Viewpoints

“Transformation,” not “adaptation,” is the key word here. Adaption is a half-measure—a flashy appendage tacked on to a legacy product or service. Transformation, by contrast, is akin to rebirth.

For those of us who work in a service industry like insurance, people pleasing is a common malady—and we sometimes go beyond our intent to serve by sacrificing too much, leading to burnout.

Because auto insurance represents 43% of total insurance premiums, even slight shifts in the market have a profound impact on the rest of the industry—and driverless vehicles will be much more than a slight shift.

What are the odds of InsurTech startups killing your agency the way Netflix killed Blockbuster? It all depends on how you react.

Because blockchain’s verification process removes intermediary validation and establishes trust without using a centralized authority, the technology may become one of the most important financial services innovations of the 21st century.

You love your top performers. But are they holding you hostage to the point where they’re causing more damage than they’re worth?

None of us wants to go out into the world, take risks and give our 100% effort just to get shot down. But these moments can lead to a better self.

Some agencies find that outsourcing lower-level service interactions helps in-house employees improve the quality of their customer service. But for most smaller shops, in-house service is still a hallmark of the independent agency.

Rachel Vela never even wanted a desk job. But when her mom finally convinced her to give the family agency a chance, she found out insurance is more interesting and challenging than she expected.

When Aislyn Vaughan isn’t binding small commercial policies, she’s teaching dance lessons, instructing a yoga class, and running the Vermont Young Agents Committee.