Level Up Claims

Galen Hair talks with Dr. Bruno Cignacco about implementing a compassionate business model. Dr. Cignacco suggests businesses should center on stakeholders' respect, care, and service; shifting from self-focus to others-focused behaviors like generosity. He advises creating an environment of trust and backing away from fear-based management. Compassionate businesses promote cooperation, reduce negativity, and meet more than just economic needs by contributing to personal growth and society at large. Dr. Cignacco uses Patagonia and Google as examples of businesses benefiting from this philosophy by seeing a higher return on investment compared to traditional business models.

Highlights

• The principle of reciprocity and its importance in business relationships.
• The importance of recognition in the employer-employee relationship.
• The concept of the triple bottom line, focusing on profits, people, and the planet.
• The advantages of adopting the triple bottom line approach for business success in the long run.
• The example of Patagonia, a clothing brand renowned for its corporate social responsibility.
• How compassion in a workplace can create positive and productive work environments.
• Starting the transformation by self-reflecting and shifting the focus from self to others.
• Views leveling up as not only improving as a professional but also becoming a better human being.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Dr. Bruno Cignacco
• https://www.ted.com/talks/bruno_cignacco_the_art_of_compassionate_business

Galen Hair talks with Jef McCurdy, the national training manager for Castagra, a roofing company. McCurdy shares insights about the launch of a new product, discusses Ecodur, an eco-friendly roof coating, and introduces Ecodur One, a reflective roof product. He further explains the process of becoming a certified applicator for Castagra products. This involves attending a 3-4 hour monthly Zoom class covering a range of topics. Applicators must provide proof of insurance and successfully complete a project using a Castagra product. McCurdy highlights the importance of investing in training programs for improved profitability and employee retention.

Highlights

• Jef discusses the challenges he's currently facing in launching a new product
• Roof coating and how it offers a solution to various customer needs.
• Roof coating made primarily of castor oil and gypsum. It's also waterproof yet allows for vapor transfer, eliminating the risk of humidity issues within buildings
• Using environmentally friendly materials
• Discussion of California's environmental regulations, how they tend to influence other states, and the benefits of cool, reflective roofs.
• Further explanation of the certification process, with a strong emphasis on prior experience and the importance of adhering to industry regulations
• Discussion on how to design a successful training program, from identifying the pain points and utilizing free online resources to the importance hands-on experience
• Talk on the reason why the best companies invest in training, leading to better employee retention and profitability.
• Jeff also highlights the current labor shortage problem in the roofing industry.

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Jef McCurdy
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefmccurdy

Galen Hair talks with Jared Shearman about the importance of developing strong relationships between public adjusters, contractors, and attorneys, advocating for continuous and meaningful communication. Jared shares his experience and approach to his role as a property casualty attorney, emphasizing preparation, dedication, and maintaining constant client communication. Seeking professional help is pitched not as a failure, but as necessary for preventing legal issues and improving outcomes. 

Highlights

• Why Jared has become a lawyer and his career path
• How his experiences as a prosecutor have influenced his approach to cases today
• The challenges that prevent service providers from effectively serving their clients
• The idea of contractors hiring a lawyer to create a standard proof of loss package and contract
• Why property owners should seek the help of a lawyer once they realize they have a claim
• The skepticism from insurance companies when a claim is called in by a contractor rather than the insured
• Who should file the claim? The insured or someone who is an extension of them?

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Jared Shearman
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com/attorney/jared-m-shearman/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-shearman-96457195 

Galen Hair talks with Jeff Barnes, a business consultant, who shares his strategies for successful succession planning in a business. He emphasizes on adopting a system-focused approach, outsourcing tasks, and continual team training. He discusses the role of AI in enhancing business operations, but clarifies that it won't fully replace human labor. Tech-enhanced businesses, according to Barnes, are more alluring to investors due to their operational ease and profitability.

Highlights

• Jeff Barnes's previous jobs in the Navy and how it led him to dive into the business world.
• How he transitioned from inspecting different business establishments to wanting to make businesses run more effectively and efficiently
• The process of outsourcing business roles to make it more effective and to replace yourself in every area in the business to make it scalable
• Why training never ends
• The concept of Situational Leadership in businesses
• Sticking to the training process regardless of how long it could take
• Why most valuable businesses are those that can operate without the owner
• Role of AI in changing business operations
• Importance of businesses having a tech-enabled status before looking to get sold

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Jeff Barnes
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpbarnes/
• Website: https://www.angelinvestorsnetwork.com

Galen Hair talks to entrepreneur Adam Sand about effective marketing strategies for business growth. Adam emphasizes the importance of committing to a well-thought-out marketing strategy and advises against trying different tactics without a clear plan. He highlights the need for businesses to hire the right marketing agency and invest adequate resources. He describes how his firm, Roofing Business Partners, helps businesses streamline their processes using practical operational frameworks.

Highlights

• Adam Sand's background and how he used successful Facebook advertising to grow his roofing business
• How the game of social media marketing has changed significantly as platforms have reached critical mass and offering free value has become more expensive
• His recommendations for first-time marketers
• How he teaches his clients enough to be "dangerous", pushing the importance of entrepreneurs' understanding marketing efforts themselves and not relying solely on hired marketers
• Transitions towards 'roofing business partner'
• Developing technology infrastructure for businesses
• The theory of constraints and how businesses often hamper their own growth by identifying and breaking their own constraints
• His business growth method: Identify constraints, do more of what works, find how to do it better, and then add new elements

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Adam Sand
• https://www.roofingbusinesspartner.com/
• https://ca.linkedin.com/in/adamsandltd

Galen Hair, the founding partner of Insurance Claim HQ, and Mary Taliancich discussed the upcoming 2024 Level Up Claim Summit. Galen stated that the summit was birthed during the COVID-19 pandemic and was initially intended to be an annual event. He expressed satisfaction that it is now in its third year, which he believes is the first real benchmark that they are creating an ongoing program.

The summit focuses on two specific areas: Providing content that increases efficiency and results for claims, and giving participants takeaways that can also benefit their businesses. The Level Up Claims Summit differentiates itself from other industry conferences by having a singular focus on advancing the work in claims handling and running businesses.

Highlights

• The third year of the Level Up Claim Summit
• Feedback received about the Summit
• The different aspects they want to focus on for the upcoming event
• Question on how the Summit differs from other industry conferences
• The Summit on broader business topics than just claims handling
• Expansion of the Summit from one day to two days
• The new permanent venue for the event: Creating a free space for public adjusters and contractors in the future
• Sneak peeks into the upcoming Summit and what to expect as an attendee

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/

Attorney Mary K. Taliancich, from Insurance Claim HQ, appeared on the Level Up Claims Podcast to discuss her professional journey and her passion for helping individuals recover from property and casualty losses. Originally interested in domestic violence law, she found fulfillment in property and casualty law as it was less emotionally taxing. Mary emphasizes the importance of understanding clients' cases thoroughly, having compassion and staying organized. She highlights the significance of discovery and the need for thorough investigation in litigation. Pushing boundaries, hard work, and understanding the full context of a claim were encouraged. Mary also stressed the importance of maintaining client relationships and sharing expertise with fellow professionals.

Who's the Guest? Mary K. Taliancich was born and raised in Buras, Louisiana. She joined the Hair Shunnarah family as a law clerk in 2019 before becoming a full-time attorney with the firm in 2020. Prior to that, Mary served as a law clerk with the Plaquemines Parish District Attorney's Office.

Mary graduated from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law with a Certificate in Civil Law. During law school, she served as a Loyola Maritime Journal associate. Prior to law school, Mary attended Ursuline Academy in New Orleans and then graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she earned a degree in Business Administration.

Highlights

• Mary's previous career aspirations in domestic violence and her decision to divert from this path
• How she identifies missing pieces in a case and the subsequent steps taken to retrieve them
• Different approaches to conducting depositions and the standard deposition process
• The importance of client communication
• The necessity for clear and defensible justification for claims made in estimates

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Mary K. Taliancich
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com/attorney/mary-k-taliancich/

Tobias Patch, an entrepreneur with experience in business and insurance sectors, is interviewed by Galen Hair on the Level Up Claims Podcast. Tobias discusses his journey leading up to the creation of Brelly, an AI-powered platform that aids policyholders and professionals in managing insurance claims. The platform aims to offer efficiency, transparency, and collaboration. A planned feature for Brelly is an AI assistant that can provide contextual support to insurance claims, further improving the efficiency of the platform. This AI assistant is capable of rapidly synthesizing information and identifying discrepancies in claims, leading to quicker resolutions. Emphasizing Brelly's core values, Tobias indicates the platform's goal to reduce stress for policyholders and help them return to their normal life as quickly as possible.

Who's the Guest? Tobias Patch is an entrepreneur with over a decade of successful leadership experience. He's spent years in insurance claims, construction, and helping companies with tech solutions. Now, he's helping both policyholders and public adjusters with their claims handling.

Highlights

• Tobias' experience of running a food truck and how it was a passion of his but quickly became a job and lost much of its original joy
• Brelly: A platform designed to help people get their insurance claims paid fast, fairly, and fully
• His aim to add transparency to the insurance claim space
• The importance of consistent client communication in order to mitigate potential issues and ensure client satisfaction
• Using Brelly to deliver a system that understands the specifics of the insurance claim, removing the pressure from users and streamlining the process
• How his AI assistant can help team members, particularly new adjusters
• What it means for Tobias to level up

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Tobias Patch
• https://brelly.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/tobias-patch-56763915

Galen Hair discusses the importance of SEO and video marketing in a conversation with Atiba De Souza, an expert in the field. The conversation emphasizes utilizing video content to boost search rankings and to foster trust, given the recent reclassification by Google to be video-first responses. They stress the importance of branding, consistent video delivery, and authenticity. They encourage businesses to use platforms like YouTube to address common customer inquiries, enhancing their online visibility and fostering customer connection.

Who's the Guest? Atiba De Souza is the Content Superman. Decades of running an exclusive agency combined with hardcore technical skills -- I'm talking CODE, people, REAL CODE! -- have made him one of the few people with the skills and insight to marry emerging software and Google's algorithm with an intuitive feel for the culture of every social media platform.

His clients call him the SEO Super Sleuth, the Business Ninja, the "Build Your Team" Guru, and the Super Connector! He was killing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) before the term was even invented, ranking regional and national brands in the US on page 1 of Google for over 15 years. His content strategies are not just bells and whistles; his vision is inspiring and his voice is thunderous in the B2B SEO space. Not even the best of the best can say that they ranked more than 3000 pages on the first page of Google results while helping companies enjoy qualified leads. This Superman CEO of a Video Marketing Agency has been featured on many renowned platforms including Traffic & Conversion Summit, Digital Marketer Blog, Fox, Digital Journals, The Times, & USA Today.

Highlights

• The importance of SEO in the age of AI given the proliferation of content, and the ways Google has adapted its policies accordingly
• How video helps to create trust with potential customers, as it forms a human connection that written content cannot
• The secret to outshining competition on YouTube by making the video title the question you're answering in the video
• The importance of authenticity: How you can start showcase your individuality and stay true to yourself when creating videos
• What leveling up means for Atiba: Improving every day, regardless of how minute the progress may seem

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with Atiba De Souza
• https://us.brightonseo.com/people/atiba-de-souza

In this podcast episode, host Galen Hair interviews David Fradin, a seasoned consultant, trainer, and educator with over 50 years of experience in the technology and business sector. David began his career in aerospace engineering, his entrepreneurial activities, and participation in political campaigns highlighting his mediation and negotiation skills. He was recruited by Apple for his unique skill set, becoming instrumental in bringing the first hard disk drive for personal computers to market. David shares insights about his experiences at Apple, the strategic challenges faced, and his interactions with Steve Jobs.

As the author of the book "Organizing and Managing Insanely Great Products," he emphasizes the importance of understanding the five keys to product or service success, starting with a solid strategy. He exemplifies this with potential scenarios in the roofing industry, breaking it down into different market segments and understanding customer needs.

Who's the Guest? David Fradin is a Product Success Manager at Spice Catalyst, a consulting and training firm that helps organizations build, market, and launch successful products and services. He is also a Distinguished Professor of Practice and Advisor at Manipal University, where he teaches online courses on product management and marketing. He is a certified flight instructor and a commercial pilot with an instrument rating and has a passion for aviation and education.

With over 50 years of experience in the technology industry, David has trained thousands of managers worldwide and has worked as a product leader at companies like Apple and HP. He has authored several books on product success, innovation, and design and has contributed to multiple publications and podcasts. He is on a mission to share his insights and best practices with aspiring and experienced product professionals and to help them build insanely great products and services that delight customers and create value.

Highlights

• His move to Apple and his initial roles in the company, specifically bringing to market the first hard disk drive on a personal computer
• How he maneuvered Steve Jobs' plans to eliminate the Apple III
• The effectiveness of using stickers to promote the Apple III during a sales meeting, and the resulting conflict with Steve Jobs.
• The importance of management in product success
• The five keys to product or service success and the importance of an understanding of market strategy and segmentation
• Corporate values and their direct impact on a company's longevity
• The corporate scandal at Volkswagen and the implications of failing to uphold corporate values
• What 'leveling up' means to David, including honesty, self-integrity, care for others, and the planet

Episode Resources

• Connect with Galen M. Hair
• https://insuranceclaimhq.com
• [email protected]
• https://levelupclaim.com/
• Connect with David Fradin
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidfradin
• https://spicecatalyst.com/author/davidfradin/