In this episode of The MVP Podcast, Mitch Gibson sits down with Ron Shroyer, Vice President of Sales at Aureus Analytics, to discuss the future of tech and why it is so important to find tech that works for you and your agency.  Measuring your customer's happiness is a huge component of your retention. With Aureus Analytics' new product, Donna for agents can measure and collect all of this data for you, which in return allows you to sell your customer what they NEED. Episode Highlights: Ron provides a quick background story about Aureus and what his company is all about. (5:19) Ron shares that they help clients learn more about their customers. (10:06) Ron tells us about the 100 customer experience scoring called Sentimeter. (12:17)  Ron explains why data is very important for future insurance agents. (17:49)  Ron explains what his company's technology looks like. (19:51)  Ron shares that his back-end technology caters to every agency because they know that agencies operate differently. (25:14)  Ron tells us about his company's competitors and how he approaches them. (33:28) Ron shares that it is important to look at succession planning to prepare for the future. (41:37)  Ron shares his vision of the Aureus in the future and how they are scaling up to it. (46:46)   Ron shares his favorite color and ice cream flavor. (50:41) Ron tells us one place he would go if he would be traveling. (51:50)  Ron gives us his piece of advice to young agents out there listening. (52:42) Key Quotes: "Aggregating data like that is to be able to provide a better product and service, it's going to help serve you a lot more efficiently and effectively." - Ron Shroyer "Everyone has their kind of hopes and dreams as far as how they want people to utilize the product. But we know that we still have to be as flexible as possible because every agency operates a little bit differently." - Ron Shroyer “You need to surround yourself with individuals that are going to put you in a better position than where you are today.” - Ron Shroyer  Resources Mentioned: Ron Shroyer LinkedIn Aureus Analytics Reach out to Mitch Gibson

In this episode of The MVP Podcast, Mitch Gibson sits down with Tamron Manning, Founder and Owner of Integrity Insurance Group in Lexington, Kentucky to discuss the highs and lows that he has experienced as a start-up agency owner in the last 3 months. Tamron opened up the doors at Integrity Insurance in October of 2021 and has hit the ground running. This guy is going places! Episode Highlights: Tamron shares some of the most difficult challenges he faced when he started his business at 27. (2:26) Tamron shares some of the things he would have changed when he was just starting the agency. (4:47) Tamron recalls a moment when he was just starting and felt like he was in a captive situation. (7:56) Tamron shares some of the software he uses for his video proposals. (14:51) Tamron tells us that he has not yet integrated with any of the Tech companies but is currently in the process, to provide more customer satisfaction. (23:19) Tamron shares what he thinks are the best referral partners for the business. (28:57) Tamron tells us the common struggles that he is currently facing as an agency owner. (34:07) Tamron shares what his mental mindset was to proceed in building and starting his career. (40:31) Tamron gives us the reason why he loves the insurance industry. (45:40) Tamron shares his favorite color and his favorite flavor of ice cream. (49:35) Tamron shares that his favorite place to go that he has never been would be Australia. (51:16) Key Quotes: "You need to learn from these people, and listen to them and then practice roleplay. Some people roleplay. You need to do that kind of stuff to be good for the game." - Tamron Manning "If you spend your whole time planning and waiting for that perfect time or waiting for your savings account to hit this amount. You'll never do it, man." - Tamron Manning "Figure it out as you go, fail as many times as you can. And you'll find, I promise you'll figure it out. If you keep failing enough. And you learn from that and you do it again." - Tamron Manning Resources Mentioned: Tamron Manning LinkedIn Integrity Insurance Group Reach out to Mitch Gibson

In this episode of The MVP Podcast, Mitch Gibson sits down with the Season 1 winner of The Protege, Derek Hayden. Derek joins the show to discuss his experience on the reality TV show and the things he has learned along the way that have led to Mr. Hayden's success. Yes, his favorite color is camo! Episode Highlights: Derek shares what led him to be in the insurance agency as a producer. (3:53) Derek tells us about his education and how he was able to focus on his studies while playing baseball. (6:08) Derek mentions that his early beginnings as an agent were a rough start. (8:22)  Derek mentions that his education has helped him learn how to build his process and explain benefits to potential clients. (15:01) Derek shares his great experience with The Protégé, the first reality TV show for insurance. (20:47) Derek explains how he got interested in joining the podcast industry. (28:16) Derek gives out tips on how to make the perfect video for prospecting. (42:23) Derek tells us that his favorite color is camo. (47:58) Derek tells us that his favorite place is with his family at their family farm. (49:01) Derek shares his advice to all young agents that are getting started in the industry. (51:11) Key Quotes: “You do have control over solving a problem. So, if you know what your target market’s problem is, lead with the solution to that problem 100% of the time.”- Derek Hayden “For me being able to get laser-focused on what I know I do really well. And what I know, I have tools and resources to build my book around. That's when I started to, you know, stack them up here and there to build my personal book of business.” Derek Hayden "I know in my niches, what their problems are before I even step in the door. So that's one thing about, niching down. I know a group of 50 employees is having this problem, because there's no one that's been able to solve it. So I'll create my questions and ask my questions around that problem." - Derek Hayden Resources Mentioned: Derek Hayden LinkedIn The Protege - Season 1 Winner Reach out to Mitch Gibson

In this episode of The MVP Podcast, Mitch Gibson sits down with Luis Leal from Leal Insurance Services. Luis joins the show to discuss the different types of marketing habits he has created, along with building a 1500 member Facebook "Dad's Group" that is a great lead generator for his business. Luis also discusses what his agency does the best at and they stick with being great at those tactics. Episode Highlights: Luis Leal shares how he first learned about the Independent Agents Owners Alliance (IAOA). (2:47) Luis explains what he does on his Facebook and in the community to let people know more about him. (7:01)  Luis shares the common personal things he posts on his Facebook group. (11:50)  Luis provides us with marketing and media strategies he uses to work well with his producers. (16:04)  Luis gives his current insights into implementing the use of the Glovebox app for his clients. (21:42) Luis shares the traits he thinks separate him from other competitors. (25:58) Luis states that his company gets a lot of new contractors and provides pros and cons of having them. (34:18) Luis talks more about subcontractors and how he works with them efficiently to win over competitors. (44:22)   Luis answers speedy questions like his favorite color, sports team, sports, place, a person that he wants to be with, and his favorite thing to do. (47:24) Luis shares his coaching experience with his son’s school game. (48:47) Key Quotes: “We want to build an agency that's bridging the gap between the big insurance company and the client, and we'll do that in any way that works for the client.” - Luis Leal “One thing I heard recently was, technology when you need it, human when you want it. That’s the idea of the agency we want to build.” - Luis Leal “We want to build a technology facing agency with the small town service field. That's why we have the tagline ‘big city insurance small town service.’” - Luis Leal Resources Mentioned: Luis Leal LinkedIn Leal Insurance Reach out to Mitch Gibson

In this episode of The MVP Podcast, Mitch Gibson sits down with Sean Kirby to discuss some of the top things they learned at their first-ever AI BrainShare. Episode Highlights: Sean explains that the BrainShare conference was different from any other conference he has been to. (4:55) Sean talks about the things he learned from Marcus Sheridan at AI BrainShare 2021. (7:03) Sean shares that he likes how Marcus gives tips on how your prospects can value you. (10:14)  Mitch shares that he learned how to set the table for your customers and prospects even before talking to them. (11:52)  Sean and Mitch explain that they have taken down notes about why rates go up, and what drives them to go up. (15:02) Sean admits that he is planning to go back to recording videos very soon. (16:51) Mitch shares how important it is to learn how to prioritize tasks, and how it would benefit you as an individual.  Mitch explains that he wants to interview someone from BrainShare and ask them about their perspective about the things they have learned. (22:30)  Sean shares about the Dad’s group that he started after getting the idea from Luis Leal. (25:23) Key Quotes: “So I will say that BrainShare is a very intimate thing. I've been to conferences in the past, and they are very broad, and you're trying to figure out, you know, there's 1000 people, there are 500 people, this was 125 people. So, when you're in a session, everyone has a voice. You get to meet every single person there.” - Sean Kirby “It goes from trying to sell the product to finding the solution. Because at the end of the day, you're not trying to sell cyber insurance solutions. You're saying, hey if we fix this on your website, or we fix this on your back end...you know that I'm not talking about insurance.” - Sean Kirby “I want to see myself as a community connector...that's who I am.” - Sean Kirby Resources Mentioned: AI BrainShare Sean Kirby LinkedIn Performance Group Indiana Marcus Sheridan Linkedin The Visual Sale Reach out to Mitch Gibson

In this episode of The MVP Podcast, Mitch Gibson goes solo to discuss why building your network is so important in this industry, along with discovering what processes work best for you as a producer. Not everyone has the same process, but we can all learn from what each other are doing. Episode Highlights: Mitch mentions why he loves using the analogies of baseball and insurance. (1:48) Mitch shares why building your network is the most significant factor in learning the products that you're selling. (5:49) Mitch shares why a lot of people want to work for an independent company, rather than a captive company. (8:58) Mitch mentions the two best relationships he has on the mortgage and real estate side. (10:44) Mitch shares how the Agency Intelligence Mastermind group has been beneficial for him. (13:05) Mitch explains how he changed the way he put the customers in his agency management system. (16:33) Mitch mentions what differentiates them from the other insurance agencies. (24:23) Mitch shares why he’s glad that he got beat by the huge account that was given to him. (34:36) Key Quotes: “Just because you get beat doesn't mean it's one of those things that you have to sulk over and get angry and get mad.. You’ve got to learn from it.” - Mitch Gibson “I think that's what makes losing so hard, is when you put your full fledged effort into something and you have a positive thought about it, and you feel like you're gonna make a difference... and, then you just get beat.” - Mitch Gibson “Understand your network is your net worth. So, continue to build those relationships, find those people to connect with, and surround yourself around people that want to do business with good people.” - Mitch Gibson Resources Mentioned: Reach out to Mitch Gibson

In this episode of The MVP Podcast, Mitch Gibson sits down with Sean Kirby, CPIA, Insurance Agent at The Performance Group. Sean talks about his approach in the insurance industry and how The Performance Group Podcast became the connector of their community. Episode Highlights: What activities does Sean like to do outside of insurance? (3:55) Sean mentions what he learned about communication. (5:20) Sean explains his role at The Performance Group. (6:56) What’s the most difficult thing for Sean, being in the business? (8:53) Sean shares how The Performance Group Podcast turned into relationships and business. (10:49) Why does Sean think podcasts are an asset? (13:58) Sean explains some of the processes they have at The Performance Group. (17:42) Sean shares some of the struggles he’s had in the insurance industry. (22:50) Sean gives a piece of advice to the listeners. (27:00) Key Quotes: “I've learned a lot more from screwing that up, than I have by doing it the right way, and not making those same mistakes twice. So, it's all about time management, and open flow of communication.” - Sean Kirby “Trial by fire made me who I am today and it's actually helped me so much in understanding my staff, and the pressure put on them in situations.... For them to learn from mistakes, and let them screw up.” - Sean Kirby “Media has morphed into this other thing, where we are in the position to put other people on and give them a platform. At the same point, you're reaping the benefit of whether it's their insurance, their network, recognizing you, or just being the connector of your community.” - Sean Kirby Resources Mentioned: Sean Kirby, CPIA LinkedIn The Performance Group The Performance Group Podcast Reach out to Mitch Gibson

We’re excited to announce that the first episode of The MVP Podcast, hosted by Mitch Gibson, on the Agency Intelligence Podcast Network is live!  In this episode of The MVP Podcast, Mitch Gibson sits down with agency owner of Portal Insurance and co-host of the Insurance Guys Podcast, Bradley Flowers, to talk a little more about his path and the things he’s learned along the way from being a young agent, to growing a rapid growing start-up agency in Mobile, Alabama. Episode Highlights: Bradley shares his favorite hobby. (3:01) What are Bradley’s biggest motivators? (5:40) Bradley shares the characteristics he looks for in new agents. (9:43) Bradley explains the agency’s core values. (9:59) Bradley shares how their hiring process works. (13:03) Bradley mentions his YouTube series called, Making The Donuts. (16:01) Bradley shares the significance of having a personal brand. (24:53) If Bradley could spend 24 hours with anybody in the world, dead or alive, who would it be, and why? (31:51) Key Quotes: “If you have a good culture fit, everything else probably is going to work itself out. Because, if they're not a good fit at what we're hiring for, if they're a good culture fit, we'll find a position for them.” - Bradley Flowers “If you're applying for a job, how do I show them that I'm going to add more value to this job, and to this organization than what they're paying me. Or, if you're working for a company, how do I add more value than what I'm doing now?” - Bradley Flowers “Being different and being better, and being extraordinary... it's supposed to be difficult, and it's supposed to be hard. You're going to deal with problems that you didn't expect, that you shouldn't have to deal with. But, because you're doing something amazing, that's a good thing. You need to embrace that. You need to be ready for it.” - Bradley Flowers Resources Mentioned: Bradley Flowers LinkedIn Portal Insurance Insurance Guys Podcast Reach out to Mitch Gibson