As these last notes came up as comments on the latest IJ news email, I went back to read (ok, I skimmed) this post from its origin a few years back. It is a very interesting read, and I would bet that most who have posted have seen a shift in their thinking from those days. Specifically, insuranceda...

JAM, If tracking these commissions is close to a full-time job, then as Island Girl Agent mentioned, it is time to look at an agency management system that (once it is configured properly) does it for you. How much would you pay a full-time position to track commissions your agency? That is a good s...

Michael, As another independent consultant, I do want to point out that most of the vendors, and the two biggest specifically, have excellent users' groups. NetVu and ASCnet (Applied Systems) are invaluable resources for agencies who use their systems. And it is great that both, rather most, vendors...

I know there is a quick survey at the top of this thread, but I'd like to throw out a bit more of a questionnaire... If you'd like to share what is working with you, and more importantly, like to hear what works at other agencies (and companies), I invite you to participate in a short survey we put ...

If you'd like to share what is working with you, and more importantly, like to hear what works at other agencies (and companies), I invite you to participate in a short survey we put together. The survey covers the use of social media and online marketing and will help (the collective) us gather use...

I'd like to invite agents and company folks to participate in a survey we put together to gather some good, and more reliable, data on how insurance agencies and companies are using social media - and to see what (if any) return on their investment (mostly time...) has been. We are going to collate ...

ZVD, I work with independent agencies to do exactly this sort of thing. I consult with agencies that are operating with any of the major management systems (and am completely independent in that sense, as I do not represent any vendor). If you are interested in using some outside (and objective) hel...

InsuranceGuy, I offer a slightly different vision of five years from now. Companies (and agencies) that do not have a presence in social media (and notice I did not say a specific platform) will be looked upon much like today's consumer looks upon agencies (and companies) that do not have a website ...

Applied Epic is up through its 4th major release/update. I believe that 5.0 is due out at any time... Disclaimer: I do not work for Applied, I am an independent consultant. In my role as a technology and workflow consultant, I have implemented workflows at some agencies that are using Epic over the ...

Social media has a lot of potential. The trick is to not think of it as "social media". It is quite simple another networking channel. Most any producer has his/her own techniques (I am assuming!) to find prospects, establish and build a connection with those prospects, and then to close t...

Stacy, I've worked with two agencies in the last 8 months in implementing Epic and setting up their workflows. I'd be more than happy to talk to you briefly about some of the pros and cons about the system. You can send me an email at Jason@bhbco.com if you'd like to chat. Regards, Jason Disclosure:...

Chearring, I have worked with several agencies transitioning from the named systems to another (specifically, AfW to 360, 360 to Epic, TAM to Epic, Sagitta to ...) I would be more than happy to talk to you more about some of the basics. Bottom line is it depends on your agency - size, structure, mis...

Great examples d. You hit the nail on the head when you said that you decided to cool off before thinking about posting something. Sometimes engaging and replying in a professional manner in a (public) online forum is the right way to go; especially when you have provided less than optimum service, ...

Great points all, and I'd like to emphasize something that has been touched on a bit. If the expectations, and introductions, are set/made up front, you will find that you spend much less time trying to get your clients comfortable with the idea that someone else will handle their service needs. The...

This is too important of an issue to use something that is not tailored to your particular situation. There are too many variables that need to be considered when it comes to attracting, keeping, and developing quality producers. And, in most cases, the good producers are not going to come work for ...