Move beyond the stigma of Continuing Education and help your agency become an industry expert.
Say the words Continuing Education around a group of agents and you’ll usually hear a chorus of loud sighs in response. Most insurance professionals think of CE as those hours of online classes you have to take every two years so your license doesn’t expire. However, the idea of Continuing Education isn’t exclusive to insurance and the licensing process. It presents an opportunity for your agency to stay ahead of the curve and become an expert and a leader in the industries you serve.
Insurance Industry Education
Your typical Continuing Education class discusses topics like ethics and compliance. These are essential for everyone in the insurance industry to understand, but your learning doesn’t need to stop there. Expand your scope beyond bi-yearly CE credits and pursue classes and seminars on other aspects of your job. Reach outside of the insurance bubble and register for sales and marketing conferences that can offer a different perspective on how to grow your book of business. Remember, just because Henry Ford developed the assembly line system to manufacture cars doesn’t mean it isn’t applicable to every other mass-production industry in the world.
Know Your Products
In specialized insurance, the coverage is complex and always evolving. It is essential that you stay up to date on the ins-and-outs of the products you offer and know what to leverage to set yourself apart from the competition. But with McNeil & Co. offering 10 programs that cover even more classes of business, how can you stay on top of everything?
Our marketing representatives and underwriters are available to discuss any of the 10 programs we offer and our newsletter provides agents with resources and updates on a monthly basis. We also hold a bi-annual producer training event that provides an overview of each of our products for agents who are looking to grow their book of business beyond one program. If you want to learn more about the opportunities available to your agency, call 800-822-3747.
Learn the Industries You Serve
You could be a walking insurance encyclopedia and never make a single sale if you don’t take the time to learn your customer’s business. A Fire Department’s wants and needs are different than that of a Car Wash operator or an owner of a Hunting Lodge. Attend events and trade shows specific to the industries you serve and learn about the issues that are affecting your customers. Take your learning beyond coverage and become a valuable partner for your clients, not just the person who sells them insurance.
Continuing Education is an essential part of becoming a successful insurance professional. So next time you hear the words, replace the sigh with the excitement of new opportunity.
By: Tim Woitach