Andy Beauchamp
vice president/director
Beauchamp & McSpadden
Experience: 15 years as an agent
College: Ball State University '94

What's toughest about being a young agent in a fieldwhere the average age is 55?

I think many young agents feel pushback from agency principalsin regard to streamlining their day- to-day activities. Gen X and Yagents work differently than baby boomers and like to haveflexibility in their jobs to work hours that may not be thestandard 8-to-5 work day. This can be accomplished throughtechnology such as working remotely and allowing the young agent tocomplete tasks based upon deadlines and not necessary “seat-time”at the office.

What are your future goals in this industry?

My intention is to continue to grow our division at a rate of15% a year through new business as well as account rounding. It isessential to always have a deep pipeline of prospects to go to, aswell as having technology to aid with this by connecting withprospects through many avenues like social media and blogs.

How does technology fit into your workstrategy?

Technology is paramount to my success. My agency isheadquartered in Indiana, although I work remotely part of the yearin southern Florida, New Jersey and in Indiana. The use of e-mail,Internet and especially VoIP enables me to work anywhere in theU.S. I, with my brother Evan Beauchamp, operate a niche business,Equine Insurance Specialists, insuring equine (horse) operationsand horse-related risks nationwide. My clients come to me for myexpertise–not where my office is located.

How did you determine that insurance was a viable careerchoice?

I come from a family-owned agency my great grandfather startedin 1927. I watched growing up how our agency grew through thehiring of very talented people as well as acquisitions of otheragencies. I knew through this kind of growth we would have a viablecompany for many years to come, and so long as we continued to takecare of our client's needs, our retention of their accounts wouldassure our stability too long term.

How does your office reflect how you work?

My office offers flexibility to its producers in the sense theyare not micro-managed. We set long-term goals for production priorto the start of each year. Monthly sales results are postedcompanywide and reviewed midyear as well. The flexibility allows usto be out of the office if need be, but at the end of the day weare accountable for our goals.Being on straight commission sales inmy case requires I don't lose sight of my goals!

What organizations do you belong to?

I am chairman of the IIABA National Young Agents Committee. Ihave served on the committee for the last 5 years in variouscapacities. I also am a member of the Indiana Young Agents, havingserved as chair in 1999 and 2000, and the Independent InsuranceAgents of Indiana.