Guest Blog: Fast versus Quality

Title page with running cheetah - "fast versus quality"

Republished with permission from Chris Burand To read more articles by Chris, visit Burand & Associates I read a glowing review of Berkshire Hathaway’s Three Question Commercial Application by one of their new clients. He wrote that the entire process was fast and easy. He was really pleased. Fast and easy is important for success in…

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Great Consultative Selling Qualities…From my Contractor

Group of 3 people reading architect plans

Kitty Ambers, COO/AVYST I am a master of the ‘task’ list. Several years ago I read David Allen’s very helpful book – ‘Getting Things Done’. Practicing the concepts Allen outlines has reduced my stress level by keeping things organized electronically. One thing Mr. Allen recommends is keeping an ongoing long-term project list at hand. Finally,…

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Agents Should Remember to Sell the Sizzle

Title photo, word sizzle with a flame for the "i"

by Kitty Ambers, COO/AVYST An article I read in Daniel Burrus’s TechoTrends newsletter titled, Continuously De-Commoditize, made me think about the concept of product/service de-commoditization as it may relate to the typical insurance agency.  Burrus says, “Look at every product and service you have and ask, ‘Why is this item a commodity?’  Then ask, ‘What…

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Business Basics, Lest We Forget!

Title, Business Basics on chalkboard

by Kitty Ambers, COO, AVYST Several years ago, I had a wonderful week working with a dynamic group of new producers. I facilitated the Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) designation program as part of an insurance company’s 3-week producer training curriculum, and this was the first week. I was extremely impressed with the caliber, background,…

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Is Your Agency Ready for Summer Storms?

photo of man with umbrella in a lightning storm with AVYST logo in corner

According to the extended forecast in the 2021 Farmers’ Almanac, summer should be stormy, with a greater-than-average frequency of thunderstorms for a large portion of the country. Many of these storms will be strong, particularly over the eastern third of the nation. These summer rainstorms may be severe and spawn widespread tornadoes over the middle part…

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Customer Spotlight – Van Helton

Picture of an air strip as a title page for Van Helton spotlight video

MEET VAN HELTON OF HELTON INSURANCE GROUP IN CALHOUN, KY Van is the current Principal/Vice President at Helton Insurance Group where he has worked in this family business for 15 years! Check out this video where you’ll learn more about Van and insurance as well as how eForms Wizard has helped to improve his agency’s…

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Technology Happened and It’s Not Going Away

Guy and a girl looking at a computer

I was flipping through my AARP magazine (shh!), and came across the article “15 Lessons the Coronavirus Pandemic Has Taught Us”. I leafed mindlessly through the pages until I came across Lesson 6: We befriended technology, and there’s no going back”. There are certainly times when “real life” experiences are necessary and enjoyable but there’s…

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Reminder:  Electronic Policy Delivery Requires Authorization

Digital Document Delivery

Understand The E-Sign Act The goal of “going paperless” has been a major initiative in insurance companies and agencies for decades.  The E-Sign Act was signed into law back in 2000 and granted electronic signatures the same legal status as handwritten signatures.  Also within this law are provisions regarding the use of electronic records and…

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VIDEO: Tips for Successful Technology Implementation

IIANC Tech Symposium Closing Session

During the closing session of the 2020 IIANC Tech Symposium, Kitty Ambers and George Robertson provide 3 Key Ideas for Successful Technology Implementation.  The goal of this 20-minute session was to provide attendees with actionable steps for turning what they learned into results. Topics addressed include: Overcoming the tendency to resist change Approaching technology decisions…

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Enabling the Insurance Business

Technology photo for decoration

In his webinar series, Uncaptured Agency: The Future of Insurance, Tony Caldwell talks with Marc Still, CEO of AVYST, about the many opportunities AVYST provides “that leverage technology to automate processes, increase efficiency, and enhance the customer’s experience.” Cocktail napkins, legal pads, and endless pieces of paper, often characterize the data collection strategies of insurance…

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