In this episode of Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers is joined by Ryan Smith, founder of RLS Consulting, to discuss the evolving world of cybersecurity and how insurance professionals can better navigate this complex space. Drawing on Ryan’s extensive experience, they delve into actionable strategies for producers to engage clients on cyber risk, overcome objections, and build meaningful solutions that go beyond the policy.
Ryan highlights how cybersecurity and cyber liability are complementary solutions addressing the same problem: mitigating and transferring cyber risk. Understanding both perspectives helps producers connect the dots and provide more value to clients.
The conversation emphasizes the importance of educating clients about their cyber risks without resorting to fear-based selling. Producers are encouraged to focus on business impacts rather than technical vulnerabilities, fostering a consultative approach.
Ryan shares insights on helping clients assess their cyber risks and prepare for incidents. He stresses the importance of asking key questions about incident response plans, compliance requirements, and the company’s readiness for cyber threats.
The discussion tackles common objections, such as overconfidence in IT departments or the belief that “it won’t happen to us.” Ryan suggests producers approach these scenarios with empathy and education, aligning solutions with clients’ business priorities.
Ryan points to trusted industry reports, such as Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report and IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, as tools to support client conversations and reinforce the importance of proactive cyber risk management.
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In the ever-evolving world of commercial insurance, marketing has become a critical lever for growth. Yet most agencies still struggle to understand what’s actually working. From websites that generate leads with no attribution to CRM systems that silo vital data, insurance agencies are often flying blind.
If you’re a commercial insurance producer trying to grow in the middle market, you’re probably aware that the old-school prospecting methods—cold calling hundreds of businesses, dropping off trinkets, hoping someone is “coming up on renewal”—are no longer enough. In today’s competitive environment, success isn’t about how many people you reach. It’s about reaching the right people at the right time with the right message.
Too many agents stop learning once they’ve earned their license. The bare minimum—meeting continuing education requirements—is not enough in today’s climate. Producers often resort to online forums, asking where they can complete CE hours “as quickly as possible.” This mindset directly impacts their ability to communicate complex subjects like reinsurance or risk modeling to clients in an understandable way. As a result, they struggle to retain accounts and close new business in an increasingly competitive market.
The problem? Too many producers are pitching too soon, to the wrong people, with nothing more than a quote to offer. This article walks through how to close more business by positioning yourself as a trusted advisor, selling Total Cost of Risk (TCOR) outcomes, and using a structured approach to differentiate at every stage of the sales process.
In the modern commercial insurance landscape, trust is no longer built solely through in-person meetings, networking events, or polished brochures. It’s earned digitally—often before a prospect ever takes your call. As sales dynamics shift and competition tightens, the producers who will thrive are those who understand one thing: educational content is the new handshake.
Most commercial insurance producers think of referral networks as an afterthought—something that might generate a lead or two if they attend enough events, shake enough hands, or stay active in their BNI chapter. But the producers who consistently dominate the middle market think differently. They treat referral networks like revenue engines, built with the same discipline as a sales pipeline, and they use those relationships not only to generate appointments but to recruit the next generation of elite producers.
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