One of the many great things about working for Konsileo is that you can do the job the way you want to do it...
Shelley Madge, from near Okehampton in Devon, has been working in insurance since she was 16 and ended up specialising in commercial agricultural policies. But after a serious health scare and two years out of the industry, she wasn’t sure she wanted to come back.
She explains: “After fighting bowel cancer, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to being tied to a desk 9 to 5. I’d been in a high-pressure corporate environment that had become more about targets than client service, and I found I just didn’t want to do it anymore. Life’s too short.
“When I heard about Konsileo I honestly thought it was too good to be true. Even when I went for the interview, I spent the whole time looking for a catch – and couldn’t find one! I thought I’d be silly not to at least give it a go. I can safely say I’ve not regretted that decision for a moment, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
Personal Service
“The thing I’ve always loved about my job is getting to know my clients and building strong relationships. I enjoy sitting in farm kitchens surrounded by kids and cats and dogs and the odd tame lamb in the corner. I like getting to know the families, and their businesses – and the more I get to know them the better job I can do.
“We can look at their risks, fill out their health and safety risk assessments, get all the paperwork in order – and then I can go in to bat for them with the underwriters to really explain how they’re mitigating their risks and get them the right discounts and the best possible deals.
“One of the many great things about working for Konsileo is that you can do the job the way you want to do it. So, I can spend that time with people. I don’t have to prioritise volume over quality – and I’m not tied into placing business wherever I get the most commission. I can focus on the cases I want focus on and build relationships with the insurers I want to build relationships with. That’s helping me a lot – because it’s that personal service that farmers really value.
“You can see that in the response I’ve had since I’ve been back from sick leave – it’s been phenomenal. Everyone’s just been really pleased – and relieved – to see me! They know I know farming, and they trust me.
“Because they’re all so loyal I got a great start on my book, and I get lots of referrals. I also pick up quite a lot of business at the local livestock markets. It’s really good for me to be visible, so I aim to be at one or two a week. I’m also really responsive, so they all know if they don’t see me out and about they can get me on the phone the same day.”
Being Part of a Team
For Shelley, one of the other key advantages of Konsileo is being part of a friendly and enthusiastic team.
“There’s a very different atmosphere between brokers at Konsileo than anywhere else I’ve ever worked,” says Shelley. “You’d think that everyone would be out for themselves, but the opposite is true. Everyone’s really friendly, and really values each other’s expertise. We’re all here to do the best for clients, and maybe that’s why it feels so different.
“I started with a great cohort of colleagues in May 2024, I was welcomed into the South West Hub, and into the agricultural practice group. It’s been really useful to have colleagues who know the challenges faced by rural industries, and have the inside track on the markets, so we can bounce around ideas and troubleshoot together.
“The Konsileo system makes it easy to share clients and income through Virtual Team Contracting, and even easier to log your work if you’re someone who’s on the road a lot like me, because all the filing is done automatically. It saves me hours a day and makes the whole thing pretty much foolproof. You can’t go wrong, because anything you miss is flagged – so you’re really protected from a compliance point of view.”
Fairness and Flexibility
“The other great thing about Konsileo is that you actually get paid fairly. Everyone has a base salary, but you can earn bonuses on top of that, so you get rewarded for your hard work. It means you’re far better compensated than you would be anywhere else – particularly in the South West where wages are typically lower.
“It’s also really flexible, and that’s been very important to me. I still have to go to medical appointments to follow up on my illness. With Konsileo I don’t have to ask for someone’s permission or justify my time off with a doctor’s note – I can just go. I can also clock off early on a Friday to take my nephew to cricket or have lunch with my niece.
“It’s really refreshing to be trusted to do your work – but it does mean you have to know yourself, and your job, really well. Konsileo is not going to work for people who aren’t self-motivated or can’t set and stick to their own goals. If you can, you can get a great quality of life and make really great money.”
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