Running a business is no small feat. It takes brains, muscle and of course, energy! You have to believe in what you are doing. You have to be passionate about what you’re selling and you have to be passionate about your people. In the insurance agency, not only do you have to be passionate about your internal people, but you have to get out there every single day and share that passion with your customers. But that starts from within. How do you communicate with your employees? Do you use executive training? What kind of support do you offer?

We have talked about the importance of building relationships with customers, but what about within your agency. How do you mange and build relationships and effectively mange there? We suggest meetings – but only if they are run effectively.

Here are some tips to do so:

1. Consider what type of meeting you are running. What is the purpose of the meeting? Have an agenda and plan to work through that. Go in with a plan and have a way to resolve the problem before you walk in the room.
2. For a meeting where you plan to brainstorm, things could go longer than you may want to if you do not have a way to track time. Consider bringing in a timer that will “ding” when time is up. This will allow you to focus on using your time effectively and not get carried away.
3. If you are having a meeting with a large group of people, you will want a way for everyone to feel that they can participate. Consider your audience. Do you have a talkative group? A more reserved group? Base your presentation strategy on that information.

Remember, an effective meeting is only as effective as the people running it. Keep in mind that as a leader in your agency, you are also a role model. Walk in with a positive attitude and a plan for how you want to get things done and what you want to accomplish and be sure everyone walks out feeling like their time spent in that meeting was valuable.