On Our Mind: An Advocate for the Industry

​​​​By Jim Lombardo, CPCU, AAI, AIM, MBA, AVP of Learning & Development​​ When I first became licensed to sell insurance, the agency I was working for gave me a Mentor to work with. He became a good friend and we still keep in touch even though this was over twenty-five years ago. I will always be indebted to him for a brief conversation we had very early in my sales career. You see, at the beginning I was very uncomfortable trying to sell people insurance. They always looked at me like I was a pushy salesman just out for the commission. It made me feel awkward…

Continue ReadingOn Our Mind: An Advocate for the Industry

2/14 Legislative Call Recording Now Available

Did you miss last week's legislative update call? You can now access the recording here​! In this call, Big I NY provided updates on issues in the state budget, 2020 legislative priorities, Independent Agents Advocacy Day, and new training resources available to Big I NY members. Legislative update calls are held every other week during legislative session. View the schedule and register here.  Source

Continue Reading2/14 Legislative Call Recording Now Available

On Our Mind: People Over Profits

​​​By Jim Lombardo, CPCU, AAI, AIM, MBA, AVP of Learning & Development​​ Today I want to highlight two distinct topics that are intermingled nonetheless. The first is the business philosophy that reinforces People before Profits… It may not have started here, but in 2015 Dale Partridge wrote a book about the benefits to a business by putting “People over Profits". Some key points included in the book state: Recognize the value of people. Understand why honesty is always the best policy. Realize everyone must stay true to who they are. Develop and maintain quality standards. Be generous without intention of getting something in return. Whil​​e these…

Continue ReadingOn Our Mind: People Over Profits