Ryan Hanley: The Podcast

The online insurance buying process in NOT linear. In this episode of Agency Nation Radio we explain what really happens... Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

Marty Agather interviews Kevin Brandt about new Trusted Choice phone skill initiative titled, "The Power of 30 Seconds." Phone skills are incredibly important to the success of every independent insurance agency. Yet, most agencies just assume their staff is doing a job. It's time to make sure they are... Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we get Marty Agather back for a dynamic conversion on inbound marketing. Specifically, we explain the one inbound marketing tactic that the most successful agencies have put into practice that everyone else is still stumbling through. What is it that they don't want you to know? Listen and find out... Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

In this episode we're joined by Sam Affolter, AVP of Research and Innovation at Safeco Insurance to discuss the new "Insurance Advisor" Skill on Amazon Alexa. This is a case study on an insurance carrier step out in front of the insurance customer experience. Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

We're joined by our CTO Derek Hyde for a special guest interview to talk insurance technology and leadership. We get into problem solving technology solutions, product development and what it means to be a hands-on leader. This is an episode you don't want to miss. Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

In this episode, Ryan Hanley, Jason Cass and Joey Giangola take on some of the toughest topics in the insurance industry. This is a special episode you don't want to miss. Learn more about Agency Nation Radio here.

Is the current (or traditional) insurance customer experience fooling itself? Are really provided a "customer experience" or just plodding through adequate customer service? These are questions Ryan and Marty answer in today's episode of Agency Nation Radio. Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

Sharon Robles, of Robles Insurance in Chicago, is adapting her marketing methods to the sharing economy. She's using Uber to prospect new business. Listen to learn how... Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we examine insurance geekdom and it's place in the successful agency. It's cool to be an insurance geek. At least that's what Marty and I would love for you believe. In this episode we discuss why that's true... For more Agency Nation Radio visit: https://www.agencynation.com/podcast

In this episode we dissect a new report from Morgan Stanley on the opportunity for digital disruption in the commercial lines insurance marketplace. We also talk about Facebook Live and how independent insurance agents can leverage Facebook Live to grow their business. Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

Insurance brands are losing equity in the greater marketplace. Consumer brand retention continues to fall. Today we discuss how to change the course of insurance brands. ...and so much more. Get more Agency Nation Radio here: http://www.agencynation.com/podcast

In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, Ryan and Marty break down the "Wine in a Can" trend and what insurance professionals can learn. In particular the time it takes micro-trends to become actual trends. Get more Agency Nation Radio: https://www.agencynation.com/podcast

We all use the same tired descriptions to explain why our agency is different from the competition. It's officially time to change that. In this episode of Agency Nation Radio, we break down why the common insurance agency "Brags" are meaningless to the prospects we're hoping to attract and when does differentiate one insurance agency from another. Get more Agency Nation Radio here. This episode of Agency Nation Radio is sponsored by Vertafore —the Leader in Modern Insurance Technology. If you haven’t been to the Vertafore website lately, you need to spend some time on the blog. They update that site a couple times a week with information about industry trends and news to keep you ahead of your competition. They have great information for producers, principals and customer service professionals. It’s worth spending some time on the site and reading the blog.  Go to Vertafore dot com, check out the blog in the resources section.

For the first time in 6 years, small insurance companies have taken the lead for insurance buyer satisfaction. This is in large part due to the independent insurance agent sales force partnered with small insurance companies. Agents are still at the front lines of the insurance companies, but things like instant quotes and messenger services change the way consumers interact with agents. Instead of calling a voicemail or making an appointment, interested consumers can speak directly with an agent almost immediately and ask any question they choose. Agents aren’t just in sales anymore. We’ve become mentors and advisors, and the way we treat our clients is why people keep coming back. Get more Agency Nation Radio here.

“Usage-based insurance is a unique or innovative thing because the industry historically has sort of been in a ‘purchase-once-and-forget’ mentality... I think it’s a real opportunity for the industry because it’s thinking about things in a completely different way than we ever thought about them.” Marty Agather Get more Agency Nation Radio.

In this episode of Agency Nation Radio we discuss the tough work of insurance industry trailblazing and why phone trees suck. Something as archaic as a phone tree has been a staple of the insurance agency for decades. But today’s customers don’t have the patience for voicemail. In a digital age of immediate response and gratification, all your phone tree tells them is that you’re too busy to help them.

Emily Huling, recently published an article on her blog with 17 Terrific Tips When Visiting Clients. The one we want to discuss is #14, where she recommends not using an iPad or any other technology when taking notes and meeting with new and old clients. This is the 21st century, we should be able to use tech for absolutely everything. It’s automated, it’s easy, and it lightens your work load, but it does not reflect well with the customer. As Marty says, when you’re using tech to make your job easier, you are not putting the needs of your client first. Get this podcast and more here: agencynation.com/podcast

We have a lot of contention with today’s topic of discussion. Whitney Arthofer’s article on Tech Crunch “Insurance Brokerage is Broken” hits us where it hurts. It’s clear from this article that she’s never worked one single day as an insurance agent, but that doesn’t make her conclusions any less true, or any easier to swallow.

In this episode, we discuss Drew Aldrich’s article on CBInsights, “Going Micro is the Next Big Thing for Insurance Tech”, breaks down how it works and shares a few tactics from the successful startups who helped bring microinsurance to the forefront of the industry. We also discuss microinsurance and why most insurance startups don't understand how to be successful.

Today we dissect the epic fall of the darling medical testing company, Theranos and what it means to the insurance industry. Once upon a time, Theranos was defended as one of the most ground-breaking companies, using unheard of and cutting edge micro-technology to streamline all sorts of medical testing. Where they once bragged to be innovators, Theranos – and its creator Elizabeth Holmes – are facing serious accusations and ruining their reputation. That brings us to the second topic of our episode: Agency Nation’s brand new Agency Nation University.