{"id":15382,"date":"2024-08-09T14:23:05","date_gmt":"2024-08-09T19:23:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tdmvxwhppt.onrocket.site\/?p=15382"},"modified":"2024-10-18T13:53:16","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T18:53:16","slug":"running-down-someone-elses-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iablueprint.com\/staff\/running-down-someone-elses-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"Running Down (someone else’s) Dream"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Running Down (someone else’s) Dream<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love Tom Petty’s song, “Running Down a Dream.” It could be the theme song for every insurance agency owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imagine driving home after a long day. The song plays, \u201cYeah, runnin’ down a dream that never would come to me\u2026Workin’ on a mystery, goin’ wherever it leads\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You think, \u201cWhy am I working so hard for them? Time to chase my dream.\u201d And just like that, you start your own agency!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it didn\u2019t happen exactly like that, but many of us are chasing a dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s sad, but lots of insurance agency owners have no idea what type of success will make them happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you listen to podcasts, follow social media, or attend conferences, you will see many variations of what is portrayed as success. But will that version of success even work for you? Is that what you want?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of us don\u2019t know! We just see it and think it looks good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Problem is, we don\u2019t know what it took to get there. We don\u2019t know their talents, struggles, or if they\u2019re faking it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does having a big staff sound fun or stressful? Do you love selling, or would you rather manage someone else that sells? Do you want an office with rent or work from home? Set hours or flexible? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think about these things!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Shakespeare said, \u201cTo thine own self be true\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Figure out what works for you. Build your business around that, and you will grow an agency around you that fits, not one that you have to fit yourself in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One more thing: If you\u2019re good at what you do, you\u2019ll find success. More clients mean more work. You need to decide how to handle that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are your options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Hire Staff.<\/strong> You can do this, but it\u2019s not the only way. Make sure they fit the culture you have created. Most agency owners are bad at hiring and training. Sorry, but you needed to hear that.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Fire Clients.<\/strong> Yes, you can fire clients. If you\u2019re too busy, let go of lower revenue clients for higher ones. Or set a minimum account size, like $10,000. Above that, they get your best service. Below that, not so much. If you lose them, find better ones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Outsource.<\/strong> Outsource tasks you don\u2019t like, take too much time, or just aren\u2019t good at (yes, there are things you aren\u2019t good at!) Things like data management, e-signature processing, or renewal quoting can all be outsourced or done by a virtual employee. It\u2019s cheaper than hiring in-office, provides quality staffing, and saves you time, money, and hassle. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Outsourcing also saves on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n