Power Producers Podcast

In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, David Carothers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] returns for session five with the Insurance Futures [https://www.insurancefutures.com/] team to tackle one of the most critical elements in managing a successful remote workforce: communication. Following four weeks of deep dives into building remote teams, this episode zeroes in on how effective communication can make or break your virtual agency’s culture and efficiency. David [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] and his guests Jeremy Huerta [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromy-huerta-89780424/], Michael Overstreet [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heritageadvises/], and Caleb Walker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebwalker/] discuss the challenges unique to remote communication—like delayed responses, misinterpreted messages, and the absence of face-to-face cues—and share practical strategies to establish clear, consistent, and intentional communication frameworks. They emphasize the importance of having structured communication protocols, standardized abbreviations, and response expectations so that the whole team is aligned and productive, no matter where they’re located. Key Highlights: Why Clear Communication Is Essential David [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] highlights how delayed or unclear communication can cause frustration and impact client service and sales outcomes in a remote setting. Consistent and transparent communication is vital to keep everyone on the same page. Setting Communication Guidelines and Hierarchy The team stresses the need to define who to contact for what and by which method—phone call, message, email, or quick acknowledgment—to prevent confusion and wasted time. Choosing and Sticking to a Communication Platform Jeremy and Michael explain the importance of picking one primary platform—like Microsoft Teams—and committing to it, even if it’s imperfect, to maintain consistency and avoid team frustration. Standardizing Language and Status Updates Using common abbreviations, uniform status indicators (like “BRB” or “Back”), and clear expectations around response times reduces misunderstandings and improves workflow across the virtual team. Leveraging Playbooks and Resources The team shares how they’ve created a comprehensive communication playbook and organizational clarity tools that staff can access anytime, ensuring everyone knows how and where to communicate efficiently. To download the communication playbook and organizational chart worksheet:Click here [https://www.insurancefutures.com/agency-communication/] Connect with: Visit Websites:

In this Power Producers Podcast episode, David Carothers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] is joined by Jason Duby [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-duby-cris-arm-1b18a218b/], Captive Manager at Garnet Captive [https://www.garnetcaptive.com/], to dive deep into the concept of captives and how they can provide valuable opportunities for businesses, particularly as the market continues to harden. Jason breaks down the intricacies of captive insurance, explaining how they work, who benefits, and what sets Garnet Captive [https://www.garnetcaptive.com/] apart from other options in the industry. David [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] and Jason explore the different types of captives, the benefits of participating in one, and the financial implications for businesses that choose this route. The conversation also touches on the importance of risk management and the steps businesses need to take to set up and benefit from a captive insurance program. Key Highlights: What Is a Captive? Jason [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-duby-cris-arm-1b18a218b/] explains how businesses can form their own insurance group to manage risk, reduce costs, and potentially recoup unused premiums—highlighting the efficiency of group captives. Types of Captives They break down single-parent, group, homogeneous, and protected cell captives, explaining their structures and benefits for different business types. The Garnet Captive Edge Jason outlines Garnet’s [https://www.garnetcaptive.com/] faster distributions, lower upfront costs, and risk management support that help businesses see quicker returns. Financial Commitment They discuss the cost of joining a captive, including collateral and underwriting requirements for businesses with strong risk profiles. Risk Management & Claims Captives allow businesses to customize claims handling and implement tailored risk management strategies. Tips for Producers David [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] and Jason advise producers on spotting good captive candidates and warning signs like poor loss history or price-focused buyers. Connect with:   Visit Websites:

In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, David Carothers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] continues his series with the team from Insurance Futures [https://www.insurancefutures.com/], diving into the importance of job descriptions for building a strong culture in remote teams. As remote work becomes more common, having clear job descriptions helps set expectations, boost accountability, and ensure employees understand their roles. David is joined by Jeremy Huerta [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromy-huerta-89780424/], Michael Overstreet [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heritageadvises/], and Caleb Walker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebwalker/] from Heritage [https://www.heritageadvises.com/], an agency that has mastered the art of job descriptions. Together, they explore how detailed, concise job descriptions tied to core values and KPIs can lead to a more successful and productive remote team. Key Highlights: Why Job Descriptions Matter David starts by acknowledging that job descriptions are often overlooked, but in remote work environments, they’re essential for clarity. Without clear expectations, employees can feel lost or uncertain about their role. Clarity and Simplicity in Job Descriptions The team stresses the importance of keeping job descriptions simple and straightforward. They emphasize that clear, concise language helps everyone understand exactly what’s expected, without unnecessary complexity. Aligning Job Descriptions with Core Values Jeremy explains that job descriptions should align with the agency’s core values. It’s not just about duties—it’s about ensuring employees know how their role contributes to the larger mission and culture of the agency. Linking Job Descriptions to KPIs Caleb [https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebwalker/] discusses how job descriptions should reflect specific KPIs. By defining measurable tasks and goals, job descriptions create clear expectations and accountability for employees’ performance. Job Descriptions as a Tool for Fit The team shares how transparent job descriptions help both the agency, and the employee assess if they’re a good fit. By outlining the role clearly from the start, both parties can avoid surprises and ensure alignment with the agency’s needs. To download the job description template and worksheet: Click Here [https://www.insurancefutures.com/insurance-job-descriptions/] Connect with: Visit Websites:

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] welcomes Jacob Hicks [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-hicks-b7154a121/], a sales coach with an eclectic background in various industries, including retail, real estate, and optical sales. Jacob shares his insights on the evolution of sales and the importance of systems, follow-up, and understanding of your ideal client profile. David [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] and Jacob explore Jacob's journey from selling suits to coaching salespeople, touching on the principles that drive success in sales across industries. The conversation delves into effective sales strategies, the importance of follow-up, and how mindset plays a crucial role in achieving sales success. Key Highlights: Jacob’s Sales Journey: From Suits to Coaching Jacob [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-hicks-b7154a121/] discusses his sales experience, starting from selling suits in retail to his work in real estate and the optical industry. He shares the unique lessons he's learned along the way, including his entrepreneurial beginnings selling Osage Oranges and potholders door-to-door. The Power of Follow-Up Both David [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] and Jacob agree that follow-up is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of sales. Jacob emphasizes the importance of having a solid system in place for follow-up, whether automated or personalized, to stay in front of prospects and clients consistently. Avoiding the Trap of "Just Enough" Jacob [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-hicks-b7154a121/] recalls a pivotal moment in his career when a mentor told him that the insurance industry was full of "C players." This insight pushed him to elevate his own standards and always compete against top-tier professionals. He encourages listeners to focus on creating a system for success and sticking to it. Understanding Your Ideal Client Jacob and David dive into the concept of an ideal client profile. Jacob talks about how focusing on the right clients can prevent wasted time and energy on deals that are unlikely to succeed. He stresses that saying “no” to distractions and focusing on high-quality prospects is a game-changer. Sales Mindset and Belief The duo explores the role of self-belief in sales. Jacob shares how overcoming limiting beliefs can significantly increase one's potential in sales, with a special focus on setting higher goals and pushing past comfort zones to achieve greater success. Investing in Yourself: The Key to Growth Jacob [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-hicks-b7154a121/] discusses how investing in personal growth, whether through coaching, training, or networking, has played a significant role in his success. He encourages listeners to prioritize their own development to reap higher returns and better performance. The Transition from Inside Sales to Outside Sales Jacob reflects on his transition from inside sales (selling suits) to outside sales (in the optical industry), highlighting the key differences and skills that apply across both settings, including the importance of showing up, asking the right questions, and building rapport. Connect with: Visit Websites:

In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, David Carothers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrcarothers/] keeps the remote workforce series going with a deep dive into KPIs—why they’re crucial and how they should be tied to core values. David and his team from Insurance Futures [https://www.insurancefutures.com/] discuss how measuring the right activities can lead to success and help remote agencies stay on track. This week, David is joined by Jeremy Huerta [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeromy-huerta-89780424/], Michael Overstreet, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heritageadvises/] and Caleb Walker [https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebwalker/] from Heritage [https://www.heritageadvises.com/], an insurance agency that’s figured out the formula for success with KPIs in a remote environment. They discuss how focusing on the right activities drives results, and how KPIs can be used to align teams with the company’s core values. Key Highlights: The Role of KPIs in Remote Teams David explains that KPIs are crucial for remote teams to measure success. Without them, employees lack clear direction and benchmarks, which can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Starting with Core Values Jeremy and Caleb emphasize that KPIs should be chosen after defining core values and agency goals. This ensures that the KPIs are relevant and measurable, aligning with the overall mission of the agency. Activity-Based KPIs The team discusses how they focus on activity-based KPIs, such as calls and marketing drops, instead of just sales outcomes. This helps them monitor daily tasks that contribute to long-term success. Keeping KPIs Simple & Clear The team advocates for keeping KPIs simple and clear. They stress that every team member should have a defined KPI tied to the agency’s goals, with no more than 3-5 metrics to focus on. Aligning KPIs with Core Values Finally, the team shares how they align KPIs, like "quality conversations," with their core values such as compassion. This ensures that employees not only meet targets but also embody the agency’s culture in their work.   To download the KPI guide and read the blog, visit: How a Single Clear KPI Can Transform Your Remote Agency [https://www.insurancefutures.com/how-a-single-clear-kpi-can-transform-your-remote-agency/] In the coming weeks, David and the team will continue discussing key strategies for managing remote teams, focusing on creating accountability, fostering culture, and driving business success. Be sure to tune in for more actionable insights! Connect with: Visit Websites: