MAKING WORK ENJOYABLE AND
PRODUCTIVE
Customers, suppliers, stakeholders, office pals are all essential to success.
By: Kristy Wilson
I have missed seeing all your smiling faces, handshakes,
and conversations. Here we are halfway through the year,
which is crazy even to think. Though the typical milestones
that happen throughout the year have looked much different
or canceled, it still seems that this year is going fast. I
talked in my last article about the many benefits of being a
member of KAIA. One of them that I did not talk about (or if
I did, I am going to talk more about it) is relationships.
This industry takes you to many different places, and you
encounter a lot of different people from all walks of life,
which is incredible! Some people have come and left the
business, but you may keep in touch with them. Then you
have the people that have moved around in different areas
of the industry. It is always fun to see a name pop up in an
email, and you have to think of where they were last time
you saw that name. The options are plentiful in this industry,
so checking some of those different avenues out during
your career, I’m sure gives you a different perspective.
Then you have the tried and true people that have been
going to all the same conferences as you have since you
got in the business. I am 28 years deep in this deal, and I
am seeing a lot of those familiar faces retiring and hanging
up their rating manuals. Some of these people have great
stories!
Many of us only deal with our underwriters via phone or
email, but when you get the opportunity to meet them
face to face, I think it is a great opportunity. B.C. (Before
COVID), we would get several opportunities to visit with our
marketing representatives. Again, take those opportunities
when you get them. Making those relationships with company
people can bring you a long way when you may need
an exception made or to work through an account.
The other relationships that are so important are with other
fellow agents. We are a great group of people if you do not
mind me saying so! We can learn so much from each other.
Getting the opportunity to network with agents outside of
the state can also be eye-opening. Maybe it is a companywide
meeting you are attending, or a National Big I event,
the knowledge that we all bring to the table can be so
beneficial.
The moral of this story is that relationships can take us far
and provide us with different insights and views and be
lifelong friendships! So, to all my insurance nerd friends,
here’s to you!
Cheers!
KAIA Board of Directors
president, Kristy Wilson,
CIC, CISR, joined Kellerman
Insurance in 1992 and focuses
in Commercial and Life insurance
policies. Outside of the office
she enjoys spending time with
her husband, Rob, and their
two daughters: Kaylee and
Samantha.
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