September 16, 2019
Every agent I’ve met in the past decade understands the need to adapt in some way to the digital marketplace — a better-looking website, a more effective email marketing program or adding a mobile app. When the discussion turns to …
May 15, 2017
“When the eyes say one thing, and the tongue another, a practiced man relies on the language of the first.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Agents pride themselves on their sales skills — to meet a prospect face-to-face, take their measure, …
September 19, 2016
The just released Insurance Digital Transformation Study (available at www.insurancedigitalrevolution.org) sheds light on why agents struggle with adapting to digital technology. As we have discussed extensively, agents must master digital tools to stay competitive, so we asked the study’s three …
July 11, 2016
I have had agents tell me they have lost clients because of their “digital deficiencies,” which can include outdated websites and email systems and the lack of mobile capabilities. The exact mix of factors vary, however they all boil down …
May 2, 2016
We have talked about the many reasons why agents need to add up-to-date digital tools to stay competitive. One possible reason is the financial penalty an agency could pay in diminished value without a truly up-to-date, distinctive website and effective …
March 21, 2016
When the Internet was still in its infancy, independent agents needed little more than an online address in order to have a website and what’s more, it was more novelty than necessity. Times have changed, however, and while most agents …
January 25, 2016
There is no shortage of predictions and New Year’s resolutions about the challenges facing independent agents this year. There’s one trend, however, that needs no prediction because it’s already a reality that every agent must address or face growing irrelevance …
November 2, 2015
Digital security concerns related to the safety of computer systems and use of the Internet are a much discussed topic in this Tech Talk column. But what about the security of smartphones? Now the go-to communications device for most of …
March 9, 2015
There appears to be little dispute among agents about the importance of going mobile, particularly for younger clients who expect it. What’s in doubt, however, is which mobile applications, or apps, make the most sense for agents to use, both …
September 22, 2014
Many agents understand in principle that “customer experience” is the sum total of an agency’s interactions with prospects and policyholders. In practice, however, customer service often ends up focusing more on the policy transaction and claims, and less on what …