Catalyit’s Tech Impact
Independent insurance agencies have long struggled with the adoption and implementation of technology in today’s digital world. Far from recognizing tech as an I.T. function of backroom servers and computer systems, a successful tech strategy is the sign of a future-focused agency.
But, what does a digital strategy look like for independent insurance agencies? How do they evaluate and incorporate foundational tech tools, like an agency management system? What emerging tools, like mobile apps and chatbots, are they prepared for? And, most importantly, how do they successfully onboard these new technologies to turn a profit?
For decades, technology has been one of the biggest pain points for the independent agency system, predominately comprised of small-to-mid size businesses. Their size, limited staff, and fear of risk have been a sticking point in allowing for advancements in the area of tech. But today, as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic which forced much of the world into a remote environment heavily reliant upon technology, combined with the up-tick in demand from customers to work with technologically savvy businesses and competition from direct and captive writers who are already leveraging technology for profit, there is no time for independents to continue to wait-and-see.
Enter Catalyit.
On October 14th, the independent agency system gained its biggest tech advocate. Backed by renowned tech leader, Steve Anderson, and seven Big “I” state associations, the single greatest technology resource for the industry was born.
Catalyit knows tech. But not just any tech. They have assembled a team of insurance industry tech leaders who specialize in key areas that feed the Catalyit resource online and enable the Catalyit experience for subscribers. Coined the Catalyit Success Journey™, the platform takes its members along a personalized technology roadmap that changes and evolves as the agency changes and evolves. Their Baseline, Better, Best, and Beyond benchmarks guide agencies through areas of technology to help them move from research to successful implementation. Catalyit is all the tech guidance an agency needs in one place.
While Catalyit is a full technology emersion experience for independent agents, offering one-on-one consulting, training courses, a blog, and a discussion board, it’s the guides and reviews that set it apart.
Catalyit Guides and Reviews curate solution providers across 20+ categories that exist to make independent agencies run more effectively and efficiently. Each guide contains a topline overview why that category is critical for today’s agency, five points of consideration when selecting a provider, Catalyit’s take on the implementation and adoption of that specific technology, as well as ratings and reviews for the service providers listed. Certain categories, AMS and Personal Lines Quoting Systems for example, take it one step further and show a high-level comparison chart of vendors to help make the selection process that much easier.
Catalyit provides two levels of service to independent insurance agents – a free Basic Preview and a Full Access Plan. Both journeys begin at the same starting point – the Catalyit Tech Assessment, which walks the user through five tiers of multiple-choice questions to give the Catalyit team insight as to how much, or how little, technology the agency currently has in place.
Upon completion of the assessment, depending on the agency’s plan, a full, comprehensive report along with by a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation (for Full Access subscribers) or a brief overview report (for Basis subscribers) follows.
“We set out to give the industry something it has never seen before,” said Steve Anderson, Catalyit co-founder and CEO. “This platform is more than just another technology resource. By leveraging all the components and opportunities housed in the site, agencies can thrive in ways they will not on their own.”
Anderson leads a team of experts, united by the strength of 100-year-old organizations to remove the roadblocks that are preventing insurance agencies from advancing their internal technology capabilities. Catalyit boasts it’s passionate about two things: independent insurance agents and technology, serving agents of any size, no matter where they are on the technology spectrum.
“This is a resource every independent agency can get behind,” states Lisa Lounsbury, co-founder and president of Catalyit. “No matter how advanced an agency’s digital strategy may be at present, with new products and opportunities hitting the market every day its impossible to keep up. Our team is 100% focused on staying abreast of trends and needs for the IA system, removing that stress from the agency floor.”
The Basic Preview Plan is open for all independent insurance agents regardless of their Big “I” affiliation. The limited view of the website and restricted user access is a great way to test the waters before jumping in. Basic Preview members are likely to outgrow their subscription rather quickly and able to level up to Full Access at any time during open enrollment.
Currently association members of Catalyit’s partner states – Big I NY, Big I NJ, IIAW, IIABL, PIIAC, IIAT, and IIANC – receive discounted pricing on Full Access plans, which unlocks all content, training, guides, reviews, newsletters, community and more for their entire team. Agencies who are ready to turn tech into profits may bypass the Basic Preview and subscribe for Full Access at the standard monthly rate.
The current open enrollment period will end on December 15th of this year, reopening on a quarterly basis in 2022. To choose your plan and start thriving, visit Catalyit.com.
