Shane and Tonya explore how choosing gratitude and maintaining a positive perspective can make all the difference, even in the toughest of markets. They share personal stories, practical tips, and the importance of leading by example, reminding us that a mindset shift can turn challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. IA Forward to c…

Shane and Tonya discuss venting up, carrier relationships, the danger of falling into lazy selling" habits, and strategies to keep your agency’s growth and profitability on track. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

What do a historic Vanderbilt football upset and independent insurance agencies have in common? More than you’d think! In this episode, Shane and Tonya discuss rethinking what it means to be a game changer in the insurance world. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on Li…

Shane and Tonya discuss the social media trend labeling insurance as a "scam," and what insurance professionals can do to educate consumers and change the narrative without fueling unnecessary conflict. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Insta…

Shane and Tonya dive into the realities of hurricane season, discussing how agency owners can lead with empathy during natural disasters, balance the challenges of insurance claims and industry pressures, and offer authentic support to those affected. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and f…

Beaux Pilgrim from IA Blueprint joins Shane and Tonya to share insights on leveraging technology, automation, and peer-to-peer learning through management system user groups. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

Shane and Tonya discuss the introduction of a new CSR role in Integra’s retail agency, and how this three-layered structure can help agencies of all sizes grow more efficiently, improve client retention, and empower your team to focus on what they do best. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, …

Shane and Tonya explore how independent insurance agencies can thrive by turning chaos into opportunity. Drawing inspiration from the famous Sun Tzu quote, they discuss strategies for navigating market challenges, managing chaos in both personal and professional life, and finding unexpected opportunities for growth. IA Forward to can help you take …

Shane and Tonya talk carrier updates and market shifts. Tune in for an episode filled with insights, a bit of speculation, and a dash of gossip on the latest industry trends. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

Shane and Tonya discuss strategies to help your customers understand the reasons behind rising auto premiums and how to effectively turn a difficult topic into an opportunity to build trust. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

Shane and Tonya explore the different sales personas—hunters, farmers, and trappers, how understanding these roles can help you build a more effective team, and why the right mix of skills and personalities is crucial for your agency’s growth and success. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, a…

Shane and Tonya discuss the right timing and strategies for growth and how to expand your team while preserving the personalized service your clients love. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

Shane and Tonya explore the decisions involved in shaping your agency’s identity. From the importance of branding to creating a strong company culture, they offer insights into business growth and impact. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Ins…

Shane and Tonya discuss the importance of staying true to your own vision in the independent agency world, as well as exploring the pitfalls of chasing others' dreams, the value of authenticity, and how to build a business that aligns with your personal goals and strengths. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more …

Shane and Tonya discuss the contentious political climate, the impact of polarized opinions on small business owners, and should agency owners take a political stance on their personal and business social media pages. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Face…

How can managing expectations enhance satisfaction in your personal and professional life? Shane and Tonya share insights on balancing bucket list experiences with business goals, setting realistic expectations, and nurturing relationships. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Fo…

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl in Texas, Shane and Tonya discuss how technology and proactive planning can help you support your clients and maintain business operations during and after significant weather events. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Fa…

Shane and Tonya discuss the importance of mid-year check-ins to reassess goals, make necessary adjustments, find alternate uses for existing tools and resources, and adapt business strategies for long-term success. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Faceboo…

Shane and Tonya discuss the negative talk prevalent within the insurance industry, strategies for promoting positivity, and the importance of a positive mindset in transforming conversations and customer interactions. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Face…

A unique takeover episode featuring D1 Softball player Olivia Bruno, Kylie Lowry, and Tonya, discussing fresh perspectives on leadership, success, and the evolving role of Gen Z in the insurance industry. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Ins…

Shane and Tonya discuss the TV show Welcome to Wrexham, and draw parallels to the insurance industry: emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consistent approach, rather than focusing on industry changes or market cycles; understanding one's niche; and playing the infinite game. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Le…

From global issues affecting the insurance market to interpersonal challenges within your agency, Shane and Tonya discuss practical strategies to navigate and resolve conflicts effectively, leading with empathy and strength, and ensuring a thriving business environment. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at i…

Shane and Tonya discuss the pressure to equate busyness with success, the effects on mental health and work-life balance, their personal experiences of being overbooked, and finding fulfillment beyond the hustle. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook,…

Shane and Tonya discuss the challenges of moving from a sales-focused mindset to a ownership role, the importance of building infrastructure, and developing leadership skills. Their conversation highlights the need for achievement-mindset producers to evolve their ownership approach, focusing on long-term business sustainability while still achievi…

Shane and Tonya discuss the Julie-ism of "Don't Create Your Worry," the worry cycle, and how it affects our lives and our independent insurance agencies. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

Shane and Tonya discuss pinpointing the stress points in your agency, figuring out the specific problem, and finding the solution. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.By Shane Tatum and Tonya Lied

Shane and Tonya discuss the importance of balancing your book - and what carriers are doing about it. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.By Shane Tatum and Tonya Lied

Shane and Tonya discuss the DBW principle and what independent insurance agents are doing to find success in the hard market. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.By Shane Tatum and Tonya Lied

Shane and Tonya discuss needing a win now, the comparison game, agency growth, and the business owner versus sales mindset. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.By Shane Tatum and Tonya Lied

Shane and Tonya discuss how to get the best return on investment for spring marketing opportunities. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.By Shane Tatum and Tonya Lied

Shane and Tonya discuss State Farm General's AmBest downgrade, the clickbait articles, using negativity about competition on social media, and staying focused on yourself. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

Shane and Tonya discuss building, strengthening, and repairing relationships with insurance carriers. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.By Shane Tatum and Tonya Lied

Shane and Tonya discuss the differences between management and leadership, why you need both, and how to motivate your people (and yourself) to succeed. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

Shane and Tonya discuss current trends in hiring compensation, what employees are looking for, and agency culture. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagra. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Insta…

Shane and Tonya discuss diving deep into processes, making sure they are actually efficient, moving the profitability needle, and not doing things just because we've always done them that way. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Lear…

Shane and Tonya discuss the recent New York Times article about car companies selling data to insurance carriers, how that affects insurance rates, and how to have those conversations with clients. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great.…

Shane and Tonya discuss why it's risky to stay where you are, decision "sample sizes," making adjustments, and being forced to focus on other things to create new ideas. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com…

Shane and Tonya discuss the idea of Walks vs Strikes as an independent agent, how to understand "your pitch," why you should focus on it, and not getting caught up in what others are doing. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn m…

Shane and Tonya discuss the mental investment of mindset change of our hard market, the email reset, and being comfortable with being uncomfortable. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forwa…

Shane and Tonya discuss changes that carriers are making in how they want agents to handle claims and are bringing agents back into the conversation. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forw…

Shane and Tonya discuss changes in roof coverage, having those conversations with your clients, and how it affects our industry long-term. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on Link…

Shane and Tonya celebrate their 200th podcast on Leap Day and discuss having faith in yourself when starting your agency, growing your agency, and knowing there is no perfect time. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at ia…

Shane and Tonya discuss your competitors tactics, and what you should be doing in response. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.…

Shane and Tonya discuss expectations of clients (and vice versa), commercials from The Big Game (and our marketing takeaways), and conversations with clients. Learn more at iaforward.com and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow…

Shane and Tonya discuss how to measure success, keeping it simple, and being selective on business key performance indicators (kpi's) and benchmarks. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forw…

Shane and Tonya discuss business financials, including free tools that are available, that an agency owner needs to be using for success. Learn more at iafoward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on Linked…

Abraham Lincoln was an extraordinary leader, and modern-day business backs up his methods. Shane and Tonya discuss how to apply the lessons we learn from Lincoln to our agencies. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iafo…

The TikTok trend of Loud Budgeting has created a social media storm. Shane and Tonya discuss Loud Budgeting, what is means for your agency, and how to authentically use the trend in your marketing to Gen Z's and Millennials. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. IA Forward to can help you take your…

Shane and Tonya discuss the ins and outs of writing E&S insurance and what standard preferred agents need to know to be successful. Learn more at iaforward.com and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and follow IA Forward on L…

Shane and Tonya discuss agency location options: from brick-and-mortar storefronts to co-working spaces, home offices, office buildings, and everything in between. Learn more at iaforward.com and follow IA Forward on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. IA Forward to can help you take your agency from good to great. Learn more at iaforward.com, and f…