About Big "I" Hires

In survey after survey, insurance agency owners and industry leaders have identified hiring/workforce concerns at or near the top of the list of challenges facing the industry. As Baby Boomers retire and leave the workforce, the need to identify and recruit new talent is only becoming more acute.

Compounding the issue is the cost. The thousands of dollars often required to complete a search and finalize a hire is an essential cost of doing business — but it is one that many agencies, especially smaller ones, struggle with. Indeed, agencies can ill afford to make a mistake in the hiring process.

At Correll, we have utilized different approaches to workforce development over the years, including the use of expensive search firms. All too often, the results were disappointing, especially considering the cost.

Fortunately, agencies that are members of Correll Insurance Group have access to a new tool that is yielding more qualified candidates and ultimately better long-term fits and employees. Big “I” Hires was launched last year and the early results have been encouraging.

The new hiring and talent development platform was championed by Correll CEO Jon Jensen through his work on the board of directors for the Big “I.” The organization partnered with Michigan-based recruiting firm IdealTraits to develop the tool and it was made available to members in 2018. Correll Insurance Group was one of the first adopters.

The platform works by providing agencies the opportunity to create as many job ads as they want, which can then be placed on various job sites (Glassdoor, Indeed, LinkedIn, etc.) selected by the agency. As people apply, the platform qualifies the applicants with a 40-question assessment designed to identify whether they have the soft skills and other traits that make them a good fit for the position.

“The development of Big ‘I’ Hires is a great example of how the organization supports our industry,” Jensen said. “The executive committee made recruitment and workforce development a core part of our strategic plan. At Correll, we have used this new tool to help us make some great hires over the past year. I believe it will make a big difference in helping independent agencies grow and prosper over the coming years.”

Visit their website bigihires.com to learn more about how Big “I” Hires can help your agency.