Providing insurance agents with tips and tricks that will help their agency grow by offering input, advice and solutions. You know what they say, it takes a village – we’re part of your village. We’re Westfield and we care about your success. So let’s get started.
Sarah Muniz, author of Undiscovered Voices, is our guest this week on Closing the Gap. We take a hard look at the systems in insurance that perpetuate women being left to the side, including stories from industry professionals, and how we can work to support women in insurance. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners and Westfield Bank.
In person with Josh Heebner and Dave Rivell of Element Risk. We discuss the inception and growth of the agency and how they have built culture in a world where not everybody can be in the same room. How does Element Risk balance growth with keeping true to their mission and values? Listen to find out!
Instincts are important but could they mislead insurance leaders in a complex, unpredictable world? Jennifer Garvey Berger, author of Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps, is our guest as we discuss five human quirks and how they become mindtraps for leaders. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners and Westfield Bank.
How have independent agents progressed in complex times? Aaron Bickle, Shannon Seel and Kassy Bean of Bickle Insurance join Chris Cline to talk about their agency over the past couple years. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Back for another episode to discuss agency banking and mergers & acquisitions is Mike Wagar, Westfield Bank. What is his outlook? Find out on this episode! We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Get to know Jack Kuhn, President Westfield Specialty. In this episode, we spend time discussing the specialty market and the importance of culture and talent for successful businesses. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Rob Stansbury, KPA, is this week's Closing the Gap Guest. In this episode we discuss risk management and how insurance agents can arm their clients with the tools to keep their employees safe. Rob has been with KPA for 16 years in various leadership roles. Rob started his career with KPA working directly with employers to establish and maintain their EHS and HR programs. After KPA acquired the Risk Management Center (channel partnership with Brokers), Rob took over the Insurance Operations for KPA. He marries the software as a service with KPA's traditional field services team to allow for value at both the broker and insured levels.
Gamma Iota Sigma leads the sustainable growth and diversification of the insurance industry's student talent pipeline across all functional areas. Get to know their Executive Director, Grace Grant, and members Jensen Worsley and Finn O'Brien. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
These can be tough conversations but how can you approach conversations about diversity with others? Learn how Jon Loftin, MJ Insurance, had the courage and comfort to lean in, ask and learn. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
What can insurance agencies learn about cyber security, and how can they protect their data? Troy Stairwalt, Westfield's Chief Information Security Officer, is this week's Closing the Gap guest. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
In person at Insuretech Connect 2021, Chris Cline is joined by the team of Fudge Insurance. Learn about their journey and the changes they put into place to bring tech forward We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Technology does not replace human experience; it can enhance it. Clint Houck, is this week's guest as we dig into building a fully digital insurance agency. Clint believes we can be better as an industry and that technology, when used properly, enhances the personalized insurance experience, it doesn't replace it. He has dedicated his career to building a smarter, more efficient, and effective insurance experience for consumers. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Whether you're a 2 person or a 2,000 person agency; there is a need diversity, equity and inclusion. MJ Insurance has embraced this philosophy. Join Jon Loftin and Shaq Thomas, MJ Insurance as we discuss being better if we can all live our truth. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
The right data to the right person at the right time. Jamie Peers, Synatic, and Jason Walker, Agency Insuretech, talk to us on this episode of Closing the Gap. Get to know your customers better through data. Fear of Getting Started Brochure You Should Know Me Better By Now - Customer-Centric Insurance As the VP of Business Development and Alliances, Jamie is responsible for strategic partnerships and the growth and GTM strategies for Synatic, working closely with Sales and Marketing teams and the Head of Delivery on implementation of processes. With 20 years' experience in the SaaS industry, Jamie is an accomplished executive with a track record of business development in global markets. Prior to joining Synatic, Jamie held a variety of leadership roles most recently as the CEO of Chase Software. He is a big believer in people and enabling the people around him to be push for growth and their best version of themselves. Jamie holds a Bachelor of Business Science degree in Information Systems from the University of Cape Town. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Good for you, good for me and we are good to go. Brian Ahearn, Influencer PEOPLE, LLC talks with Chris about how insurance agents can ethically influence others. We delve into the seven principles of the acronym PEOPLE Powerful Everyday Opportunities To persuade That are lasting And Ethical We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
How can you prove to your boss that the digital marketing efforts you have put forth are working? Listen to Jody Geiger, CMO of the OIA, as we discuss ways data can be used for success in your insurance agency. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
If you've dealt with your auto insurance in recent years, you've probably heard the term UBI. What is usage based insurance and how can it benefit agency and customer? Steve Butler, Personal Lines Product Manager at Westfield, is our guest this week on Closing the Gap. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
The insurance industry is evolving. What does this mean for young talent at your agency, and why does it matter? Olivia Strauss, Social Media Intern, and Rob Koszkalda, Social Media Marketing Manager, of Westfield are our guests this week on Closing the Gap. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Agency evaluations are at an all-time high. Why is this happening, and what does it mean? Mike Wagar, Westfield Bank, returns on this episode of Closing the Gap. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
It's no secret that technology is changing the insurance industry. How are InsurTech tools bringing value to insurance carriers, agencies, and the industry overall? Raghav Tanna, Cofounder and CEO of Tarmika, is this week's Closing the Gap guest. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Finding the “best” insurance is hard work. How can insurance agents compare carriers with data to find the best fit for their customers? Dan Karr, Founder and CEO of ValChoice, and Chelsea Zweifel, Personal Lines Manager at Evarts Tremaine are this week's Closing the Gap guests. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
What can insurance agencies learn about cyber security, and how can they protect their data? Troy Stairwalt, Westfield's Chief Information Security Officer, is this week's Closing the Gap guest. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Lumber prices have been increasing for some time. How could this affect your insurance? Dave Coil, Principal and Business Risk Advisor at Hummel Group, is this week's guest on Closing the Gap. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Take friction out of an agents life. How are 8 insurance startups working to create a true advantage while delivering to the customer. Bryan Falchuk, The Future of Insurance, is this week's guest on Closing the Gap. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
What market conditions have led us to the current hard market? Dave Ruppel & Troy Crawford, Westfield go deep into this hard market and provide insight on how an agent can succeed. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Let’s demystify Surety. Kathryn Truman, Commercial Surety Leader at Westfield Insurance, is this week’s Closing the Gap Guest. Join us as we give the 101 on commercial and contract surety, why surety is profitable for you and develops long lasting customer relationships for your agency. Surety helps you sell yourself as a full service agency. Want to learn more? Reach out to Kathryn through LinkedIn or at commercialsurety@westfieldgrp.com, 1-877-233-9836. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Back in person, Chris discusses analytics, valuations and the landscape of the independent agent channel with Jeff Smith and Megan Smith of the Ohio Insurance Agents Association. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Calling all passionate women who want to embrace and empower other women in insurance. Local agent and Founder & CEO at InsureWomen, Kim Beach, is this week’s Closing the Gap Guest. Learn Kim’s journey of starting a scratch agency and how she is creating a community of women owned agencies. InsureWomen's mission is to empower women in the insurance buying process to feel confident, educated and treated with the respect and attention they deserve. The company will also provide a marketing platform for other female agents who are passionate about helping women in this process. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Phil Klotzbach, Research Scientist at Colorado State, shares his thoughts regarding the frequency and intensity of hurricanes. Specifically historical trends and what that means for the 2021 season and beyond. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners. Phil Klotzbach is a Research Scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University. He received his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from CSU in 2007. Klotzbach has worked in the Department of Atmospheric Science for the past twenty years and was co-author on the Atlantic basin hurricane forecasts with Dr. William Gray through 2005. He became first author on the seasonal hurricane forecasts in 2006. Klotzbach developed the two-week forecasts currently being issued during the peak months of the hurricane season between August-October. He has authored over 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Climate and Weather and Forecasting. Klotzbach graduated from Bridgewater State College with a BS degree in Geography in 1999. After receiving his Masters degree from CSU in 2002, Klotzbach thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine (2100+ miles). He has also climbed all 54 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado, and has completed nine marathons and six ultra-marathons.
There are more tech solutions than ever for insurance agencies and it is a challenge. Steve Anderson, Catalyit, and Carey Wallace are this week's guests. Join us as we discuss relationships, data and technology. And why insurance agents must blend the three for success. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Welcome to Westfield Workshop. Our colleague, Stacey Bruce, shares what workshop is and the value it brings to our insurance agency partners. Including a few simple steps to enhance your digital presence. Know your numbers Define your goals on your digital platforms Build a simple content calendar Ask your current providers what free or low cost offerings they may have to improve your digital footprint Want to learn more? Reach out and connect! Staceybruce@westfieldgrp.com LinkedIn - Stacey Bruce | LinkedIn We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
How does the insurance industry become better, quicker, faster? Don Hurrle, Westfield IT Leader and Agile Guru, joins Closing the Gap Insurance Agency Podcast to discuss the agile transformation happening at Westfield and the insurance Industry. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
What tips are there to create value through content on social media for insurance agents? How can agencies move from listening on social to implementing a sales strategy? Hadie Bartholomew and Rob Koszkalda, Westfield discuss during this episode. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Greg Garrett, Westfield’s Diversity and Inclusion Operations Leader, is this week’s Closing the Gap Guest. We discuss the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion and the value insurance provides for individuals and communities alike. Join us as we reshape the conversation about insurance. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Jana Schellin Foster this week's guest. Jana is an agency principal at Nevada Insurance Agency Co, a family owned agency, in Nevada since 1935. She currently sits as the Chair of the National Young Agents for the IIABA (Big I). Join us as we discuss the story of Jana's family owned agency and how the Big I is preparing young agents for success. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Mike Wagar is this week’s guest to discuss insurance agency finances. How did 2020 impact insurance agency valuation and mergers & acquisitions? Learn more about agency banking with Westfield Bank. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
How has 2020 impacted consumer and insurance agency behavior? The year may have not created trends, but it defiantly accelerated them. Chip Bacciocco, Trusted Choice is our guest. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Olivia Schmitt, You Don’t Know Schmitt podcast, is our guest this week. Join us as we delve into the book What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite by David DiSalvo. Before listening, ask yourself this question. “Is the human brain ever going to be powerful enough to figure out the human brain?” Enjoy! We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
How have you accepted what has gone on in the world during 2020? Ryan Hanley, Rogue Risk, energizes us with an open dialogue about his 2020 and where the insurance industry is. Your tribe may be smaller due to COVID but is it not stronger than ever? We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Adam Sheridan, Reed Brothers Insurance Services, Inc & creator of Against the Current Podcast is our guest to kick off 2021. Learn how Adam started his own podcast, learn how he did it! We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
2020 has been an unexpected and tough year for us all. Chris and Rob reflect on the year and the things that they are grateful for in 2020 and beyond. We hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season! We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Aaron Bickle, Bickle Insurance, takes us through the journey from captive agency too independent. Listen in as we take a break from COVID-19 discussions and learn about another agency's story. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
How many sales could you make with the time you allocate for administrative activities? Mr. Biz, Ken Wentworth, discusses revenue producing activities, innovation and understanding your customers. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners. Closing the Gap named top #15 Insurance Podcast via Feedspot https://wf.insure/2Pnf62D
Find out what you love, because you will be doing it a long time. Joyce Sigler, Jones-Wenner Insurance Partner, and President-Elect, American Insurance Marketing and Sales Society, discusses professional development. Never be satisfied and believe in whatever you are good at. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners. Closing the Gap named top #15 Insurance Podcast via Feedspot https://wf.insure/2Pnf62D
If you are going to influence your team as a leader, you must understand their perspective, Richard Franzi, Killing Cats Leads to Rats, joins Closing the Gap to discuss unintended consequences of business decisions. It’s not all business talk as we look into history and how the fear of black cats helped lead to the Bubonic Plague. Join us! We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners. Closing the Gap named top #15 Insurance Podcast via Feedspot https://wf.insure/2Pnf62D
To acknowledge International Fraud Awareness Week, Jordan Rahe, Westfield Special Investigative Unit, joins Closing the Gap to discuss all things fraud. And shares a few examples of insurance fraud along the way. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners. Closing the Gap named top #15 Insurance Podcast via Feedspot https://wf.insure/2Pnf62D
The more perspectives you receive the more accurate a solution to a complex problem. Ken Cloke, Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution, provides solutions to conflict. Whether a conflict exists in your work or home life, you can find ways to find a mutual benefit for all parties. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
More than 90% of word of mouth happens offline even in a digital world. How are you connecting to your clients and providing them peace of mind? Jim Karrh, author of The Science of Customer Connections: Manage Your Message to Grow Your Business, joins this episode of Closing the Gap. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
The art of storytelling never goes away. Michelle Auerbach, Resilience, discusses the art and science of storytelling. As insurance processionals, we interact with customers on the worst of days. A simple “I’m here for you, you aren’t alone, and we will do this together.” Could make all the difference. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Running a business during COVID-19 is like playing ping pong on a 20-dimensional ping pong table. Multiple parameters are affecting today’s business climate and Scott Page, John Seely Brown Distinguished University Professor of Complexity, Social Science, and Management at the University of Michigan is here to explain solutions and ways businesses are looking to thrive post-pandemic. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners.
Your credibility is your biggest asset. Tim Ward joins Closing the Gap to discuss the Pro Truth Pledge and importance of telling the truth in business, politics and media. You won’t want to miss this episode. We welcome your review of Closing the Gap on Apple Podcasts. Learn more about Westfield's independent agency partners. Closing the Gap named top #15 Insurance Podcast via Feedspot https://wf.insure/2Pnf62D
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