Agency Opportunities in a Time of Profound Change

By: Jeff Yates, Agents Council for Technology (ACT)

This is an exciting time to be involved in ACT because we have so many future oriented initiatives underway. What are the key consumer, technology and business trends that will impact our future? What will the agencies of the future look like and what will the attributes be for the most successful agency managers? How will the expectations of our clients change and how will they expect us to communicate with them? How will insurance processes change in an increasingly mobile world, opening up new ways to communicate among consumers, agents, carriers and other business partners? How will agency automation and agent-carrier interfaces continue to evolve, so that we can automate more of the routine processes and free up time for agents to be trusted advisors to their clients – the true “value add” that independent agents provide?

ACT has work groups or is participating in industry initiatives that are probing each of these issues. Stay tuned for future ACT articles as details emerge from these groups. One theme has struck me, however, that weaves its way through each of these groups and that is transition. We are seeing transitions happening with consumers, agencies, agent-carrier interfaces, agency management and other areas. What are some of these major changes and what kind of opportunities do they open up for agencies and brokerages?  See Complete Article. 

Share Your Story: How Have You Executed An Effective Social Media Campaign? 

By: Katie Peet, Social Media Director, State Auto

The conversation about social media in our industry is changing – from whether independent agents should be using social media to how. It’s an exciting time for agents finding new ways to sell and service business, especially those who are learning that a seemingly impersonal platform – the internet – can actually strengthen the value proposition of a personal, trusted advisor for insurance.

The key to social media is using it to effectively support your business goals.  Diving into multiple social platforms without a clear and measurable strategy can leave you overwhelmed and disappointed in what some people believe is a silver bullet.  When used purposefully as a means to an end, rather than treating it as a task to check off your to-do list, social media can be extremely effective for independent insurance agents.

How can you tell if your social campaign is effective? The answer can be frustrating at first: It depends.

To have an effective social media campaign, first determine what you want the result to be.  Do you need to generate more leads? Better qualified leads? Increase touchpoints with customers?  Support your annual review process? Strengthen relationships to generate referrals?  Break into a new business segment? When I said the key is using social media to support business goals, this is what I meant. Creating a Facebook page, in itself, is not a business goal, but it can be an effective way to generate qualified leads or strengthen relationships with your customers.  

Share Your Story! 

If you’re reading this feeling good about what you’ve accomplished so far with social media, we want to hear from you!  NetVU is looking for volunteers to share your online marketing success story with other agents during a session at the NetVU National Conference in Anaheim this April. Send your story to Melissa@netvu.org. If you’re selected, you could be featured on a panel moderated by Dale Steinke, Manager of the Bricks & Clicks program at Safeco, and Katie Peet, Social Media Director at State Auto.

If you are ready to create and execute an effective campaign register now for the NetVUConference and join us for this session:

Driving Business through Social Media
Saturday, April 28, 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 
Being active on social media has become critical to the growth of any business. You’ve heard all of the reasons why an online presence is important, but you may still not understand how to execute an effective online marketing campaign through social media. Using concrete examples from other agents like you, this laser focused session will offer you guidance for each of the most critical online channels where your customers are active. You will learn how to establish your social media presence and learn how to leverage these tools to reach your target customers to grow your business.

Agency Leadership Focus of Reagan Consulting Study 

Reagan Consulting, creators and authors of the annual IIABA’s Best Practices Study, is on another quest. It has undertaken a long-term study to find prime examples of leadership in various roles within an agency.  It began last year with a CEO Leadership Study and is now seeking examples of financial, HR and IT leadership qualities.

“The importance of effective management and leadership to the success of insurance agents and brokers [is without question],” according to Reagan. The purpose of the research is to address two key questions:

1. How can agency leaders improve their performance?
2. How can firms successfully select their future leaders?

They are seeking nominations of individuals that you consider outstanding in these agency roles:

• Financial
• Human Resources
• Information Technology

Click the link to add your nominations: Reagan Consulting Leadership Series-Industry Leader Nominations. If you only have a couple names to nominate in each area, that will be great. If you want to nominate more, that will be even better. As usual, Reagan will not disclose your name or the names of the people you nominate. There is complete confidentiality. The only information they’re asking you for is the name of the agency/brokerage, the name of the individual you want to nominate, and what you think makes them so valuable and good (if you know).

They are asking that all surveys please be completed by January 31, 2012. NetVU leadership believes this survey will be very valuable to our industry, and hope that you will participate.

Register for Conference by February 14

Register for the NetVU Conference between now and February 14, 2012  and your name will be entered into a drawing to WIN $500.  It’s easy to enter;  just send a copy of your 2012 Conference confirmation* to UWin@netvu.org. One entry per person.

If you were one of the lucky agencies who registered early, NO WORRIES, you too can enter the contest by sending us a copy of your conference confirmation.  Everyone’s a winner when they attend the valuable education and networking sessions at NetVU Conference, and one person will have $500 CASH. 

*Psst…can’t find your confirmation?  Email us at info@netvu.org with your name and your agency name, and we’ll be happy to send you a copy.  

Will Your Video Be the Next to go Viral?

Are you a frustrated Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino or Wes Anderson? Well then, grab your camcorder, smart phone or iPad and start shooting. NetVU is hosting a social media contest to find the most creative videos that demonstrate what’s great about NetVU and the NetVU Conference.

There's a Place for U - Volunteer Now to Be on a Committee! 

Committees make up the infrastructure that is NetVU. Without the targeted work the numerous committees undertake, NetVU would be able to accomplish all it has. Whether it’s the Industry Relations Committee, the many product specific committees, Chapter Committee, Information Exchange, or the Conference Steering Committee, the work of these groups is essential to our success.

What powers the committee work is the volunteers. We need your help and your input at the committee level. Planning and strategy discussions need your input. It’s time to step up, get involved, and help shape the future of NetVU. Committees  are being selected — Volunteer NOW! 

Five Ways to Enhance Your Website in 2012

Wednesday, January 25, 1:30 p.m. Central - Register Now! 

There is a shift in how people are obtaining information about products and services. They no longer call providers and ask questions, they go to the web. Because of this shift, it is more important than ever to have an effective web presence.