When you take on a new professional opportunity, it’s helpful to have a mentor who is rooting for you to succeed and who can serve as a guide when you hit bumps in the road. At Farm Bureau Financial Services, new agents are automatically paired with a mentor: our District Managers. Discover what you can learn - and what to expect - from a mentor, as well as how they can help propel your career to success.
1. How to Get Off to a Good Start
There’s always a lot to learn when you join a new industry or company. Some of the best advice from a mentor is what steps to take in the beginning. Because your mentor has experience in the industry, they will be able to offer advice to help you hit the ground running. At Farm Bureau Financial Services, when you become an insurance agent, your District Manager will help you transition into your new role by offering advice on how to use the information you’ve been given and serve as your support system when you have questions.
2. How to Grow Your Skills
Professional mentors are with you every step of the way to help you succeed. Even after you’ve been in the industry for a few years, they can guide you to the next level and help you network. Whether you want to become a leader at the company or manage your own team, a mentor can point out the steps you need to take to get there.
Farm Bureau District Managers can assist at client meetings when you’re getting started while you learn and gain experience. As you become more comfortable, you’ll meet with clients independently and can start to take on more responsibility.
3. How to Improve
Your mentor knows the ways you can improve to continue to advance professionally. They can give you an honest opinion on everything from your communication skills to your public speaking, offering insight into areas in which you can improve. At Farm Bureau Financial Services, this is how our District Managers help new agents grow their businesses. They customize their approach to each new agent and work to help them become successful Farm Bureau agents with a wide variety of skills.
4. The Latest Industry Trends
Your mentor can help you stay current with the latest trends in your industry, such as suggestions on how to maximize your social media presence. Part of their job is to stay in-the-know and provide an inside perspective about challenges you may face. District Managers’ knowledge of the insurance industry is a valuable tool for new agents to tap into.
5. How to Succeed
The main goal of a professional mentor is to help you get to the next level. After all, they were in your shoes as an industry fledgling at one point. They’ll provide you with the encouragement, advice and resources you need to build a strong business. They can also help you make connections in the community and within your organization.
At Farm Bureau, not only will you have access to a District Manager who acts as a professional mentor, but you’ll have a whole support system you can count on. We offer marketing support, as well as additional education and training, to keep our insurance agents at the top of their game.
Tips for Working With a Mentor
- Have a clear idea of what you hope to gain from the relationship.
- Set goals for your business and decide what you want to achieve in the near future.
- Be upfront about expectations. If you need someone who’s hands-on versus laid back, be clear about your preference.
- Stay in touch with your mentor on a regular basis.
- Schedule meetings to go over your latest questions or accomplishments.
- Listen carefully to your mentor’s advice when you’re together so you can apply their suggestions later and increase your skills.
Build Your Business
Jump into a new professional opportunity with a mentor and a team that supports you as a Farm Bureau agent. Our Agent Development Program will help you get started on the right foot.