Chicagoland SIA Blog
Do you need to improve your listening skills?
How would you rate your listening skills? Listening to your clients — truly listening to what they are trying to tell you — is an important way to increase customer satisfaction and to help prevent misunderstandings, including those that can lead to E&O claims.
Have you claimed your agency's Yelp page?
Yelp is growing in popularity by virtually any measure. The social review platform has an average of 77 million monthly unique mobile web visitors and an average of 37 million monthly unique mobile app users each month. While a business may have a strong social media presence elsewhere, by disregarding Yelp, it could be missing out on a vital opportunity to demonstrate top-notch customer or client service and to address complaints.
Five minutes of your time
Has anyone ever asked for five minutes of your time? What is five minutes of your time even worth? If a client, employee, friend or significant other asked for five minutes of your time—do you have it to give? Or are you simply too wrapped up in your day and the tasks you need to accomplish to slow things down and make time for other people?
The consequences of too much tech at the office
Have you fallen into the habit of sending e-mails to communicate with someone in your office — even if they are just a few steps away from you? Perhaps it is time to rethink your reliance on technology at work.
The importance of branding
Branding is one of the most important aspects of growing a successful insurance agency. It’s what sets you apart from the competition. It’s how people identify and connect with you. It’s about communicating what you stand for and what you strive to be.
Many small businesses are underinsured or uninsured
There are nearly 31 million small businesses nationwide, and it’s estimated that three-quarters of them have either not enough commercial insurance or no coverage at all. Does this surprise you?
The next generation for your insurance business
Millennials may get a lot of attention and press, but insurance agencies need to start appealing to a younger cohort or risk becoming out of touch. Consider the fact that Gen Z’ers, born between 1995 and 2012, are beginning to work and make investments in their future. In other words, ignore them and you will increasingly miss out on opportunities to grow your insurance business.
Do your customers like you?
Have you ever thought about why your customers choose to come to you with their insurance needs? Competition in the insurance marketplace is greater today than ever before. A customer can get a quote and buy a policy—sometimes within just a few minutes—for almost any type of insurance coverage. Even if he chooses to shop around, there is an abundance of insurance comparison websites where a customer can compare coverage options.