Episodios

  • Listening to Calls & Role Play

    Listening to Calls & Role Play
    May 23 2025
    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 m
  • Bridging the Insurance Talent Gap with Tony Canas

    Bridging the Insurance Talent Gap with Tony Canas
    May 21 2025
    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: Visit Websites:
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    51 m
  • Keys to Effective Communication

    Keys to Effective Communication
    May 16 2025
    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 Connect with: Visit Websites:
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    18 m
  • Unlocking the Power of Group Captives with Jason Duby

    Unlocking the Power of Group Captives with Jason Duby
    May 14 2025
    In this Power Producers Podcast episode, David Carothers is joined by Jason Duby, Captive Manager at Garnet Captive, to dive deep into the concept of captives and how they can provide valuable opportunities for businesses, particularly as the market continues to harden. Jason breaks down the intricacies of captive insurance, explaining how they work, who benefits, and what sets Garnet Captive apart from other options in the industry. David and Jason explore the different types of captives, the benefits of participating in one, and the financial implications for businesses that choose this route. The conversation also touches on the importance of risk management and the steps businesses need to take to set up and benefit from a captive insurance program. Key Highlights: What Is a Captive? Jason explains how businesses can form their own insurance group to manage risk, reduce costs, and potentially recoup unused premiums—highlighting the efficiency of group captives. Types of Captives They break down single-parent, group, homogeneous, and protected cell captives, explaining their structures and benefits for different business types. The Garnet Captive Edge Jason outlines Garnet’s faster distributions, lower upfront costs, and risk management support that help businesses see quicker returns. Financial Commitment They discuss the cost of joining a captive, including collateral and underwriting requirements for businesses with strong risk profiles. Risk Management & Claims Captives allow businesses to customize claims handling and implement tailored risk management strategies. Tips for Producers David and Jason advise producers on spotting good captive candidates and warning signs like poor loss history or price-focused buyers. Connect with: Visit Websites:
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    39 m
  • Job Descriptions - Headaches Now or Headaches Later

    Job Descriptions - Headaches Now or Headaches Later
    May 9 2025
    In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, David Carothers continues his series with the team from Insurance Futures, diving into the importance of job descriptions for building a strong culture in remote teams. As remote work becomes more common, having clear job descriptions helps set expectations, boost accountability, and ensure employees understand their roles. David is joined by Jeremy Huerta, Michael Overstreet, and Caleb Walker from Heritage, an agency that has mastered the art of job descriptions. Together, they explore how detailed, concise job descriptions tied to core values and KPIs can lead to a more successful and productive remote team. Key Highlights: Why Job Descriptions Matter David starts by acknowledging that job descriptions are often overlooked, but in remote work environments, they’re essential for clarity. Without clear expectations, employees can feel lost or uncertain about their role. Clarity and Simplicity in Job Descriptions The team stresses the importance of keeping job descriptions simple and straightforward. They emphasize that clear, concise language helps everyone understand exactly what’s expected, without unnecessary complexity. Aligning Job Descriptions with Core Values Jeremy explains that job descriptions should align with the agency’s core values. It’s not just about duties—it’s about ensuring employees know how their role contributes to the larger mission and culture of the agency. Linking Job Descriptions to KPIsCaleb discusses how job descriptions should reflect specific KPIs. By defining measurable tasks and goals, job descriptions create clear expectations and accountability for employees’ performance. Job Descriptions as a Tool for Fit The team shares how transparent job descriptions help both the agency, and the employee assess if they’re a good fit. By outlining the role clearly from the start, both parties can avoid surprises and ensure alignment with the agency’s needs. To download the job description template and worksheet: Click Here Connect with: Visit Websites:
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    18 m
  • Mastering the Buyer's Journey with Jacob Hicks

    Mastering the Buyer's Journey with Jacob Hicks
    May 7 2025
    In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers welcomes Jacob Hicks, a sales coach with an eclectic background in various industries, including retail, real estate, and optical sales. Jacob shares his insights on the evolution of sales and the importance of systems, follow-up, and understanding of your ideal client profile. David and Jacob explore Jacob's journey from selling suits to coaching salespeople, touching on the principles that drive success in sales across industries. The conversation delves into effective sales strategies, the importance of follow-up, and how mindset plays a crucial role in achieving sales success. Key Highlights: Jacob’s Sales Journey: From Suits to CoachingJacob discusses his sales experience, starting from selling suits in retail to his work in real estate and the optical industry. He shares the unique lessons he's learned along the way, including his entrepreneurial beginnings selling Osage Oranges and potholders door-to-door. The Power of Follow-Up Both David and Jacob agree that follow-up is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of sales. Jacob emphasizes the importance of having a solid system in place for follow-up, whether automated or personalized, to stay in front of prospects and clients consistently. Avoiding the Trap of "Just Enough"Jacob recalls a pivotal moment in his career when a mentor told him that the insurance industry was full of "C players." This insight pushed him to elevate his own standards and always compete against top-tier professionals. He encourages listeners to focus on creating a system for success and sticking to it. Understanding Your Ideal Client Jacob and David dive into the concept of an ideal client profile. Jacob talks about how focusing on the right clients can prevent wasted time and energy on deals that are unlikely to succeed. He stresses that saying “no” to distractions and focusing on high-quality prospects is a game-changer. Sales Mindset and Belief The duo explores the role of self-belief in sales. Jacob shares how overcoming limiting beliefs can significantly increase one's potential in sales, with a special focus on setting higher goals and pushing past comfort zones to achieve greater success. Investing in Yourself: The Key to GrowthJacob discusses how investing in personal growth, whether through coaching, training, or networking, has played a significant role in his success. He encourages listeners to prioritize their own development to reap higher returns and better performance. The Transition from Inside Sales to Outside Sales Jacob reflects on his transition from inside sales (selling suits) to outside sales (in the optical industry), highlighting the key differences and skills that apply across both settings, including the importance of showing up, asking the right questions, and building rapport. Connect with: Visit Websites:
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    45 m
  • Killing It with KPI's

    Killing It with KPI's
    May 2 2025
    In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, David Carothers keeps the remote workforce series going with a deep dive into KPIs—why they’re crucial and how they should be tied to core values. David and his team from Insurance Futures discuss how measuring the right activities can lead to success and help remote agencies stay on track. This week, David is joined by Jeremy Huerta, Michael Overstreet, and Caleb Walker from Heritage, an insurance agency that’s figured out the formula for success with KPIs in a remote environment. They discuss how focusing on the right activities drives results, and how KPIs can be used to align teams with the company’s core values. Key Highlights: The Role of KPIs in Remote Teams David explains that KPIs are crucial for remote teams to measure success. Without them, employees lack clear direction and benchmarks, which can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Starting with Core Values Jeremy and Caleb emphasize that KPIs should be chosen after defining core values and agency goals. This ensures that the KPIs are relevant and measurable, aligning with the overall mission of the agency. Activity-Based KPIs The team discusses how they focus on activity-based KPIs, such as calls and marketing drops, instead of just sales outcomes. This helps them monitor daily tasks that contribute to long-term success. Keeping KPIs Simple & Clear The team advocates for keeping KPIs simple and clear. They stress that every team member should have a defined KPI tied to the agency’s goals, with no more than 3-5 metrics to focus on. Aligning KPIs with Core Values Finally, the team shares how they align KPIs, like "quality conversations," with their core values such as compassion. This ensures that employees not only meet targets but also embody the agency’s culture in their work. To download the KPI guide and read the blog, visit: How a Single Clear KPI Can Transform Your Remote Agency In the coming weeks, David and the team will continue discussing key strategies for managing remote teams, focusing on creating accountability, fostering culture, and driving business success. Be sure to tune in for more actionable insights! Connect with: Visit Websites:
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    16 m
  • Email Myths, Metrics and Moves with Jay Schwedelson

    Email Myths, Metrics and Moves with Jay Schwedelson
    Apr 30 2025
    In this Power Producers Podcast episode, David Carothers dives into the world of email marketing with Jay Schwedelson, founder of SubjectLine. The discussion focuses on how to refine your email marketing strategy, specifically the art of creating subject lines that boost open rates and increase engagement. David and Jay explore practical tips and insights on how to optimize your email outreach, avoid common mistakes, and ultimately build a more effective email marketing campaign. Key Highlights: Email Marketing Missteps: Common PitfallsDavid and Jay kick things off by discussing why many businesses struggle with email marketing, especially when it comes to automated cold outreach. Jay emphasizes the importance of shifting the mindset from "selling" to "providing value" in email marketing. The Power of the Subject Line Jay shares insights on the often-overlooked power of subject lines. He explains that small tweaks, like starting with a number, capitalizing words, or using brackets, can significantly increase open rates. He also debunks myths about spam trigger words and emphasizes the importance of clarity and relevance. Personalization Beyond the Name David and Jay discuss the value of using personalization in subject lines. Jay explains that the real magic happens when you personalize based on industry, job function, or company name, making the recipient feel like the email is specifically for them. The Art of Email Content The conversation shifts to the structure and content of email bodies. Jay suggests keeping emails concise, with no more than 75 words for new prospects and up to 150 words for existing customers. He also shares best practices for using bullet points, white space, and strong calls to action. Maximizing Click-Through Rates with Smart CTAsJay explains the importance of writing calls to action in first person. He emphasizes how this simple change can increase click-through rates by over 28%, and he gives practical examples of effective CTA phrasing. FOMO and Timing in Email Campaigns David and Jay talk about the role of urgency in email marketing. Jay advises using FOMO (fear of missing out) to drive action, like mentioning limited spots for events or expiring offers in the subject line and PS. Connect with: Visit Websites:
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    49 m
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