Chicagoland SIA Blog

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Amanda Yaniz

Amanda Yaniz is the Director of Marketing at Chicagoland SIA, where she helps independent insurance agencies grow through strategic branding, education, and clear communication. With a degree in fine arts and literature, she brings a creative perspective to the insurance industry. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys crafting, crocheting, reading, and creating art.

Building a Zero-Oops Data Culture

Database Integrity and Cyber Hygiene for Small Independent Agencies

Data is the lifeblood of your agency. Protecting it is not just a tech issue; it is brand protection and regulatory compliance rolled into one. A single breach or bad data entry can cost clients, trigger fines, and tarnish hard-earned trust. The good news is that even a two-person shop can build an ironclad data culture without a six-figure IT budget. Follow these five habits to keep mistakes at zero and confidence sky-high.

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Retention = Profit: 5 High-Touch Habits to Lift Retention (& Revenue)

Research consistently shows that even a small increase in client retention, as little as 5 percent, can drive profit growth of 25 to 95 percent. Renewal dollars often provide a much higher return than new-business dollars, especially when you consider the marketing spend and staff time required to bring in new clients. A practical, relationship-first retention strategy remains one of the most efficient and reliable ways to grow your agency.

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Mid-Year Check-In: Is Your Agency on Track with 2025 Goals?

Practical ways to measure progress and recalibrate heading into Q3

June marks the halfway point of the year and with it comes a built-in opportunity to pause, reflect, and adjust. For independent insurance agencies, this is the perfect time to evaluate progress toward your 2025 goals and make small but strategic changes that can position you for a strong finish.

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An older businessman sharing his vision with his team at a meeting

From Solo to CEO: Mastering Delegation in Your Agency

Many independent insurance agencies start as one- or two-person operations, where the owner handles everything from sales and marketing to customer service and administrative tasks. As the agency grows, hiring additional staff becomes necessary to maintain efficiency and continue scaling. However, many agency owners struggle with delegation, often holding onto tasks that could be effectively handled by their team.

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