You know the scene from the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie. Clark Griswold has spent hours affixing a superfluous amount of flashy Christmas lights to his house only to have none of it illuminate when he plugs it in.
VIP guest Chris Cline, executive director of Agents Council for Technology, says this iconic movie moment can be compared to a common issue insurance companies face when they don't take the time to carefully strategize.
Chris believes you can buy every shiny tech option available, but if you don’t have a good strategy for putting it together, you won’t be successful—and no, the lights won’t turn on.
How can you balance your InsurTech aspirations with solid results? Listen now.

Learn from Clark Griswold’s mistake, with Chris Cline

In this episode, we are joined by Jessica Jeffress, chairwoman at NetVU and current associate vice president at Peel & Holland.  
During this episode, Rick and Jessica talk through:
Building the planning muscle; learning to execute a plan, from start to finish
Using the “relationship continuation” method to build loyalty with clients
The specific ways she builds company culture through training & jam sessions

Pumping iron, with Jessica Jeffress

In 2021, there were over 1,000 insurance agency mergers and acquisitions in the U.S.—up 30% from 2020. This high activity is expected to continue in 2022, so if you’re an agency owner or hoping to be one day, Rick says it’s time to start planning for the day when it might be time to sell.
To make their business worth the most when the feeding frenzy comes, agencies need to be doing everything they can NOW to get fit and maximize value.
This episode is a super-informative listen for current agency owners and aspiring owners alike!

InsuRant: Getting fit for the feeding frenzy

In this episode, we have AI and data experts Liri Halperin Segal and Michael LaBella joining us from InsurTech LeO, where Liri is the co-founder and CEO, and Michael is the vice president of sales.  
During this episode, Rick, Liri, and Michael talk through:
The importance of creating new data to improve sales (11:00)
Why agencies don’t need to hire a data analyst if they have the right tools (14:22)
The missing piece in self-service offerings at many agencies (17:20)
Measuring the effectiveness of your tech. If employees aren’t using it, it’s a waste. (25:20)

Happy listening!
 

Striking data gold at your agency, with Liri Halperin Segal and Michael LaBella

In this episode, we have the one and only Syd Roe joining us on the podcast, and she’s got some insights about tech and insurance you need to hear:
Changes Syd wants to see in the industry
How Syd envisions those changes coming
The importance of an effective tech stack
When to run—not walk—away from bad tech

Enjoy the episode!
 
 

Running away from bad tech, with Syd Roe

Imagine you’re an agency owner, and you’ve just decided to invest in new technology to improve your business. That’s a crucial first step, but have you ever thought about the steps that come immediately after?
This topic has come up a lot lately, so we’re breaking down what you need to know.  
During this episode, Rick shares his playbook to help you get ahead in the tech implementation game. Want to watch the episode instead? Check it out on YouTube.

InsuRant: Who handles the tech at your agency?

If you’re a business owner, you’ve likely had thoughts and questions like these:
I wish we would’ve done ____three years ago.
Where would we be now if we had done _____ instead?

In this episode, we’re getting a bit introspective and talking about what would happen if we could go back in time and unwind some of the choices we made for our business. Of course, we don’t have the power to change the past, but we do have the power to change something today that will help you in the future.
Tune in to hear Rick’s perspective on what decisions you need to be making today for a better tomorrow—and why you should NEVER make fast decisions or band-aid decisions.

InsuRant: Unwinding what-ifs

In this episode, Rick Fox is joined by Sarah Muniz, a long-time producer and author of the book, Undiscovered Voices: Unlocking the Potential of Women in Insurance.  
Sarah’s voice is one you need to hear in this industry as she shares her valuable perspective working her way up from CSR to producer, and the many lessons she learned along the way as she navigated bias in the workplace.  
A must-listen for everyone, hear why there is still a leadership gap in insurance, navigating unconscious biases, why more diversity in leadership roles helps companies make more money, and much more. 

Breaking glass ceilings, with Sarah Muniz

For this week’s episode, Rick Fox is talking all about the technology glow-up in the insurance industry. When it comes to keeping up with the expectations of customers and employees in 2022, industry leaders and professionals are sure to learn about: 
The advancing independent agent model as more and more captive agents switch over 
The competition created by tech-focused start-up agencies and why there are fewer barriers than ever to starting your own agency 
Why being data-driven is more important than ever at agencies 

InsurRant: Keeping up with the InsurTech glow-up

For this week’s special episode, the VIP recorded live at Accelerate, powered by NetVU, with a panel of insurance experts. Joining Rick Fox on the panel was Syd Roe, Vertafore’s director of agency marketing, Jessica Jeffress, chairwoman of NetVU, and Michael Lebor, CEO of InsuranceGiG.  
During this live video recording, the panel dove into all things InsurTech, including where we stand in 2022, why independent agencies are not dead or dying, and what agencies can look forward to as they navigate the unlimited tech choices at their fingertips.  
See the video of the episode here! 

A live video panel at Accelerate

In this episode, Rick talks about ways a curious mindset can help if you’ve fallen victim to ‘mud season’ - that yuck period between beautiful snowfalls and the fresh start of spring, when you can feel a bit stuck. 
Feeling stuck in the mud? Ready to spring into action? Rick spells out the three pillars of curiosity and how they can help you start winning again in business and in life. 

InsuRant: Get, be, stay curious

During this week’s episode, Rick is joined by Ron Berg, a legend in the insurance industry who has served as Executive Director of the Agents Council for Technology since 2013.  
Listen in as Rick and Ron dive into data security (insurance is a bigger target than ever!), workflows, and how Vertafore is solving one of the biggest headaches in insurance with the launch of Commercial Submissions (starting at 8:42).
Vertafore’s Commercial Submissions is the insurance industry’s first all-in-one solution to automate the commercial submissions process. They talk about how this game-changing tool will help support collaboration between the end-insured, agencies, and carriers, and streamline the complexity and uniqueness of small commercial lines quoting and submissions.  
Learn more about Vertafore Commercial Submissions here or see it LIVE at Accelerate, powered by NetVU, in Denver March 28-31. 

Ron Berg talks about the future of commercial lines

During this week’s episode, Rick is joined by Brian Ahearn, an international speaker, coach, and consultant who has spent over 30 years in the insurance industry. The author of Influence People, Brian breaks down how psychology can be applied to the insurance sales process. 
Learn more about the art of listening, buying styles, and a simple hack Brian leverages to become more likeable (and sell more, as a result).
Anyone looking to sharpen their sales skills will benefit from this episode! 

Becoming more likeable, with Brian Ahearn

In this episode, Rick dives into the power of personal relationships and what that means for your business. Relationships are everything in the insurance industry, and the definition of those relationships has changed a lot in the past 10-15 years. Get ready to take notes as Rick shares tips for how to be a champion for today’s modern consumer—and it's more than just being nice on the phone. 

InsuRant: Being a client champion

This week’s episode is all about the million-dollar question we’re asking right now:  
"How can we beat the Great Resignation blues with better recruiting?” 
We recently ran an online poll asking this question, so we have new insights to share! Tune in to learn concrete ways the insurance industry can be proactive and find solutions to combat a worker shortage. 

InsuRant: Level up during the Great Resignation

In this week’s episode we welcome guest Kat Ternes, an expert on sales for independent agencies. Rick and Kat talk about analysis paralysis, something all producers get caught up in—and Kat knows the way out. Plus, she gives guidance on how agencies can be embracing sales tools to help them get more done, talk to more clients, and do an overall better job.  
The key to this? Sales enablement. 

It’s more than a sales buzz phrase, with Kat Ternes

Ready to get hyped? This high-energy episode is jam-packed with everything you need to plan for a successful 2022. From setting realistic expectations to navigating curveballs, Rick outlines a step-by-step strategy for crushing all your goals in the New Year. 
Press play and let’s do this! 

InsuRant: Let’s do this, 2022!

In this week’s episode we welcome special guest Kim Beach. Kim is the founder and CEO of InsureWomen, an independent agency created in early 2021 to educate, empower, and service the insurance needs of all women. 
Kim shares her journey to launch InsureWomen, an idea ignited by the recognition that women are often unheard and unseen when it comes to getting the right insurance options. Kim and Rick also discuss the importance of recruiting more women in insurance, reasons to start your own business today, and more. 

Women and insurance, with Kim Beach

In the second and final episode of our time capsule series, we’ve got more never-before-heard content from our incredible guests in 2021.
Listen as more VIP guests share what their biggest piece of advice would be for the insurance industry. Some of their answers might surprise you!
Bill Pieroni, ACORD (1:08-2:48)
Kelly Byrom, Vertafore (2:55-3:10)
Brett Allen, BOSS Social (3:16-4:26)
Dimitrios Argitis, Vertafore Canada (4:33-4:58)
Michael Freilich, Renaissance Alliance (5:05-7:24)
Shawn Michael Walker, Premier Group Insurance (7:34-8:23)
Charles Specht, Permission Network Insurance Agency (8:32-10:46)
Kelly Lennon, USI Insurance Services (10:54-11:17)
Pete Tessier, BSI Insurance (11:27-13:02)
Matt Masiello, SIAA (13:12-14:08)

2021 time capsule: Part 2

It’s the last InsuRant of 2021, so we’re in goal-setting mode for 2022. Rick believes agencies needs to figure out what “itches” they need scratched to improve their business in the new year—whether that's automating the sales process, optimizing efficiency, or even enhancing the way they celebrate high-performing employees.  
Rick also shares more about Vertafore’s recent AgencyZoom acquisition and its potential impact on our industry. 

Vertafore Insurance Podcast

Vertafore Insurance Podcast

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