NAIFA’s RISE Program Takes Off!

RISE is a new, high-powered training program for firm managers offered through NAIFA’s Business Performance Center. The interactive real-time program utilizes a workshop approach, and participants finish the course with a completed action plan that is ready for implementation. Each class graduates from the program and stays together as a cohort study group using NAIFA’s online community tools.

“If you have ever thought, ‘How do I take my firm to the next level?’ This is the opportunity you have been looking to find,” said Brian Wilson, NAIFA Trustee and Co-Chair of the RISE program. “Join your fellow professionals in an accountable space where we all want to recruit, develop, and retain our investment in talent!”

“The great part about this program is the actual roadmap it gives you,” said Stephen Good, LUTCF, Co-Chair of the RISE program and former NAIFA Trustee. “From how to create the culture to finding the recruit that fits your team, this program will help your firm RISE to new heights with simple-to-execute, proven ideas. This program will help you deepen your knowledge and create the foundation needed to build something great.”

The initial RISE cohort consists of outstanding professionals who each desire to take their individual businesses to the next level and beyond.

• Mark Acre, LUTCF, a loyal member since 2009, is looking to grow his operation from its current successful standing into the practice of his dreams.

• Curtis James, a loyal member since 2012, is focused on improving his recruitment, development, and retention of top talent.

• Howard Woodall, WMCP, RICP, FSCP, ChFC, CLU, LUTCF, a loyal member since 1992, is exploring the possibility of opening an office in a more lucrative area and developing a succession plan along the way.

• Andra Grava, CLU, RHU, a loyal member since 1988, has a well-oiled operation and is looking to drive better production with “A” clientele, continued growth of personnel, and an ever-improving “value proposition.”

• Kym Housley, ChFC, LUTCF, FSS, FSCP, a loyal member since 2012, is making moves right out of the gate. New office space and hires are pushing her need for structure, processes, and planning.

“What is really exciting about this cohort is the really wide depth and breadth of participants,” Good said. “We have people running large independent offices, traditional insurance firms, multistate brokerage businesses, P&C shops… so many different perspectives! What’s great about getting exposed to how the ‘other team’ builds is you can take some of the ideas and craft them into your own plans. Often, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut doing it the same way we have been told to build agencies for the last 100+ years, but when you get exposed to someone in a parallel field, you can really get the creative juices flowing to build something unique. RISE helps give you the tools. Your cohort helps give you the ideas. In the end, it’s up to you to execute!”

Wilson agreed. “RISE is off to a great start with five outstanding professionals who each desire to take their individual business to the next level and beyond. I consider myself fortunate to facilitate and learn from this high producing group.”

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RISE consists of five learning modules aimed at:

1. Cultivating a Culture/Gap Analysis and Action Planning

2. Building a Team

3. Keeping Your Team

4. Maximizing Business

5. Capstone Experience Learn more about the RISE program at NAIFA’s Business Performance Center, bpc.naifa.org/rise.