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)

There are nearly 31 million small businesses nationwide, and it's estimated that three-quarters of them have either not enough commercial insurance or no coverage at all. Does this surprise you? The official definition of a small business is a... (Read More)

In the insurance business, there are a lot of things you don't have control over — market conditions, what your competitors are doing and the economy, for example. But you do have control over what type of working environment you can offer your... (Read More)