In this Power Producers Shoptalk episode, David Carothers continues the discussion on building and managing remote teams in the insurance industry, with a specific focus on culture and connection. In this second installment with the team from Insurance Futures, David dives into the importance of team-building activities in a virtual environment.
This week, David is joined by Jeremy Huerta, Michael Overstreet, and Caleb Walker from Heritage, an insurance agency that has perfected the art of remote workforce management. Together, they explore the best ways to create meaningful connections, build strong cultures, and engage remote employees to foster long-term success in a virtual setting.
David stresses that building a strong culture in a virtual environment isn’t optional—it’s essential. Without it, a remote team can quickly lose its cohesion and effectiveness.
David shares his approach to daily communication, emphasizing the need for intentional, face-to-face interactions like virtual huddles to foster connection and avoid miscommunications.
The Heritage team discusses the challenges of keeping culture strong in a remote environment and the importance of intentionality in virtual team-building efforts.
Heritage’s weekly meetings start with sharing personal highlights, allowing team members to connect beyond just work tasks and strengthen relationships.
David reflects on his experiences in leadership and the importance of building genuine, long-term relationships with employees for a fulfilling work environment.
The team shares fun and engaging virtual activities like charades and “Two Truths and a Lie,” which help employees show their personalities and connect on a deeper level.
The team offers a downloadable guide with a list of team-building activities that can be easily implemented to improve remote team culture.
To download the full list of team-building activities and read the blog, click here
In the coming weeks, David and the team will continue exploring more aspects of remote team management. Stay tuned for more actionable insights.
Influence is one of the most powerful tools we have in business, leadership, and personal life. Used well, it inspires people, builds trust, and creates ethical results. Used poorly, it can slide into manipulation and self-interest.
Reinvention is one of the most powerful themes in the insurance industry. Some of the best commercial producers in the country did not grow up wanting to sell insurance. They did not study risk management in college. They did not come from an agency family. They found this industry after they tried something else. They found it after life pushed them toward a career where performance, autonomy, and mindset determine the outcome.
The most successful producers in the middle market did not get there because they quoted faster, smiled bigger, or knew how to talk longer. They got there because they learned how to differentiate themselves so clearly that prospects had no choice but to see them as trusted advisors. They learned to operate like businesspeople first and insurance technicians second. They learned how to tie operational mechanics to insurance outcomes. They learned how to control their time, their pipeline, and their future.
In commercial insurance, the most dangerous threats to your book of business aren’t always visible on the loss runs. One of the most overlooked vulnerabilities for middle market producers is ignoring the personal lines needs of their business owner and executive clients.
The commercial insurance industry is one of the few professions where someone can enter with no experience, no connections, and no background in risk management and still build a long, lucrative career. But success is never automatic. It requires hunger, humility, curiosity, and the willingness to keep showing up even when the process feels overwhelming. That is why the story of Pam Seidler has already started making waves among new and aspiring commercial producers.
In an industry where tradition often outweighs innovation, artificial intelligence and automation are slowly but steadily reshaping how independent insurance agencies operate. The push toward smarter, more efficient workflows is no longer a matter of if—but when. While many agencies are still evaluating how AI fits into their operations, early adopters are already reaping the benefits of streamlined submissions, faster processing, and actionable data insights.
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