November 25, 2003 (Burlington, Ontario) A unique and innovative network for property and casualty insurance brokers has rapidly expanded to include 32 of the top firms in the country.
The Vertical Growth Network™ is an exclusive network of non-competing, high performance brokers working with a shared set of tools, concepts and leading-edge technology. It was founded in November 2002 by Rick Bauman, president of Bauman Consulting Inc.
“We are very pleased with representation in the network,” says Bauman. “These are highly successful brokers who are leaders in their communities. What they bring to the network is experience, resolve and a desire to take sales and profitability to the next level. We are helping them go from good to great by giving them systematic ways to lead their brokerages.”
Currently, brokers in the network represent more than $800 million in written premium and over $120 million in commission income. They represent the majority of the top p&c insurance companies in the Canadian marketplace, and are committed to generating long term profitable business for their carriers.
Members of the Vertical Growth Network™ interact regularly in both face-to-face and on-line session facilitated by Bauman Consulting Inc. Brokers share experience and performance data, challenge each other and build operational excellence.
Vertical Growth is measured by tangible benchmarks, including ambitious targets for earnings, growth, revenue per employee, closing ratios and loss ratios. The Vertical Growth Network™ has also developed a Performance Index� to measure financial results and a step-by-step analysis of the various stages of Vertical Growth.
“This network is all about helping our members achieve true growth and sustained profitability in their operations,” says Bauman. “It also helps insurance companies benefit from successful brokers who can demonstrate higher profitability and lower loss ratios.”
The Vertical Growth Network™ targets privately owned brokers with at least $2.5 million in revenue who are committed to staff development, strategic planning and great results. These are the characteristics of “ideal clients,” who are carefully screened and selected for membership. In return for an annual fee and start-up costs, network members get proven training, coaching and network services, access to popular seminars and membership in an exclusive group of high performing brokers.
Already national in scope, the Vertical Growth Network™ is considering adding other qualified brokers who are nominated by existing Members, in key regions, particularly Southwestern Ontario and parts of British Columbia,.
An “Extreme Networking” event was held recently in Halifax, Nova Scotia, featuring more than 100 principals and managers involved in the Vertical Growth Network™. This event, which is held twice yearly, is scheduled in Western Canada for next spring.
“This is an excellent opportunity for brokers to achieve the next level of profitability,” says Bauman. “We help members set stretch goals, track results and celebrate progress.”
About Bauman Consulting Inc.
Rick Bauman founded Bauman Consulting Inc. in 1997 to apply his years of experience as a property and casualty insurance broker and provide highly focused, specialized training programs. Bauman Consulting continues to produce significant, measurable improvements in profits for progressive brokers. Bauman Consulting has carefully designed training and coaching programs to help brokers and their staff build new habits that lead to unprecedented profitability. For more information on Bauman Consulting or the Vertical Growth Network™, please call (888) 699-7333 or visit .
