Agency Intelligence: The Insurance Podcast Network Agency Intelligence

In this candid and revealing conversation, James interviews the three most senior members of the RiskWell team. This special two-part episode gets into origin stories, and personal anecdotes and goes deep into how RiskWell operates in the marketplace.

To learn more about RiskWell, visit https://www.riskwell.com. 
Visit https://www.jamesjenkins.com/podcasts/agency-freedom/ to join our email list and catch up on episodes you may have missed.
Connect with Agency Freedom on Facebook at the Agency Freedom group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/agencyfreedom
Email us at podcast@jamesjenkins.com with ideas, requests, complaints or suggestions for how we can make the show better.

Key Topics:

Introduction of the Executive team at RiskWell and their roles in the agency

Reflections on the growth and evolution of the podcast from its early episodes

The challenges and advantages of working remotely and the dynamics it brings to the team

Insights into the culture of innovation and willingness to experiment within the agency

Discussion on the impact of personal growth on professional development within the company

Exploration of the unique management style and team interactions at RiskWell

Plans and visions for the future of RiskWell and its continued evolution

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews John Barfield, focusing on the critical aspects of the insurance industry. 
Here are the key topics they discussed:

Key topics:
Importance of Relationships and Trust: Emphasizing the need for agents to build genuine, long-lasting relationships with underwriters and wholesalers to navigate through tough market conditions effectively.
Complete Submissions for Underwriting: Highlighting the necessity for agents, especially new ones, to provide thorough and complete information in their submissions, such as exposure bases, supplemental applications, premium targets, and loss histories.
Education and Communication: The need for ongoing education of agents about the importance of accurate and complete information in insurance submissions and maintaining transparent communication with underwriters.
Choosing Wholesale Partners: Advising agents to focus on building relationships with a select few trusted wholesalers instead of spreading efforts thin across many, to ensure more reliable and efficient service.
Action Items and Follow-ups:
Educate new agents on the importance of thorough submissions.
Encourage agents to build and maintain relationships throughout the year, not only during transaction periods.
Follow up with agents who attended the Producers in Paradise conference to strengthen new relationships.
Provide contact information for Braishfield for further inquiries into their services and specialties in both admitted and non-admitted solutions.
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for insurance agents on the importance of building strong professional relationships, providing complete and accurate submissions, and choosing the right partners to work with in the industry.

Connect with:

John Barfield

David Carothers LinkedIn

Kyle Houck LinkedIn


Visit Websites:

Braishfield Associates

Florida Risk Partners

The Extra 2 Minutes

Lies, lies, and more lies. So very often that's all we hear from our prospects. It happens to you and it happens to your competitors. But, there is definitely something you can do to make it happen much less often and--even--use it to win more signed Broker of Record Letters.

In this throwback episode of the Millionaire Insurance Producer podcast, host Charles Specht teaches you about why prospects are lying to you and then provides a few tips (tactics) about how to overcome these roadblocks and get the prospect to finally tell you the truth about what you have to do to win their business.

Episode Highlights:

Charles discusses why some insurance industry prospects are liars. (2:07)


Charles shares a quick story about when he was relatively new in the insurance industry and discovered that the insured was lying to him. (3:18)


Charles explains that just because you make an appointment doesn't imply you're meeting with someone who will really give you a chance. (5:48)


Charles mentions that he simply cannot be someone's agent unless they are willing to terminate their relationship with their current agent. (8:30)


Charles explains that in sales, you get what you ask for and will not receive what you do not ask for, and you must push because the insurers are lying to you. (11:26)


Charles believes that as an insurance agent, you are your own biggest hurdle. There are factors blocking you from attaining what you want, and you need to recognize them so you can delegate, remove, or overcome them. (13:05)


Charles discusses what happens if insurance agents don't put up rules of engagement. (19:09)


Charles explains that since prospects don't understand how insurance works behind the scenes and are trying to figure it out for themselves, they often say things to insurance agents that they believe insurance agents want to hear in hopes the agent will do a better job for them. (20:52)


Charles emphasizes the need for insurance agents to continue to push if they do not feel like they have a clear idea of what the insured will do to make their decision on which agent they will do business with. (22:38)


Charles discusses one of the most important things he believes insurance agents should do when interviewing prospects. (24:36)



Key Quotes:

“Insurance agent, you are your own biggest hurdle. There are things that are stopping you from getting what you want. You need to be able to figure those out, identify them, label them if need be so that you can either delegate out the issue to somebody else, remove it altogether, or figure out a way in which to overcome it.” - Charles Specht

“What I'm really trying to get to at the core of this podcast episode is that your prospects, because they don't understand how insurance works behind the scenes, they're trying to figure it out themselves. And so, many times they are saying things to you that they think you want to hear that's going to cause you to do a better job for them.” - Charles Specht

“One of the main things that I think you need to do when you are asking questions of your prospect is, one, you need to find out how many years they've been with their current agent. Anything that is three years or longer is a red flag to me.” - Charles Specht


Resources Mentioned:

Reach out to Charles Specht


Permission Network Insurance Agency, Inc.

How are agencies setting themselves apart from a growth perspective? Andy Mathisen, Regional Sales Director at FirstChoice, a MarshBerry Company, joins the show to discuss how insurance agencies are finding lead sources, investing back in their firms, tapping outside resources and more to beat their growth goals. Andy and Elliot dive into sales training and not only finding good talent, but training them to succeed.

Enjoy the episode!

Episode Links:
Ellerbrock-Norris: https://www.ellerbrock-norris.com
Ellerbrock-Norris Wealth Strategies: https://www.ellerbrock-norris-ws.com
FirstChoice, a MarshBerry Company: https://www.marshberry.com/solutions/aggregation/about-firstchoice
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
Andy Mathisen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-mathisen

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. Worse yet, the industry is fragmented.

Agencies find it difficult to collaborate across division on the same client. Millions of dollars in potential revenue are left on the table. And agency owners lie awake at night wondering how to scale.

THAT’S WHERE LAUNCH COMES IN.
Access the full-revenue potential in your existing book of business. See opportunities other agencies can’t. Offer more value. Gain a competitive advantage in a commoditized market.

Visit https://getlaunch.io/ to learn more.

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers interviews Patrick Cooney, Co-Founder of Powerbroker AI. Patrick discusses how Powerbroker AI’s latest AI innovations are transforming the insurance industry, and empowers insurance agents and brokers by enhancing their efficiency and accuracy.

Key Topics:

Introduction of Patrick Cooney and Powerbroker AI

Discussion on the impact of AI on insurance

Patrick’s journey from insurance to tech innovator

Key features and benefits of Powerbroker AI

Future prospects of AI in the insurance industry


Connect with:

Patrick Cooney LinkedIn

David Carothers LinkedIn

Kyle Houck LinkedIn


Visit Websites:

Powerbroker AI

Florida Risk Partners

The Extra 2 Minutes

In this episode of the Stuff About Money podcast, Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ is joined by a long-time friend of the show, Couples Counselor Dr. Matt Morris, and first-time guest Michael Baudin.

Listen in as they discuss what work-life balance is and, maybe more importantly, what it is not. This recording extends from a casual conversation among friends that originated at a Pelicans NBA basketball game. Erik felt compelled to share this compelling dialogue with Stuff About Money listeners. 

Drawing from his expertise as a family therapist, Dr. Matt offers valuable insights, while Michael contributes his perspectives as a successful entrepreneur. Together, they conclude the discussion by offering practical strategies to attain fulfillment in one's professional and personal life.

They address pressing questions such as: Is work-life balance merely a myth? How can entrepreneurs effectively juggle the demands of business, family, and self-care while maintaining their well-being? And what sacrifices are acceptable in the pursuit of business growth? A standout moment in the episode is when Dr. Matt underscores the significance of creating margin in one's life to achieve a sense of “balance”.

Episode Highlights:

Dr. Matt explains why work-life balance is important due to the limited time we have on earth. (6:27)


Michael discusses work-life balance using the analogy of dividing a dollar into life's responsibilities: work, family, and self. (13:54)


Michael shares experiences of his business's growing pains, hiring employees, and increasing responsibilities that occasionally made him less present at home. (21:33)


Dr. Matt discusses the distinct challenges entrepreneurs face compared to employees, particularly in balancing time and resource allocation between business and family. (29:00)


Michael acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for managing family dynamics and business commitments. (34:58)


Erik emphasizes the importance of maintaining a "margin" in life, especially for entrepreneurs managing multiple demands. (41:00)


Michael values maintaining a work-life balance, prioritizing attendance at his children’s events and allowing his employees the same flexibility. (59:38)



Key Quotes:

“You get a lot of pride out of building your business, it's an enjoyment for you to build your business.” - Dr. Matt Morris

“Leave enough margin in your life and in your day that you can respond to needs as they pop up.” - Dr. Matt Morris

“You have to be fluid, you have to just be able to recognize what's happening and what's coming and be able to react, because that's all part of being a business owner and entrepreneur, whatever you want to call yourself. ” - Michael Baudin


Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Matt Morris


Michael Baudin 

Matt Morris & Associates

Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA

Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC

Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors