In this episode of Power Producers Shoptalk, David Carothers welcomes back Kevin Ring, lead analyst at the Institute of WorkComp Professionals and one of the nation’s foremost experts on workers’ compensation. Kevin shares valuable insights into why leading with workers’ comp is a smart strategy for insurance agents, offering practical tips that agents can apply immediately to improve their game and better serve clients.
David and Kevin break down complex workers’ compensation topics into digestible, actionable advice — perfect for both new and seasoned producers looking to boost their understanding and results.
Key Highlights:
Why Lead With Workers’ Comp?
Kevin explains how workers’ compensation policies are simpler than most insurance lines, with consistent policy forms across carriers, making it easier for new producers to learn and sell effectively. He emphasizes the ability to clearly demonstrate the impact agents can have by lowering clients’ experience modification factors (mods).
Monetizing Workers’ Comp Success
The pair discuss how agents can show tangible ROI by improving clients’ workers’ comp programs, which can reduce premiums and directly enhance business profitability.
Common Misconceptions About Insurance
David and Kevin address the frustrations clients have when paying premiums without claims, clarifying how insurance works as a risk management tool rather than a savings account or investment.
The Role of Company Culture
Kevin highlights how a positive workplace culture reduces litigation and claims abuse, improving workers’ comp outcomes and client satisfaction.
Data-Driven Prospecting
Leading with workers’ comp allows agents to access valuable public data, such as experience mods, helping them target high-opportunity accounts and personalize outreach.
Takeover Opportunities
Kevin shares how focusing on workers’ comp can open doors to take over accounts incrementally, reducing client resistance to changing agents.
Learning and Skill Development
Agents can develop consultative selling skills in workers’ comp that transfer to other lines of business, moving beyond price-driven sales.
Market Trends and Rate Changes
Kevin notes potential upcoming rate increases, such as in California, signaling a shift after a decade of rate declines and emphasizing the importance of staying informed.
Connect with:
David Carothers LinkedIn
Kevin Ring LinkedIn
Kyle Houck LinkedIn
Visit Websites:
Power Producer Base Camp
Institute of WorkComp Professionals
Killing Commercial
Crushing Content
Power Producers Podcast
Policytee
The Dirty 130
The Extra 2 Minutes
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24:29
Resilience Should Be the Foundation of Every Insurance Conversation with Aris Papadopoulos
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers sits down with Aris Papadopoulos, Chairman of the Resilience Action Fund and author of Resilientomics. Aris shares his unique perspective on resilience, from his experience as a 9/11 World Trade Center survivor to his passion for building stronger, more resilient homes and communities. Together, David and Aris explore how resilience is critical not just in construction, but in the insurance industry and beyond.
Aris discusses his journey from the construction industry to founding the Resilience Action Fund and how he’s working to educate consumers on the importance of resilience in the built environment. The conversation touches on everything from the impact of poor construction standards to how insurance professionals can incorporate resilience into their strategy. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to improve their understanding of resilient building and the role it plays in property protection.
Key Highlights:
The Resilience Action Fund
Aris discusses the Fund’s mission to educate consumers about building resilient homes and the tools available on his website.
Building Resilient Homes
Aris explains why building to code is not enough and the importance of prioritizing structural resilience over cosmetic upgrades.
Consumer Education
Aris emphasizes the need for consumers to understand resilience and how the Fund is working to raise awareness.
Insurance and Resilience
Aris talks about the role of insurance professionals in educating clients on resilience and incentivizing better building practices.
Challenges in the Building Industry
Aris reflects on the slow pace of change in the construction industry and the resistance to adopting resilient practices.
Technology in Construction
Aris explores how technologies like 3D printing are impacting construction and their role in building more resilient homes.
Connect with:
David Carothers LinkedIn
Aris Papadopoulos LinkedIn
Kyle Houck LinkedIn
Visit Websites:
Power Producer Base Camp
Resilience Action Fund
Killing Commercial
Crushing Content
Power Producers Podcast
Policytee
The Dirty 130
The Extra 2 Minutes
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49:14
Listening to Calls & Role Play
In this final episode of Power Producers Shoptalk’s remote team series, David Carothers wraps up with the Insurance Futures team by focusing on a critical skill for producers and sales leaders alike: listening to calls and role-playing.
Effective sales and leadership aren’t just about numbers, they’re about developing skills, refining approaches, and building confidence through practice. David, Jeremy Huerta, Michael Overstreet, and Caleb Walker share how call listening and role-play have transformed their teams by creating habits that lead to better sales conversations, more appointments, and stronger client relationships.
Key Highlights:
The Power of Repetition Through Role-Play
Jeremy compares role-play to coaching his young son in basketball—practice and correction lead to mastery. The team agrees that consistent role-playing builds confidence and sharpens skills.
Listening to Calls Reveals the Truth
Michael emphasizes how listening to recorded calls helps identify strengths and weaknesses. It’s essential for coaching and ensuring salespeople deliver the right message and overcome objections effectively.
Consistency and Bite-Size Coaching
The team highlights the value of regular, focused listening sessions—breaking calls into manageable parts—and leveraging AI tools to analyze calls and provide actionable feedback.
Using Role-Plays to Standardize Sales Approaches
David and Jeremy discuss using structured role-play scenarios, often generated with tools like ChatGPT, to train sales reps on objection handling and core messaging, ensuring consistent, high-quality interactions.
Holding Teams Accountable for Growth
The group stresses the importance of accountability through listening and role-play. Teams that embrace this culture grow faster, build better client relationships, and scale more profitably.
To download the call listening and role-play guides, CLICK HERE.
Connect with:
David Carothers LinkedIn
Jeromy Huerta LinkedIn
Michael Overstreet LinkedIn
Caleb Walker LinkedIn
Kyle Houck LinkedIn
Visit Websites:
Power Producer Base Camp
Insurance Future
Heritage
Killing Commercial
Crushing Content
Power Producers Podcast
Policytee
The Dirty 130
The Extra 2 Minutes
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22:00
Bridging the Insurance Talent Gap with Tony Canas
In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers sits
down with Tony Canas,
Chief Motivational Officer at Insurance
Nerds. The conversation takes some unexpected and fun turns, including
Tony’s unique background, passion for insurance, and his journey into magic.
It’s a lively and engaging discussion that blends business, culture, and
personal development in the insurance industry.
David
and Tony dive deep into
how insurance professionals can cultivate a strong company culture, the
importance of understanding various roles within an agency, and how building
relationships internally is just as important as externally. From career advice
to innovative ways to stand out in the industry, this episode is packed with
valuable insights.
Key Highlights:
Building Strong Agency Culture
David
and Tony explore the importance of understanding the various roles within an
agency, including account managers and producers, and how a lack of
understanding can lead to friction. They emphasize how strong internal
relationships are key to agency success.
The Role of the Producer
David
shares his perspective on the producer’s role in balancing sales and building
genuine relationships. He explains why understanding the day-to-day of other
roles can improve collaboration and drive success in the agency.
Insurance Nerds & Career Growth
Tony
shares his unique journey within the insurance industry, from underwriter to
recruiter, and how Insurance Nerds has grown into a valuable resource for
insurance professionals. He discusses how the platform helps individuals
navigate their careers and make informed decisions about their professional
path.
The Magic of Connections
Tony
talks about how his passion for magic has intertwined with his insurance
career, using it as a tool to stand out at conferences and build stronger
connections. It’s a fun and unique approach to networking!
The Need for Diversity in Insurance
The discussion touches on how the insurance industry needs
to evolve, especially when it comes to diversity and inclusion. David and Tony
reflect on the importance of understanding different perspectives and embracing
diverse voices within industry.
Connect with:
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51:13
Keys to Effective Communication
In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, David Carothers returns
for session five with the Insurance
Futures team to tackle one of the most critical elements in managing a
successful remote workforce: communication. Following four weeks of deep dives
into building remote teams, this episode zeroes in on how effective
communication can make or break your virtual agency’s culture and efficiency.
David
and his guests Jeremy
Huerta, Michael
Overstreet, and Caleb
Walker discuss the challenges unique to remote communication—like delayed
responses, misinterpreted messages, and the absence of face-to-face cues—and
share practical strategies to establish clear, consistent, and intentional
communication frameworks. They emphasize the importance of having structured
communication protocols, standardized abbreviations, and response expectations
so that the whole team is aligned and productive, no matter where they’re
located.
Key Highlights:
Why Clear Communication Is EssentialDavid highlights how
delayed or unclear communication can cause frustration and impact client
service and sales outcomes in a remote setting. Consistent and transparent
communication is vital to keep everyone on the same page.
Setting Communication Guidelines and Hierarchy
The team stresses the need to define who to contact for what and by which
method—phone call, message, email, or quick acknowledgment—to prevent confusion
and wasted time.
Choosing and Sticking to a Communication Platform
Jeremy and Michael explain the importance of picking one primary platform—like
Microsoft Teams—and committing to it, even if it’s imperfect, to maintain
consistency and avoid team frustration.
Standardizing Language and Status Updates
Using common abbreviations, uniform status indicators (like “BRB” or “Back”),
and clear expectations around response times reduces misunderstandings and
improves workflow across the virtual team.
Leveraging Playbooks and Resources
The team shares how they’ve created a comprehensive communication playbook and
organizational clarity tools that staff can access anytime, ensuring everyone
knows how and where to communicate efficiently.
To download the communication playbook and organizational chart worksheet:Click here
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