Tag: technology

Episode 214: Automate This and Get 5-10x ROI

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Today I have the pleasure of talking with the founder and CEO of Adapt API, Jacob Simon. We talk all things about the world of automation and how it can benefit independent insurance agencies. Jacob shares about his company that offers a service to standardize and centralize documents, eliminating the need for manual sorting and saving. Breaking down different levels of automation, including integrating directly into management systems, and emphasizes the importance of relationships in the industry. We also discuss the benefits of spending time in-person to identify pain points and the value of automation in providing consistency and reliability. Tune in to master the art of automation and learn how to effortlessly automate tasks using technology.

 

Highlights:

  • Spending a year understanding the industry and saw patterns that led to creating a product to solve common problem.
  • Notifications and claims are pulled from various websites into a standardized format and can be directly plugged into a CRM, while documents are automatically downloaded into management systems.
  • By observing agency workflow Jacob found inefficiencies beyond surface problems and top challenges.
  • How flexibility and versatility of agency integration options for report automation.
  • Can fit into various agency structures.
  • RPA technology can automate tasks through a browser; custom solutions are pricy, but off-the-shelf solutions can be more affordable.
  • Any sized agency can benefit from the service.

 

About our Guest:

Jacob Simon is the founder and CEO of Adapt API.  He has a background in technology, having studied Computer Engineering at the University of Waterloo and worked in startups for over a decade in a wide range of industries.  Adapt API is an automation platform that streamlines servicing for P&C agencies.

[email protected]

 

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

Episode 165: People Do Business with People with Andrew Wynn

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With a mission to modernize insurance’s financial infrastructure, Ascend’s co-founder, Andrew Wynn, joins me to discuss not only how Ascend can help you grow your business and create wealth so that you have more freedom, but they are also going to give you more freedom. Whether or not accounting is your strong suit, this episode will help you discover the efficiencies you need in your business today.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how Andrew and his partner, Praveen, got into marketing to insurance companies to help agencies focus on the client and not worry so much about the infrastructure like accounting and payments.
  • With the advancement of technology, we started investing in carrier-focused tech and perhaps have gone too far with all the insurtech companies
  • As the capability grows, consumers don’t want to buy insurance from a computer but instead from a person who is going to be enabled through technology.
  • Companies are shifting their direct bill to Ascend because they want to own that customer expense and receive commissions earlier
  • When the sale is ready, make it as frictionless as possible to complete the transaction
  • Traditionally insurance has been a virtual product sold in a physical building and it does not need to be that way.
  • When you’re myopically focused on the little parts of the business, you sometimes forget the bigger picture.

 

About Ascend

Ascend is founded by two-time insurtech entrepreneurs, Andrew Wynn, and Praveen Chekuri, who built a home maintenance startup called Sheltr, which provides homeowners with routine preventative maintenance service and diagnostics to offer data-driven proactive care to catch issues before they become costly repairs. The company became the first acquisition made by insurtech unicorn Hippo because of its intuitive and technological approach to building an insurance product that went beyond the customer interaction. Prior to Sheltr, both Andrew and Praveen were employees at Instacart, leading the company’s product and data integration teams.

https://www.useascend.com/

 

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]

Episode 134: Are You 3.0 or Better with Tolga Tezel

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Founder and CEO of Canopy Connect, Tolga Tezel joins me to discuss how his company has allowed insurance agencies to gather accurate, comprehensive data from their prospects and clients while allowing those potential clients to find, share and protect their data as well. This was an enlightening conversation and one that you are not going to want to miss.

Highlights:

  • Canopy Connect is putting the agent in control of helping people.
  • The advantages of not having to ask potential clients a number of questions but instead get the information with just a few clicks from both the client and yourself.
  • Most agencies do not have a 3.0 score, i.e. having 1000 clients and a minimum of 3000 policies
  • A look at the process of how it is integrated into your system
  • Although there is a focus on personal lines, Canopy Connect is extending into commercial as well.
  • Potential clients want to talk with an agent however they don’t want to spend time gathering the information they need to give

 

Resources Mentioned

Sign up for virtual training at http://uppfaststart.com

Become Unstoppable: http://beunstoppablebootcamp.com

 

About My Guest:

Hi! 👋 I’m Tolga, founder & CEO at Canopy Connect. I honed my craft at startups, through open source work, and as an early infrastructure and product engineer at Dropbox.

Being Canadian, I had a hard time getting a credit card when I immigrated to the US. Banks couldn’t access my Canadian credit information, so they rejected me. In 2018 I joined Nova Credit to help launch in Canada and solve this problem. We helped immigrants get fair access to credit through their international data. I saw the power of consumer consent-driven data sharing first-hand. Through the magic of consumer consent + technology, we helped people unlock better financial outcomes for themselves. This inspiration drove me to discover other areas where consumers have a hard time getting value and convenience from their own data.

In 2019 I learned that this problem existed in the insurance space too. I talked with hundreds of insurance agency owners, agents, insurtechs and carrier reps and learned that getting accurate, comprehensive data from their prospects and customers was painfully difficult. Who knows their premiums, limits and deductibles off the top of their head? Who knows their VIN number, or where to find their dec page (let alone what a dec page even is?!) Of course no one knows. It’s not like most people are thinking about the bodily injury limit on their auto policy on a daily basis.

Not only is it painful for consumers to find and share their own data, but once data is shared, we lack the controls to know who we’ve shared it with, and to revoke our data if we want to. These are fundamental privacy and data controls we should have around our own sensitive data as consumers. They are necessary building blocks of a healthy insurance ecosystem where the consumer is in the driver’s seat.

I realized we could build a world where all of this was simple. The necessary ingredients are there; consumers want insurance to be personalized, seamless and easy, and they want basic control over their data. Insurance players need data to write better risks. The missing piece was infrastructure. So in early 2019 I started building the infrastructure for instant, secure and consumer consent-driven insurance data sharing. In February 2020 I founded Canopy Connect. A few months later we closed our seed round and started assembling a world-class engineering and product-focused team. Our team is now fully distributed across the US.

https://usecanopy.com/

[email protected]

 

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]

Episode 107: Not Taking Any Risk Is The Biggest Risk

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A Facebook post of an idea generation workshop in the insurance field, led IT consultant, Avdhesh Saxena into assisting insurance agencies in setting up chat platforms for their communication needs. Now he helps companies by utilizing technology-based solutions with his website, Friendly Agent. Listen as Avdhesh and I talk about adapting to changes and taking the risks to achieving success.

Highlights:

  • Opening communication lines with new chat platforms
  • Seeing the disparity between agencies that were highly successful and many that were struggling, Avdhesh started researching thought leaders of the industry to write a book to assist all
  • Characteristics and traits of highly successful insurance agency owners
  • Tips for scaling up your business
  • The survivability of the insurance agent over the next few years
  • Adapting to changing technology and impacts that occurrences have had on agencies that are not utilizing technology to a full extent
  • The importance of taking risks

 

About Our Guest:

Avdhesh Saxena has been part of the Insurance industry for more than 15 years. He has worked with large insurance companies and helped them in solving their business problems by leveraging technology-based solutions.

For the past few years, he has been helping insurance agents via his website “Friendly Agent” (https://www.friendlyagentbot.com/).
Avdhesh’s most recent work is his new book that profiles the most successful agents in North America. The book helps agents with a playbook that can be used to start, build, and scale up an insurance agency. To learn more about Saxena’s new book: www.friendlyagentbook.com

He currently lives in Connecticut with his wife and two boys. He loves traveling and has traveled to more than 15 countries till now.

 

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]

Episode 103: Tapatio Reveals All

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We are very excited to have today’s guest, UPP’s rock, Andrea Wyatt.  Andrea and I have been working together for the past 11 years and those in our program know that she is an invaluable asset.  In today’s episode, Andrea and I are going to talk about the strategies developed and lessons learned on the way to helping other agencies find the growth they need to lead a life that is on their own terms.

Highlights:

  • The effectiveness of implementing a Non-Pay Cancellation Automation that actually increased the reinstation of clients without having to personally reach out to them each time
  • The implementation of the Lost Souls Campaign, its response success, and the number of clients that reached out wanting to work with us again
  • Utilizing jot forms in order to assist with quotes, sales, and implementing changes to client’s insurance portfolio
  • Increase your connections with clients through the use of video instead of relying on the content copy all the time
  • Solidify your relationships with referral partners, these are great ways to gain introductions to potential new clients
  • A look at the three marketing tips that Andrea has for you: Lists, Data and Automation
  • Ninja Tip: Pre-assembled welcome kits

 

Links mentioned:

www.uppfaststart.com

www.beunstoppablebootcamp.com

 

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]

Episode 94: What You Don’t Know Will Cost You Millions

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Ron Shroyer believes in helping agencies adopt better ways to manage and grow their business. I have been in conversation with Ron about what his newest product, DONNA, an artificial intelligence and data analytics platform for independent agencies.  I knew that I had to share this information with all of you.

Highlights:

  • Starting his career with a focus on technology and professional services
  • How DONNA came to be
  • Artificial Intelligence and how it can work for you
  • Integrating with other systems such as HawkSoft, NowCerts, and many more
  • The Use of SentiMeter® to provide a customer experience score
  • Utilizing DONNA to either increase new sales to customers or even solving retention challenges

 

About Our Guest:

Ron is a former producer turned insuretech sales leader. He has leveraged 15+ years’ experience in technology and insurance to help independent agencies and carriers invest in and adopt better ways to manage and grow their business. He spends his spare with his wife and two kids, grinding away at the gym and playing golf at mediocre levels.

www.donnaforagents.com

https://www.aureusanalytics.com/ron-shroyer-joins-aureus-analytics-as-vice-president-of-sales

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-shroyer-69185b11/

 

 

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]

Episode 91: The VIG Way Leads to Profits

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Jose Villa had the dream that he wanted to build a legacy and he has done just that. Jose is one of our high performing Platinum Coaching Members and he is here to share how he and his wife built the agency they have today through innovation and technology  Grab a pen and paper.  You are not going to want to miss this!

Highlights:

  • Learning to delegate as you cannot do everything your self
  • The process of implementing change resulting in a change of employees as well
  • How implementing technology saved them time and money; from paperless forms to online client requests to internal checklists
  • Giving the customers the tools to connect with us efficiently and with satisfaction
  • Implementing a renewal strategy that increases retention and the lifetime value of a customer

 

About Jose Villa

As one of the founders of Villa Insurance Group Jose Villa possesses 15 years of experience in the insurance industry and currently serves as Vice President. His daily responsibilities include marketing development, general agency management and individual client needs analysis with an emphasis on building long term relationships while providing the very best customer experience. His previous experience in the commercial property and construction management have made him a commercial lines insurance specialist and has negotiated and placed hundreds of commercial insurance policies for businesses of all sizes.

In Jose’s spare time he enjoys fishing in our beautiful Washington lakes, mountain bike riding and playing golf. Jose has been married to Jessica Villa and has 3 amazing children. His love of our community and passion for helping others has led him to volunteering in coaching soccer and basketball for his children.

https://www.villainsurancegroup.com/

https://www.facebook.com/VIG9000/

 

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]

Episode 82: InsurTech from THE Legendary Source

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When it comes to InsurTech, Frank Senter is the man that you want to talk to. For the past 45 years, Frank has been providing technology solutions to insurance companies.  In this episode, Frank shares his knowledge that is going to provide you further information and insight into this area of expertise and how it can benefit you and your agency.

 

Highlights:

  • Returning to his entrepreneurial roots and mentoring starting InsurTech vendors
  • Opportunities missed by agents for not using technology and the disservice it does to them
  • The do’s and don’ts of InsurTech Accelerators
  • The best agency tech initiatives and using them to your agency’s advantage
  • Why vendors restrict access to agency data

 

About Our Guest:

Frank Sentner has been providing technology solutions to the insurance industry for 45 years. His consulting practice is focused on improving the business processes of insurers, insurance brokerage firms, and insurance technology solution providers. He has managed major policy, billing, and claims system replacement projects for insurers and has provided strategic consulting for many insurance brokerage firms, concentrating for several years on mentoring Startup InsurTech firms.

Frank led the development of the first ACORD forms-based agency policy and claims system while working for Insurnet in 1976.  He started his first consulting firm in 1982, then merged it with two other founders in 1984 to form Creative Information Systems (CISCo) where he designed and developed Sagitta, the first ACORD AL3-based agency system, which is still used today by some of the largest insurance brokers in the world.

In 1992, CISCo merged with the Gemini division of Aetna to form CISGEM, which was acquired by Vertafore in 1995 and where Frank served as SVP of Technology until 1996. Vertafore was acquired by Bain Capital Private Equity and Vista Equity Partners from TPG Capital for $2.7 Billion in 2016 and recently sold to Roper Technologies for $5.35 Billion. Sagitta is still their flagship product for national insurance brokers like Marsh MMA, USI, and BB&T.

In September 1996, Frank started his second consulting practice, Sentwood Consulting.  In the last 23 years, he has consulted for many organizations as diverse as The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, USI Insurance Services, Insurity Inc., and ACORD.

Recently, Frank worked with representatives from the State of Connecticut, the City of Hartford, the University of Connecticut, Travelers Insurance, The Hartford, AXA/XL , Hanover Insurance, NassauRe, Cigna Health Insurance, and InsurTech Hartford to raise funds and select StartupBootcamp as the organization to operate the first InsurTech Accelerator in Connecticut.  He helped to create Hartford InsurTech Hub and has mentored many of its Startups as well as the Startups participating in the NassauRe/Imagine InsurTech Incubator. He is also an advisor to InsurTech Hartford.

www.brokertechventures.com

 

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]

Episode 67: Money Follows Trust with Todd Sorrel

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Have you been looking for alternate ways to speed up your accounts payable and receivable process? Are you not sure exactly how well you are integrating your current technology into your overall systems?  Then this episode is for you. Todd Sorrel, the co-founder of EPay Policy, joins me today to discuss this and more.

Highlights:

  • How Epay is transforming the way independent insurance agencies utilize the mobile market to speed up their AP/AR accounts
  • Integration with today’s most popular management systems
  • Annual Insurtech Agency Awards with free technology analysis for all agencies that enter
  • Benefits of using a payment company that is focused on the needs of the insurance industry vs other companies like PayPal or Square
  • Being a generational insurance agent
  • Functioning in a remote workforce environment
  • Utilizing your management system to its full potential
  • Overview of the Epay Policy Customer Portal
  • Try EPay Policy with two months free of services if you sign up now! Use code #UPP2020

 

Epay Policy Links:

Website: https://epaypolicy.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epaypolicy/

EPay Demos: https://epaypolicy.com/demos/

InsurTech Agency Award – Registration and free technology analysis: https://insurtechaward.com/

 

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]

Episode 17 : Team Technology

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Provide State-of-the-Art Technology Tools

Technology has opened so many doors for businesses.  Some of you may not even remember the days when credit cards were not swiped electronically, but rather they were manually imprinted with ink and paper onto carbon tissue paper. That seems so archaic now, doesn’t it? That single technological advancement has changed the way we pay for everything in our daily lives.

Technology is just that important—it can change the way a business is run, almost overnight. I heard a speaker at an event over a decade ago that changed the life of our agency and revolutionized the way we do business. As the speaker was wrapping up his keynote, he made an offer to give away seven free CDs that contained a new piece of software. There was a mad rush to the table (free giveaways seem to have that effect on people).  I was one of the lucky seven to receive the software, a program called PaperPort.

That software transformed our business. In fact, it still runs all of our commercial renewals today, and it’s the backbone of our online desktop. We haven’t made a paper file since 2001. It minimizes the amount of paper needed in an otherwise paper-intense business. It also enables me to access my files from anywhere as long as I’ve got an Internet connection. We download information from all of our carriers, and of course, we religiously back it all up on our server using multiple safeguards.

We also invest a lot of time and effort into ensuring that we stay up to date with the latest technology for the team. We have dual monitors at every single desk, scanners at every workstation, and we upgrade our computers every two to three years. We’ve also invested in the newest phone systems with high quality recorded messages that drive people back to our business, and top-of-the-line headsets for every team member—and we upgrade them every few years when new technology comes out.

We give our employees every opportunity to be as efficient as possible so that they can do their job to the best of their ability.  Don’t hesitate to invest in technology, because I’ve always found the ROI to be massive. Give people the best tools to do their job, and they will be more motivated to use those tools to excel.

Hope this helps.  Now go out and make a difference, be unstoppable and leave no regrets!

What more can we do for you?

 

Mike Stromsoe

The Unstoppable Profit Producer

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