Peer Networking Produces Results

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A MarshBerry Publication | Volume VI, Issue 8 AUGUST 2012 Can Peer Networking Really Drive Agency Performance? Authored by Jared Roy, Consultant | 440.392.6560 • email: [email protected] and Josh Morgan, Consultant | 440.392.6579 • email: [email protected] As agency owners and principals, you are driven to grow your businesses while finding ways to motivate and hold your employees accountable. At the same time, it feels as if you are tackling issues that are unique to your agency, and many of you are going it alone. Indeed, the old cliché that goes ‘it’s lonely at the top’ rings particularly true to many of you reading. To address this, many agency leaders take an active role in networking by joining peer groups and associations hoping that these groups will deliver on promises to improve their businesses. Most, however, find these groups lacking accountability components and real solutions needed to take their agency to the next level. Examples of peer groups include carrier meetings, associations and technology groups that are available to agency owners — all of which claim to help you as a leader to nurture and grow your business. After facilitating peer groups over the last 20 years, MarshBerry has found that truly successful peer groups share the following characteristics to ensure results: C-level decision makers are present and active at all meetings No more than 10 organizations in the room Professional Facilitation by someone not part of a participating agency Recording and tracking commitments in order to review and hold each other accountable Sharing measurable financial benchmarks captured, verified and reported by a third party We maintain that agency owners who participate in a peer group and follow the above guidelines will see their performance improve. As noted below, the top 25% of our clients who are part of a MarshBerry peer network outperformed the field in every major growth category. These agencies are benchmarking their performance, sharing key strategies and taking advantage of the experiences others offer to drive agency value. This forum is not ideal for every agency, but for the ones who commit to making change, there are great financial rewards to be gained. If you have interest in learning more about MarshBerry’s Peer Networks, please contact Jared Roy at 440.392.6560 or Josh Morgan at 440.392.6579. BEST 25% OF MARSHBERRY NON-NETWORK PARTNERS NETWORK PARTNERS Total New Business as % of Prior Year’s Commission 12.0% 20.5% Leakage (Lost Accounts, Rate Reductions, etc.) lowest is best 12.2% 8.2% Total Commissions and Fees Organic Growth % -0.3% 12.3% EBITDA% 13.8% 29.0% Weighted Average Owners Age 50 41 Total Commissions and Fees Per Employee $130,905 $195,950 *Source: MarshBerry Proprietary Data

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As agency owners and principals, you are driven to grow your businesses while finding ways to motivate and holdyour employees accountable. At the same time, it feels as if you are tackling issues that are unique to your agency, andmany of you are going it alone. Indeed, the old cliché that goes ‘it’s lonely at the top’ rings particularly true to manyof you reading.

Transcript of Peer Networking Produces Results

Page 1: Peer Networking Produces Results

A MarshBerry Publication | Volume VI, Issue 8 AUGUST 2012

Can Peer Networking Really Drive Agency Performance?

Authored by Jared Roy, Consultant | 440.392.6560 • email: [email protected] Josh Morgan, Consultant | 440.392.6579 • email: [email protected]

As agency owners and principals, you are driven to grow your businesses while finding ways to motivate and hold

your employees accountable. At the same time, it feels as if you are tackling issues that are unique to your agency, and

many of you are going it alone. Indeed, the old cliché that goes ‘it’s lonely at the top’ rings particularly true to many

of you reading.

To address this, many agency leaders take an active role in networking by joining peer groups and associations hoping that

these groups will deliver on promises to improve their businesses. Most, however, find these groups lacking accountability

components and real solutions needed to take their agency to the next level.

Examples of peer groups include carrier meetings, associations and technology groups that are available to agency

owners — all of which claim to help you as a leader to nurture and grow your business. After facilitating peer groups over the

last 20 years, MarshBerry has found that truly successful peer groups share the following characteristics to ensure results:

• C-level decision makers are present and active at all meetings

• No more than 10 organizations in the room

• Professional Facilitation by someone not part of a participating agency

• Recording and tracking commitments in order to review and hold each other accountable

• Sharing measurable financial benchmarks captured, verified and reported by a third party

We maintain that agency owners who participate in a peer group and follow the above guidelines will see their performance

improve. As noted below, the top 25% of our clients who are part of a MarshBerry peer network outperformed the field

in every major growth category. These agencies are benchmarking their performance, sharing key strategies and taking

advantage of the experiences others offer to drive agency value. This forum is not ideal for every agency, but for the ones

who commit to making change, there are great financial rewards to be gained.

If you have interest in learning more about MarshBerry’s Peer Networks, please contact Jared Roy at 440.392.6560 or

Josh Morgan at 440.392.6579.

BEST 25% OF MARSHBERRY NON-NETWORK PARTNERS NETWORK PARTNERS

Total New Business as % of Prior Year’s Commission 12.0% 20.5%

Leakage (Lost Accounts, Rate Reductions, etc.) lowest is best 12.2% 8.2%

Total Commissions and Fees Organic Growth % -0.3% 12.3%

EBITDA% 13.8% 29.0%

Weighted Average Owners Age 50 41

Total Commissions and Fees Per Employee $130,905 $195,950

*Source: MarshBerry Proprietary Data

Page 2: Peer Networking Produces Results

S A L E S M A N A G E M E N T S E M I N A R O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

Thus every agency/broker needs to build a higher sustainable and predictable growth engine. At the core of every high-growth engine is their sales management infrastructure. The interactive session will unveil characteristics of proven high growth agencies that a Principal, Agency Partner or Sales Manager can implement into their organization.

Attendees of this session will master the steps to building a high-growth sales management model:

Topics covered include:

— PRESENTED BY JUSTIN BERRY

• Producer Compensation Modeling including Rewards and Recognition for Driving Growth and Profit

• Identify Solutions for Revenue Shortfalls in 2012

• Getting Producers on a Selling Cycle that Fosters Continuous Prospecting

• Effectively Bring on New High-Performing Producers

• Consistently Identify Recruiting Needs

• What to do with Non-Producing Producers

• Build a “Validated” Budget Model for the Next 3 Years

• Learn How to Drive Your Organization into a True Sales Culture

• Building a Profitable Resource Allocation Model

• Comparing Your Agency to our Database of over $1B in Agency Revenue to Deliver Proven Sales Management Metrics

Who should attend?This session is designed for any executive in an insurance agency trying to build a high-growth organization.

Pricing? $975 partners/$1250 non-partners

Hotel InformationThe Westin Kierland Resort & Spa6902 East Greenway ParkwayScottsdale, Arizona 85254Phone 480.624.1000 Toll Free 800.354-5892

We are at the crux of driving growth on the back of a hardening commercial market and an unknown healthcare model.

Monday October 15th8:30-9:00am • Breakfast Provided

9:00-12:00pm • Training

12:00-1:00pm • Lunch Provided

1:00-4:00pm • Training

6:00-10:00pm • Networking Dinner & Cocktails (Optional — Dinner & Drinks Not Included)

Tuesday October 16th8:30-9:00am • Breakfast Provided

9:00-11:00am • Training

11:00am • Adjourned

Note for APPEX partners, this seminar does not conflict with the network meetings. The network meetings will begin in the afternoon on Tuesday, October 16.

Reserve your spot today!http://www.MarshBerry.com/TrainingSessions