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What People Are Saying

Merritt Hall Insurance has worked with Advanced Automation since 2005.  Something that many agencies may not have considered is that the Solutions Web Application (website) has features and can even be made more functional with some custom programming, to really serve the needs of a large account or an insured with unusual circumstances.  Jim Hall, President of the agency, shares his story:

“We have a multi-million dollar account with 30 locations and Solutions has been a huge part of retaining that account over many years.  Prior to joining The Solutions Network, we had 30 different locations contacting us separately requesting changes, wanting status updates, etc.  The CFO of that business had no way to keep up with the status of their insurance for all locations, what changes were being made, what was being covered and not.  The client was ready to hire a $40,000 employee just to manage all the insurance issues!  

With the new Solutions Web Application, the manager of each location now logs in and can request changes and see the status on just their part of the business (due to security settings).  The CFO and Owners have access to see all locations and get monthly reports (thanks to a little custom programming) of everything going on with their insurance at any moment in time, 24/7.  Needless to say the client did not have to spend $40,000 on an employee.  Because of the secure communication side of the website, the insured actually uses our website for interoffice communication.  

Also, before I had the website I was literally delivering 'boxes' of paper policies to this account.  I now can attach electronic copies of policies to their secure dashboard in the website (which the client likes better anyway).  This saves me printing and delivering all the paper and this way it also works as a disaster plan for them in case the paper policies are destroyed.  Needless to say the small amount we have paid to you over the years is just a drop in the bucket compared to how much we have made and saved.”


Jim Hall, President
Merritt Hall Insurance

www.merritthall.com

Solutions Web Application Helped Retain Multi-Million Dollar Account

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What Is Solutions

Solutions is a 36 month program divided into 4 separate levels implemented through a step-by-step plan. It is customizable to meet individual agency needs. learn more

Level 1
Getting Control
Of Your Business
Level 2
Creating A
Web Presence
Level 3
Defining Agency
Operations
Level 4
Accountability &
Consistency
Changing Your Vision Creating Your Web Presence Personal Lines Procedures Conducting Effective Performance  Reviews
Getting Control Getting People To Use The Web Commercial Lines Procedures Compensation Plans
Creating A Competitive Edge Training On The Web Application Employee Benefits Procedures Employee Handbooks 
Understanding Personalities And People Legal & Compliant Use Of The Internet
Accounting Procedures Creating An Agency Intranet

Learning To Grow 
From Your Existing Customer Base

Targeting Gen Y Implementing New Technology Effective Hiring Practices

  • It's Unique
  • The Benefits
  • The Accountability
  • The Technology
  • The Coaching

After nearly 20 years working with more than 2,000 agencies, we have noticed that many of the same problems plague most agencies:

  • Poor morale
  • Poor communication
  • Constant Interruptions
  • Inconsistency
  • Low revenue per employee
  • Low agency profitability
  • Too much Stress
  • Staff are backlogged
  • High staff turnover 

With Solutions these issues no longer need to plague your agency. From concepts and principals, through step-by-step and week-by-week implementation, to in-depth accountability and endless individual & group consultations, Solutions is everything your agency needs to go to the next level.

Anyone can give you advice. Solutions makes it happen.

Solutions is the Jenny Craig for the independent insurance agent.

Education
Jenny Craig provides education. They teach you the good food to eat and the bad food to avoid so you are empowered to make good decisions.  In Solutions we teach the 6 myths creating the problems in agencies.  Once you know the source of the problem it is easier to develop solutions.

Accountability
Jenny Craig weight loss is effective because it provides accountability. You want to skip the cheesecake and eat right because you know that at the end of the week, you’re going to tell your Jenny Craig coach exactly what you did.

In the insurance industry, good ideas are a dime a dozen. Solutions provides the accountability and support agency owners and managers need to do more than just agree that change needs to happen.

Plan
Jenny Craig has a plan. They tell you what to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in between. Follow the plan and you will reach your goals.

In the same way, Solutions is a plan. We bring training to your office every week and involve every staff person. Each week you know exactly what to do and what decisions to make, and it only takes about two hours. What is that time investment worth? Most agencies see ten hours a week in time saved per person. That means your staff each earn eight hours in time saved a week.

FEATURES ARE GREAT BUT BENEFITS ARE EVEN BETTER
“The proof is in the pudding”, as they say.  Here are just a few of the benefits that agents are realizing as a result of the Solutions program.

  • saving 2 hrs per day per person
  • increasing revenue
  • decreasing expenses
  • improving morale
  • decreasing stress
  • improving quality of business
  • increasing retention
  • improving agency image
  • strengthening agency culture
  • creating consistency in procedures
  • enhancing sales focus
  • reducing E&O exposures
  • improving time management
  • increasing profits

 

 

 

The importance of accountability in change management. 
Having an effective change management process in your agency will have a positive impact with respect to both the business aspect and the employee performance.

Successful change management requires accountability.
Without accountability, the change management process is doomed to fail. It becomes nothing more than a paperwork drill, with no incentive for staff.  Without accountability, you won't reap the benefits of the time and effort spent trying to implement change.

Solutions makes sure that you stay on track
Strategic Planning Call
One of your first contacts will be with your coach to establish specific goals relating to revenue, staff,  expenses and technology.

Weekly Coaching Sessions
You will receive four initial weekly coaching sessions based on your strategic planning call.  Additional coaching sessions may be scheduled as needed.

Implementation Plan
What’s the old saying?  “People don’t plan to fail, they simply fail to plan.”  Solutions provides a structured, systematic plan that can be tailored to your individual needs.   Why re-invent the wheel when a proven, tested plan can save time and frustration for both management and staff? 

Each week your agency conducts a one hour Solutions meeting following the pre-planned agenda provided by your coach.  In this meeting, decisions are made as to how your agency will make changes to implement the program. In this meeting, your staff receives position-appropriate assignments to prepare them for the next week’s meeting and to help them become more effective.

Throughout the implementation plan milestones are established to measure your progress and give everyone a sense of achievement.

Monthly classes
Every month we offer classes for every member of your agency.

Web Presence
You may have not tapped into the power of the web.  You may not realize the need for compliance with privacy laws.  It is important to create a mouse-trap to make it difficult for customers to leave and easier to attract new ones. This proprietary web-based application does all of this and more.

This is more than an agency website.  It becomes a part of your sales process, your service process—your entire way of doing business.

Administration Panel

  • Unlimited user-created web pages
  • Unlimited user-created forms
  • WYSIWYG text editor
  • 30 user regions for content
  • Icon support
  • User-controlled theme
  • 20 color schemes
  • Graphics support

Customer Service

  • Pre-loaded insurance content
    • Personal Lines
    • Commercial Lines
    • Life/Health
  • 24/7 customer service
    • Quotes
    • Changes
    • Service Requests
    • Claims
  • My Transactions
    • History of all requests
    • Copies of attached documents
    • Copies of secure communications
  • Personalized Customer Sites
    • Branded to the customer
    • Unique by industry
    • RSS feeds

Agent Portal
You have unlimited access to video classes, insurance resources and networking with other Solutions members across the U.S. and Canada.

  • secure bookmarks
  • video classes
  • resource library
  • sample procedures
  • Solutions agent network
  • live classes
  • The Source newsletter
  • suggested reading list
  • live help

It is easy to feel isolated and stuck in old patterns.  Sometimes you don’t even know new ways to improve.  You need a coach. The Solutions Coaching Program includes:.

    * one-on-one consulting
    * video training classes
    * agency specific webinars
    * discussion groups
    * live chat
 
Move To The Next Level
Imagine having insurance professionals and resources available to assist in every aspect of agency management to take your agency beyond anything you ever imagined.  You must have someone that can help integrate every area into a coordinated, harmonious plan. That is the coach’s job.  Here are a few of the areas that are covered by your Solutions coach:

procedures manual
software training
management training
insurance training
communication skills
time management
agency morale
sales training
stress management
compensation plans
job descriptions
retraining customers
producer development
vision statement
goal setting
CSR training
 

sales management
web development
human resources
electronic filing
agency branding
GLBA compliance
reward & recognition
sales training
Federal Rules Civil Procedure
staff motivation
interpersonal skills
leadership development
personality traits
referral program
conflict management
generational marketing
 

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