[easy-social-share buttons=”facebook,twitter,google,linkedin,mail” counters=1 counter_pos=”topm” total_counter_pos=”leftbig” style=”icon_hover”] For most people, especially the creative types that tend to inhabit the agency world, time management is a hodgepodge of post-it notes, paper to-do lists, […]
Thanks for checking out our latest video. As promised -- here's the list of books that agency owners recommended to their peer groups. As you will see, the lion's share of them are business books, but some are history, faith-based, and even a bit of true crime. I've added an Amazon link for your convenience. AMI's agency owner curated list of must read books (recommended in 2018) If you're interested in what AMI has to offer your agency, here are a few places to check out: AMI's workshop schedule AMI owner and key executive networks AMI's on demand courses AMI associate memberships and AMI group health insurance
[easy-social-share buttons=”facebook,twitter,google,linkedin,mail” counters=1 counter_pos=”topm” total_counter_pos=”leftbig” style=”icon_hover”] On this episode, we delve into the unconscious mind and the concept of “limiting beliefs.” It’s the idea If I say to you, “I’ll meet you there in five hours” what is the first question you’re going to ask me? […]
[easy-social-share buttons=”facebook,twitter,google,linkedin,mail” counters=1 counter_pos=”topm” total_counter_pos=”leftbig” style=”icon_hover”] On this episode, we delve into the unconscious mind and the concept of “limiting beliefs.” It’s the idea that our unconscious mind can hold us back without us even realizing it. […]
[easy-social-share buttons=”facebook,twitter,google,linkedin,mail” counters=1 counter_pos=”topm” total_counter_pos=”leftbig” style=”icon_hover”] When you started your agency, it was probably pretty exciting and somehow any worries you had were squelched before they could get in the way. […]
We preach to our clients that they need a marketing plan and budget. We ask about their goals so that our efforts help them cross the right finish line. We understand that it's pretty difficult to get to a destination when we have no idea what that destination is. And yet most agency owners do a lousy job of planning for their own agency. We might set a gross billings or AGI goal but beyond that, we don't: Have a plan with SMART goals Share out plan with our leadership team Prioritize our goals so we can tackle then, one by one Build an action plan to hold ourselves accountable Allocate resources (time and/or money) to get it done Or...a few (very few) of you go in the opposite direction. Your business plan is a 3-ring binder that is laborious to complete and then it sits on a bookshelf because it's so overwhelming. I think there's a better way and I am hoping you will approach the coming new year by giving it a try. That's why I want to give you these agency annual planning templates. First -- it needs to start with the agency owner's life plan. You own your own business because it's part of a bigger purpose/plan. I want to make sure that your agency is actually serving you, your family and your life goals. Agency Owner Life Plan -- complete this plan every year. Odds are much of it is pretty evergreen but you will notice subtle shifts over time. And sometimes, a life event (birth, death, marriage, divorce, etc.) will cause it to shift pretty dramatically. Do this first to make sure the agency you are building helps get [...]
Members (network members and gold/platinum level associate members) are eligible to participate in our AMI Association Health Plan. This program offers group health as well as options for dental, vision as well as life, disability, catastrophic illness supplemental policies etc. Each agency can offer multiple options (plans) to their employees and each agency can determine how much of the premium they want to pay and how much they want to have their employees contribute. We offered self-funded and fully funded plans in all 50 states. Across the country, the savings for some companies has been as much as $1,500/employee per year but obviously -- every agency is different. (NOTE: We are happy to answer your questions before you become a member, but can't answer any specific cost questions or have you go through the application process until after you are a paid member.) Want to chat with someone about whether or not this plan would work well for your agency? Click here.
[easy-social-share buttons=”facebook,twitter,google,linkedin,mail” counters=1 counter_pos=”topm” total_counter_pos=”leftbig” style=”icon_hover”] In last week’s encore interview with Robin Boehler — we talked about the biz dev practices that she and the team at Mercer Island Group see when they’re sitting on the client’s side of the room. If you listened to that episode — you heard me say that if you implement the best practices Robin shared, you’re going to see the difference in your win rate. And because I want you to be as prepared as possible as you step into 2019 — I invited Steve Boehler and Lindsay O’Neil, also from Mercer Island Group, to join me for this week’s episode. Think of this as a new biz one-two punch! There is nobody more in the fray of seeing why agencies win, lose, or how the pitch process plays out than Steve, Lindsay, and their team. And nobody is more generous in sharing what they observe. This episode will give you the inside look at how agencies present themselves (accidentally and on purpose) and the influence each nuance has on our prospects as they weigh one agency against the others. […]
[easy-social-share buttons=”facebook,twitter,google,linkedin,mail” counters=1 counter_pos=”topm” total_counter_pos=”leftbig” style=”icon_hover”] Business development is a topic that is always front-and-center for agency owners. So I’m welcoming back one of our most popular guests, Robin Boehler from Mercer Island Group, to talk to us about the observations she and her team have made as they work with both agencies and clients who are asking to be matched with agencies. From those observations, Robin will outline some of the best practices that we need to be mindful of as we work to grow our agencies. One of my favorite songs from the play Hamilton is “In the Room Where it Happens” where Aaron Burr laments that he’s not an insider, seeing how decisions are made. Mercer Island Group is always front and center in that room, as brands decide which agency has earned their business. You and I, as agency owners, are like Burr. We’re never going to be invited in, but fortunately, we have access to someone who is always there. In this podcast, Robin will help us understand how clients respond to the work we do, our level of preparation before and during a pitch, and how we communicate our understanding of the client’s business issues. Sadly, sometimes the best fit agency doesn’t win. […]
If you love what AMI has to offer but aren't quite ready to commit to one of our owner peer groups, we have several associate membership options for you. Each membership level offers you access to special content, pricing and at the platinum level, our AMI Association group health insurance offerings. Take a look at the three levels and see which one works for your shop. Silver Level Membership entitles you to: Invitation to webinars just for members and recorded archives of past member-only webinars Invitation to the annual AMI-only live webinar that deep dives into our Agency Edge research each year (including data that we hold back just for members) Free copy of our annual salary and benefits survey (sells for $99) Discounts on all of our live workshops and on-demand courses (but not on on-site consulting or remote coaching) Emails from Drew on current events/opportunities etc., for agency owners $699.00 Annually Gold Level Membership entitles you to: Everything in the silver package plus: The ability to participate in AMI’s group health insurance and 401K program and defined benefits programs Discounts on AMI coaching and onsite consulting Discounts to the AMI annual conference – The Build A Better Agency Summit (and the member-only family day the Monday before the conference) The ability for your team members to participate in the special interest group summits Emails from Drew on current events/opportunities etc., for agency owners $899.00 Annually Platinum Membership entitles you to: Everything in the gold package plus: One seat at the Build A Better Agency Summit (complimentary) One complimentary coaching call (60 minutes) annually $1,999.00 Annually
If you didn't find what you were looking for, try a new search!
