Vertafore Insurance Podcast

Market connectivity in the insurance distribution channel

Market connectivity is a big topic of conversation in the insurance industry right now. The pandemic brought it to the forefront when members of the insurance distribution channel scrambled to find ways to connect when stay-at-home orders were in place. In this week's rant, Rick breaks down insurance market connectivity and gives tips on how you can start and modernize your connectivity processes. 

Protect your WFH office from cybercriminals

Many of us are working from home because of the pandemic. We feel safe, locked away in our offices, or secure office space in our homes. We don't think about the cybercriminals who are hunting for prey 24-hours a day. They're waiting for a tiny mistake or oversight to pounce and wreak havoc on our business. 

Today's guest, Brad Schrum of Wingman Insurance—a cybersecurity expert with 25+ years of experience—is going to talk through some simple steps we can take to secure our data and explain why cybersecurity insurance is necessary for all insurance businesses.

Commercial Submissions: The future is almost here!

The insurance industry is very excited about new technology that will revolutionize commercial submissions for the independent agency. Rick's guest — Sharmila Ray, who leads Vertafore's carrier solutions strategy — shares valuable insights into how close we are to having this technology. Sharmila's insurance industry expertise spans more than 15 years, including 12 years with McKinsey & Company where she worked with carriers on growth and distribution strategy.

Sharmila shares insights on: 

• What customers in the small commercial lines of business really want (7:40)
• Why the independent agent model is here to stay (10:50)
• How carriers are preparing their systems for technology that will provide real-time quote and bind (11:45)
• How InsurTech companies, including Vertafore, are investing in commercial submissions technology for small and medium agencies (15:15)

Being on the brink of transformative technology is very exciting. Listen as Sharmila also shares how her commercial lines prediction from five years ago is on the verge of being realized. 

Surety Bonds made easy, with Aaron Steffey

Insurance agents often shy away from selling surety bonds because they are difficult and time consuming to write. In this episode, Aaron Steffey — managing partner of Steffey Insurance Agency, and co-owner of Propeller Insurance — joins Rick to share exciting news on how to write surety bonds in minutes and how to empower your customers to complete the process online at their convenience. Listen as Aaron tells Rick how automating the surety bond distribution process can bring you new business opportunities. 

Believing in diversity is not enough; be the change!

At the end of a successful webinar, some of Rick's guests asked where the women and people of color were. As a strong advocate of social justice, he was surprised to realize he had unconsciously chosen a panel that looks like him. 

In this week's rant Rick shares how that realization led him to think deeper about diversity and inclusion, and delve into:

• Diversity in society (2:43)
• Diversity at work (10:06)
• Diversifying your book of business (16:40)

As Rick shares his thoughts on the subject, he looks forward to hearing yours. 

How to handle conversations about social justice

Discussions about social justice are important - but they are also often uncomfortable and difficult. In this episode, Kwame Christian joins Risk to talk about how to have these conversations effectively. Kwame is a lawyer, professor, author, and director of The American Negotiation Institute, and has the world's most successful podcast on negotiation and conflict resolution. Kwame shares insights on:

• Why America is struggling with conversations about race (7:03)
• How to overcome the struggle of having difficult conversations (11:45)
• Next steps after you've had the conversation (22:02)

Americans are trying to have these difficult conversations openly and honestly in the hope of effecting change. Listen up for some additional tools and resources from Kwame to to enhance your skills with difficult conversations, both in your personal and professional life.

Is dirty data blocking your success?

Many insurers are trying to figure out the best way to use industry data to grow their business. This task can be complicated, expensive, and time-consuming if not approached thoughtfully. In this week's rant Rick asks if your data is ready to be analyzed. He also offers simple ways to clean up your data and make it analyzable. Rick delves into this topic by addressing the following: 

• Is your data ready to be analyzed? (2:25)
• Make your data work for you (7:00)
• If you're already analyzing your data, find additional ways to do so (18:47)

The future of insurance, with Bryan Falchuk

Are you watching the insurance industry evolve quickly, and know you must modernize but you're not sure where to start? "Your customers and producers hold the answers," says Bryan Falchuk, today's podcast guest.

Bryan is a 20-year P&C insurance veteran who has worked with carriers in multiple capacities. He is also a best-selling author, speaker and life-coach whose work has been featured in top publications like Inc. Magazine, The LA Times, and the Chicago Tribune. Prepare to take notes as Bryan simplifies the best way to approach your modernization project.

The worst thing in life is wasted talent

Recognizing and nurturing the talent in your organization can pay big dividends. In this week's episode Rick shares tips on how to treat the talent in your organization and how to empower them to be proactive and think for themselves. He also gave employees tips on how to be proactive in owning their talent, speaking up for themselves, and driving their careers forward. Rick breaks it down from three perspectives:

• How leadership handles talent in the organization (4:34)
• How to attract talent to the organization (11:36)
• Talented employees taking ownership of their talents and careers (16:58)

Make sure you have a pen and paper handy as Rick drops a few gems we're sure you won't want to forget.

Women in insurance, technology and sales, with Anita Byer

Meet Anita Beyer, this episode's fascinating guest. Anita is a trail blazer in commercial insurance sales and the president of Setnor Byer Insurance & Risk. In this VIP episode Anita shares her experience as a woman in sales, encourages young women to explore career options in insurance, and offers tips for how women can be successful in the industry.

 

Anita is smart, creative and has a wealth of knowledge to impart on recent college grads and workforce veterans alike, who may not be sure of their career path but care about making a difference in people's lives.