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Create Optimism: Turning Market Challenges into Sales and Service Opportunities “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” ~Winston Churchill For insurance professionals, optimism is not wishful thinking—it is a practical discipline. Today’s clients are navigating affordability concerns, coverage questions, climate-related risk, claims frustration, and a rapidly…

Get to Know: PIA Director Ryan Bedroske Ryan Bedroske of MacGillis Insurance Agency in Fredonia sits on the PIA Board of Directors and is also serving as PIA’s Treasurer. Before he found the insurance industry, he worked as a sales professional for thirteen years and provided professional development for other aspiring sales professionals. Outside of…

Five Common Causes of Workplace Injuries Workplace injuries can happen in any industry, from offices and retail stores to manufacturing floors and construction sites. Many are preventable with awareness and the right precautions. Understanding the most common causes is a critical first step toward protecting employees’ health and reducing lost time. Below are five of…

Badger Mutual Names Director of Strategic Growth: Shane Paltzer MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Badger Mutual Insurance Company has named Shane Paltzer as Director of Strategic Growth, adding an accomplished insurance executive to its leadership team as the company enters its next phase of growth and advances its long-term strategy for commercial expansion and innovation. Paltzer brings…

Be Prepared For Carrier Cybersecurity Audits By Lamar Garrett, Redbird Security There is a conversation starting to happen between carriers and their appointed agencies that most agencies don’t know is coming. It is not a renewal discussion. It is not a market access negotiation. It is a cybersecurity audit. The agencies that are not prepared…

AI Chatbots in Insurance Agencies: Where Efficiency Ends and Exposure Begins AI chatbots are quickly becoming part of the modern insurance agency. From answering routine customer questions to assisting with internal workflows, these tools offer a practical way to help improve responsiveness and streamline operations. Used thoughtfully, they can enhance the client experience and allow agency…

Get to Know: PIA Director April Tarras April Tarras of Advantage Insurance Agency in Plymouth has been serving as a Director on the PIA Board since 2023. During her career, she has served in many capacities, both as a carrier representative and now as an agency owner. April’s involvement with PIA is deeply-rooted, with her…

The AI Tool That Scared Anthropic & What it Means for Your Agency When the company that built an AI tool won’t release it to the public. What happened, and why insurance agencies need to pay attention… By Lamar Garrett | Redbird Security Last month, Anthropic, one of the most prominent AI companies in the…

Take the PIA National Membership Survey! PIA of Wisconsin members are encouraged to participate in an important membership survey being conducted by PIA National. The survey is designed to gather feedback from insurance professionals across the industry and better understand how the association can continue supporting member success in the evolving independent insurance marketplace. Feedback…

Supporting Clients Beyond the Policy BY: Melissa Brown, CPIA | PIA Director As independent insurance agents, we do far more than match clients with the right coverage. We often become educators, advocates, and steady voices during stressful moments. Sometimes that support looks like guiding someone through a claim. Other times, it’s helping them navigate something…