Industry Insights

Monica Barton

When I joined Steve Pirch’s agency (in Lee’s Summit, Missouri), I could not have imagined that one day I’d play a pivotal role in developing our team and building our agency’s success. My journey began over a decade ago in an unexpected encounter during my time working at a bank. It was Halloween, and I was dressed as Candy Land char...

Brian Stolper

I’ve been in the insurance industry as an agency owner for 20 years, and like most people, I’ve tried a lot of different approaches to building my business. Early in my career, I came across Troy Korsgaden’s system, which played a big part in shaping how I started running my agency. Recently, I have revisited those principles through...

Debra Grommons

Often, when leaders talk about creating a learning culture, they are referring to formal training programs. But a true learning culture is more than that. A learning culture is an environment where continuous development is embedded into daily work and team members are encouraged to grow through collaboration, feedback and shared ex...

Scott William Foley

AI is a polarizing topic. Some believe it will destroy the world, while others trust it will solve every imaginable problem. Neither is likely.

To be clear: AI is a tool. Like a hammer, it can be used to build up or to tear down. If used correctly, a hammer can save you a tremendous amount of time. AI is no different.  

You’l...

Andy Butcher

It takes time to distinguish between a fad and a trend, but you can’t wait until you know for sure how a new thing will turn out, if you want to ride the wave. You have to jump into the water and be ready.

Greg Montejo is confident enough that subscription-based financial services will not just be a passing fancy but—as a Forbes arti...

Troy Korsgaden

When I wrote my first business plan many years ago, it was a single page. I wrote it in the backyard with a friend. I told him I’d been inspired to do so by a book I’d read recently, so we both sat outside and crafted our plans. Mine wasn’t a detailed document; it was really just a vision of what my future business would look ...

As a former high school athlete who now coaches kids basketball, it’s perhaps not surprising Stephen Pirch uses a sports metaphor to describe the way he has grown his successful Country Financial agency: Offense, defense and special teams.

“Offense was really production-based: growth mode,” he says of the game plan behind the 10-strong team ...

Dr. Wayne Hammond

In the whirl of a fast-changing and chaotic world, the traditional approach of problem-solving has long been the go-to strategy for tackling challenges. However, our era of unprecedented uncertainty and complexity calls for a new perspective. Rather than solely focusing on remedying weaknesses or addressing problems as they a...

Jeff Brown

In the highly competitive and ever-evolving insurance  industry, maintaining high levels of performance and efficiency within an agency is paramount. Success hinges not only on external factors like market conditions and regulatory changes but also significantly on internal dynamics, particularly the motivation of your team—includ...

Simon T. Bailey

Imagine embarking on the vacation of a lifetime. You’ve spent months meticulously planning every detail, from the itinerary to the accommodations, ensuring that every moment is filled with excitement and adventure. Now, picture yourself as a financial or insurance professional, navigating the complex landscape of client relationshi...