We'll bet we can guess at least one of your passwords. Many passwords are painfully predictable, making them super easy to guess. How well do your passwords protect your private information? Probably not as well as you think. In one recent test... (Read More)

The first weeks and months on the job are a critical window of time for employees to find out about the companies they work for and whether the company, culture and co-workers are a good fit. It's a time period too important to leave to... (Read More)

E-mail marketing is an effective and important way to keep in touch with your clients. But during the COVID-19 outbreak, the tone and content of e-mails has never been more important. Here are some ways to connect with your agency's customers via... (Read More)

When was the last time your agency had a successful brainstorming session? By "successful," we don't mean you were able to get side work done while everyone else tossed out a few ideas in hopes that they wouldn't be loaded down with extra work. Did... (Read More)

In many companies, marketing ideas usually originate in departments or outside companies dedicated to that purpose. It’s a business model that’s worked for decades. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. Some of the most intriguing and... (Read More)

Are you looking for new ways to generate more income for your insurance business? Who isn't? Here's an easy one: Stop giving away the revenues from the premium financing you arrange. It's that simple. With COST Financial, you can own your own... (Read More)

Did you know that COST Financial has been managing and operating premium finance companies owned by insurance agents, agency groups, insurance companies, and general agents for more than 30 years? In 1989, our founder, David E. Gebhardt... (Read More)

How would you rate your listening skills? Listening to your clients — truly listening to what they are trying to tell you — is an important way to increase customer satisfaction and to help prevent misunderstandings, including those that can... (Read More)

Are you emotionally intelligent? In today's workplace, EQ is considered as important — or even more important — as IQ, as many of our jobs rely on working well with other people. The ability to connect with other people authentically... (Read More)

Millennials may get a lot of attention and press, but insurance agencies need to start appealing to a younger cohort or risk becoming out of touch. Consider the fact that Gen Z'ers, born between 1995 and 2012, are beginning to work and make... (Read More)