Keeping Up: Has Your Managing General Agent Gone Digital?

Now, more than ever, the digital age dictates the movements of many businesses around the world. Even those businesses that are not directly linked to technology are highly influenced by it. Technology has heavily infiltrated mass media and businesses now need to be very aware of the importance of technology in everyday life. But what if your company is a bit behind the times? Has your managing general agent gone digital?

Knowing the importance of using technology to its highest advantage is all part of staying on top of the competition. So how is this done, and how can you ensure that your managing general agent is embracing those tech changes in order to give you the ability to perform at your peak?

One of the most important aspects of ‘going digital’ means being high tech. If your managing general agent can’t promise you the most advanced technology that gives you speed and quality, they might as well not give you anything. For example, in order to keep pace with change, your managing general agent should have updated systems in-house, should be running updated software, and updating that software on a regular basis.

What about a website? In today’s market, not having a website is like not having your number in the phone book, so your managing general agent should definitely have one, and give you access to it! If your clients are looking for you online but can’t find you, that is not good for your overall rep.

What about social media? Facebook and twitter are not just for high school students and celebrities – any reputable business needs to have a strong presence on social media, and use all social media platforms to their best advantage. If your managing general agent is absent, you are absent. In contrast, if your managing general agent makes a concerted effort to have regular engagement on the company’s social media sites, you will reap the reward because the brand recognition will result in more credibility for you. That’s if you’re a branded advisor – some advisors join an MGA as an independent, use their own brand and in this case these independents typically would handle their own marketing so the MGA’s marketing would have less relevancy.

Technological data protection is yet another crucial aspect of ‘going digital.’ If your managing general agent can offer you solutions like the one we use “No Panic Computing” it will ensure that all network data is protected. MGA’s who work with companies like No Panic Computing take confidentiality and your interests seriously.

Things like online newsletters and videos are just another few key aspects that prove that your managing general agent has embraced technological change. If they can offer these things for you to leverage then you know that they are not only interested in their own success but yours as well.

Don’t get stuck with a managing general agent that has yet to move into the digital age. Make sure that your managing general agent has gone digital and has embraced those changes that will make all the difference to your business and your future.

To learn more about how a managing general agent needs to provide the most up-to-date digital offerings, please contact Gary Mandel at Independent Financial Concepts Group at 416-849-1653 or visit www.joinifcg.com.