Trusted Advisor Podcasts by The Iroquois Group

Iroquois’ In-House Counsel Janine Fodor joins us to talk about the importance of knowing where your data is and that it is properly protected. In this overview of the current landscape in data privacy and cyber security law, Janine reveals that was once considered optional best practices are now concrete laws. She outlines how an agency can get into trouble and helps us better understand why we might want that cyber liability policy to protect ourselves. Finally, Janine gives us some great tips on how we can start the journey to a safer cyber environment.

Taking over an agency where most of the staff is 20 years older than you has to be a challenge. Joe Palumbo talks about how talking with other principals, finding a mentor, and listening to his employees during a five-month runway to completely taking over the agency helped him prepare for his new leadership role. Early on, Joe discovered just how vital a properly trained and motivated staff is to an agency’s success, so he has focused on cultivating a culture that encourages open communication and values everyone’s contributions.

Agency principal Sean Cornelius talks about the lessons he has learned from making a half dozen acquisitions since 2016. He stresses the importance of a thorough investigation into the new business to avoid surprises after the final purchase. He reminds us that the costs of an acquisition frequently go beyond what you pay the seller - you will have to integrate the acquired book into your operations and that takes time and money. Sean concludes that taking risks is great, just so long as they are calculated risks.

HR expert Stephanie Duperrouzel, shares her experience on what it takes to hire and retain great employees as well as the latest trends in people management. For example, leaders today need to focus on designing a compelling employee experience and doing right by every employee or they risk losing their most important assets. With five generations in the workforce all wanting something different, this can be a daunting task.

Hairpin turns, jumps, high-speed crashes - athletes traveling downhill on skates at 50 mph - 12 races, 8 countries, 3 continents: that's an average season of Red Bull Ice Cross! Back in 2015, Michael Iulianello, better known as Iggy, was an intern at Iroquois Group, and a student and hockey player at St. Bonaventure University. That’s when he first heard about Red Bull Ice Cross. After racing on his first ever downhill ice course, Iggy was hooked. Now the Iroquois logo races down each course with Iggy as he proves what hard work and determination can accomplish.

Everybody's doing it! Should you? Mergers and acquisitions are a great way to grow your agency but they can be hard to navigate through. Sean Cornelius and Joe Palumbo, who run a multi-location agency in NYS created by five recent acquisitions, discuss what questions you should be asking before you buy.

What sparked the idea for the first insurance network, Iroquois Group, back in 1978? We sit down with Laurie Branch, CEO of Iroquois, to find out how the concept for Iroquois was born and how the organization has grown and changed over the past 40 years. Laurie also shares stories about mixing family and business when running a family agency – something to which many of our members can relate.

What ideas can we steal from another service industry to put us at the head of the pack in ours? Sherry Sanger joined the marketing team at Penske Truck Leasing (a Fortune 500 firm) 20 + years ago. She speaks with Iroquois to share insights on how to market on a small budget, the similarities in B2B and B2C, hiring the right people to deliver on your brand promise, and much, much more.