In the second part of a two-part series on outsourcing, Steve and Ryan discuss how "process" outsourcing can both increase profitability and lead to happier, more engaged agency employees. They explain where to begin for agencies just starting out, potential drawbacks, and major outsourcing firms that provide services for insurance agencies.

The first of a two-part series on outsourcing, Steve and Ryan discuss opportunities for agencies to maximize profitability through the outsourcing of operations. They look at why agencies should consider outsourcing, when it is appropriate, and review some popular platforms where agencies can connect with talent worldwide to enhance their capabilities and value proposition—all without needing to hire any new full-time employees.

In this episode of “The Digital Broker,” Ryan and Steve explain APIs (and why agents and brokers should care about them). They discuss some of the simple ways in which APIs can be used to improve the customer experience, automate and refine agency processes, and save agencies valuable time and money.

In this episode of “The Digital Broker,” Ryan and Steve examine the changing nature of the agency account manager. They discuss what skills and traits today’s agencies should look for in a great account manager, and why it is so important to empower account managers to contribute to an agency’s success in new and evolving ways. Finally, they suggest simple tactics and tools that agencies can use to help make this happen.

Ryan and Steve examine one of the most important components of measuring an agency’s success: measuring growth. They examine the three typical ways in which agencies typically measure growth (new, retained, and lost business), and why it is so important to define and understand these categories. The hosts also offer guidance on how agencies can use data to gain better insight into growth— and to use that data to create simple, actionable plans for improving profitability.

One team, one dream! In this episode of The Digital Broker, Ryan and Steve focus on culture as a core tenet of success. The most profitable agencies ingrain accountability, teamwork, and innovation into their corporate fabric. Listen in to learn more about the best methods to build culture and the associated benefits of doing so.

Data is everywhere. It can be your biggest asset or your biggest pain. In this episode, Ryan and Steve walk us through the best strategies for collecting data from clients and leveraging it improve operations, sales, and profitability.

Technology is changing more quickly today than ever before. This change is fantastic, but can be overwhelming. Ryan and Steve share their secrets and strategies to finding and implementing the best technology available to agents today.

It’s all about frameworks! Ryan and Steve have found that growth materializes quickly when agencies compartmentalize the components of their businesses and approach each with a fundamental framework to manage and measure new operations and technology. In this episode, The Digital Broker lays out a six-step framework that you can use today to begin implementing meaningful change at your agency.

Meet the hosts of our new podcast, The Digital Broker. Steve Anderson and Ryan Deeds have teamed up with Indio to create the only podcast focused exclusively on insurance technology and operations. In episode 1, our hosts share a bit about their insurance backgrounds and operational expertise. Listen in to hear how these core tenets can be the biggest drivers of profitability at your agency.