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the Power of Community

Harnessing

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Harnessing the Power of CommunityIn our daily lives, we engage in a variety of community environments. At work, at

home, on vacation—wherever we may be, we can be engaging in and with a group.

These communities may consist of our co-workers, neighbors, family, or another

gathering of individuals with a common connection.

These community environments are important in both our personal and

professional spheres. By fostering community, we create and build relationships—

a central part of success in business and life in general. For your independent

insurance agency, harnessing the power of community is essential. Participation in

community environments both in and around your agency leads to opportunities

for connection and collaboration that ensures long term success.

The true benefit of community comes of what YOU make of it. Your agency

needs to recognize the benefits of your groups and foster relationships with them.

In this eGuide, we’ll look at some ways your agency can build and engage in

communities for a lasting impact on your business.

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CONTENTSBenefits of Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Identifying Local Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Steps for Local Engagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Fostering Community in Your Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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Benefits of Community

Why should your agency be concerned about communities?

The benefits of creating and engaging in cohesive groups are

many. As a whole, communities:

Multiply resources | Each individual in a community has certain

assets. By joining with others, the number of available resources and

assets multiplies. As we know, no one person can “have it all” but a

community can come close!

Ensure longevity | Even if a community is not multi-generational, it

still has the power of continuation as new members join. This creates

stability for the group and opens up opportunity to create big change.

New members can also continue ideas and plans after those who set

them up leave.

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Foster connections | Relationships grow and strengthen

within a community. As they develop, members are apt to

introduce new connections. Similar to the multiplication of

resources, each group member has its own connections to

others outside the community. These connections can be

fostered and utilized for the benefit of its members.

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Identifying Local CommunitiesAs an independent insurance agency, your local presence is central to who you are, what you

represent, and your overall value. In order to know more about your local area, your agency

needs to take intentional steps to understand your community. Here are some great ways to

get started:

Identify needs

Ask questions Partner

up

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Identify needs

Pay attention to and learn about

the biggest needs in your city or

town. Is it education? Neighborhood

beautification? Unemployment? Once

you know the areas of need, get

involved in ways to help address the

issues.

Survey your customers: find out what

they expect from you and what they

want to see in their neighborhood.

Even the simple task of asking

conveys your level of concern and

shows that your customers’ opinions

matter to you.

Get to know and work with

organizations and individuals who

are well known in your locality. This

could be community government

members, local nonprofits, or

community activists. Take the time

to build relationships with these

individuals and organizations, as

they are your key to connecting and

being in the know about what is

going on in your community.

Ask questions

Partner up

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Steps for Local

EngagementOnce you’ve identified the needs and resources in your agency’s local

community, it’s time to get involved and active!

1. Make a plan | Start with a goal in mind, such as improving

your local elementary school. Your plan could involve organizing

fundraisers, volunteering at school events, or regularly collecting

supplies such as pencils and notebooks for donation. Make sure

your plan is sustainable—meaning your agency has the time and

funds to be involved to the degree you decide.

2. Sponsor an event | Local 5Ks, charity auctions, and other

fundraising events always need sponsors. Step up and offer to

support. Donate money, supplies, or even your time through

employee volunteers. Being a part of such fundraisers shows you

care and gets your name out on promotional materials (t-shirts,

banners, programs, etc.)

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3. Start (or sponsor) a team | Get your agency involved in a local league.

Your team is not restricted to your staff—extend invitations to customers and

partners as well. Forming a team not only engages your community, but builds

teamwork within your agency as well. If you don’t want to get sweaty yourself,

sponsor a local youth sports team. Not only will you have a grateful group of

kids and parents, you often get advertising with your name emblazoned on the

jerseys.

4. Volunteer your services | Offer to help local community centers and

nonprofits figure out their insurance needs, or provide free advice during a

local street fair or community festival. Donating your services gives people a

taste of your agency’s personalized service, and

shows your agency has a heart for giving back.

Forming a team builds community within your agency as well.

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5. Spread the word | In everything you do, share with your

community what you are doing. This will help others understand the

impact and potentially get involved as well as help build goodwill with

your agency. Put pictures on your website of volunteer events and

list dollar amounts of what you’re giving away. Blog about events you

attend or groups you sponsor. At a minimum, post to social media.

Current and potential customers will learn more about the difference

you are making in the community and support your local presence.

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Fostering Community in Your Agency The key communities your agency should concentrate on growing and connecting are your clients, partners, and

suppliers. Each community needs a different level of care and support, but both share a common need to communicate

regularly with each other and with you. Some great ways to connect are:

n Online forums to inform individuals and give them a space where they

can ask questions, give advice, and hear directly from your agency

n Social media to create space for ongoing conversations between you,

your clients, and your partners

n Regular conferences to connect people in person and help put a

face to your agency

n Social gatherings to network and foster connections in a more

relaxed setting

n Local workgroups to network in areas with a high concentration of

your clients or partners

n Community surveys to gain feedback, and open communication

between your agency and your partners/clients

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Creating and engaging in communities

is an important part of your success as

an independent insurance agency.

Making space for connection and collaboration

within your agency leads to a positive, innovative

atmosphere. And by engaging with the local

community your company will build trust and brand

awareness. Soon, you’ll find your agency buzzing

with positive energy and new leads. Each lead is

a potential customer, but conversion from lead to

customer rests on the relationship you build with that

individual through the community you’ve created.

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We at SIS know the value of such community spaces, which is why we strive

to foster communication and collaboration with our staff and Partner XE

users alike. We invest in NASPA, the Partner XE user group, to help sustain

that community connection. Through regional learning sessions, national

conferences, and product improvement workgroups, NASPA connects

Partner XE users across the country. NASPA not only helps Partner XE form

relationships, but educates our users on the most effective ways to use Partner

XE and its capabilities. To find out more about NASPA, including our regular

regional conferences, contact us today at sales@sisware.com.

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About SISHeadquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Strategic Insurance Software

(SIS) is the team behind Partner XE—an innovative web-based

insurance agency management system that helps independent

agencies streamline workflow and grow their business. Built on

a foundation of strong technology and exceptional service, we’re

moving forward with a constant eye on innovation that will make

independent agents’ lives easier.

About Partner XESupporting downloads from nearly 300 carriers, real time

interaction, integrated agency accounting, and much more, Partner

XE is a full-featured agency management system at an affordable

cost for the independent insurance agency. For more information,

please visit www.sisware.com.

4181 Arlingate Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43228 800.747.9273 | www.sisware.com