Development – Unstoppable Profit Podcast

Episode 258: The Untapped Goldmine at Rough Notes with Walter J. Gdowski

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Today’s journey dives into the rich history and dynamic presence of the insurance world. I’m your host, Mike Stromsoe, and I’m thrilled to have with us a venerable icon in the industry, the CEO and owner of Rough Notes Magazine Company, Walter J. Gdowski.

Walter, who joined Rough Notes in 1979 and eventually assumed the helm, will share the intriguing tale of how Rough Notes carved its niche in delivering top-notch technical information to independent agents and its historic contributions to the sector since 1878. Our discussion also touches on the evolution of the Accord forms and Rough Notes’ adept adaptation that resonates through Carmel, Indiana, where they’ve stood the testament of time. Plus, witness Walt’s passion for flight with tales that sweep through the skies on World War 2 trainer planes.

We invite you to buckle up for a ride into the past, the simplicity of ISO policies, and the electrifying potential of AI in insurance. Discover how Walt hints at new products tailored for agents, rooted deeply in Rough Notes’ celebrated content.

Highlights:

Diving into the rich history of Rough Notes Magazine Company.
Fantastic opportunity to tour the insurance industry history.
Insurance marketplace, essential information and tools available.
AI development gaining momentum, transforming industry processes.
Selflessly contribute to AI for greater impact.

About Walter J. Gdowski:

Owner & CEO The Rought Notes Company, Inc. Carmel, Indiana

Walter J. Gdowski began his insurance career in 1976 as a regional sales representative for The Rough Notes Company, Inc. in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut areas. Mr. Gwodski called an agencies of various sizes to promote the company’s manual and automated agency billing and accounting systems and sold advertising for its two publications – Rough Notes magazine and Life and Health Insurance Sales. He also handled promotions of the company’s various insurance textbooks and technical services.

In 1980, Mr. Gwodski was promoted to National Sales Manager and in 1982 became Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Mr. Gdowski was elected President and CEO of Rough Notes Company Inc. in 1988. and in February 1994 he purchased the company. He restructured the organization with an emphasis on leveraging the company’s wealth of technical data. Development of a host of software products to deliver Rough Notes’ technical data and services continued as technology evolves.

August 1996, marked The Rough Notes Company’s first anniversary of being on the Internet’s World Wide Web (http://www.roughnotes.com). Rough Notes magazine – the industry’s oldest national publication – was the first to appear in its entirety on the Internet. The company remains in the forefront as it has during its 146-year history, expanding its delivery of products and services on CD-ROM and the Internet’s World Wide Web.

Mr. Gdowski is a golf advocate and enjoys flying one of his three warbirds ( WW II trainers) to air shows after getting his pilot license at the age of 52.

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Virtual Events: http://www.uppfaststart.com/

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

If you want to learn more about our Coaching & Mastermind Programs and how they can help you grow your agency business, schedule your private Agency Growth Session with Mike Stromsoe Now (click here)!

Episode 248: The Implementer of the Year Maura Perkins

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Today I am bringing a thought-provoking conversation with Maura Perkins, the 2023 UPP Implementer of the Year! Maura shares her journey in the insurance industry and her battle with cancer, providing insights into her unwavering determination and resilience. We delve into her strategic approach to achieving her goals and the impact of participating in UPP’s coaching program. Maura’s stories and experiences illuminate the power of perseverance and the drive to overcome adversity. Join us as we uncover the invaluable lessons and inspiration from Maura’s remarkable journey.

Highlights:

Grateful for the presence, recognition, support, and success in the program.
Struggling with challenges, uncertain about future.
Unexpectedly embraced insurance event; positive fellowship and support.
Initially skeptical, but eventually fully committed and successful.
Having a plan helps with accountability and achieving goals.
Seeking guidance, accountability, and alignment within a coaching group for personal and professional growth.

About Maura Perkins:

Maura Perkins, President of Sagacious Insurance Services, is a seasoned insurance broker with 36 years of brokerage experience. Having worked for a various sized agencies in the past, she had the experience to start her own insurance brokerage with her own business model. Sagacious Insurance Services began in 2012 offering all lines of insurance to provide a full offering of products to clients. Many small to medium sized business were asking the agency for HR related support services. A client need was discovered and Sagacious now offers HR support services to their clients as a Fee for Service model. This podcast provides information on services agency’s may be performing for free and lend ideas on how your agency can adopt a similar revenue stream. Are you leaving money on the table?

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Virtual Events: http://www.uppfaststart.com/

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

Episode 235: Leadership Lessons in Controlled Chaos with Oak McCulloch LTC U.S. Army (Retired)

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This week I have the pleasure to have the renowned author and speaker, Oakland McCulloch. Together, we delve into the fascinating world of leadership, exploring the continuous journey of improvement and the ability to navigate change in controlled chaos. Oakland shares his expertise on servant leadership and the importance of taking care of your team, leading to better performance and loyalty. We discuss the consequences of employees feeling unappreciated and the increasing trend of resignations in America. Get ready to discover the power of developing and empowering your team, earning trust through actions, and the importance of building a legacy of leadership.

Highlights:

The speaker has been involved in recruiting officers for the Army for 16 years.
Your legacy is not about the company, but the leaders you produce.
Producing leaders with lasting impact, substituting nations with any domain.
Reflect on failure, prioritize improvement over personal gain, and embrace servant leadership for success.
Define the vision for the future, create a plan to achieve it, and shape your organization’s culture to align with it.
Trust is crucial in organizations for the people inside to know each other.
Leadership should extend in all directions, not just from top to bottom.

About Oak McCulloch Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army (Retired):

Oakland McCulloch was born in Loudon, Tennessee and raised in Kirkland, Illinois. After graduating from high school, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point for two years. He then graduated from Northern Illinois University and received his commission as an Infantry Officer through the Reserve Officer Training Course in 1986.

In his 23-year career in the Army Oak McCulloch held numerous leadership positions in the Infantry and Armor branches. He assisted in disaster relief operations for Hurricane HUGO in Charleston, South Carolina and Hurricane ANDREW in south Florida. His operational deployments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, Peace Enforcement Operations in Bosnia and Peace Keeping Operations in Kosovo. He held numerous instructor positions at the US Army Ordnance School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, the Australian Command and Staff College and the University of South Alabama. His last position in the Army was a three-year tour as the Professor of Military Science at the University of South Alabama where he led the training and commissioning of Lieutenants and tripled the size of the program in his three-year tour.

LTC McCulloch retired from the Army in September 2009 with over 23 years of active service and joined the staff at the Bay Area Food Bank as the Associate Director during the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He was also the Vice Chair for Military Affairs on the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Mobile Rotary International Club. He left the food bank in December 2010 to become the Recruiting Officer for the Eagle Battalion Army ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In his 15 years as the Recruiting Officer, he grew the program at Stetson University from 15 Cadets to over 100 Cadets and he more than doubled the size of the Eagle Battalion. Cadet Command selected Oak as the top recruiting officer, out of 274 recruiters, for 2019. In his 15 years of working with Army ROTC he was involved in the commissioning of over 550 Lieutenants for the United States Army.

In February 2021 LTC Oak McCulloch published his first book – “Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be”.

LTC McCulloch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Northern Illinois University in 1987 and a Master of Military Arts and Science in Leadership and History from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 2002. He received thirty-one military service awards including the Bronze Star, eight Meritorious Service Medals and the Humanitarian Service Medal.

LTC Oak McCulloch is married to the former Kelly Smyth of Wauconda, Illinois. They were married at Fort Sheridan, Illinois in 1987 and they have two children, Oakland Vincent McCulloch and Caileigh Nicholson. They also have a granddaughter, Ryleigh Jade Nicholson and two grandsons Christopher Bryce Nicholson and Oakland Maverick McCulloch.

Until next time, get out there and make a difference, be unstoppable, and leave no regrets!

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Call 800-770-9984
Website: http://unstoppableprofitproducer.com/

Virtual Events: http://www.uppfaststart.com/

Email [email protected]

Podcast: http://unstoppableprofitpodcast.com

Virtual Training: http://uppfaststart.com

In Person Training: http://beunstoppablebootcamp.com