westfield team discovered when they embarked on a dramatic transformation of their campus.
Teams are working more efficiently and closely together than ever as they transition to an "office-less" environment.
In addition to that, they are also pushing the envelope when it comes to uncovering new and innovative technology in the industry.
These are just a few of the topics we casual discuss with Westfield CEO Ed Largent, Chief Distribution Officer Craig Welsh, and Distribution Specialist Leader Chris Cline over lunch at the Westfield Country Club.
P.S. Join the Agency Nation newsletter for the all the extra insurance goodness.
Only a handful of people have the drive, determine and dedication to stay the course no matter what.
It's amazing what happens along the way and the amount of impact your might ultimately be afforded if you do.
That's exactly what Westfield CEO Ed Largent did in his 30 plus years with the company.
I say down for a one-on-one conversation with him to discuss the big bets they're making on the future agent, how InsurTech is energizing the industry and where agents should be investing their time and efforts.
Connect with Ed
P.S. Buy your Elevate 19 right here, or self-disappointment.
Getting started is one of the most important things you can do and usually the hardest thing holding you back.
But stopping every time you don't think your doing something right is when everything started to chance.
That's what I talk to Ryan Anderson, from Alliance Insurance, as he tried to figure out what's going on.
The more connected and automated every "service" process in your agency gets, the more "sales" time you magically find.
The only problem with that equation is that it's not easy and sometimes nearly impossible to make those connections.
That's when you have to get creative and really dedicate time and resources to figuring out how to do the impossible.
That's exactly what Rob Macoviak figured out how to do inside his agency, Oyer, Macoviak and Associates.
It's your lucky day because Rob is going to walk you through his step-by-step process at Elevate 19.
It might sound obvious and simple, however, the secret is in the execution and distribution of that message.
When you create content that compels people to reach out to you, they expect that process to continue in person.
What they don't want to happen is getting strongarmed into a policy that might not be best.
That's what I talk to Alex Dopazo, of Dopazo & Associates, about his process handling the people that call him.
P.S. We think more people will call you if you attend Elevate 19.
It's certainly a mindset that runs in stark contrast to what you'll find in most legacy agencies.
What one finds exciting the other views as risky and the most interesting part is seeing who will be right.
That's the overall perspective I got during a recent chat I had with Brett Fulmer.
P.S. Elevate 19 advanced ticket sales end in 38 days, did you grab one yet?
Instead, assume that there's a completely unique and untapped way to connect with people.
Your job is to figure out what and where that connection is happening.
There's also a good chance it might be in the most unlikely of places on the most unexpected social network.
That's exactly what Jesse Konold, of Key Agency, is doing with his farm and ranch prospects.
Really what it comes down to is letting the thing that doesn't matter impact your ability to take action.
It's this fabricated inaction that kills good intentions before they even had a chance.
The thing you can do today is normally better than what you think you can do tomorrow.
That's what I talk to Woody Brown, of The Rhoads Group, about as he takes an honest look at what's happening.
You also need to have a pretty good idea of what you want your desired outcome to be.
Once you've got that figured out now you have to figure out if there is enough craving for desire or fear of repercussions.
When you really get down to it, good business habits end up looking like a well-established process.
That's what I sit down to talk with Billy Williams, of Inspirer a Nation, about how he creates those habits.
Of course, you want to see Billy do his thing live at Elevate 19. Grab your tickets here.
The good news is that it looks like there might finally be light at the end of the integration tunnel.
Technology partners and carriers are finally starting to see the possibilities of operating in a truly integrated world.
That world would finally include unduplicated work and streamlined efficiencies we've never seen before.
That's what I talk to Kim Wood, of Tobey & Merrill Insurance, about as she struggles with a simple address change.
That means you'll be able to scale your agency to a level you never thought possible.
The only problem will be if you can do it faster then the next guy.
Live in a fully open API world and operating with advanced customer knowledge will dramatically change the way we do business.
That's why I wanted to get Jeff Roy (Excalibur Insurance) and Seth Zaremba (Zinc Insurance) together to lay out the respective blueprints they've designed for their agencies.
It doesn't seem like that long ago we wrapped the final session of Elevate 2018 and now next year's event is right around the corner.
Sydney Roe and I wanted to jump on to give you a quick update on the progress of the event and what you can start to get excited about.
If you don't already know the Insurance madness has moved down south to New Orleans on March 24-26.
That's how serious things get when you start to focus on personal lines home and auto with your digital marketing.
Forget about insurance, that's one of the most competitive categories in all of business.
So you're going to want to make sure you have a solid strategy that's actually about to cut through the noise.
That's what I talk to Sean Halpin, of MJH Insurance, about as he tried to figure out his plan.
P.S. This should help regardless of the type of business you want to sell.
When that happens, you're able to find more valuable tasks you couldn't reach before.
It's a place a lot of agencies are afraid to reach right now and could be a huge advantage moving forward.
Because you haven't lived until you've walked into your office and a month's worth of renewals are waiting.
That's what I talk to Nick Thalhammer, of Cincinnatus Insurance, about how he might be able to make it easier.
That's why it's so important, either through luck, hard work or a combination of both to find it.
Everything from the initial operating capital to basic market access can slow things down when your starting.
But those few key partnerships will shine brightest during those most demanding times of need.
That's what I talked to Danny Neely, of Neely & Wade Insurance, about his story getting an agency off the ground.
If not, things could get interesting trying to decide who does what.
One thing's for sure, we probably stand a better chance together than alone.
The specifics of that togetherness are still loosely forming.
For a specific set of captive agents, there's one place that can help them figure it out.
That's what I talk to Al Mauceri, of The Mutual Agency, about as he thinks he's found a solution.
Connect with Al below:
P.S. Thing is certainly getting done a little different here.