Podcasts about share thank

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Kenny Urbania is the CEO of The Agency Collective, a company that helps various insurance agents become new independent agencies. Their services include access to educational tools, lead conversion training, and customer retention strategies. Kenny has over 25 years of experience as an agent, starting his career as a scratch agent. He also established the LifeGOAT platform, where agents can answer questions that automatically generate quotes sent to various carriers. Kenny joins us to describe how The Agency Collective supports individual agents in their goal of becoming independent agencies and discusses the perks of being a member, especially with regards to commissions. He explains how their onboarding process works and how the pandemic boosted their membership program. Kenny also discusses how the LifeGOAT platform works and why it's a game-changer for agents in the industry. "The bottomline is: we're all partners in this together. Whatever helps the agents grow their revenue is our goal." - Kenny Urbania Today on Spot On Insurance: How being in construction led Kenny to work in the insurance industry The advantages agency principals have when they join the Agency Collective Some of the things agency principals need to keep in mind when joining networks What sets Agency Collective apart from other clusters The enrollment process when agents try to join the Agency Collective Why they never touch the commissions that agents make How the pandemic became a blessing for their group What they learned about themselves throughout COVID-19 The "incubator" setup for new agencies The meaning behind the term LifeGOAT The goal of their webinars series Who are "ROAD" agents, and how they designed their business model around them Life lessons Kenny learned in the Coast Guard that he applied in his work in insurance Key Takeaways: New agents and agencies would do well to be well acquainted with the latest tools and technologies, especially now when everyone is trying to do work remotely. Just because you have experience in a different industry doesn't mean you can't work in insurance. Connect with Kenny Urbania: The Agency Collective Email: kenny@theagencycluster.com Phone: (440) 478-7700 This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn John Wales is the General Manager of CoverWallet for Agents, a product offered by CoverWallet. CoverWallet is the easiest way for a business to manage, buy, and understand commercial insurance. John has over 20 years of experience in the financial and insurance industry, with milestones including starting and growing companies to multi-million dollar valuations. John is also a music enthusiast, having voluntary experience as a music arranger for the Los Angeles Youth Arts. John joins us to discuss what CoverWallet offers small and medium-sized businesses and how agents can benefit from CoverWallet for Agents. He discusses his passion for music, his DMA in Composition, and his experience in the music industry. He explains the potential losses a company can incur if a cybersecurity breach compromises its data. He discusses how commercial insurance writing is complex and how CoverWallet can make the process easier. John also shares his thoughts on the pandemic and what he believes we need to do as a country to get back on our feet as soon as possible.  "Writing commercial insurance and tailoring it to that specific small business is an intense process." - John Wales Today on Spot On Insurance: John's music education and how he compares an orchestra to business management Why John's first insurance agency was not successful How John found his passion for commercial insurance How listening can benefit insurance agents more How CoverWallet is reinventing commercial insurance for small and medium-sized businesses John's thoughts on cybersecurity insurance and security breaches How much it would cost a company to be attacked by hackers Why agents should look up CoverWallet for Agents when fulfilling cyber liability coverage Why commercial insurance writing is complex The benefits of CoverWallet's cyber liability product How COVID-19 affected their company's goals and priorities What John believes we can do to help each other during these chaotic times When John's podcast will launch and what it will be about Key Takeaways: 43% of all cyber breaches happened to one or two owner companies. Almost 50% of the losses are happening to small companies who can't afford the loss. For small businesses, cybersecurity is one of the biggest challenges. Connect with John Wales: CoverWallet The Insurance Huddle Facebook Group LinkedIn Email: john.wales@thecoverwallet.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Nestor Solari is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sigo Seguros, an inclusive car insurance provider that primarily serves immigrants and other working-class populations who can't purchase traditional auto insurance. The company seeks to extend a helping hand to those whose financial metrics aren't seen as ideal by most insurance industries. Nestor believes the market for immigrants and other minorities locked out of traditional insurance will one day be the dominant market, and Sigo Seguros is simply leading the way. Nestor earned a degree in Finance from Penn State University, an MA in International Studies from the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, and obtained his MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Nestor joins us to describe Sigo Seguros's vision to serve the underserved in the insurance industry. He shares the ideas that led to where Sigo Seguros is today and explains how his career in finance allowed him to have a better perspective when he started an insurance company. He discusses the challenges of being a company that serves a relatively small market. Nestor also shares what we can look forward to from Sigo Seguros in the near future. "There's a lot of opportunity to be unlocked in building a community around insurance." - Nestor Solari Today on Spot On Insurance: Nestor's life in Uruguay and his aspirations as a young man How Nestor's career in finance got started The turning point in Nestor's life that made him come back to America How Nestor found a career in insurance Why Sigo Seguros primarily works with financial services serving underserved populations The main reason Nestor founded Sigo Seguros Why they don't use traditional financial metrics to underwrite insurance Why offering products and services for everybody does not truly serve everyone The challenges of building inclusive products The story behind the name of their company What it's like starting a company as someone outside of the industry How supportive Nestor's family was when he started small Nestor's relationship with Bryan Falchuk What we can expect from Nestor and Sigo Seguros Key Takeaways: In insurance, traditionally, the less you think about it the better. The fewer touchpoints you have with your insurance company, the better. Resources Mentioned: The Future of Insurance: From Disruption to Evolution by Bryan Falchuk Connect with Nestor Solari: Sigo Seguros LinkedIn Twitter Instagram Email: nestor@sigoseguros.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn SOI231 - Patents: Lessons in Strategies & Financing  Russ Krajec is the CEO of BlueIron, a company that gives startups and small businesses the financing they need for anything patent-related. The goal is to help their clients enforce their intellectual property and build a strong portfolio. Russ is considered one of the best when it comes to patents. He has personally authored over 800 patent applications with experience in various types of intellectual property transactions, patent valuation, and portfolio curation. He is also an inventor with over 30 US patents to his name.  Russ joins us to describe the type of industry he works in and why the market has a severely underrated growth potential. He shares how he familiarized himself with the patent system and what made him pivot his career from engineering to becoming a patent agent. He explains the common misconceptions entrepreneurs have with patent filing, especially regarding the protection it gives. He discusses the common mistakes people make when getting patents and examples of ideas and inventions that should not be patented. Russ also explains how having intellectual property insurance can prevent bankruptcy. "A patent has no value until somebody is using it." - Russ Krajec Today on Spot On Insurance: Russ' career as an engineer and how he familiarized himself with the patent system What made Russ pursue a career as a patent agent Why independent inventors were called ‘walking malpractice lawsuits' What inventors should know about patent attorneys The moment Russ wanted to sell intellectual property insurance What the market for patents is like The common mistakes people make when getting patents Why patents don't mean protection What should - and should not - be patented An example of a patented technology protecting its owner The number of patents Russ has filed How patent insurance can save a company from bankruptcy What readers can expect from his book Investing in Patents Key Takeaways: Companies are 22 times more likely to have a patent-related lawsuit than a directors and officers claim. There is a sophisticated and not well-advertised secondary market for patents. Connect with Russ Krajec: IP Insurance BlueIron LinkedIn Book: Investing in Patents: What Startup Investors Need To Know About Patents This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Daven Michaels is the CEO of 123Employee, a world leader in business outsourcing that provides small and large companies with virtual assistants from the Philippines. Their virtual assistants are trained to be the best in social media, internet marketing, telemarketing, and customer service. Daven specializes in business strategy consulting, marketing solutions, and social media marketing and sales. Before founding 123Employee, Daven worked in the music industry as an event producer, chief financial officer, and writer.  Daven joins us to describe how 123Employee enables business leaders to get more done with less time and money. He shares his career in music, what 80's fashion was like, and his success story that involved a cricket and Jack Nicholson. He explains where the name 123Employee came from and the services his virtual assistants offer. He discusses why he chose the Philippines for business outsourcing and why he initially hesitated opening an office in Manila, its capital. Daven also shares how the pandemic negatively affected his business initially and how, in hindsight, it made his business grow. "If you're looking to outsource, what you want to start with is identifying the income generating activities in your business." - Daven Michaels Today on Spot On Insurance: Daven's life before entrepreneurship and the time he worked with different bands What the '80s fashion was like Daven's cricket story and the entrepreneurial success that came after Daven's thoughts on how luck factors into a person's success The different business ventures Daven went into before his outsourcing company took off Why the term "outsourcing" was a taboo word back in the early days of 123Employee Why being first to market isn't always good. Daven's advice to those who want to start their own business The clients and companies 123Employee caters to Why Daven chose to utilize Filipino talent  How the pandemic helped his business flourish Where the name 123Employee came from  What the outsourcing process looks like with freelancers and agencies Key Takeaways: In the face of adversity, small businesses innovate. You can take a shortcut to success by learning from those who walked the same path you're walking. Don't expect your VA to teach you how to run your business. Resources Mentioned: Book: The Luck Factor Book: The 4-Hour Workweek LastPass Connect with Daven Michaels: 123Employee Daven Michaels Official Website LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Dennis Logan Jr. is Cyber Safety Architects' Chief Architect. Cyber Safety Architects (CSA) is an independent cyber insurance agency. Just as their name implies, Dennis and his team specialize in cybersecurity and cyber coverage. They don't just offer cyber insurance, but also analyze business exposures and educate organizations on how to prevent an attack and what they should do if they fall victim to one. Before starting CSA, Dennis worked as an underwriter and broker at various insurance companies. Dennis joins us to discuss what business owners should know regarding their cyber policies' fine print. He describes what made him decide to work in insurance and why he decided to start CSA. He discusses some of the common ways hackers get inside business systems and why your team members will always be the most vulnerable entry points. He explains the difference between getting private data before smartphones and how it is easier today. Dennis also shares tips and tools he recommends to vastly improve private or professional cyber security. "Once something becomes a mainstream way of security, that's when things start to get hacked." - Dennis Logan Jr. Today on Spot On Insurance: Where Dennis he grew up, and how he joined the insurance industry When Dennis' entrepreneurial spirit made him realize what he really wanted to do Why Dennis prefers to learn something that's not in a book How the pandemic changed the way marketing was conducted The most essential cybersecurity coverage What can be classified as a tech interruption event How can a company prevent cybersecurity attacks and their options during one How many companies have their own cybersecurity team Why Dennis chose to leave his previous companies How hackers often work to get company information and data The difference between cyber vulnerability before smartphones and today What Dennis recommends when it comes to creating passwords Examples of phishing emails that may look legitimate to the untrained eye The fine print and policies business owners should be aware of The tools Dennis recommends that can significantly improve cybersecurity What Dennis looks forward to in the future How ILSA helped Dennis get a jump start in the industry Key Takeaways: The last thing you want to do is to have to rely on your LinkedIn network to find an IT provider who will help you immediately for a cost that's going to be reasonable. Even if you're not the C-Suite or the IT person, you're still logged into a system in some way. Resources Mentioned: Google Authenticator Book: The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage, and Fear in the Cyber Age by David E. Sanger LastPass 1Password Connect with Dennis Logan Jr.: Cyber Safety Architects LinkedIn Phone: (443) 212-8047 Email: dennis@csa.insure This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Jennifer DeFrenza is the Vice President of Marketing at Surex, an online insurance company based in Ontario, Canada. As Vice President of Marketing, she is responsible for employing, developing, and overseeing the company's many marketing initiatives. She helps Surex achieve their short and long-term goals, improving their brand awareness, and executing marketing strategies for revenue and growth. Before becoming Vice President, Jennifer was Surex's Director of Digital Marketing. Jennifer joins us to discuss the professional risks she took to get where she is today. She shares the challenges of raising a family, helping her husband start a business, and climbing the ladder to success in insurance. She explains her role at Surex, the importance of digital marketing post-COVID-19, and what it means to have a team assigned for your company's social media growth. Jennifer also describes the benefits and drawbacks of outsourcing and having your own group for marketing. "COVID taught us digital marketing is really something you need to have." - Jennifer DeFrenza Today on Spot On Insurance: Jennifer's childhood story, her life in Toronto, and why she pursued sales in college How Jennifer started working in insurance Jennifer's role as a Vice President of Marketing at Surex The pros and cons of outsourcing to an outside agency vs growing a team internally How Jennifer improved the way Surex worked on data gathering, transparency, and social media What Jennifer does to incentivize team members to engage with their social media presence The career risks she took to get to where she is today What it's like to lead a new company in a place where insurance isn't that popular The challenges of raising children while helping her husband launch his business The projects Jennifer is currently working on Key Takeaways: It's critical to have someone who is an expert with social media and video There are a lot correlations between sales and marketing Connect with Jennifer DeFrenza: Surex LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Matthew “Matt” Bruno is the Chief Operating Officer at ReSource Pro, a staffing company that caters specifically to organizations in the insurance industry. Their main office is in New York, but they have satellite offices in India and China. As Chief Operating Officer, Matt directs, coordinates, and administers the company's operations and activities globally. Matt specializes in developing business strategies, financial forecasts, and creating innovative products and services. Before he started ReSource Pro, Matt was a successful English teacher in China.  Matt joins us today to discuss what ReSource Pro can do for small and large businesses in the insurance industry. He describes how the pandemic affected their operations, and how their office and team in China coped with the lockdowns and need for PPEs. He shares why he decided to move to China, what it was like being an English teacher on the other side of the world, and why he started ReSource Pro. Matt  also explains the struggles of running a staffing business amidst COVID-19 and describes what we can expect from ReSource Pro in the near future. "When you get a resister who becomes converted, they are your best champion." - Matt Bruno Today on Spot On Insurance: Matt's childhood and where his passion for entrepreneurship started How Matt started working in the insurance industry Matt's experience with teaching English in China What inspired Matt to start ReSource Pro How prepared Matt's team was during the first few months of the pandemic Acquiring PPEs and facemasks for their China staff The challenging part about getting extra computers for a work-from-home setup How COVID-19 impacted Matt's business going forward ReSource Pro's services and how they help clients sort through organizational messes Types of organizations ReSource Pro are able to assist The benefits of being an easy-to-audit organization What makes ReSource Pro a unique and award-winning business  The cultural changes Matt had to adjust when he went to China for the first time What's in store for ReSource Pro in the near future? Key Takeaways: Making sure people know what their role and responsibilities are is important. Even though you have a standard document system, every account manager is putting things in different places. So, their audits are often chaotic. Resources Mentioned: Monster Connect with Matt Bruno: ReSource Pro Email: mbruno@resourcepro.com LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Dan Maher is the Executive Director at Excess Line Association New York (ELANY), a non-profit industry advisory association. The services of ELANY are focused on helping their clients stay compliant with excess line law. Lorenzo Houston is the Tax Compliance Manager at ILSA, where he is responsible for compiling and reviewing tax returns on behalf of a client. Brian Allen is the Special Projects Administrator for ILSA. His responsibilities include working with developers and regulatory representatives to develop and enhance online tools for the industry. Dan, Lorenzo, and Brian join us today to discuss how our companies adapted to the rapid changes in how we worked during the pandemic. We discuss how Dan's team was gearing up with a work-from-home system just before the quarantines began and how Project CATT helped ILSA's clients cope with online work efficiently. We discuss how small and large agencies struggle with surplus lines regulations differently. Dan explains the training they gave ELANY's staff members regarding cybersecurity and how non-official emails are considered a cyber risk. We also discuss why surplus line outsourcing has become more critical in light of the pandemic and its mandatory health protocols. "As premium increases and the market hardens, the need to outsource surplus lines becomes even more invaluable." - Lorenzo Houston Today on Spot On Insurance: How cloud systems allowed ELANY staff to work remotely What it was like to create a work from home solution on the fly The recent system changes ELANY applied that made their services more seamless, efficient, and automated What Project CATT is and how Brian made it work for ILSA's clients in 2020 The challenges faced by smaller and more prominent agencies in the area of surplus lines Why compliance is often overlooked by agency executives How ILSA fared during the pandemic How ELANY supports and educates its members with the challenges in cybersecurity regulation How ELANY teaches their employees to be on the lookout for potential cybersecurity risks ILSA's cybersecurity measures and the solutions they are working on What ELANY did at the height of the pandemic and how it affected them as an organization The politicians that helped the insurance industry during the pandemic Why surplus line outsourcing has become more invaluable today The impact of ELANY's charitable acts in 2020 Key Takeaways: Companies who used cloud-based software before the pandemic were businesses that had little problems transitioning to a work-from-home setup. Cybersecurity risks are at its highest when employees open emails that appear to be official or sent by someone within the organization. Resources Mentioned: Renaissance Systems Inc. Connect with Dan Maher: The Excess Line Association of New York Email: dmaher@elany.org Phone: (646) 210-8075 Connect with Lorenzo Houston: Email: lhouston@ilsainc.com Phone: (254) 729-6133 LinkedIn Connect with Brian Allen: Email: ballen@ilsainc.com Phone: (254) 729-8002 LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Aaron Steffey is the Co-Founder and Director of Sales and Marketing at Propeller Bonds—a company with a goal to simplify, automate, and distribute insurance products for clients more efficiently and effectively. The company's current focus is on the surety bond market in the USA, which is worth over $6 billion. As Director of Sales and Marketing, Aaron is responsible for the company's sales, marketing, and acquisition deals. Aaron is also a managing partner at Steffey Insurance Agency, a family-owned insurance broker in Indianapolis, Indiana. Aaron joins us to discuss how Propeller Bonds started and why they concentrated on surety bonds. He shares what it's like growing up with parents who own an insurance agency. He discusses what surety bonds are for and why they were often ignored or looked at with animosity in the industry. He explains how the Propeller platform works and how it automates what used to be cumbersome steps. He describes how the pandemic was a blessing in disguise for their company. Aaron also shares his tips for those who are planning on starting an insurtech company. "Employee count is not the most important thing in insurance; you want to be efficient." - Aaron Steffey Today on Spot On Insurance: Aaron's educational background and how he was introduced to insurance What it's like growing up with parents who worked in insurance How Aaron creates a balance between family and business What Aaron predicts for the future of independent agencies Why independent agencies have an advantage over carriers when it comes to flexibility Why bonds are important in insurance and why agents hated bonds before How agents can use their company's platform Why the pandemic was a huge game-changer for their company How Aaron set up his team and the people he needed How their marketing went virtual instead of personal interaction Why Zoom and other virtual meeting apps hurt phone calls Aaron's advice to future insurtech entrepreneurs Key Takeaways: Surety Bonds are a kind of revenue generator for the municipality. Surety bonds were often ignored because of how difficult the process was of obtaining one. Connect with Aaron Steffey: Propeller Bonds Steffer Insurance Agency LinkedIn Company Email: team@propellerbonds.com Personal Email: aaron@propellerbonds.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Bryan Falchuk is an Insurance & InsurTech Advisor, Speaker, Leadership Coach, and Best-Selling Author. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Insurance Evolution Partners, a consultancy that helps insurance companies innovate and evolve during times of disruption. He is the author of The Future of Insurance Volume 1 and Volume 2, where he highlights how legacy carriers adapted to changing times and how startups responded to different circumstances. Bryan is also an expert in general management, operations, sales & distribution, and business intelligence. Bryan joins us today to discuss the lessons the pandemic taught him and how his mindset has become adapted to the disruption it brought. He shares some of the key takeaways from The Future of Insurance: From Disruption to Evolution: Volume II: The Startups and describes the difference between the problems that affect legacy carriers and startups. He explains how a well-funded startup isn't always successful and discusses the complexities of compliance and regulations when it comes to startups. He also shares why companies - big or small - should always strive to build a healthy relationship with their regulators and discusses the lessons he has learned from failure. "There are complications in being a legacy and being a startup." - Bryan Falchuk Today on Spot On Insurance: How Bryan's life changed before the pandemic and how he adapted How the pandemic allowed business to be more efficient Why the pandemic made the business side of things have a more human approach What's new with the second volume of Bryan's book The existential threat a legacy carrier would likely never face How businesses can make capital strategies through relationships Is it harder to be an incumbent or a startup Why some are made for legacies and others for startups What is "Diversity of Thinking" and how an organization applies it Why a well-funded startup doesn't always lead to success What compliance is from a startup perspective The role of regulators in the industry and building a good relationship with them What Thimble is, what they do, and why they have a close relationship with regulators The key lessons Bryan learned from the failures he experienced What inspired Bryan to write books and blogs in the first place Key Takeaways: Some insurance businesses are only successful because they were well-invested. You all can have a good relationship with a regulator, but it takes a different approach to them. You have to build relationships and be straight with people. Resources Mentioned: Thimble Insurance Connect with Bryan Falchuk: Insurance Evolution Partners The Future of Insurance The Future of Insurance: From Disruption to Evolution: Volume I. The Incumbents The Future of Insurance: From Disruption to Evolution: Volume II. The Startups LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Sabrina Slater and Tameika Johnson are core members of ILSA, and both have been with us for over 13 years. Sabrina is the Annuals and Corporates Manager responsible for registration submissions with the Secretary of State and Department of Revenue. Sabrina holds a SILA Associate Designation, a certification earned after undergoing professional development courses at the Securities & Insurance Licensing Association. Tameika is the Annuals and Corporates Supervisor and specializes in multistate corporate franchise taxes. Tameika has also garnered awards and honors such as those for Most Litigated Cases Handled and Most Pro Bono Cases Handled.  Sabrina and Tameika join us today to discuss what happens when your agency license is declared invalid by the state and the steps the agency needs to undergo to have a valid license again. They describe their roles and respåonsibilities at ILSA and how the pandemic shifted their perspective regarding office work. They discuss why agencies need to do their Annuals and Corporates Filings, and the challenges agencies face when applying for a license. They explain why some agencies prefer to get licensed themselves and why they don't recommend an in-house approach. They also share their thoughts on Zoom meetings, the coronavirus, and how they managed to stay positive during these trying times. "If you want to do business and you want to be compliant, you're going to have to do the leg work." - Sabrina Slater Today on Spot On Insurance: Sabrina and Tameika's responsibilities at ILSA. The beginning of the pandemic and when they realized they would have to work from home. The struggles of working from home due to lack of equipment. Their thoughts when the group started webinars. Comparing live webinars and podcast recordings. What they learned about themselves when they worked from home. Annuals and Corporates Filings and why insurance agencies need them. What happens when your agency license is invalid? Why agencies struggle to get their licenses validated. Tameika's experience working with clients and preparing them for license validation. The issues Tameika found when working on withdrawals. How non-filing can affect the way your agency conducts business. Where agencies can check their licensing status. Corporate and LLC conversions in the context of regulatory compliance. Why some agencies prefer to take compliance and licensing by themselves. How COVID-19 affected their health and the health of their colleagues. Key Takeaways: The only way you're going to get experience in what you're supposed to do is if you're doing it on a regular basis. States do a great job at reminding agencies what they should get filed. When you change from a corporation to an LLC, there are states where an LLC doesn't have to file taxes and there are states where a corporation does. Resources Mentioned: State Regulators Contact Information Connect with Sabrina Slater: Email:sslater@ilsainc.com Phone: (254) 729-6109 LinkedIn SILA Connect with Tameika Johnson: Email:tjohnson@ilsainc.com Phone: (254) 729-6119 LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Jennifer Morrison is the Project Director for Nova Mutual, an insurance company in Ontario that provides agriculture, auto, commercial/business, and home insurance. As Project Director, Jennifer is responsible for developing and implementing innovative solutions while retaining customer empathy. She is a self-proclaimed property and casualty insurance geek specializing in producing collaborations between technology and business teams. She is also a Professional Agile Leader as certified by Scrum. Jennifer joins us to discuss what makes the Canadian marketplace unique and why US companies have problems establishing a presence. She shares how the pandemic made her choose a different career path and describes the hardships of helping her kids with their online classes. She explains the role of a business analyst, why Ontario has the term “Gender X,” and why she found insurance as an exciting industry. Jennifer also discusses the differences between US and Canadian rates and regulatory standards. "In general, the insurance marketplace is behind every other industry." - Jennifer Morrison Today on Spot On Insurance: How Jennifer's career in insurance started. The challenges Jennifer faced amidst COVID-19. How the pandemic made her switch careers. Why she started working for Nova Mutual during the pandemic. The struggles of online schooling for children and their parents. What it takes to be a fully rounded business analyst. What is Gender X and why they decided to use this term in Ontario. How gender plays into the premium cost of insurance. Why Jennifer found insurance as an interesting industry. What is a Professional Agile Leader? How a design thinking facilitator builds teams. Why being a bilingual country makes it difficult for US companies to penetrate Canada. What makes Canada have a unique marketplace? The difference between Canadian and US regulatory standards. Comparing and contrasting Canadian and US rates. Key Takeaways: If you don't fight claims, you set precedent. Canadian rates are heavily regulated by the government. Every Canadian province's insurance system and regulations are completely different Resources Mentioned: Shane Drever Artwork & Illustration Connect with Jennifer Morrison: Nova Mutual LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Adi Kaimowitz is the President and CEO of Virtual Actuary, a company that aims to lead the future of work by disrupting the traditional approach to hiring in-house actuaries. They promise to match or exceed quality levels of fixed staff, all the while reducing costs. Adi has over ten years of experience in the actuarial industry, with his previous career as an actuary recruiter. His years of experience allowed him to specialize in marketing, IT, operations, leadership development, and management consulting. Adi has also garnered more than a handful of accolades, including being nominated for Founder of the Year in various business awards in South Africa since 2019. Adi joins us to discuss how Virtual Actuary represents the future of employment and providing services. He shares his journey to becoming a leader in actuarial sciences and discusses how COVID-19 disrupted the economy and the industry and forced them to adopt new ways to stay in business. Adi describes what the future of work would look like and how the gig economy plays into it. He explains the significance of building credibility, whether as an individual talent or as a startup. He shares the mindset of an industry disruptor and why he calls them “the lone ranger” of the industries they are disrupting. Adi also describes some of the accolades he has received and how his team financially performed in 2020. "We are moving away from the ‘corporate brand' world to the ‘you as a brand' world." - Adi Kaimowitz Today on Spot On Insurance: The struggles and advantages of working virtually. What led Adi to pursue a career in actuarial sciences? How COVID-19 forced companies to think outside the box.  What Adi believes the future of work would look like.  Why the industry was slowly transitioning to virtual work before the pandemic. Building your credibility factor as an expert in your field. The gig economy and how it's changing the future of work. How to best embrace the new world of work. Consortiums and how they would shape the way workers are paid. What's the mindset of an industry disruptor? Adi's tips for startups when competing against established firms. What it means to establish credibility as a startup. Adi's accolades and what he works for to distinguish himself. How Adi and his team weathered the economic recession. Key Takeaways: Accolades end when you're so influential that you can make the world a better place. Being a startup means it's all about your credibility factor. Connect with Adi Kaimowitz: Virtual Actuary LinkedIn Twitter Facebook This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Laura Adams is a personal finance and business expert, author, speaker, and podcast host. As a finance expert, she specializes in personal finance and small business management, retirement, debt, credit, and money management. She is the author of Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers, where she talks about riding the wave of solopreneurship using her book as a roadmap. Her most recently published book is Debt-Free Blueprint, a guide on how to rid your life of debt in the right order. Laura is also the host of the Money Girl podcast, a weekly show covering personal finance topics such as debt, insurance, and retirement. Laura joins us to discuss how people can learn to manage their finances at any age and be debt-free by the time they retire. She shares her passion for entrepreneurship and how it eventually led to becoming an expert in money management. She describes how her podcast got started and what inspired her to start one. She explains why insurance is difficult to buy and why having a lot of money doesn't translate to financial freedom. Laura also shares what readers can expect from the Debt-Free Blueprint book. "If you don't understand money; if you don't take an interest in it, how can you ever succeed?" - Laura Adams Today on Spot On Insurance: Laura's life in the South and how she found her passion for entrepreneurship. Why academic intelligence does not correlate with financial intelligence. When Laura started her podcast and why she launched the Money Girl show. When Laura realized she can help people understand their money better. Why Laura believes people are struggling with money management. How parents can help their children learn about personal finance. Why insurance is something people have difficulty buying. The response Laura received from the people she helped and those who listened to her show. How you can make a habit of investing and adopting it as a lifestyle. How to determine which debts to go after first. The best way to learn and grow your self-confidence in public speaking. Key Takeaways: Insurance is something we all have to buy, but would rather not use. Teaching children how to manage their money sets them up for long-term financial success. Connect with Laura Adams: Official Website Laura Adams on Facebook Laura Adams on Twitter Laura Adams on LinkedIn Money Girl Podcast Book: Money-Smart Solopreneur: A Personal Finance System for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Side-Hustlers Book: Debt-Free Blueprint: How to Get Out of Debt and Build a Financial Life You Love This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America's Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week's episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you're learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Heath Shearon is the self-proclaimed Mayor of Insurance Town and host of the Insurance Town Podcast, a platform where he shares the wisdom he obtained from being part of the industry over the years. He occasionally has guests on his show, especially people he has previously worked with or got to know throughout his career. Heath credits the pandemic for starting his podcast, having seen an opportunity to realize his dream in a time when most business owners were pessimistic. Heath is a second-generation insurance professional with over 15 years of experience in marketing and sales.  Heath joins us today to discuss where the title “Mayor of Insurance Town” came from and why he’s always wanted to start his own podcast. He shares his love for the insurance industry and how his family has thrived on its success for decades. He explains the significance of building rapport and a vast network of connections as an insurance professional. He describes some of the challenges he experienced while working with his father and the lessons he learned from them. Heath also shares how he has kept an air of optimism during the pandemic. "Our industry is all about relationships. It all goes back to relationships, no matter what it is." - Heath Shearon Today on Spot On Insurance: How the title "Mayor of Insurance Town" started. What the industry as a whole has done for Heath's family. Building relationships to compel people to buy insurance. The challenges of working with Heath's father in their family business. The skills he learned in the corporate world that Heath wouldn't have learned in the family business. Why people in high positions shouldn't be treated differently when building rapport. The best thing Heath learned from his father. Heath's thoughts on having his own podcast and how it changed his life. What it's like to have your family's careers revolve around insurance. How Heath managed to keep a level head amidst the pandemic. Key Takeaways: Preparation meets opportunity. Always leave the industry you work with better than you found it. Connect with Heath Shearon: Insurance Town Podcast: Insurance Town Email: heath@insurancetownpodcast.com Heath Shearon on LinkedIn Heath Shearon on Facebook This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Andrew Stotz is the Co-Founder and CEO of A.Stotz Investment Research, a company that provides services to reduce investment research costs and help with their existing stock portfolios and asset relocation strategies. He is the host of the My Worst Investment Ever podcast, a show where he interviews successful business owners and investors and asks them about their worst mistakes on the way to the top. Before venturing into the world of business valuations, economic research, and podcasting, Andrew co-founded CoffeeWORKS, a 26-year old wholesale coffee roasting company that services many of Thailand’s top hotels, coffee shops, offices, and restaurants.  Andrew joins us to describe how he managed to find success despite the many hurdles he had to jump over in life and the people who motivated him to keep going. He discusses the COVID-19 situation in Thailand and how their government responded. He discusses the time he went out on his own with no education, his desire to start a business in Thailand, and when he and his business partner nearly lost everything. He describes how he and his partner slowly crawled their way to where they are today and their other business ventures. Andrew also explains what motivated him to write books on investment and wealth building and shares what not to do when you’re a beginner investor or startup owner. “The one thing you can control is your costs, and you can control that right now.” - Andrew Stotz Today on Spot On Insurance: What life is like in Thailand right now and how they handled the pandemic Andrew's struggles with his education and the time he relied on food stamps and kindness What made Andrew move to Thailand, and why he stayed Why business relationships are more important than money in Thailand The cultural differences between the USA and Thailand Andrew's experience when their business in Thailand fell with the economy How Andrew managed his sister's death amidst their business failure How CoffeeWORKS was forged in the foundry of failure The various lessons Andrew learned from his failures and recovery Why Andrew focused on reducing costs to the minimum and how it helped them succeed Andrew's motivation for writing various books on wealth building The most interesting stories Andrew has heard from his podcast guests The common mistakes investors and startups make and how to avoid them Key Takeaways: The most common mistake in business is people failing to do their research. We should always learn from the mistakes made by other people. Connect with Andrew Stotz: A.Stotz Investment Research CoffeeWORKS Podcast: My Worst Investment Ever Valuation Masterclass Andrew Stotz on LinkedIn Book: My Worst Investment Ever Book: 9 Valuation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them  Book: How to Start Building Your Wealth Investing in the Stock Market Book: Transform Your Business with Dr.Deming's 14 Points This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

  Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Shannell Chibueze is the Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council at Woodruff-Sawyer, one of the country’s largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms. Woodruff-Sawyer provides customized programs and coverage based on your profile and your business through services like risk management in property, surety, management liability, casualty, and cyber liability. Shannell provides tailored coverage solutions with a wide range of clients, from Pre-IPO startups to Fortune 500 companies. Before becoming Chair, Shannell was the company’s Vice President and Senior Account Executive. Shannell joins us to discuss workplace diversity and how to make your leaders see the benefit of having a diverse organization. She shares her experience with working in corporate as a person of color and how she chose her path to success instead of following the safe route. She describes why she uses real-world examples of social injustice to spark conversations at the workplace. She explains what workplace diversity means and why it’s not just about adding more minorities to your organization. Shannell also shares her advice to those who want to voice their concerns on workplace diversity and social equality and how you can incorporate diversity initiatives in the workplace, even while working remotely. “When you look at diversity, equity, and inclusion, you have to expand it to be inclusive for everybody.” - Shannell Chibueze Today on Spot On Insurance: Shannell's experience in an all-woman-owned company. How she went against the norm when it came to her professional journey. Why People of Color have to be more innovative when it comes to accessing opportunities. How being honest about your hesitations can bring out the best in you. Shannell's transition from being a broker to working in risk management. Why you should make an effort to connect to all the leaders in your company. Using examples of social injustice to start conversations about workplace equality. The grander picture of diversity in the workplace. The benefits of bringing the conversation of inequality into the workplace. Shannell's advice for using your voice within your organization to spark conversations around diversity. Why employees need to have their leaders hear their stories. Having diversity initiatives while working remotely. Key Takeaways: A lot of our gifts are in our fears. It's important to connect to all leaders in your organization. Having the support of your leaders can make all the difference. Connect with Shannell Chibueze: Woodruff Sawyer LinkedIn Email: schibueze@woodruffsawyer.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Patrick Kelahan is a Building and Insurance Consultant at H2M, a company that provides multi-disciplinary consulting and design services focusing on engineering, architectural, and environmental challenges. He specializes in insurance claims and consultations for those in the InsurTech industry, including insurtech startups. He is also experienced in property insurance appraisal, staff training, and regulatory compliance. Patrick’s professional goal is to continuously improve the impact he has on customers and his community.  Patrick joins us to share his thoughts on the InsurTech industry, its future, and how it can help those in need in the US and internationally. He describes the circumstances that led him to join the insurance industry, the insurance industries in underdeveloped nations, and what the industry can do better to serve those who need insurance. He explains why the value of insurance is more about trust than education and how the pandemic worsened the supply chain the industry has been having. Patrick also shares a glimpse of some of the upcoming projects at H2M, especially those involving 3D printing houses for the community. "Once you realize your little piece can help people dramatically, it puts an urgency on what you’re doing." - Patrick Kelahan Today on Spot On Insurance: Patrick’s experience in construction and the US Government Disaster Program. Why Patrick and his wife decided to adopt several children. How Patrick started working in the insurance industry and where his passion comes from. Why Insurtech isn't just one thing and how it's akin to an elephant. How insurance is the primary driver of everything that makes money. Getting insurance to people living in underserved countries. Why the value of insurance starts with trust before education. The effect of COVID-19 on the supply chain and Patrick’s thoughts on stimulus checks.  Patrick's thoughts on the H2M project and the potential it possesses. Key Takeaways: You innovate from the customer backwards. The future of housing includes 3D printers. Connect with Patrick Kelahan: H2M Ten C’s Project Twitter LinkedIn Email: pkelahan@h2m.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Fred Karlinsky is a Shareholder and Co-Chair at Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), a law firm with over 2,200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. Due to its scope and size, GT is recognized as one of the largest firms in the United States. Fred is internationally recognized when it comes to anything related to insurance regulations. He represents clients for property, automobile, and worker’s compensation cases and also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Florida State University College of Law. Fred joins us today to discuss how the insurance industry has coped with the rise of cyber attacks in the last decade. He shares the different cybersecurity threats the sector has recently faced and how data can be valued and sold by cyber attackers. He explains how ransomware works, what the hackers can do to company and client data, and what a company should do if targeted. He describes how companies should prepare for a potential threat and what ordinary citizens should do to secure their data. Fred also explains the key differences between US regulations and European regulations.  "If you fail to prepare...prepare to fail." - Fred Karlinsky Today on Spot On Insurance: Fred's career and the different places he's worked. The most recent cyber-attacks the insurance industry has suffered. How data can be valued and sold by cyber attackers. The prevalence of ransomware and how to beat this type of attack. How all of our information is all being captured somewhere. The least thing you can do to protect your personal information. How Fred's home phone helped protect him against identity theft. What the government suggests about paying ransomware. How small agencies can avail of cyber insurance. What companies can do when there's a breach in security. What a seasoned team is and how they can help you against cyber attacks. The differences between the US federal regulations and the European model. Key Takeaways: Locking down your credit is helpful. Cybersecurity is going to be an issue for us for years to come. Make sure your insurance company has cyber insurance. Connect with Fred Karlinsky: Greenberg Traurig, LLP LinkedIn Twitter Email: karlinskyf@gtlaw.com Phone: 1 954.765.0500 This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Danny Lee is the President of SDB Missionary Society, an organization led by Seventh Day Baptist missionaries, and a known expert in the world of claims adjusting. He is the author of the book The Art of Property Claims Adjusting: Techniques on How to be a Great Adjuster, where Danny shares his common-sense approach to property claims adjusting and how to be the best in this business. He has over 33 years of experience in multi-line claims, 25 of those years as a leader in the insurance industry. Danny is also a screenplay writer, having written several screenplays including Beneath the Rivers, Park & Ride, and The Unthinkable. Danny joins us to share how a new claims adjuster can rise to become one of the best in the industry. He shares where his passion for adjusting came from and why he believes insurance professionals should be adjusters first. He discusses the difference between a new adjuster and someone with years of experience in the field. He explains why adjusters often leave the industry and what companies should do to keep them. He also discusses some of the shortcomings of most adjusters today and what they can do to improve. "The one thing you need to do is carry confidence." - Danny Lee Today on Spot On Insurance: Danny's experience with helping his father who worked in insurance. Why property claims adjusting is Danny's passion. Why insurance professionals should start as adjusters. The critical techniques most adjusters need to learn in their business. How a new adjuster often handles a claim compared to an experienced adjuster. What new adjusters should never forget when it comes to customer experience. How insurance companies can keep adjusters from moving on to other industries. Areas Danny believes most adjusters can improve. Why claims adjusters function as estimators. The advantages of new technologies in the adjusting industry. What's next for Danny as an author and speaker. What it was like to be on a 5-month cruise. How COVID-19 affected Danny and his family. Key Takeaways: Employees leave not because of the company, but because of their boss. An agent should always know the difference between confidence and arrogance. Adjusters oftentimes encounter clients who are filing claims for the first time in their lives. Connect with Danny Lee: SDB Missionary Society Danny Lee’s Official Website LinkedIn Book: The Art of Property Claims Adjusting: Techniques on How to be a Great Adjuster This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Christine Garza is the Vice President of Business Development at Foresight, a company that provides insurance for safety-critical businesses. Their services allow companies to make risk management more accessible, especially with the first tech-based worker’s compensation program. Christine has 15 years of experience in insurance, starting as an underwriter for The Hartford in 2006. She obtained her BA in English at The University of Texas at San Antonio and her MA in Communications at the University of the Incarnate Word. Christine is also a Community Volunteer for the San Antonio Food Bank and a Fundraising Volunteer for the March of Dimes. Christine joins us to discuss how the pandemic affected her career and how it inspired her to join Foresight. She describes the difference between working for legacy companies and startups, how she got her first job as an underwriter, and some of her career highlights and challenges she’s faced throughout her career. She describes what Foresight offers and how their platform allows companies to prevent accidents. She explains her responsibilities as VP of Business Development and how she guides the relationship between agents and brokers. Christine also shares how she kept a positive mindset in the last 12 months and her advice for switching careers. "If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will believe in you.” - Christine Garza Today on Spot On Insurance: Christine's career path and her experience working as a rookie underwriter. The hurdles Christine had to jump over to get where she is today. How COVID-19 affected her and how she succeeded despite it. The cultural workplace differences in insurtech and legacy carriers. What Foresight is and the services they offer to clients. Why the user experience in their platform is different from the competition. What attracted Christine to work for Foresight? How Foresight can be used to prevent accidents in the first place. Christine's motivation to start working in a startup environment. Christine's role at Foresight and her key responsibilities. How Christine stayed positive despite the situation with the pandemic. Key Takeaways: You should always have a Plan B. You need to think 5-10 steps ahead, so if it doesn't work out, you have a contingency plan. InsurTech teams are always leaner than their legacy counterparts. Connect with Christine Garza: Foresight LinkedIn Email: christine@getforesight.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Olorunmola Fiyinfoluwa Victoria, or simply Folumy, is a Risk Management Analyst for Tangerine Life, a financial technology company in Nigeria that provides insurance products from life insurance to education plans. She is the co-host of the InsurTech Business Series Podcast, the No.1 InsurTech Podcast in the African continent where they talk about innovation and technology amidst Nigeria’s emerging insurance industry. Folumy is also an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. Folumy joins us to discuss Nigeria's insurance climate and the many ways she believes their industry can improve for better customer reach. She describes how pursued a career in insurance, why being a banker didn’t appeal to her, and the challenges she faced along the way as a female Nigerian. She explains the big problem with communication between insurance companies and their clients and cites some ways to solve it. She shares why Nigerians don’t see the value of having insurance and describes the difference between the Kenyan and Nigerian insurance markets. Folumy also discusses how Nigeria coped with the pandemic of 2020. "Insurance is one of the ways Nigeria can move from a non-business sector to an all-business sector." - Olorunmola Fiyinfoluwa (Folumy) Victoria Today on Spot On Insurance: Folumy's life in Nigeria and why she pursued a career in insurance. How Folumy overcame the hurdles of finding success in Nigeria. Why Folumy didn't consider a career in banking. Addressing the insurance communication gap for their Nigerian clients. Why Nigerians don't believe in the value of having insurance. Comparing the insurance market in Kenya and Nigeria. What the future holds for the insurance industry in the African continent. How the pandemic affected Nigeria in 2020 and how they responded to it. How movies helped uplift her spirit throughout the last 12 months. Key Takeaways: Nigerians are beginning to invest in agriculture as an alternative to the oil sector. About 82-million Nigerians are living below the poverty line. Connect with Olorunmola Fiyinfoluwa (Folumy) Victoria: Tangerine Life InsurTech Business Series Podcast LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Eric Geier is the CEO of Puresurance, a health and retirement solutions company that focuses on small and medium-sized business owners. Their products can help clients manage their health insurance and retirement plans with their proven strategies and mentorship. Eric is an expert in life insurance when used as a retirement vehicle and provides customized health coverage solutions. He also has over 20 years of experience working in the financial industry and earned his BBA in Accounting at Hofstra University.  Eric joins us to share how you can make the best out of your retirement. He describes what motivated him to have a career in the financial industry and why they started Puresurance. He explains how medical services aren’t costly and why hospitals can lower the cost if you’re self-insured. He discusses why life insurance is of utmost importance when it comes to any retirement strategy and shares the many retirement issues he helps their clients address. Eric also explains how a person in their 20’s can prepare for their retirement even if they’re earning a modest salary and describes how he has kept a positive mindset despite the troubling times. "The biggest threat to anybody's retirement is outliving their money." - Eric Geier Today on Spot On Insurance: How compound interest works for retirement. When Eric worked in Hong Kong and what his experience was like. Eric's thoughts on what a suitable insurance product should have. How to know the actual price of healthcare. Why medical services typically don't cost a lot of money. Why life insurance is critical in any successful retirement strategy. The questions Eric asks clients when planning their retirement. What mortality credits are and why only insurance has it. The pain points many of Eric's clients want to address. Eric's advice to those who are fresh out of college and want to plan their retirement. How Eric has kept a positive mindset over the past 12 months. Key Takeaways: 67% of the population doesn't even have a retirement plan. Medical services can be much more affordable if you declare yourself as self-insured. Resources Mentioned: MDsave Connect with Eric Geier: Puresurance Calendly link LinkedIn Email: eric@puresurance.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Joseph Petrelli is the President of Demotech, an Ohio-based financial analysis firm. He is credited for the development of Financial Stability Ratings (FSR). FSRs are one of the leading indicators when considering the financial stability of Title underwriters and Property & Casualty insurers. Demotech’s mission is to help level the playing field for insurance companies currently unrated or under-rated. Joe also has over 40 years of actuarial and financial analysis experience, particularly in product development, pricing, and loss cost filings.  Joe joins us today to share how Demotech works to help provide accurate insurance ratings through FSRs. He discusses the reason he wanted a degree in Actuarial Sciences and the challenges he faced early in his career. He explains why he developed FSRs and how they accurately size up any insurance company in the market. He shares how he and his team revived the Florida market and how much of the market they have in control today. He describes how Demotech’s classifications system works and the factors they consider. Joe also discusses how COVID-19 disrupted the traditional office setting and its ergonomics. "New tools allow us to have smarter decisions rather than just routine transactions." - Joseph Petrelli Today on Spot On Insurance: Why Joe obtained a degree in Actuarial Sciences. The challenges Joe encountered early in his career. What led Joe to create the Financial Stability Ratings? Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and how they worked with these mortgage companies. The gaps in the industry Demotech intended to fill. How Joe and his team resurrected the Florida market. Why Florida struggled to find a rating agency in the 90's. How their company's classifications system works. How Joe prepares for the next generation.  Why Data Scientists are pushing Actuaries to become more innovative. How Joe expects various industries to adapt to the New Normal. Key Takeaways: You have to have, as an actuary, 30 hours a year of continuing education. In insurance ratings, the business model is a better metric than financial signs. 2020 has changed the way any industry looks at office spaces forever. Connect with Joseph Petrelli: Demotech Phone: 354-7207 LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Nikolaus Suhr is the CEO and Co-Founder of KASKO, an insurtech company that offers an agile insurance product powered by API. They promise to make sure your IT empowers you and your business instead of being the one thing that holds your systems setup back. He comes from a family of insurers, allowing him to have a heart for the insurance industry from a young age. Nikolaus also has over a decade of experience working with insurance brokers and has served in critical roles in business development, risk management, and startup consultation. Nikolaus joins us to discuss how KASKO can help companies scale fast through insurance service optimization. He discusses what inspired him to join the insurance industry, his family history of insurers, and why he decided to start KASKO. He describes why insurance is still primarily a sales game despite the number of new technologies and tools currently available and explains why partnering with other companies fast-tracked their company growth. He also shares the niche they want to fill in the industry and what KASKO offers regarding on-time insurance delivery. "Insurance just works slightly differently than any other financial product. It's about trust and appreciating how hard people had to work to gain that trust." - Nikolaus Suhr Today on Spot On Insurance: How young Nick was when his entrepreneurial spirit started. The reservations he had when he was being groomed to run their family business. The strategies he developed to get where he is today. Why insurtech is mostly about sales and knocking on doors. Why Nick decided to start KASKO. Why partnering with insurers allowed their company to grow. How a company can customize their services without being niche. Why it was brilliant for their company to attract US clients who want to do business in Europe. What's in store for KASKO in the near future? Key Takeaways: The cost of delivering insurance at the right point in time is very high. There's so much tech out there, but it's about getting the word out and making those partnerships. Connect with Nikolaus Suhr: KASKO Email: suhr@kasko.io LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Mike Strakhov is the Senior Vice President at Live Oak Bank, a digital, cloud-based bank with no ATMs, branches, or tellers. They are a lending company that aims to be America’s small business bank. He co-founded the insurance lending vertical, including building the team and developing strategies for short and long-term goals. As SVP, Mike is responsible for developing referral partnerships with agency networks, consultants, and various insurance carriers across the US. Mike joins us today to discuss the surge of mergers and acquisitions in 2021 and what he expects to see in 2022. He shares his career experiences before working with Live Oak Bank and the time he was part of the insurance industry. He explains how the pandemic didn’t stop the mergers and acquisitions transactions from happening in record numbers and describes why he and his company are bullish on agency acquisitions today and for the foreseeable future. Mike also shares the steps you should take before deciding to sell an agency and the taxes and fees in-between. "Debt and taxes are part of the whole she-bang, so you're going to pay it one way or the other." - Mike Strakhov Today on Spot On Insurance: Mike's career and the different hats he's worn over the years. Why the insurance industry is so resilient. Mike's thoughts on 2020 and how the year still had record-breaking mergers and acquisitions. How the Biden administration will change the current market climate. The acquisition status of the startup industry. How will the surge of mergers and acquisitions affect the industry? What Mike expects 2021 to be and what the future holds. Why Mike is bullish on agency acquisitions. The steps you need to take when selling an agency. Why 2021 is a good time for agencies in terms of bank lending. Key Takeaways: It takes several years to get your financials in order. Taxes will always be part of the equation, even in retirement. In selling agencies, having everything in order is impactful on the price you're going to get paid. Connect with Mike Strakhov: Live Oak Bank Mike Strakhov on LinkedIn Email: michael.strakhov@liveoak.bank Phone: (614) 361-9482 This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Jeremy Streten is a coach, lawyer, mastermind facilitator, and author of The Business Legal Lifecycle: How to Successfully Navigate Your Way from Start Up to Success, a book that discusses all the possible things that can go wrong in your business journey and how you can prevent them. He is also the CEO of Business Legal Lifecycle, a company that offers SaaS products that business owners can use to identify risks and blindspots in their business. The mission of Jeremy’s company is to help business owners learn the legal health of their business. Jeremy joins us to share how Business Legal Lifecycle helps business owners find legal blindspots in their companies and provide solutions to fix them. He discusses Australia's current state and why he believes life is pretty much back to normal, with a few exceptions. He explains the risks many business owners incur in their professional journey and highlights some of the things they can do to solve them or prepare for them. He describes the importance of estate planning and the best time to talk about it. Jeremy also explains why he’s opposed to the industry creating programs and services that can confuse clients and end up driving them away.  "The number one objection people have is they don't understand. If they don't understand, they disengage." - Jeremy Streten Today on Spot On Insurance: How Australia combatted the pandemic and what it's like today. Why Jeremy was interested in tech early in his career. What made Jeremy start their company and how they can help reduce business risk. Their target market and which businesses benefit the most. Jeremy's thoughts on how technical terms serve to confuse potential clients. How business professionals can separate simplicity from stupidity. What readers can expect from Jeremy's book. The best time business owners should talk about estate planning. What is it like in Australia in terms of business conferences and meet-ups? Jeremy's advice for newcomers and how they can improve the industry. Key Takeaways: Estate planning should be discussed any time. Just because a process uses simple terms doesn’t mean it’s stupid. Connect with Jeremy Streten: Business Legal Lifecycle Book: The Business Legal Lifecycle: How to Successfully Navigate Your Way from Start Up to Success Jeremy Streten on LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn John Warrillow is an entrepreneur, best-selling author, and President of The Value Builder System, a solutions platform that helps small business owners boost their company's value. Their platform incorporates various tools to measure, analyze, and interpret data to help improve business value by as much as 71%. He is the man behind the bestselling books Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You and The Art of Selling Your Business: Winning Strategies & Secret Hacks for Exiting on Top. John is also the host of the Built to Sell Radio, a weekly podcast for entrepreneurs who want to sell their business. John joins us to share how his entrepreneurial drive started as a kid selling drinks in school. He discusses some of the motivators that ultimately led him down the path of entrepreneurship. He explains why he wrote books focused heavily on selling businesses and why they both virtually revolved around the concept of recurring revenue. He describes some of the reasons why this year is the best time to sell a business, especially if that business was running throughout 2020 and discusses why he believes new entrepreneurs should chase partnerships over sole ownership. John also explains why trying to sell your business at the very top is a double-edged sword and shares a real-life story of what happens when it goes wrong. "The best time to sell is when somebody’s buying.” - John Warrillow Today on Spot On Insurance: How John's entrepreneurial spirit started when he was young. What recurring revenue is and how it affects company value. What inspired John to write his books around recurring revenue. How entrepreneurs can sell their businesses like the big players. When should business owners consider selling their business? Why businesses that operated during the pandemic should consider selling now. What is pre-diligence in entrepreneurship? Why it's not advisable to always ride the company over the top before you sell. Partnerships and why John thinks entrepreneurs should do them. Why we need to be very cautious of when an acquirer can talk to our employees. What is Majority Recapitalization and what happens when it goes wrong for the owner?  Key Takeaways: Exiting a business can both be a fairytale story and a story of enduring hardships. Most owners are going to have to stay on after selling to reach their earn-out. There's no effort without error and shortcomings. When your competitors find out your employees are looking elsewhere, it undermines your leverage. Resources Mentioned: Care.com Connect with John Warrillow: Built To Sell The Value Builder System Built to Sell Radio Twitter The Art of Selling Your Business: Winning Strategies & Secret Hacks for Exiting on Top Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Ryan Stewman is the CEO of Hardcore Closer, a company that helps elite salespeople to elevate their sales game through new technologies and automated sales processes. He is the Founder of the Break Free Academy, a network of entrepreneurs and business owners who want to become elite salespeople in their respective industries. He is a contributing author to media outlets such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Huffington Post and the bestselling author of multiple books, including GCode: How to Stay Super Focused in a World Full of Distractions and Hardcore Closer, a book that describes the many setbacks Ryan experienced before finally stumbling on the path that led to his success. Ryan is also the host of The Hardcore Closer Podcast, one of the world’s longest-running sales podcasts. Ryan joins us today to share his story of growing up in an abusive home and serving time in prison to becoming a motivational speaker, business owner, and 4-time bestselling author. He highlights the lessons he has learned about business while working at a carwash in his youth, how his career pivoted from washing cars to working in the banking industry, and how serving jail time has affected his personal and professional life. We discuss why many salespeople have the wrong mindset about cold-calling and what they should do to become more efficient and effective. We also discuss Ryan’s inspiration to become a motivational speaker, his Hardcore Closer Program, and how his company helps sales professionals become the best-of-the-best in their industry. "Most people have mentally tricked themselves into sticking to what works. It’s effective… but it’s not efficient." - Ryan Stewman Today on Spot On Insurance: Ryan's work ethic and how it all started in a carwash. What Ryan learned during his time in prison. How Ryan’s career shifted from washing cars to working in the banking industry. Ryan's mindset after serving time in prison. How Ryan found the inspiration to become a motivational speaker. Ryan's opinions on cold calls and their efficacy and efficiency. The struggle between power and force regarding cold-call sales What professionals can learn from Ryan's Hardcore Closer Program. The goal of Ryan’s company and how they empower their clients to be better leaders. Exercises you can do to envision an elite version of yourself. Ryan's daily routine and how it can help you to be more focused. What their slogan "Do the work despite” means. Key Takeaways: Do the work every day that can bring you success long-term. Don’t focus on how fast you can win big, but how you can win every day. Resources Mentioned: The Law of Success In Sixteen Lessons by Napoleon Hill Connect with Ryan Stewman: Hardcore Closer Break Free Academy GCode Hardcore Closer book Podcast This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Nate Reznicek is the Head of US Distribution at International Re Ltd, an insurance and reinsurance underwriting agency based in London. The company specializes in captive insurance, what Nate describes as a niche inside of a niche. As Head of US Distribution, Nate’s responsibility is spearheading the company’s US marketing strategies and developing sustainable enterprise risk management strategies. He is also part of the Captive Insurance Companies Association Programming Committee.  Nate joins us to discuss what captive insurance is, the risks they cover, and the market they’re after. He shares how he joined the captive insurance industry and what I-Re does for its clients. He describes the different types of captive insurance and the positions you have to fill if you want to start your own captive insurance company. Nate also shares what kept him going despite the economic downturn of 2020. "The captive insurance space is a very small one. It's a niche inside of a niche." - Nate Reznicek Today on Spot On Insurance: How Nate found himself working for a captives practice. Why captive insurance is a niche inside of a niche. What is a captive insurance company? The different types of captive insurance. The roles you need to fill if you want to start a captive insurance company. What does captive insurance cover?  What I-RE does and how they are different from other captive insurance companies. Key Takeaways: Insurance is not regulated at a federal level, but at a state level. The most common use of Captive insurance outside of your common P&C policies is going to be in your employer-sponsored healthcare plan. Most carriers don't make money on their underwriting profit. Connect with Nate Reznicek: International Re LinkedIn Email: nate@i-re.insure This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Troy Korsgaden is a sought-after financial services and insurance consultant. His company, Korsgaden International, specializes in agency building, global marketing, technology strategies, and distribution for some of the world’s largest financial services companies and insurance carriers. Troy is also the author of many books, with the most recent one titled Inflection Point, where he guides business owners on how to adapt their insurance or financial services agencies in an ever-changing market and technological economy. Troy joins us to discuss how the pandemic has exposed old business models and how creating new business models let small, forward-thinking businesses thrive. He discusses how the industry has been moving away from the customer-centric approach, and how 2020 brought them all back to this core principle.  He explains how companies can flaunt their value over those who offer the cheapest prices. Troy also shares why the best companies are trying to innovate on a daily basis and why it’s important for businesses to frequently re-tool the services they offer.       "You need to meet customers where they want to connect - not where you want them to connect.” - Troy Korsgaden Today on Spot On Insurance: The big changes that happened in the industry since 2020. Why businesses need to ditch the "old" business model to move forward. How companies determine where they can get in touch with their clients. New technologies and knowing what and how to upgrade. Making clients see that your company offers more value than your competition. How frequently should we re-tool our services? Deep diving into Open Platform Solutions. Why customers aren't always looking for the cheapest price. What it means to offer unrivaled service. Why you don't want ‘generalist’ employees. Constant re-tooling and how it will boost your market value. Key Takeaways: You have to give great service, great advice, and then you earn the right to offer solutions. Customer-First is only true if you go to where the customers go, and not be a company that tells them what to do and how to best communicate with you. Any company can have great first impressions, but only few will make it last. Resources Mentioned: Spot On Insurance 159: Get The Right Customers In Your Chair Connect with Troy Korsgaden: Korsgaden International LinkedIn Email:troy@korsgaden.com Book: Inflection Point: Redefining Your Role In The Insurance And Financial Services Industry When The Existing Model No Longer Works This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!      

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Manuel San Miguel is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ignatica, a core insurance platform that aims to help insurers grow their markets, boost profits, and digitally serve consumers. Their goal is to help their clients penetrate new markets in a more seamless manner - despite different or heavy regulatory systems. As CEO, Manuel is skilled in software development, digital strategy, and risk management. Before founding Ignatica in January 2019, he worked with Manulife for over nine years as Chief of Technology, Architecture, and Digital Engineering. Manuel joins us to share how Ignatica seeks to address the problem of digital transition in the industry. He discusses how their company makes use of AI and Blockchain to create a fully digitized insurance platform. He describes how his passion for martial arts influenced the path he took professionally and explains what digital transformation really means for a consumer. Manuel also shares why legacy thinking should be obsoleted in an ever-changing market and his insight on what insurance professionals should learn from the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.  "Life has a way of happening and doors have a way of opening." - Manuel San Miguel Today on Spot On Insurance: The goal of Ignatica and the gaps it seeks to fill in the financial industry. How they incorporate AI and Blockchain technology. Why Manuel set his sights on the Asian market. How martial arts influenced Manuel's professional career. What Manuel noticed with distribution platforms and digitization. The definition of digital transformation from a consumer perspective. What 2020 has taught the insurance industry. Why legacy thinking is no longer applicable today. The difference between the way the Asian and US markets are handling digitization. Key Takeaways: ‘Digital’ is not just “I was able to do something online.” Many startups in developing countries have great ideas, but are hampered by overhead cost. Relying on legacy systems should no longer be a focus in a world where disruptions can happen at any moment. Connect with Manuel San Miguel: Ignatica LinkedIn Email: info@ignatica.io This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Tim Christ is the Vice President of Growth at Claimatic, a SaaS insurance claims app that streamlines claims distribution in real-time through proprietary algorithms. Claimatic provides claim assignment services, end-user empowered rules optimization, advanced mapping, and workforce management among other services. He has over 20 years of experience in executive leadership, management consulting, and business development roles. Tim is also the author of Outgrowing QuickBooks, where he discusses how business owners can redesign and re-engineer their small business into a medium-sized business. Tim joins us to discuss the problems Claimatic intends to solve with their advanced algorithms and data-driven streamlining platform. He describes how a small business can scale without losing efficiency or money. He explains the difference in management between a small and medium-sized company. Tim also shares how the pandemic of 2020 has altered the way claims are processed and discusses the risks of relying on spreadsheets to track your finances.       "Your business is part of the reflection of what you feel is your self-worth." - Tim Christ Today on Spot On Insurance: Tim's opinions on the average American's financial status. The problems Claimatic wants to solve and how they plan to solve them. When you should let your team manage your business for you. Why we should learn how to manage our pennies. How to avoid business inefficiency as you scale. What can happen to your business if you don't have a strategic plan. Internal controls and why small businesses don't have them. How hiring a CFO can benefit a growing business. Why Tim doesn't believe the claims industry has a talent gap. How the pandemic has changed the process for claims. Solving the reassignments problem and its immediate effects on a business' finances. Why businesses should stop relying on spreadsheets. Key Takeaways: 2%-7% of a business's money is often wasted on process inefficiencies annually. 90% of small businesses don't have a strategic plan annually that's written on paper. Resources Mentioned: The Great Game of Business, Expanded and Updated: The Only Sensible Way to Run a Company Connect with Tim Christ: Claimatic LinkedIn Email: tchrist@claimatic.com Phone: (210) 632-4571 Outgrowing QuickBooks: Engineering Real Profit (ERP) in Companies with $10 Million-$50 Million Annual Revenue This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Will Marzolf is the Founder of Grafico Analytics, an insurtech company that aims to innovate the way insurance companies visualize, communicate, and compare their various insurance and reinsurance programs. They created a restructuring platform that allows clients to visualize what their insurance product looks like to understand them better. Will’s entrepreneurial spirit also led him to complete more than 30 different courses such as behavioral finance, business statistics, algorithm development, and corporate finance.  Will joins us to share why the industry needs to revamp the way it presents insurance products to clients and how Grafico can help them do it seamlessly and instantly. He describes what it was like starting this company amidst the pandemic and the tools he used to get his company going. He explains why he pursued a career in reinsurance despite it being such a niche market, how clients can use their platform, and what they can expect to find. Will also shares what keeps him motivated despite the tumultuous time we’re currently experiencing. "We can use financial products to save our society or protect it in the event that Mother Nature is causing a catastrophic event to occur." - Will Marzolf Today on Spot On Insurance: Who Will Marzolf is and why he chose a career in reinsurance. How the pandemic may alter the way insurance covers financial risk. The terms and lingo used in reinsurance compared to other industries. Why Will created Grafico and the problems they want to address. How Grafico helps visualize data and insurance products. Future projects to watch for. Why they suggest taking their training services to use their platform. Languages and computer languages - and how to be good in both. What it was like starting a company in the middle of a pandemic. What keeps Will motivated during these hard times? Key Takeaways: Ease of use is one of the most important factors when it comes to online platforms. Insurance companies are now looking into coverage for events like a pandemic. Connect with Will Marzolf: Grafico Analytics LinkedIn Company Email: contact@graficoanalytics.com Personal Email: will.marzolf@graficoanalytics.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Natalie Siston is an inspirational speaker, leadership coach, and author of Let Her Out, a book that introduces the story of her life, journey, and the moments that inspired her to become a coach. Natalie’s unique style of coaching stems from her experience growing up in a town of 600 people, where everyone knew each other by name and helped each other in life. When she’s not coaching, she also teaches and mentors at The Ohio State University, her two-time alma mater. Natalie joins us to discuss her coaching experience and what sets her apart from other coaches in the industry. She describes the events that led her to insurance and what it was like quitting a stable job in the middle of a pandemic to focus on entrepreneurship. She explains what readers can expect from her book and its contents. Natalie also shares advice for those who want to test the deep waters of entrepreneurship in 2021. "Who quits her job in the middle of a pandemic? Someone whose dreams are bigger than her fears." - Natalie Siston Today on Spot On Insurance: Natalie's childhood dreams and why she wanted to be in politics. What inspired Natalie to join the insurance industry? How Natalie decided to leave her 9-5 to become an entrepreneur in 2020. The classes aspiring entrepreneurs can take now to help propel their career in 2021. Defining your role in the company and the role for yourself. What red barns symbolize, her memories of them, and why she used them in her book. What she offers clients as a coach and what readers can learn from her book. How Natalie presented her own keynote and why she turned it into a book. Key Takeaways: Coaches need coaches too. Even a small role in a company can have a big impact on its growth. Connect with Natalie Siston: Small Town Leadership Let Her Out Instagram LinkedIn Facebook This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Adedamola “Damola” Oloko is the co-host of the InsurTech Business Series podcast, the leading insurance podcast in Nigeria where they have in-depth discussion and reviews about trends, opportunities, and industry challenges. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communications with over five years of sales experience in the insurance industry. Damola’s passion for tech and insurance has made him develop an innovative mindset that ultimately led to him starting the podcast following insurtech trends. Damola joins us to discuss the potential market in Africa and how large companies can penetrate their economy. He describes what a typical Millennial African’s life is like and their mindset towards adaptability and technology. He shares where he discovered his passion to work in insurance and how Spot On Insurance inspired him to start his own podcast. He explains what audiences can expect from their upcoming InsurTech Business Series event. Damola also describes how he manages to see the silver linings despite all that happened this year. “Insurance should be taught as a subject, not as a topic under another subject.” - Damola Oloko Today on Spot On Insurance: How Damola learned about the Spot on Insurance podcast. What it's like being a Millennial in Africa. How Damola found himself working in the insurance industry. The insurtech trends in the African market. How companies can penetrate the African market better. How the typical African looks at retirement and insurance. Why Damola started his insurtech podcast and the knowledge gap he wants to fill. What to expect from the Insurtech Business Series conference. How Damola has been keeping himself optimistic in 2020. Key Takeaways: Generally, the penetration of insurance in Africa is just 3%. Companies should engage in conversations with those who follow them. Succession planning is still too early for the African market. Connect with Damola Oloko: InsurTech Business Series podcast LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Brian Ahearn is a coach, consultant, keynote speaker, and the Chief Influence Officer of InfluencePEOPLE, a company that teaches businesses and corporate executives how to boost sales through the art and science of persuasion. He is one of only 20 people all over the world who holds the prestigious Cialdini Method Certified Trainer (CMCT) designation. Brian is also the author of Influence PEOPLE: Powerful Everyday Opportunities to Persuade that are Lasting and Ethical, a book that helps readers understand how to ethically influence others.  Brian joins us today to discuss the art and science of persuasion, his definition of ethical influence, and how to relate to your customers better. He shares his experience with traveling across the US during his childhood, his passion for fitness, and how he ultimately realized he fulfilled his youthful dreams of owning his own gym. He explains why many people view the concept of “influencing others’ as a negative connotation and describes the key differences between influencing and manipulating. Brian also explains how he has adjusted his business strategy and methods to be as virtual as possible, while also improving the learning experience for his audience. "Selling is the process of persuading a person." - Brian Ahearn Today on Spot On Insurance: Defining what ethical influence is and how to make it effective. Why "influencing others" has gathered a negative connotation. The difference between influencing and manipulating. The people who inspired Brian to drive his career forward. How seeing a simple sticky note can make you want to reciprocate quickly. How Brian adjusted his business to the pandemic. Brian's advice on how to get people to like you and say yes to you. What reciprocity is and how it changes depending on the positivity or negativity of the response. How Brian prepares for 2021 and what he learned in 2020. Key Takeaways: Get a plan, work it consistently, and good things happen. Social media should be social and treated as a way to have a little bit of back and forth. Building rapport is still the best way to convince someone to say yes to your proposal. Connect with Brian Ahearn: InfluencePEOPLE LinkedIn Influence PEOPLE: Powerful Everyday Opportunities to Persuade that are Lasting and Ethical This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Wade Millward is the Founder of rikor, a next-generation digital insurtech company that integrates insurance requirements directly to their platform to offer real-time insurance policy monitoring services. His goal in founding the company was to simply reduce the risk for franchisors through instant insurance verification. He believes certificates of insurance are risky, can be easily manipulated, and offer zero security for the franchisor, and decided to design a system that helps bypass all of these problems. Wade also represents Millward Agency, an insurance company started by his grandfather and is currently led by his father. Wade joins us today to share how rikor helps mitigate risks with the use of real-time technology and other innovations. He shares his experience with serving in an LDS mission, the lessons he learned from that experience, and the idea that led to founding his company. He discusses the security problems associated with certificates of insurance and why he believes these certificates are practically useless. He explains why he started the company amidst the pandemic and how you can be a good leader in a tumultuous time. Wade also describes his thoughts on technology in the industry, especially with how it manages risk. "One of the most important things in leading a team is empowering people to make mistakes for the pursuit of innovation." - Wade Millward Today on Spot On Insurance: Wade’s time serving in an LDS mission and the culture and lessons he learned. Why we constantly compare ourselves to other people. How Wade found himself joining the insurance industry. Why Wade believes launching a business in the middle of a pandemic was the best decision he has made. How to focus on long term objectives over short term distractions. How rikor helps reassure procedural transparency. Why the certificate of insurance is a false sense of security. Wade's thoughts on technology and how it's changing the way we finance and manage risk. What it means to think beyond the box and how we can connect different boxes. How to lead a team going into 2021. Key Takeaways: The hardest thing about starting a company is making a name. Don’t let a pandemic stop you from making your dreams a reality. When we put people in boxes, they stop thinking. Connect with Wade Millward: rikor LinkedIn Email: wade@rikor.io  This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

  Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Alan Ringvald is the CEO of Relativity6, a machine learning platform that lets agencies predict customer behavior accurately. They are also an insurtech company that believes agencies can never be replaced by chatbots. Alan founded the company based on his and his co-founders' graduate thesis research at MIT. Their goal is to provide clients with a comprehensive AI-backed system that lets companies know what their customers need from them. Alan joins us to share the idea that Relativity6 represents and what motivated him to pursue this type of business. He discusses the power of AI, the current applications of machine learning, and why some companies can’t fit AI learning systems into their business. He explains the reasons he named it Relativity6 and shares his entrepreneurial journey and how MIT helped him get a good start on his business. Alan also describes the technologies that can shake up the insurance industry and how augmented reality and VR can impact the podcasting industry. "If you’re not really understanding a lot about your customer, you’ll never be able to grow that customer.." - Alan Ringvald Today on Spot On Insurance: Alan's connection with the New England Patriots. Being the son of immigrants and growing up not having English as the first language. The company Alan started in college and what inspired him. The name behind Relativity 6 and the services they offer. How having an MIT email helped him gather data for his company. Alan's transition from retail to insurance. Why machine learning doesn't work with every company. The kind of technology that can change the industry forever. How augmented reality and virtual reality can change how virtual conferences are set up. Key Takeaways: Machine learning gets better over time. It calibrates from its mistakes, making it a self-improving system. AR and VR can let people do their virtual conferences anywhere in the world or outside of it. Connect with Alan Ringvald: Relativity6 Email: alan@relativity6.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Eric Ummel is the General Manager of Mobilitas Insurance, a recently launched insurance company that aims to adapt to the emerging needs of the ridesharing economy. Their services include an app that allows users to manage their policies easily, an emergency help hotline, as well as other unique privileges for their partners. As General Manager, Eric’s responsible for overseeing mutually beneficial partnerships that will translate to better overall coverage and customer service. Eric joins us to share what Mobilitas Insurance represents, their products and services, and what sets them apart from traditional auto insurance companies. He describes how he joined the insurance industry and his role as General Manager. He explains how insurance is an industry that allows innovation to foster in any country. Eric also discusses what he expects to see in the industry in the near future. "Insurance allows innovation in a broader economy." - Eric Ummel Today on Spot On Insurance: Eric's thoughts on sports and the physical aspect of it. How Eric found his way in insurance and why he stayed. The problem their company solves and how they are different from their competition. How their company applies creativity and innovation in the insurance industry. What the true consumer expectation is with every insurance company. The business growth opportunities in the industry that Eric expects to see. How the driver insurance rates are determined. Key Takeaways: Insurance promotes tech and service innovations. At the end of the day, consumers just want their claims as fast as possible. Insurance education can lead to safer driving habits. Connect with Eric Ummel: Mobilitas Insurance Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn David Wald is the CEO and Co-Founder of Aclaimant, an InsurTech company that provides risk management services. They cater to commercial construction, industrial staffing, real estate, and hospitality industries. As CEO, his responsibilities include spearheading the company’s focus on emerging risks, especially those that came to light with the pandemic of 2020. David strives to fully digitize any company’s entire risk management processes, citing how many new businesses are tackling AI, machine learning, drones, and IOT.  David joins us to discuss how Aclaimant can help clients visualize their company’s risk management data into a single platform. He shares his journey to realizing he wanted to be his own boss and how he stumbled onto the world of insurance. He explains the risks that have revealed themselves in light of COVID-19 and how businesses are all trying to make their workplaces safe for their employees. David also describes what he thinks the future of risk management will be and what newcomers to the industry should do to find success. "The more different ways you can help people think about the things they can do to get better without being overwhelming, the better off they’ll be." - David Wald Today on Spot On Insurance: How David discovered he wanted to become an entrepreneur. How David stumbled into the insurance industry? The inspiration behind their company and the services they offer. What it means for a company to have a risk-intelligent culture. How David's business supports organizations in creating a risk-intelligent culture. The measures businesses can implement to gain their employees' trust to come back to work again. What the Covid-19 pandemic has taught businesses and employees. The future of risk management and how insurtech can innovate towards it. Key Takeaways: Tools should be used to help make good things better instead of preventing bad things from getting worse. Data, as it relays more input and predictability, is the future of risk management. Connect with David Wald: Aclaimant LinkedIn Email: david@aclaimant.com This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Kate Erickson is a Creator, Engager, and implementer at Entrepreneurs on Fire, an award-winning podcast that interviews inspiring entrepreneurs with a purpose of helping listeners along their entrepreneurial journey. Their company also offers podcasting services and provides online training courses as well as a few freebies to help new members get started. Kate also hosts the DItch Busy podcast, dedicated to helping listeners with their time management skills. Kate joins us to discuss how exciting the podcast industry is and what newcomers should consider before getting started. She describes how she discovered a career as a podcast host and what it was like after she left the corporate world. She explains what her podcast setup looks like and why she barely changed it over the years in this industry. Kate also explains how their group, Podcasters Paradise, can help both seasoned and new podcasters grow their shows and shares with actionable tips for those who want to start their own podcast today. "Starting a podcast does not have to be difficult." - Kate Erickson Today on Spot On Insurance: The fears Kate had when leaving the corporate world to dive into entrepreneurship. Why podcasting is growing at such a rapid rate. Debunking the myths regarding starting a podcast. Why being consistent can translate to more clicks and listening time. Investing on a podcast and how you can generate revenue. What we enjoy about hosting a podcast. What people should expect if they want to start a podcast. Examples of unique podcasters. Podcasters Paradise and the support their company provides. Types of podcasts that may get a lot of attention today. Key Takeaways: Starting your own podcast doesn’t have to involve spending money on high-end equipment. Being a niche show in this industry will separate you from those that try to be everything. Podcasting will introduce you to so many people which you can learn from beyond hosting podcasts. Connect with Kate Erickson: Entrepreneurs on Fire Podcasters on Fire Ditch Busy podcast The Podcast Journal Free Podcast Course LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn JoAnn Del Gatto is the Vice President of Education and Compliance at The Surplus Lines Association of California, and Joyce King is ILSA’s Special Project Administrator. Joyce King has worked with ILSA since 2005, specializing in surplus lines tax filing requirements. JoAnn also serves as a Regulatory Risk and Compliance Consultant with Custom Compliance Solutions, a company based in the Greater New York City region, helping businesses with everything from reporting and filing services and identifying automation opportunities to developing best practices and mergers and acquisitions. Joyce and JoAnn join us again today to share how you can properly vet your staff to determine if they are a good fit to be part of your organization. They discuss the questions you should ask during the interview, some of the notable traits to watch for on their first day, and how you can help them with the onboarding process. Joyce explains how ILSA handles the onboarding process and JoAnn discusses the importance of knowing the money expected by the applicant. They also share advice for professionals on what they can do to have an edge this year. "Make sure you are on the same page with salary. If you're not, it's probably not going to be a good fit." - JoAnn Del Gatto Today on Spot On Insurance: Why they incorporated a culture of fitness into their work setting. The projects ILSA has been busy with this year. Their qualifications and how they interview for staff and management positions. What JoAnn believes interviewers should have prepared before interviewing applicants. The onboarding process at ILSA and the ILSA Bootcamp. JoAnn's formula for bringing in a new member who may be familiar with how the company runs. Why note-taking can determine if a newcomer will last in the company. The growth programs companies can offer employees to retain them. Companies that are bolstering their focus on having a diverse organization. JoAnn’s and Joyce's advice for professionals who want to improve their skills before the year ends. Key Takeaways: Networking will be the best thing you can do before the year ends. For the beginning of the year in surplus lines, get ready. Because that's when all those reports are due. For new hires, note-taking can be the difference between becoming a regular and being sent home. Connect with Joyce King: ILSA LinkedIn Email: j.king@ilsainc.com (254) 729-6127 Connect with Jo Ann Del Gatto: The Surplus Line Association of California LinkedIn Email: jdelgatto@slacal.org This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Joyce King is ILSA’s Special Project Administrator, and Jo Ann Del Gatto is the Vice President of Education and Compliance at The Surplus Lines Association of California. Joyce has been with ILSA since 2005 and specializes in surplus lines tax filing requirements. Jo Ann is described as someone who is solutions-focused, an expert in strategic planning, and comes with plenty of experience in regulatory risks and compliance standards in both financial and insurance industries.  Joyce and Jo Ann join us today to discuss the guidelines businesses and agencies need to know before they consider an acquisition. They discuss the compliance and regulations that govern acquisitions as well as how penalties differ by state. They explain the importance of performing a compliance review before buying another agency, and why buyers will also inherit the administrative actions. Joyce and Jo Ann also share some of the more uplifting news they realized for the industry despite the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Every acquisition is a little bit different than the one before." - Jo Ann Del Gatto Today on Spot On Insurance: Jo Ann's childhood and how we met her. Why Jo Ann believes the insurance industry is much more stable than other industries. What an affiliation is and how it relates to insurance producers. The complexities of acquisitions, licenses, and what you should consider as a business entity. Administrative actions and what the acquiring company should be watching for. How the compliance review program began for ILSA. What you can expect from our compliance courses. The most uplifting things to note in the industry in light of 2020. Key Takeaways: It's imperative to have an acquisition checklist. Always perform a compliance review prior to putting your agency on the market and before buying another agency. Connect with Joyce King: ILSA LinkedIn Email: j.king@ilsainc.com (254) 729-8002 Connect with Jo Ann Del Gatto: The Surplus Line Association of California LinkedIn Email: jdelgatto@slacal.org This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Lorene Phillips is the Founder of Clarendon Wallace, a professional coaching service equipped with services for soft skill training for high performing professionals. She is an experienced Executive Coach with a long history of working in the insurance industry in Bermuda, London, and the United States. On top of leadership coaching, their company also provides etiquette coaching as well as stress management. Lorene is also a finance professional, having earned a BA in Economics from Acadia University. Lorene joins us to discuss the importance of having a strong network of mentors as well as peers who can learn from you. She shares the challenges she encountered on her way to the top and the way she perceived these hurdles. She explains the origin story of Clarendon Wallace and the gap they intend to fill in the corporate world. She discusses the idea of being a Learn-It-All as opposed to being a Know-It-All. Lorene also describes how newcomers in the industry can jumpstart their careers through mentorship and networking. "Build your network. Build it strategically, build it wide, and build it deep." - Lorene Phillips Today on Spot On Insurance: The three types of challenges Lorene dealt with in her professional career. How Lorene viewed the challenges she faced in the industry. The economical effects the pandemic has had on Bermuda. What inspired Lorene to join the insurance industry. Why Lorene started Clarendon Wallace and how she came up with the name. How their company's programs help those who feel burned out or stuck in their careers. Why coaching lets you talk about the important things in your life. What it means to be a learn-it-all and how it relates to networking. The importance of finding the right mentors and becoming a mentor to others. Key Takeaways: Coaching allows you to put aside time to create a lifeline for yourself. Setting aside time for your personal growth is important to help you take your career a step further. Connect with Lorene Phillips: Clarendon Wallace LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Anthony Boquet is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at The American College, a nonprofit, accredited, and degree-granting institution that focuses on financial services education. He is also a published author and wrote Bloodline of Wisdom, An Awakening of a Modern Solutionary, a book that was born after he read 111 books in a year and is centered around the philosophy and wisdom of King Solomon. Anthony is experienced in Financial and Estate Planning, public speaking, and insurance-related court cases. Anthony joins us today to discuss why he needed to read 111 books to write Bloodline of Wisdom, An Awakening of a Modern Solutionary and the lessons he wants to impart to readers. He shares how he initially didn’t like the business of insurance and the pivotal moment that changed his mind. He explains how the pandemic has affected The American College and why they were always prepared for virtual learning. Anthony also discusses how the pandemic has forced every industry to adapt and why insurance remains resilient. "We have to be measured in how we respond, and - as people - we have the ability to do that." - Anthony Boquet Today on Spot On Insurance: What it was like living in a small community in the western part of New Orleans. How Anthony found success in insurance and when he decided to work full-time. Why Anthony was reluctant to sell life insurance. How the pandemic changed the way Anthony teaches financial services. How The American College was prepared for the pandemic. The three responses to fear and how it applies to what's happening today. Why he wrote Bloodline of Wisdom, An Awakening of a Modern Solutionary and why he had to read 111 books to author it. Anthony's opinion on how this year's economic plunge compares to what happened ten years ago. Comparing life insurance trust to putting an item inside a briefcase. Anthony's winning strategy when it comes to achieving goals. The significance of the number 3 in religion and numerology. Key Takeaways: The American spirit always finds a way to cope during times of distress. The insurance industry is one of the few industries that need to adapt with the times almost every year. Connect with Anthony Boquet: The American College Modern Solutionary Bloodline of Wisdom, An Awakening of a Modern Solutionary LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Tripp Wagner is the Director of Fire Forensics at Jensen Hughes, a company that provides safety, security, and risk-based consulting and engineering. He has over 16 years of experience in explosion and fire forensic investigations. Some of the duties he’s had with the company include investigation and analysis to pinpoint origin and cause of fire accidents and the technicalities in-between. Before becoming part of Jensen Hughes, Tripp spent 11 years as Deputy Fire Marshall of the State of Delaware. Tripp joins us today to discuss why he’s always wanted a career involving fire and where his passion for the industry came from. He explains what Jensen Hughes does and how they investigate scenes and provide evidence in court. He shares how the pandemic has affected their response rate, especially with regards to fire accidents that happen inside people’s homes or apartments. He describes how 3D printing and virtual visits enabled them to work better despite the pandemic. Tripp also describes the kind of tech he wants to see built specifically for forensic engineering. "PPE in our world before COVID was designed to protect us. Now, we’re like everybody else: PPE is designed to protect each other." - Tripp Wagner Today on Spot On Insurance: The services Tripp's company offers regarding insurance and what they cover. When Tripp found his passion involved the fire industry. Common compounds that cause explosions and fires and how they influenced usage regulations. Why it can be tricky to determine whether a fire claim is legitimate. How the pandemic has affected the way they conduct on-site work. The social changes Tripp expects to see post COVID-19. Court procedures now in the time of the pandemic. Why taking a video of a scene can be tricky, especially during a trial. How 3D scanners have aided forensic engineering investigations. The kind of tech Tripp wants to see in their industry in the next few years. Key Takeaways: The most disruptive thing the pandemic has done is delay every process in any job. We will be more efficient as the year goes by, but we will not be going back to the days before. Resources Mentioned: Matterport Connect with Tripp Wagner: Jensen Hughes Email: twagner@jensenhughes.com Tripp Wagner on LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Caroline Thompson is the Head of Underwriting at Cowbell Cyber, an AI-powered cyber security insurance for small and medium businesses. The company provides 24/7 risk analysis, individual coverage level, and underwriting services done in minutes. Beyond her position at Cowbell Cyber, Caroline is also one of the main authors of their company’s blogs. She covers topics on new state laws and regulations and the different coverages their company offers. Caroline joins us to share how Cowbell Cyber works to determine a company’s risk for cyber attacks before it even happens. She describes how she wound up working in New York and explains the concept of microinsurance. She explains why cybersecurity policies are almost constantly updating and how their company leverages the Dark Web for possible attacks and risks. She shares what Silent Cyber Risks and Standalone Insurance mean in the context of a cybersecurity risk management company. Caroline also discusses what their company often recommends to improve the cybersecurity of their clients. "A lot of packaged policies end up covering a little bit of cyber - but not the entire extent." - Caroline Thompson Today on Spot On Insurance: Caroline's work experience in New York and why she felt at home. What microinsurance is and why Caroline made a senior thesis based on that topic. The life decisions Caroline would have made differently in hindsight. The best time to step away from a good, but stressful job. The reason behind the company being named Cowbell. The newer types of cyber attacks and how the insurance industry keeps up. When insurers have to pay for claims for cyber losses for policies not designed for them. Defining Silent Cyber Risks and Standalone Insurance. Why companies should always opt for a standalone insurance for cyber security. The changes Caroline sees in the industry regarding how they guard against cyber risks. The security recommendations Caroline and their company provide to clients. Key Takeaways: If it's been six months and you've been unhappy with whatever it is you're doing, it's time to change. A standalone insurance is ideal for covering all forms of cyber losses. Customers need standalone insurance in order to clarify everything. Connect with Caroline Thompson: Cowbell Cyber Cowbell Cyber on LinkedIn Cowbell Cyber on Facebook Cowbell Cyber on Twitter Caroline Thompson on LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!

Apple Podcasts Rate and Review for SpotOn Margaret Spence is the Founder and CEO of C. Douglas & Associates, a risk management company that provides affordable injury management solutions and services to clients struggling with complex claims management. Some of the claims they handle include HR Compliance, Disability Management, Workers Compensation, and OSHA Compliance. Margaret is also the founder of The Employee to CEO Project, a coaching company that caters to women who want to advance their careers to C-Suite roles. Margaret is the author of the book Leadership Self-Transformation: 52 Career-Defining Questions Every High-Achieving Woman Must Answer, a career management model for women who aspire for higher positions in any industry. Margaret joins us today to share what inspired her passion for risk management and her thoughts on the female role in today’s corporate America. She describes her childhood experience while growing up in the Bronx, what it was like to move to Jamaica as a high school student, and why she returned to the US for higher education. She describes what her day-to-day was like when she ran her company while still being an employee. Margaret also discusses what her company can do for organizations that have complex risk management problems and shares how the pandemic has made their job more relevant. "Learn everything. Don't get caught up in the job title; get caught up in the skills." - Margaret Spence Today on Spot On Insurance: Margaret's childhood experience in the Bronx and the different schools she went to. How the pandemic affected Margaret's personal life and her business. Margaret's time in Jamaica as a student and why she returned to the US. The various skills Margaret garnered throughout her career in the insurance industry. How Margaret started and ran her company while she was still employed. The wisdom Margaret received from working with different brokers. Winning clients by providing services in the form of professional advice. Mitigating the company's risks starting with the time someone is hired. The services and functions their company offers the industry. How they help hospital systems retool and reinvent their workers’ compensation program. How obese patients cause injuries to hospital workers within their stay. The difference between ‘the human’ and ‘the risk’ part of risk management. How the pandemic enabled C. Douglas & Associatesto promote TeleMed better. Key Takeaways: You don’t always have to use data efficiently, but you always have to have it regardless. Don’t get blinded by what your job title says and focus more on what you can learn from your responsibilities. You have to look at both the human and risk parts of risk management. Connect with Margaret Spence: C.Douglas & Associates WorkComp Seminars Employee To CEO Project Book: Leadership Self-Transformation: 52 Career-Defining Questions Every High-Achieving Woman Must Answer Book: From Workers' Comp Claimant to Valued Employee - Employers' Guide to Implementing a Proactive Return to Work Program Twitter LinkedIn This episode was brought to you by….. Insurance Licensing Services of America (ILSA), America’s Premier Insurance Compliance and Licensing experts. To learn more about ILSA and their services, visit ILSAinc.com. Connect, Learn, Share Thank you for joining us on this week’s episode of Spot On Insurance. For more resources and episodes, visit SpotOnInsurance.com. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Love what you’re learning, Spot Light your review on Apple Podcasts Rate and Review For SpotOn and share your favorite episodes with friends and colleagues!