Editor's Note: Conventional wisdom holds that independent agencies are going to vanish because today's insureds want self-service. From what we see at NUPC, however, people are still looking to agencies for trusted advisors, especially when they're making significant changes in their lives, whether it's starting a new business, buying property or blending families — because nothing happens without insurance.

The most successful agencies look back at what they've done before that provides value to their clients and then continue such best practices. They also look ahead and access what must change so they can continue providing value to clients and grow their businesses in the future.