By Brent Kelly
Over the past few years, one of the biggest frustrations from both general contractors and subcontractors in the state of Illinois has been the issue of workers compensation.
General contractors can use subcontractors for many different jobs and projects. The subcontractors...
By Brent Kelly
The idea of creating a niche to grow your book of business for insurance agents is certainly not a new idea.
However, I often hear from insurance agents wanting to find their niche market, but unsure of where to start.
This is a common question as there is no perfect...
By Brent Kelly
Over 50% of People Now Shop For Insurance Online, Is the Independent Agent Doomed?
A recent article found that over 50% of people looking to obtain auto insurance quotes now go online to shop. This trend will probably continue as insurance buyers are looking for convenience...
By Brent Kelly
Technology is changing at such a rapid pace that none of us can imagine what new technologies will be available in the next 20 years.
I found a clip on YouTube recently, and it absolutely blew me away. Not even 20 years ago, some of the “smartest people” on...
Sitkins Group, Inc. is pleased to announce Brent Kelly has joined their team as a coach for independent insurance agencies. With the addition of Brent to the team, Sitkins Group will be able to expand their training and development programs for agents.
Brent comes to Sitkins Group with extensive...
Ways to get uncomfortable
No doubt, you’re eager to discover the joys of being uncomfortable. But seriously, getting out of your comfort zone is the only way to achieve greatness vs. “okayness.”
1. Start systematically challenging everything you do. This means questioning the...
Great growth requires letting go of complacency
It dawned on me recently that too many agencies and their teams are too comfortable (or complacent) to really grow. What they have are “lifestyle agencies,” which is absolutely okay if that’s what they want.
Gary Holgate, my mentor...
Outside the circle
Let’s take a look at some of the OTC things we can’t change, no matter what we do.
- The national/global economy. None of us can make a significant impact here.
- Insurance carriers’ appetites. You can’t stop them from changing, but it’s important...
An effective process consistently produces the right results
Although this topic could apply to most employees, this article is really directed at Producers.
One of the biggest problems I see with average producers is their inability—or unwillingness—to focus on the right things. They...
100% Goal Attainment
Assuming that you actually have goals in all areas of your agency, attaining them is huge. As part of your NO B.S. (Non-Optional Behaviors and Strategies) business plan, you should have one-year and three-year plans for the following Key Performance Indicators.
- Gross...
Roger Sitkins and Dr. Henry C. Martin both had the same passion; which is the betterment of the independent insurance agent through knowledge, agency efficiency, and customer relationships. Roger Sitkins is the recipient of the 2017 Dr. Henry C. Martin Award and among only five others to...
Set the bar high with these key goals
Having worked with thousands of agency owners through the years, I have noticed an overriding theme: Average independent agencies and their producers are average for a reason. They simply don’t set high enough standards for themselves—they...
