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Iroquois Midwest honored by Grange Iroquois Midwest, Inc., has earned Senior Partner designation from Grange Insurance agency network, placing Iroquois Midwest in an elite insurance group. The honor, which Iroquois has won for the fourth consecutive year, recognizes Grange's independent agent partners for their excellent performance. Iroquois Midwest has been a Grange partner since 2009. Fewer than 180 of Grange's 4,000 independent insurance agencies attained Senior Partner status in 2014, putting Iroquois in the top 14 percent of all Grange agencies. Iroquois Midwest, headed by Managing Partner Philip Dawson, is part of The Iroquois insurance Group®, one of the oldest and largest networks of independent insurance agencies, with more than 2,200 members in 40 states. The company has recently expanded to include Kentucky into its agency network. Grange Insurance agency network is a regional insurance network provider based in Columbus, Ohio. With $2 billion in assets, the company offers auto, home, life and business insurance protection. Grange, and its affiliate Integrity, operates through a network of independent agents in 13 states in the Midwest and South. Grange is in the business of protecting people's lives when and how they need it. Established in 1935, Grange has grown from rural beginnings to a financially stable enterprise that offers independent agents and policyholders the highest level of service and support. For more information, visit grangeinsurance.com. Insurance agencies of all sizes and shapes join The Iroquois Group to increase revenue, profits and agency value.

Iroquois makes Inc. magazine list Inc. magazine recently ranked The Iroquois Group® 4,884th on its 34th annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a comprehensive look at an important segment of the economy-America's independent entrepreneurs. It is Iroquois' first time on the list. The insurance agency network that began with a handful of agencies in Western New York, is now operating in 41 states, serving more than 2,250 member agencies. "Our growth has been driven by our business model which relies on strong relationships with our Member Agencies and core Carrier Partners," said Laurie A. Branch, president of The Iroquois Group. The 2015 Inc. 5000, unveiled online at Inc.com and with the top 500 companies featured in the September issue of Inc. is the most competitive crop in the list's history. The average company on the list achieved a three-year growth of 490 percent. The Inc. 5000's aggregate revenue is $205 billion, generating 647,000 jobs over the past three years. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. Agencies of all sizes and shapes join The Iroquois Group to increase revenue, profits and agency value.

The nation's number one builders risk program for residential and commercial course of construction risks is now a Specialty Access Market for Iroquois members. Through our builders risk partner US Assure, you receive full compensation, and your organization's production will count toward the Iroquois PartnerPlan®. US Assure's dedicated team of more than 50 specialists exclusively manages, distributes and services the Builders Risk Plan insured by Zurich throughout the United States for new construction, remodeling and installation projects valued up to $50 million.

Iroquois adds Agency Revolution as preferred vendor partner The Iroquois Group® has added Agency Revolution as a preferred vendor for marketing automation for their member agencies. "We're committed to support the growth and profitability of our member agencies," said David Ward, Managing Partner of The Iroquois Group. "We all know the insurance consumer has changed, and we think Agency Revolution's latest marketing automation software can help our agencies bridge the gap with today's consumer." Michael Jans, Founder and CEO of Agency Revolution said, "The Iroquois Group is one of the great insurance organizations in the United States today. We're honored to be selected by them and thrilled to be working with their member agencies." Agency Revolution's latest platform, AR Connect™, is designed to automate communications with clients/prospects and streamline internal workflows, while helping the agency engage with their customers. It integrates with most industry management systems, such as AMS360, Applied TAM, QQ Catalyst, Hawksoft and more. Their software has been awarded the esteemed 5 Star Best of the Best Award by Insurance Business America. About The Iroquois Group: The Iroquois Group® is one of the oldest and largest networks of independent agencies, with more than 2,200 members in 41 states. Members of all sizes join Iroquois for assistance in increasing their revenue, profits and agency value. About Agency Revolution: Agency Revolution is the leading provider of marketing automation and communications technology for independent agents and brokers in the US and Canada. For 20 years, AR has leveraged its expertise in marketing, insurance, and technology to help today's Independent Agent AUTOMATE, ENGAGE, and GROW their agencies. Agency Revolution 888.208.9239 grow@agencyrevolution.com www.agencyrevolution.com David Ward The Iroquois Group 843-568-5543 dward@iroquoisgroup.com

Do you 'throw away' too many referrals? A producer I was working with was ecstatic one hot summer day because he had just obtained 10 referrals from a client. I was excited too and the producer was going to begin working those new referrals right away. Well, in tracking the success of those 10 referrals, only one got written. Is that good or just normal? Let's just say, both of us felt it should have been better. So, analyzing what took place led to the following results: * 2 were not reachable; the producer never connected with the decision-maker. * 2 were messy businesses that the producer realized would be declined if submitted * 3 had strong to severe loss issues * 1 failed to provide all the needed information * 1 was presented, but not sold * 1 was sold Could this one out of 10 scenario have been prevented? That is what we took it upon ourselves to evaluate. The first evaluation made was really there were only three the producer was either able to, or wanted to, quote. So, of that group, he was really one for three. But, what about the rest of the referrals - the ones not quoted? Preventable? In our analysis, many of those were preventable so that you wouldn't end up with 70 percent being "thrown away." The two that the producer was unable to reach were determined to be a problem based on the "introduction" he got from his client to those two prospects. (Note: You do ask to be introduced, don't you, when you obtain a referral?) The person calling their customer (our prospect) from the business was not someone known to them and thus, the call carried little weight. It was not a powerful introduction; it wasn't even a lukewarm introduction, so it was not surprising the producer couldn't get an appointment following that call. The five that were either messy businesses or had heavy losses weren't quality businesses. Was that the luck of the draw and he just accepted that when he asked for referrals, or could

Askins joins Iroquois in South Carolina Mark Askins, a Columbia, S.C. native with more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, has joined Iroquois South as a regional manager for South Carolina and western North Carolina. Askins spent more than 20 years with The Hartford, most recently as their Richmond, Va., branch manager. Although finishing his career with The Hartford in Virginia, Askins began it in Columbia, S.C., and he held auditing, underwriting, and management positions in their Charlotte Office. He graduated from Clemson University but is a Gamecock at heart. "Mark has worked for years with Iroquois in Virginia," said Iroquois South managing partner, David Ward "so he knows and appreciates our business model and the ways in which Iroquois adds value to our member agencies. When Mark announced that he was retiring from Hartford about the time our South Carolina Regional Manager announced he was leaving, I jumped at the chance to add Mark to our team." In addition to servicing existing member agencies in the Carolinas and enrolling new ones, Askins will lead a special initiative to further develop Iroquois' capabilities for Middle Market accounts. "Mark brings valuable expertise in the Middle Market arena," said Ward, "and we are excited that he can help our members write and retain more Middle Market accounts." Iroquois South is part of The Iroquois Group®, one of the oldest and largest networks of independent agencies, with more than 2,200 members in 41 states. Agencies of all sizes and shapes join Iroquois to increase revenue, profits and agency value. For more information, go online to www.iroquoisgroup.com

We've heard some agents say selling insurance is an art. Others say it's a science. So which is it - art or science?

A Market Alliance with an Iroquois Carrier-Partner is: 1. A method of maximizing the revenue to your agency from an existing book of business; 2. A means of supporting the growth of an existing book of business; 3. A strategy for increasing commission and profit sharing revenue from all of the business you write through Iroquois Carrier-Partners; 4. Something you should explore with your Iroquois Representative. A Market Alliance occurs when a Member Agent moves an existing book of business under an Iroquois contract in order to improve results and compensation. Because of its size and historic profitability, Iroquois earns "preferred" status with the vast majority of its carriers.

Click below to download the PDF

We are very happy with our relationship with Iroquois. They have compensation levels that fit our needs and enables us to maximize profit sharing levels not available to a smaller agency.

Over the last few years, changes in how consumers acquire new vehicles (leases) along with changes in financing methods (small down payments and longer finance periods) have created a scenario where depreciation on a new vehicle often outpaces the loan obligation.

Every agent knows how difficult it is these days to effectively brand their agency, afford the high cost of advertising, and stay ahead of the technology curve. Iroquois recommends that our members look into AgenciesOnline (AO). AO provides website creation services and combines marketing, communications and technology into a single platform at an affordable price.

Agency owners have many issues to deal with on a day-to-day basis and little time to address them. Sometimes this pressure can cause an owner to make simple but costly mistakes. In this article we address common mistakes that agency owners should try to avoid.

Running an agency has gotten very complex. The aging workforce, increasing scarcity of talent and growing demands of carriers are just a few of the challenges owners deal with every day. In spite of these challenges, many agencies are experiencing excellent revenue and profit growth. To accomplish this, they are not only doing the right things, but they are avoiding common mistakes that can hold them back. In this article we will discuss some common mistakes that owners should avoid.

NJ Rate Updates: Effective Dec.19 for new business and Feb. 2, 2018 for renewals, The Philadelphia Contributionship is announcing that they are introducing a rate reduction throughout many areas of New Jersey, with rate reductions as high as 20%. Click on the link below for details. https://goo.gl/5rhRTP

Click on the links below for details on new products from Foremost Insurance. https://goo.gl/xJgwka

Download the PDF by clicking the link below. https://goo.gl/kvDegH

Assurant Primary Flood is an alternative to the NFIP that could save your customers up to 15% in premiums. Click on the link to download a PDF containing a handy chart spelling out coverage details

Liberty Mutual has recognized Iroquois members as an excellent source of profitable new business. To Liberty, Iroquois is in "a league of their own" and they want even more profitable growth from us in 2018! To stimulate even more new business, Liberty is offering a national new business incentive for the first half of 2018.

Iroquois insurance group, an Insurance Group Network providing Insurance services (Iroquois services) through Independent insurance agencies nationwide with property, and liability products. Iroquois Group provides Independent insurance agents a Insurance Group Network of providers across the United States.