Insurance Agencies of the Future
While in Victoria we watched the Seaplanes coming and going. We had taken a tour in one several years ago in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. This just seemed like the smart way to get back to Vancouver. Let’s see, 35 minutes by air, 3-4 hours by bus and ferry. A no brainer.
This day was all about Butchart Gardens. Gene and I rented a car for the day and drove out the the gardens. It was a beautiful, clear day with temps in the mid 60s to low 70s. We spent several hours taking in the sights, sounds and fragrances of the gardens. The best description I can offer is in the pictures.
On our way back into town we stopped at Craigdarroch Castle. There are a few pictures at the end of our photos. The Castle is undergoing renovation so it was difficult to get really good photos.
It was a perfect day for “The Glamour of the Road”.
This day was all about Butchart Gardens. Gene and I rented a car for the day and drove out the the gardens. It was a beautiful, clear day with temps in the mid 60s to low 70s. We spent several hours taking in the sights, sounds and fragrances of the gardens. The best description I can offer is in the pictures.
On our way back into town we stopped at Craigdarroch Castle. There are a few pictures at the end of our photos. The Castle is undergoing renovation so it was difficult to get really good photos.
It was a perfect day for “The Glamour of the Road”.
Yesterday was a really long travel day. Once we arrived in Vancouver, we took a bus to the ferry for an 1 1/2 hour ride and then the bus continued on into Victoria. The ferry ride was great. This entire area of the northwest is just incredible. It was late afternoon, clear and sunny and just wonderful.
As I travel the country, the first question I hear when I visit an agency is, “Where is the insurance industry headed?” Of course, nobody has the exact answer to that question. I believe I need more knowledge about what is going on in the reinsurance and insurance carrier worlds to be able to offer a view of what the future might hold.
My friends Steve Anderson, Karen Anderson and Sissi Haner had attended this seminar in the past. They each had spoken highly of the seminar and said if I had a chance I should attend. I have watched the available dates for about a year and always had a conflict. However, when July date was announced and it was available on my calendar, I registered immediately.
I’ve written about agency culture before, but it’s an issue that continues to resurface. Culture affects singular and multi-agency locations alike. Some offices in a multi-location agency can be perfectly healthy, while others are broken. The same is true within a singular location.
Each year, Gene and I trek to wherever the I-CAN meeting of amazing kids is being held. This year it was in St. Petersburg, FL. It was hot and muggy during the day, but the bay breezes in the evening made eating on the patio of the restaurants along the bay very enjoyable. St. Pete as the locals call it is what I consider the right-size city. The locals know each other, there are neat and interesting things to do and it is close enough to the big city if you need an airport or something you can’t get locally. St. Pete is rich in the arts. Among other things It is home to the Salvador Dali Museum, which we have previously visited and it is amazing.
Author: Jan Hargreaves
I saw Jan capture her audience for an hour and a half at the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas annual meeting in Austin, TX, in June 2007. It seemed like we were there just minutes and everyone wanted more. She is a fabulous communicator. If you ever have the chance to see her don’t miss it. In the meantime you should read this book.
Yesterday, just for grins because it was my birthday, I read my horoscope. See Leo. The “Visit exotic location this week” made me laugh out loud. My planned business trip this week is to Hobbs, NM.
I lived in Hobbs in 1968 and left in January 1969. I did not return for 38 years. That should give you a clue about my desire to visit. I have been back a few times in the past few years. First for my uncle’s funeral and this is my second visit for business.
Not much has changed. The town is a bit larger, but it is still flat, no trees and when the wind blows so does dirt. They must have had rain recently as the weeds on the sides of the roads are green.
