As an independent, regional broker, James Brown & Sons has served its Somerset community for 12 years, acting as a one-stop-shop for clients. The firm’s business model is built on retention of renewals and, as the business has grown over the years, it has found accessing and effectively using business data increasingly difficult. Here, business owner James Brown explains why they turned to Broker Insights VISION™ for a solution and the impact the resulting data insight has had on their decision-making and strategic focus.
The Issue
The challenge facing James Brown & Sons was clear: effective Management Information (MI) was difficult to access and not in a form that could be easily understood or used. MI availability was not just about increasing revenue, but making data accessible and actionable, and increasing its use in day-to-day decision-making. “We could pull data from other software systems,” explains James, “but it wasn’t easy to digest, especially when insurers fired questions at us.”
Faced with the lack of easily accessible MI, James looked to Broker Insights for a solution.
The Solution
Shifting to the VISION platform helped staff at James Brown & Sons transform how they work, allowing them to instantly pull up information that was previously difficult to navigate, making business decisions far easier and more efficient. As James says:
“With Broker Insights, I can now open the platform and instantly access critical information, presented in a user-friendly, visually attractive format. It’s been transformative for me as a business owner, providing all the answers insurers and members of our team need, at a glance.”
They have access to real-time data that helps them stay ahead of market shifts and trends. During what has been a transitional year for the firm, VISION has helped alleviate concerns around the impact of market options on renewal retention, and staff capacity as the business continues to grow.
“VISION supported us through this transitional time where we had to make some difficult decisions,” says James. “Watching drastic market changes was worrying, but Broker Insights helped us focus on the right placement strategies. Rather than chasing every bit of business, we’re now more selective, placing our efforts where it counts most.”
VISION Benefits
James Brown & Sons was an early adopter of Broker Insights, initially working with the classic version of the platform before embracing VISION to access the additional functionality and gain deeper insight into the business. James explains how they have found moving to VISION:
“As an early adopter, we were impressed, but VISION has taken things to another level, providing clarity on financial performance and placement options.
“Direct contact from Broker Insights made a huge impact. Having a Broker Relationship Manager (BRM) on-hand to guide us helps us get the most out of the upgraded VISION platform.”
Result
For James Brown & Sons, the results of using the platform were immediate and positive. The firm is now actively engaged in developing their 2025 plans and placement strategy via VISION, focussing on opportunities to strengthen their insurer relationships and enhance client outcomes.
“It was like a lightbulb moment. We realised we could do more with our existing book by being smarter with placement. Using VISION, we saw clear opportunities to improve client outcomes and drive revenue by shifting where and how we place our business.”
James describes Broker Insights as James Brown & Sons’ “shop front”, attracting the attention of insurers and opening doors to new business opportunities. He also highlights the hands-on support from their BRM as invaluable in driving these results, providing both practical guidance and a human touch that “makes a real difference”.
“To anyone not using it, Broker Insights is truly an eye-opener. Nothing compares to the interactive, actionable insights VISION provides. Many brokers think it’s too good to be true, but honestly, it’s that simple. You get real-time insights, and the ability to make your business work smarter, not harder.”
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