PUBLISHER ’ S NOTE
EVOLVING TO CREATE SOLUTIONS written by Dave Hulcher
Hiring , training , and retaining talent consistently ranks as the greatest challenge facing members . We know the struggles are real but , agencies should contemplate the role the adoption of technology can play in solving the talent crisis . Human capital and technology are certainly connected , and agencies need to be attentive to the fast-moving development of InsurTech that can improve operational efficiency , streamline workflows , enhance the customer experience , streamline marketing and communications , and help analyze agency data for strategic opportunities .
Over the long-term , those agencies that can streamline administrative tasks through the implementation of technology will win when it comes to attracting talent , growing their agency , and customer satisfaction . When implemented and used correctly , agency staff can spend more time : developing deeper customer relationships , better understanding customers ’ exposures , and expanding their technical coverage knowledge . Employees find no joy in inefficient administrative tasks such as data entry . So how can we streamline our agency operations to prioritize activities that drive revenue and employee satisfaction ?
This edition of KIA & B magazine focuses on InsurTech trends , provides some technology companies to check out , and offers considerations for implementing technology into the agency . Beth Smoller provides an informative article on the tasks Kansas unlicensed employees can perform . Also , included are some thoughts on potentially hiring virtual assistants .
In the past five years , InsurTech has come a long way very quickly . More and more technology providers are providing end-to-end solutions that more easily integrate with agency systems and workflows . With tools like Catalyit , KAIA is continually providing resources to aid in your technology awareness , choices , and implementation needs . Please reach out with questions .
Stay humble , kind , and thankful ,
KIA & B
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023 • VOLUME 28 No . 5
OFFICERS OF KAIA President : Lucas Raleigh | lucas @ releighinsurance . biz President-Elect : Kevin O ’ Brien | kevin . obrien @ reillyinsurance . com VP / Treasurer : Bryan Schmitz | bryanschmitz @ sbsins . com Secretary / Assistant Treasurer : David Vogel | dvogel @ provalueins . com National Director : Cindy Hower | chower @ kellermaninsurance . com Immediate Past President : Jo Erin Stuteville | joerin @ elliottinsurancegroup . com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Zone I Director : Shelby Doty | dotysh @ insurance-planning . com Zone II Director : Bryce Hundley | bryce @ hundleyinsurance . com Director-at-Large : Brock Elliott | Brock @ elliottinsurancegroup . com Director-at-Large : Scott Strickland | scotts @ cacu . com Director-at-Large : Cristi Werth | cwerth @ ruraltel . net Young Agents Chair : Bryce Burdiek | BryceBurdiek @ sbsins . com
KAIA STAFF & CONSULTANTS Executive Director : Dave Hulcher COO / General Counsel : Beth Smoller Vice President of Finance : Shannon Bower Membership Engagement Specialist : Ruth Wright E & O Program Administrator : Barb Wise AVP of Prof . Dev . & Marketing : Karlyn Judd Director of Marketing : Valerie Gardner Office Coordinator : Barb Cobuluis Acct . Managers : Valerie Dunnam & Carolyn Rouse
KAIA Lobbyist : Dan Murray
2 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER