This will be the first in a three part series regarding online Agent Resource Centers
As with nearly every other industry, the Web is reshaping the way insurance agents and companies do business. The Web has an unmatched ability to disseminate information, as well as automate time-consuming administrative processes. This allows insurance companies and agencies to accomplish the paradoxical task of improving agent services while reducing costs to provide those services.
A particular area of focus is the development of online agent resource centers to provide a single conduit for all aspects of agent business processes and communications. As more agents become accustomed to utilizing such systems, there is an increasing demand for broader and better-performing platforms.
Agents’ decisions on which companies to write business with are being influenced by the capabilities of these platforms and the potential level of increased productivity they offer. Top producers are attracted to advanced agent resource centers because they allow them to spend less time on administrative and non-selling activities, facilitate better service to their clients, simplify and quicken the application and underwriting process, leading to the agent receiving commissions faster, and ultimately lead to the agent making more money.
The stakeholders of agent resource centers should focus on two areas when developing the platform:
1. Increasing agent productivity and self service
2. Decreasing resources needed at the home office for agent support while increasing agent and consumer satisfaction
In a period of tightened budgets and increased production expectations, making large investments into Web-based technology is being put on the shelf for many. However those who do spend the money are better positioned to attract top agents and realize a very strong return on investment as production rises and support costs shrink. As more carriers and marketing organizations develop robust agent resource centers, the question makes the classical shift from “Can you afford to do it?” to “Can you afford not to do it?”
Next Post: Agent Resource Centers – Agent training via the Web
Would you like to learn more? You may:
- Fill out our information request form.
- Review information found on our Web site.
- Or contact me directly at 216-674-1600 x 141
Copyright © 2008 by IdeaStar. All rights reserved.
November 12th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
[...] This is part 2 of a 3-part series on Agent Resource Centers. To read the first installment, click here. [...]