Choosing the Right Tech Partner for Your Agency
As a health and life insurance agency, keeping your data and client information organized is crucial. You might use a spreadsheet or a generic customer relationship management (CRM) tool to keep track of everything. But did you know there are industry-specific options available that don't warrant hours of customization to use them?
A valuable insurance agency management system (AMS) allows your agency to:
- Increase profitability and efficiency
- Become more professional and organized
- Automate emails, tasks, and other workflows
- Process commissions
- Create email marketing campaigns
If you're in the market for an AMS, we know this can seem like a daunting decision, but it doesn't have to be! In five steps, this infographic will explain how to choose the right technology partner for your agency. If you want even more information and advice, watch AgencyBloc's free, on-demand webinar The 5 Steps for Selecting the Right Agency Management System for Your Agency!
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5 Steps for Selecting the Right Agency Management System for Your Agency
Step 1: Identify Your Pain Points & Goals
What do you want to achieve? Your chances of success double if you have goals. Then, if you write them down, you're 42% more likely to achieve them. Set SMART goals that make sense for your agency:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-Bound
Step 2: Identify Your Needs & Wants
What do you need to reach your goals? Ask yourself what is essential for you to keep going at your current rate vs. what you’d like to have. Many agencies prioritize choosing an agency management system that has commissions processing included. Other capability needs might include security, accessibility, marketing, CRM, and more.
Step 3: Research Your Vendors
What do you know about your vendors? Research is crucial to finding the right partner for your agency. Look at your options and weigh the pros and cons—87% of searchers online comparison-shop, and 74% will trust a business more if they have positive reviews. Make sure to check these four places to assess the vendor's credibility and reputation:
- Google
- Capterra
- LinkedIn
- Facebook
Step 4: Make a Decision
Which decision would be best for your team? Get everyone together to make sure the system you choose benefits everyone on your team. Decisions are challenging. Be sure to keep these seven common decision-making pitfalls in mind:
- Rushing to Conclusion
- Analysis Paralysis
- Voting
- Vocal Minorities
- Lack of Response
- Groupthink
- The Abilene Paradox
Step 5: Manage the Change
How can you help your team through the transition? Making the transition as seamless as possible requires employee buy-in and adoption. Here are five things that can help ease your whole team into the transition:
- Get a recording of the training
- Encourage the use of the help section
- Assign an "expert" in each department
- Roll out slowly
- Throw a launch party
Adopting an agency management system can be a great benefit to your agency. If you follow these tips, it can simplify the process and ensure that you make the right decision from the very beginning. Then, improved efficiency will soon follow!
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This blog was originally published on July 10, 2018, and has been most recently updated and republished on April 19, 2022.
Posted
by Sarah Rosonke
on Tuesday, April 19, 2022
in
Customer & Policy Management
- vendor vetting
About The Author
Sarah is the Design and Content Specialist at AgencyBloc. She creates and designs helpful resources to support life and health insurance agencies in growing and automating their business. Favorite quote: "You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try." —Dol
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