This article was provided by Great American Insurance Group.
Winning in the world of programs is all about drafting the right players on your team prior to getting on the field. Successful touch-downs with program business never happen by accident and require a coach that has an eye for the end zone and strategic offensive plan to avoid false starts. For more than 20 years, we have coached our agency relationships from the line of scrimmage to ensure each pass is delivered successfully.
“The art of winning in the program world requires identifying the appropriate special team members needed on the field at any given time,” said Jennifer Guidry, divisional vice president of business development and marketing for Great American Insurance Group’s Alternative Markets. “Program success is heavily tied to the positioning and ability of both the carrier and agency in any given program. You can have the best program quarterback or agency lead on the field but if they are not able to foresee a blitz, they could easily fumble the program. Likewise, a great carrier should have the ability to protect and direct the agency lead so they don’t get sacked during the due diligence process. If we, the carrier, are consistently coaching and communicating the appropriate plays and the agency has the ability to call an audible and/or scramble the ball when needed, we have the versatility needed to win in the program space.”
Understanding the ever-changing dynamics that occur with each down and having the ability to huddle often to get ahead of a potential play if a turnover occurs is vitally important to program success. Guidry notes, “Our communicative and strategic approach to program business gives Great American Alternative Markets Division the ability to coach our programs through to the end zone. A muff can easily happen when we get out of sync or ahead of agency relationships and their respective program needs. We check in often during our program due diligence, onboarding and maintenance process to ensure our product, service and overall program offerings are flexible enough to meet the needs of those programs involved. The last thing we want is to put our agency relationships in a position where they don’t have a strong O-line. Winning in the program world really is about aligning the right Jimmys and Joes. We want to always ensure the formation on the field is one that gives our agency relationships the pocket they need to score in the next down and deliver the best possible program solution to their clients.”
If you wish to learn more about how we can help you get a touchdown with your program, reach out to Great American Alternative Markets today.
Great American Insurance Group, 301 E. Fourth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Policies are underwritten by Great American Insurance Company, Great American Assurance Company, Great American Alliance Insurance Company, Great American Insurance Company of New York and Great American Spirit Insurance Company, authorized insurers in all 50 states and the D.C.
Jennifer Guidry is the divisional vice president of business development and marketing for Great American Insurance Group’s Alternative Markets Division where she leads the strategy and execution for the sourcing, due diligence, and onboarding of new program business for the division.
Ms. Guidry has held numerous leadership roles of increasing P&L and organizational responsibility throughout the past 20 years. Prior to coming to Great American Insurance Group Ms. Guidry was in leadership roles within underwriting, sales, and product. In addition to programs and captives, her underwriting experience includes small commercial, middle market construction and book consolidation programs.
Ms. Guidry earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana College, Executive MBA from the University of Hartford and holds a Certificate in Transformational Leadership from the University of Denver. She was named one of Insurance Business America’s “Elite Women” of 2021. Her professional designations include Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS). In her spare time, she serves as a board member for Habitat for Humanity North Central Connecticut.
