Iscential kicks off summer with a chance for our customers to win a cruise for two just for spreading word to friends and family

Iscential recently rolled out a new referral program that will run until September 30. Grand prize? A cruise for two!

The marketing for "Connect & Cruise" states "Your reward for knowing people (yep, it's that easy)" and asks Iscential customers to refer their family and friends for a chance to win a cruise for two. Referred customers will need to have property & casualty insurance proposal run by 5:00pm CST on September 30. There is no limit on the number of referrals a customer can make, so start now and get as many referrals as you can for a better chance at the prize!

"It really is a win-win promotion for us and our customers," states Marketing Director, Angie Goings. "It's our chance to offer up a really big 'thank you' to our customers and, hopefully get some new ones along the way."

Iscential will be doing most of its marketing of this promotion via social media.


For more information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Iscential

Twitter: @Iscential

713.856.5533

CEO, Warren Barhorst featured on cover of Smart Business magazine!

A must-read article and a glimpse inside how Warren drives Iscential's success.
The Iscential team is so proud - great job, Boss!!

http://www.sbnonline.com/2012/06/wexarren-barhorst-changes-mindsets-through-passion-and-belief-to-see-employees-as-assets/?full=1&edition=houston-editions

Big News for Iscential's Bedford Distribution Sales Center


Leading the Team: A New Sales Manager

Iscential is pleased to announce that Michael Lockhart has joined the agency as the Sales Manager for the Bedford Distribution Sales Center (DSC).

Lockhart brings more than 23 years of experience in the insurance industry, with a focus on selling Property & Casualty and Group Health, Dental and Life Insurance products in many different industry environments across a multi-state sales territory. His accomplishments include leading an agency to 1000% premium growth in two years, being awarded Top Producer for six consecutive years, and being ranked in the top 5% of Texas agents and in the top 25% nationally.

As Sales Manager, Lockhart will be responsible overall agency development in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area. He will lead the current staff of 20 and build it to fit the insurance needs of the surrounding communities.

Opened in June 2011, the Bedford DSC was a major milestone in Iscential's growth strategy. Designed to provide insurance and financial services to individuals, families and businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the Bedford DSC is the first of three such operations planned to penetrate the large Texas markets of Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.



Professional Development via Toastmasters International

Iscential is also proud to announce that DSC Agency Development Specialist (ADS), Matthew Perrins recently completed the requirements for the Competent Communicator award through participation in Toastmasters International's communication program. This program helps participants improve their speaking and leadership skills in a club environment. Perrins joined Iscential in October 2011 and currently holds licenses in Property & Casualty, Life, Accident and Health Insurance. Perrins says that growing up as a military brat and constantly moving from country to country, or state to state, helped him in his current sales position. "Growing up in that environment helped form my mindset of, 'the worst thing they can say is no, but the next one might say yes'," he says.

A great lesson for not only sales professionals, but everyone!


Welcome aboard Michael and congratulations Matthew!!

Insurance Agent and Author, Warren Barhorst, to Present "Game Plan", his Book on Successfully Starting or Growing Your Insurance Agency at National Conferences

Barhorst is taking his highly acclaimed book and experience on the road to educate other entrepreneurs at the Texas Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) Insurance Expo in Waco, Texas and the 2012 Million Dollar Round Table Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California


He owns the largest Nationwide Insurance agency in the nation. Awards line the halls and walls of his Houston headquarters, both from his successful insurance practice and his years playing football as part of Texas A&M's 12th Man Kickoff Team. But what Warren Barhorst enjoys most is teaching others. Meeting with fellow entrepreneurs, dreamers, and visionaries and helping them grasp their dreams and take steps toward making them a reality.

CEO of Iscential (Barhorst recently changed the name from Barhorst Insurance Group), Barhorst will present his book, "Game Plan… The Definitive Playbook for Starting or Growing Your Business" at two upcoming national conferences. This straight-talking, no-nonsense business guide stands out with its inspirational stories, actionable examples and overall humor.

"This isn't a book about selling insurance," assures Barhorst. "It's an engaging, challenging, inspiring and entertaining entrepreneurial blue print that will help the reader take control of his or her business future. It's about dreams and how to actually step up and do what it takes to make them your reality.”

Sponsored by Renovo Partners LLC and Insurance Agent Net, Barhorst will present at the following conferences:

Texas PIA Insurance Expo 2012
May 17-18, 2012
Waco Convention Center, Waco, TX


2012 Million Dollar Round Table Annual Meeting
June 10-13, 2012
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA
#MDRT2012


In addition to his conference presentations, Barhorst offers his readers help, at no additional charge, on Game Plan's website (www.gameplan.com). The site also includes articles, examples and resources that address specific issues.

For more information, follow Warren and Game Plan
View book promo here

Iscential Teams with Nationwide Insurance and SafeWay Driving Centers to Display NASCAR Show Car at Local Schools

As part of its sponsorship of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Nationwide Insurance brought the high-speed action to its local agents. Iscential, in conjunction with SafeWay Driving Centers, hosted the NASCAR Nationwide Series show car at two local schools on April 4 and 5. More than 800 kids, faculty members and guests were provided the opportunity to see the excitement of NASCAR first hand.

"When we get the Nationwide Show Car, it's always a big deal and really a lot of fun," says Iscential CEO Warren Barhorst. "The simulator gives the driver a score so the kids can compete against each other. They love it, it's almost like a big video game. These kids definitely had a great time." 

Barhorst adds, "The real take away from these events is the importance of safe driving. This is a critical time for families as their children venture out on the road. Nationwide and SafeWay share a passion for improving the skills of all drivers and of promoting safe and responsible driving, especially to teens.”

The Nationwide Show Car made pit stops at Houston Christian High School and Memorial Middle School. Famed NASCAR driver (and Memorial Middle School graduate), Brad Coleman was on hand both days to greet the kids, sign autographs, and impress upon them the importance of driving undistracted. 

To further its commitment to safe driving, Nationwide has maintained a long and successful alliance with SafeWay Driving Centers, the largest driving school in the Greater Houston Area and Texas. SafeWay's exclusive partnership with Nationwide offers insurance discounts to students and their families after they successfully graduate from one of its centers. The two companies work together to promote and encourage safe driving for all drivers.

“I am Iscential” Reigns as Overall Theme of Iscential’s Corporate Kick-Off and Awards Weekend

CEO Warren Barhorst sporting
the mantra of the weekend

Iscential recently hosted its 17th Annual Kick-off Meeting and Agency Awards. The two-day event was held at the Omni Houston Hotel and Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Houston’s Galleria area.

In addition to kicking off the new year, the agency took the opportunity to formally introduce its new name and brand (Iscential). Team members attended an all-hands corporate meeting and were treated to a dynamic presentation about the history of the company and how it developed into the company it is today. The meeting featured new company mascot “Iscential Man” and wrapped with the entire team dancing and chanting, “I am Iscential”.

“We’re so excited to finally get the brand off the ground and out to our employees and the public,” says CEO Warren Barhorst. “It’s already gotten an incredibly positive response, not only from our employees, but from people just walking by and seeing the new logo. Everyone seems to like it and that’s very motivating for all of us.”

At the event, Barhorst delved deep into the topic of company culture and its importance on the success of any organization. Team-building sessions featured “out-of-the-box” activities including painting in one and, in another, teaming together to produce skits to illustrate the core values of the company: communication, integrity, objectives, respect, dedication, teamwork and attitude.

One of the weekend highlights was the agency’s annual awards dinner and ceremony. Top team members who walked away with awards included:

Top Contract Operative:  Lance Weeks

Top X-Date Operative:  Kelly McCartney

Top Appointment Operative:  Kelly McCartney

Top Quote Operative:  Casandra Massey

Top DWP Operative:  Phuc Dang

Top Life Operative:  Marilyn Ward

Top Commercial Operative: Jacob Jones

Top Telephone Ratio Operative:  Beth Devaney

Top Cross-Sell Operative:  Beth Devaney

Top Service Quality Operative: Shayla Funk

Most Cross Sells:  Team Fidelis

Highest Customer/Agent Satisfaction:  Team Memor

Highest Retention: Team Veritas

Account Team of the Year:  Team Fidelis

Commercial Line Leader:  DSC (Bedford, Texas)

Life and Financial Line Leader:  Barhorst Agency

Policies Per Household:  Bobby Talbott

Highest Retention:  Eugene Pryor

Growth Agency of the Year:  Gloriod Agency

Sales Agency of the Year:  Agency Yu

Agency of the Year:  Barhorst Agency (Houston, Texas)

Iscential's newest office in Bedford, Texas walked away
with an award for being the Commercial Line Leader

“We hope the weekend was full of fun and excitement and energized our team for a successful new year,” says Barhorst. “We absolutely could not be successful without our employees and partners. As they return to work and everyday life, I want them to remember that they are a part of something great, and that they are appreciated. We’ve come a long way and have an exciting future ahead, and they are a huge part of that.”


Iscential’s partners and event sponsors included: Nationwide Insurance, Nationwide Financial, Nationwide Flood Program, National Flood Services, Insurance Intermediaries, Inc. (III), Service King Collision Repair Centers, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, PURE Insurance, and ServPro Industries, Inc.

Texas Insurance Agency, Iscential, Will Kick Off New Year and Celebrate Agency Stars at 17th Annual Meeting and Awards in Houston

The agency is starting off 2012 with a new brand, a new mission, and awarding team members who raised the bar in 2011

Houston-based insurance agency, Iscential (formerly known as Barhorst Insurance Group) is planning its 17th Annual Kick-off Meeting and Agency Awards for February 10-11, 2012. The two-day event will be held at the Omni Houston Hotel and Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant in Houston’s Galleria area.

“This is my chance to formally thank our team for all they do,” says CEO Warren Barhorst. “We owe our success to these people:  our employees, their families, and our outside partners. We absolutely could not do it without them.”

Since 1994, Barhorst has hosted the annual program for his entire agency. Alternating between family and adults-only events, one thing remains the same:  he insists on hosting a venue that is exciting and outside the norm so it’s a memorable experience for all. This year, team members and their spouses will be treated to a full two days of relaxation, fun, and a little business at the Omni Houston Hotel in Houston’s famed Galleria area.

One of the weekend highlights will be the agency’s annual awards dinner and ceremony. Barhorst will honor his top team members in several categories, including:  Highest Customer/Agent Satisfaction, Top Service Quality, Most Cross Sales, Commercial Lines Leader, Life and Financial Leader, and Agency of the Year. The awards are highly coveted by the team members who work all year toward this goal.

In addition to kicking off the new year, the agency will be formally transitioning over to its new name and brand:  Iscential.

“We’re so excited about the Iscential brand and the meaning behind it,” states Barhorst. “We always strive to provide an extraordinary service experience for our customers. Our new branding position reiterates to our existing and future customers, as well as our business partners, that we are committed to serving them with excellence. That’s how it’s always been, but now we’re just putting a name to it.”

Iscential’s partners and event sponsors include:  Nationwide Insurance, Nationwide Financial, Nationwide Flood Program, National Flood Services, Insurance Intermediaries, Inc. (III), Service King Collision Repair Centers, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, PURE Insurance, and ServPro Industries, Inc.

For more information, call 713.856.5533 or visit iscential.com.