How can you build a referral-based insurance business all while developing a top-performing team? Jessica Fukuchi, business owner and President of PCRG Insurance, joined the And I Quote podcast by Coterie Insurance and shared her journey in the insurance industry and how she built her business without relying on marketing or buying leads. For Jessica, her success comes from the power of referrals and building a strong team.
Fifteen years ago, when Jessica first started in the insurance industry at American Family, her agency was based on a referral-based system. She learned from her mentor the importance of referrals and building relationships with partners. Since then, Jessica has never looked back and has continued to focus on building her business through word of mouth.
Her strategy for building a referral-based agency is simple: teach her team how to go out and grow a network by building relationships and tapping into their personal networks. The first year for anyone on her team involves building out their referral base and getting referrals from their partners.
Building an Agency and Team for Growth
In the podcast, Jessica shares her insights on growing an agency and improving the client experience. She suggests that agency owners should focus on the entire client experience and what they want it to look like, not just on growth. She highlights the importance of considering the full client experience from the beginning to the end and making adjustments to the service model early on to avoid having to make significant changes later. She advises agency owners to streamline their processes to manage consistency and the message their team presents.
Another aspect to consider is the role of employee engagement in improving the client experience. Employees who are satisfied with their jobs are more likely to provide excellent customer service, which can lead to higher client satisfaction and retention rates. Therefore, agency owners should focus on creating a positive work environment, providing opportunities for growth and development, and recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions.
Streamline Operations with Technology
Jessica also discussed how agencies can leverage technology to streamline their processes and improve the client experience. For example, they can use customer relationship management (CRM) software to manage client interactions and automate routine tasks. They can also use online portals or mobile apps to enable clients to access their policies, make claims, or request changes conveniently.
In conclusion, to grow an agency, agency owners must focus on improving the client experience by considering the entire client journey, streamlining processes, leveraging technology, and engaging employees. Listen to the full podcast episode to gain more insight into how by providing an exceptional client experience and building a referral-based insurance business, agencies can differentiate themselves from competitors, retain clients, and build a strong reputation in the industry.
