Although its doors have been open for more than 50 years, The Starr Group, Greenfield, Wis., is thinking young. After dissolving a 20-year partnership 2 years ago, the agency has started fresh by analyzing the values and beliefs that frame the new Starr Group, leading the agency to push for new ideas, efficiencies and best practices. The agency has spent immense effort stripping the company to its core and rebuilding The Starr Group to the risk reduction driven business it is today.

“We believe that staying true to our values will help us push for excellence in our daily interactions and accomplishments, which will allow us to stand out from the competition,” said Mary Starr, executive vice president of The Starr Group.

As part of the rebuilding process, all 27 employees went through a 7-week introduction course that pioneered the values of Starr Group, along with using Starr's core values, called the “I-PREACH” (integrity, passion, respect, excellence, acknowledgement, communication and honesty) program, in its interview process, annual employee reviews and bonus payouts. Maureen Arndt, director of operations, takes the I-PREACH values to the customer level by conducting value audits of sales and service phone calls, where teams listen to each other's phone calls and evaluate them on how well they support the agency's values by recognizing strengths and suggesting improvements.