# Use technology to retain your employees

Acquiring talent is an **expensive and time-consuming process** for any company. Independent insurance agencies in particular, see an **average annual turnover rate of more than 12%**, according to the [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.t04.htm). Therefore, **retaining employees is** so **critical to the long-term success** of your business.

Just as it is less expensive to retain current clients, it is also **more cost effective to invest in retaining current employees**. Insurance technology more often than not focuses on client-facing solutions, and rightfully so. However, **investing in technology for your employees** may just be the **key to rising above your competition**.

The next time your agency evaluates upgrading its technology, determine if one of the following **five tech solutions** should be on the upgrade list.

#### **1. Keep Employees Connected**

Technology has the ability to bring together people from all over the world. But, in today’s office environment, **it is common to see employees isolated** at their stations; working away with the latest music fed through a pair of earbuds.

As social animals, we humans want to be a part of a herd. This includes those individuals with whom we spent most of our week. **Technology can provide the impetus in creating camaraderie with your team**.

Many websites and apps exist to bring employees together. There are online **charitable contests** where employees can work toward a common goal to exercise apps that **encourage healthy competitions**. Agencies can create **private intranets or social media groups** to help build a sense of workplace community. Collaboration tools like [Slack](https://slack.com/) can enable your team to communicate in a free, easy and efficient way.

Also, you could include employees in company-wide exercise contests, such as those available through **Fitbit**. Or, consider enlisting the help of the [Good Cards](https://www.thegoodcards.com/); a **technology-based gamification** that encourages individuals to pay it forward. Technology offers endless opportunities to bring employees together.

#### **2. Organize Data and Information**

Does your agency have a go-to person for those difficult insurance questions?

Free your agency’s collective knowledge by using technology to organize important information. [**Three-quarters of employees**](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180129005256/en/Qlik-Reveals-Data-Literacy-Skills-Shortage-U.S) **surveyed believe their value** to the company they worked for **would increase if they improved their level of knowledge**. By organizing your agency’s data and information, employees will have ready access to knowledge too often held by associates that are more senior.

**Cloud services allow access to information from anywhere** in the world aiding producers in the field. While at the office, a growing database of insurance information will be right at your CRMs fingertips allowing them to do what they do best – service your clients. And, by including your staff to **participate in building and maintaining your agency’s knowledge base**, employees **will feel included** and a part of something bigger.

Digitally organizing information may seem like a daunting task. However, **consider using the opportunity to build out your website content** finally. Think about it; nearly every piece of general insurance information is a blog post or article waiting to happen.

**Reorganizing all that knowledge may very well increase the number of visits to your website**. More website visitors equal more insurance prospects!

#### **3. Grow Talent with Online Training**

The old adage **“if you’re not growing, you’re dying”** is more applicable today than ever before. **Your employees want to grow, both personally and professionally**.

Insurance education used to be a dry, tedious endeavor. Nowadays, however, there are **countless ways to provide training in an engaging and fun way**. Independent agencies can spend thousands on the latest online training programs utilizing webinars, online course learning, and virtual classrooms.

For agencies on a budget, leverage the learning technology resources provided by insurance companies or **create your own digital education program** (more website content!). Regardless of the delivery method, **the key** to training success **is to make sure employees know the tools are available and accessible** at any time.

#### **4. Increase Efficiency and Streamline Workflows**

More and more **employees want to feel a sense of purpose**. Unfortunately, the insurance industry can be laden with many routine and uninspiring tasks.

Luckily, technology has evolved to a point where **simple tasks**, such as data entry or other mundane tasks, **no longer require human input**. **By partnering with a** [**software vendor**](/content/site-root.html) specialized in working with insurance agencies, **your employees will have more time enjoying doing what they do best**.

More importantly, your employees will do more of what you hired them to do in the first place. Producers can solicit more business and **client service representatives** can spend more time **helping customers**. In the end, everyone wins!

#### **5. Telecommuting and Remote Work Opportunities**

Remote work at the agency level is still in its infancy, but **working remotely is the most desired of all working arrangements** according to [FlexJobs.com](https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/2018-annual-survey-finds-workers-more-productive-at-home/). Some key findings which are worth highlighting:

- **73%** of respondents ranked **work-life balance** as **more important than salary** (70%) when evaluating a job prospect.
- **76%** of workers also said **they would be more loyal to their employers if they had flexible work options.**

Allowing employees to work remotely **requires a great amount of trust** between associates and employers. However, **if armed with solid processes and procedures**, remote work capabilities **may ignite your agency’s productivity**.

The investment in remote work capability **can provide a tremendous return on the required investment**. Employers can **reduce the amount of space and equipment** required on-premises while employees no longer have to commute.

It is important to **check with your state laws** regarding employees who work remotely, or more technically, unsupervised. Some states require on-site employee supervision. Even so, **having the ability to allow remote working for a few employees could have tremendous benefits for your agency**.