76. How to Run a Successful Remote Agency

Host Jim Schubert shows you everything you need to know about optimizing your processes to allow your staff to work from anywhere. He outlines the essential strategies, including choosing the right technology platform, creating a remote work agreement, creating systems of accountability, and deciding how to help remote agents feel like they belong on this episode of Agents Growth Academy.

3 Key Takeaways

• You NEED to create a remote work agreement specifically outlining the common remote work scenarios that will protect your business and its data. 
• Establish systems of accountability by assigning roles and responsibilities and creating an accountability chart.
• Employees need to feel like they belong in the company and are a part of some kind of community. This is equally if not more important for remote employees!

Resources
How to Make Working From Home Actually Work for Your Company YouTube Video:

The customizable remote work agreement template: agentsgrowthacademy.com/remoteagreement

Watch for: How to Help Remote Insurance Agents Feel Like They Belong YouTube Video (Releasing next week!)

Remote Work Playlist

About Jim Schubert
Jim is the CEO of Southern States Insurance, one of Georgia's largest independent insurance agencies. He is a nationally recognized author and podcast guest contributor appearing in Insurance Journal, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Business America Magazine, Best's Review, and Applied Systems.

Jim is a passionate advocate for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and independent insurance agents. He loves sharing ideas about agency growth, digital marketing, and the lost art of human interaction.

Jim is also the creator of Agents Growth Academy, an online resource for insurance agents and agency owners who want to take their growth to the next level. And when he needs to take a clarity break, he is either behind a camera lens in the great outdoors or teaching aspiring shutterbugs how to take beautiful nature photography at Schubert Photography.

Transcript

Show Notes
[00:00:08] - For the past couple of years, 75% of Jim’s employees are remote or working at least part of the time remotely. They’ve been able to hire good talent easier than ever before. He’s going to show you how to get there. 

[00:00:32] - Step one: choose your remote technology platform. If you're going to give folks computers, how are you going to hold them responsible and accountable for treating those computers?

[00:02:00] - Step number two: create a remote work agreement that includes policies and procedures. Address eligibility as well as safety equipment and security. Make sure that they have an ergonomic set up with the appropriate bandwidth and other requirements. 

[00:05:44] - Roles and responsibilities are key for EVERYONE. Turn expectations into agreements. Once you've done this, you can start having a regular pace of reviewing measurables. Also give the employee an opportunity to offer feedback to the manager about how the manager is doing.

[00:08:26] - Step number four: define, communicate, and enforce rules for an undistracted and healthy work environment. This starts with the interview process. 

[00:10:01] - Encourage and then hold remote employees accountable for taking mental breaks. Step number five: decide how you're going to help remote agents feel like they belong. Give them a regular pace of meetings that involves their peers. Check in regularly and send them something every once in a while to show you care.

[00:13:30] - Jim offers several free resources to use if you're really serious about opening up your agency for remote work.