In this episode of the Insurtech Building Blocs podcast, host Cory Schmidt speaks with Sam Melamed about the evolution of Insurance-Forums.com, the importance of community in the insurance industry, and Sam's journey from agent to CEO. They discuss the significance of building a caring company culture, market trends in ancillary products, and the necessity of continuous learning in the ever-evolving insurance landscape. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in customer service and the balance between technology and human connection.

Takeaways
- Insurance-Forums.com was crucial for Sam learning and sharing in the industry.
- Community and cooperation are vital for growth in the insurance market.
- Building a caring company culture can lead to better customer retention.
- Continuous learning is essential for success in the insurance industry.
- AI can enhance productivity but should not replace human connection.
- The insurance industry has low barriers to entry, making it accessible.
- Ancillary products are becoming increasingly important for customer retention.
- Understanding market trends is crucial for brokers and agents.
- Customer care should be prioritized to build goodwill and trust.
- Mistakes can lead to growth if handled well.

Chapters
00:00 The Evolution of Insurance Forums
05:54 Sam's Journey in the Insurance Industry
11:54 Building a Caring Company Culture
18:00 Market Trends in Ancillary Products
25:03 The Importance of Continuous Learning
33:46 The Role of AI in Customer Service

Stay Connected:
Learn more about AgencyBloc: https://www.agencybloc.com
Connect with Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammelamed
Learn more about NCD: https://www.ncd.com
Learn more about Insurance Forums: https://www.insurance-forums.com/

Insurtech Building Blocs is presented by AgencyBloc, the #1 Recommended Insurance Industry Growth Platform serving the benefits and senior market space with 6,500+ customers across multiple solutions within the platform. With a range of insurance-specific solutions for sales enablement, client and policy management, compliance management, quoting and proposals, and commissions management — all with highly recommended customer support — we've got you covered.

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