Chicagoland SIA Blog

While switching from a captive to an independent insurance agency does not technically make you a “new agent” in the traditional sense of the term, it can feel like a fresh start. While you have the advantage of industry knowledge based on your previous work in insurance there are several differences and challenges that will need to be overcome.

Albert Einstein said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

Does your agency have a quality and mobile-friendly online presence with clear online branding? It all starts with a great website. Many times the skeleton of a website — or a semi-functional site — is built and owners move on to more time-sensitive business issues. Here’s why you need to invest in a solid and mobile-friendly website:

What are your agency’s goals for 2022? If you’re looking to make some new goals for a new year, we have some ideas. Here are some ways to help your agency to grow and succeed in the coming year:

Looking for some great ways to grow your insurance agency? Whether you’re a new agent or have been in the insurance industry for a while, there are a number of simple ways to increase your agency’s revenue. Which of these strategies are you employing in your agency?

Running an insurance agency is no small feat. If you ask the U.S. Small Business Administration, they’ll tell you that one-third of all new companies fail in the first two years. Half of all new businesses make it four years, and only 40 percent survive for six years or more. So how do businesses survive? And more importantly, how do they thrive? A recent study by Gallup found that a business’s ability to make it over the hump has much to do with leadership. Although there are numerous factors that influence success, Gallup found that the quality of an organization’s leadership has more to do with its longevity than any other factor. In its research, Gallup has found that companies that survive over the long term have leaders that share the following key characteristics:

You know that meeting and networking with new people can help you grow your company. And in a day and age where we can connect online and in-person with virtually anyone, the possibilities to make important connections are endless. Are you effectively growing and leveraging your business network? Here are five great ways to use networking as a business development tool:

We all want to be more efficient, right? Yet research shows that many of us are going about it the wrong way. Here are some ways that research suggests can help us be more efficient at the office.

If you surveyed your customers, what would they say about your agency and the level of customer service you provide? Customer service is an important part of any business and plays a large role in creating loyal customers. An insurance agent who provides great customer service is much more likely to have loyal customers who purchase additional types of coverage and recommend him or her to other people. On the other hand, the effects of bad customer service can be significant. Here’s why: