Name: Brian Bartosh
Title: President, Top O’ Michigan Insurance
Base: Alpena, Michigan
How did you get started with ID Federation? I’ve been in the industry since I was 17 years old, but I started to learn about ID Federation as a member of Applied’s user groups. I was a big promoter of the company interface and technology side of carrier interaction. I always knew that maintaining user IDs and passwords was an issue, and ID Federation became a big solution for the industry. It solves a lifelong problem that benefits smaller agencies.
I’ve never lost any momentum because I don’t see another solution. And once this gets rolling and the technology is built into different products, we’ll be sailing quickly.
What are your favorite things about the insurance industry? I really enjoy providing solutions to clients. I like to be a problem solver and resolve issues for people. I also think that we’re in a unique industry where we build a lot of good fellowship and close relationships. I’ve found that over all the years of volunteering, whether it be for ID Federation or the user groups, I’ve built friendships and business relationships that I would have never imagined.
Why are you passionate about SignOn Once? This is a solution that’s bigger than my own agency. And for something to become a standard tool that everybody uses, you have to think of the masses. Soon, SignOn Once will be a standard operating procedure and every carrier will develop portal access using federated IDs.
Is there a book that has made an impact on you? Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown.My son bought it for me. It’s actually sitting next to my bed because I read it over and over again.
Delegating is one of my weaknesses and this book makes you ask yourself: Is it essential for me to be doing this task, or should it be something to delegate? It’s the most prominent business help book I’ve had in a long time.It has helped me delegate more. (It’s also a quick 25-minute read!)
What’s something that you’d like to see change about the industry as a whole? This will seem odd from somebody that’s really a strong advocate and implementer of technology, but I’d like to see a better balance between work life and personal life. I feel like the influx of technology has really stressed individuals out. It’s very easy to get sucked in, and it’s a hard habit to break. Even those that work hard to play hard seem to constantly watch and answer emails.
What’s a piece of advice or something that you’d share with folks in the industry who are looking to step up their game with an automation or tech side of things? Get involved enough to know what’s going on around you. Don’t just say, “I don’t understand technology.” You don’t have to know all the details of something to understand the impact it can have on your business.
