Employee Development, Community Are Key at G&G

G&G Independent Insurance has cracked the code.

For the fifth straight year, G&G has been named a finalist in Insurance Journal’s Best Agencies to Work For competition. Five straight years of praise coming from inside the Fayetteville, Arkansas-based agency’s walls. Five straight years of widespread employee appreciation.

This time around, G&G earned the Silver award in IJ’s South Central region — an honor that Jordan Greer, the agency’s CEO and cofounder, said is “a reflection of the strong culture we’ve built together, where everyone feels valued, supported, and part of something bigger.”

Open communication, opportunities for career growth and an overall dedication to employees were among the key themes that G&G team members highlighted in responses to this year’s Best Agencies survey. The annual award is based on those responses.

“G&G is a great place to work because of each person that works here,” an employee said.

“Everyone, from the leadership team to the front-line employees, genuinely cares about and supports each other’s success personally and professionally.”

In written responses to emailed interview questions, Greer explained that the agency has a commitment to personal and professional growth, a sense of community and that team members genuinely care for each other’s success.

The agency’s personalized training and onboarding process is designed to equip each employee with the skills they need to succeed and is supported by an in-house trainer. Beyond initial training, G&G ensures continuous growth by offering weekly coaching sessions tailored to individual development goals. Leaders review each employee’s career interests annually to help them identify new areas for growth and explore training opportunities that align with their aspirations.

“We invest in our people, listen to their ideas, and ensure that they have the resources they need to thrive,” Greer said. “That collective effort is what makes G&G so special.”

Staff expressed similar sentiments in their survey replies.

One respondent, for example, said that the focus is on growth “and G&G enables its staff to grow,” whether that be paying for certification classes and incentivizing development with a salary raise or by helping an employee continue education. Employees also receive fitness and wellness benefits.

Team members who responded to the survey expressed appreciation for the weekly department meetings and quarterly performance reviews. Greer shared that transparency “is crucial because it fosters open communication, trust, and alignment. When employees have a clear understanding of their performance and the company’s goals, they feel more engaged and empowered to contribute to improvements.”

When it comes to employee recognition, the agency’s Exceptional Experiences program honors G&G employees who exemplify G&G’s core values and commitment to excellence. Each quarter, one outstanding employee is rewarded with an all expenses paid trip to Mexico. “This unique program is a testament to our appreciation for those who go above and beyond in their roles,” an employee said.

The agency also gives back through the G&G Foundation, an employee-run and employee-funded nonprofit organization. The foundation “focuses on supporting and uplifting the communities we serve, allowing our team to make a positive impact both inside and outside the workplace,” a respondent said.

When asked about advice to other agency owners striving to make their agency a Best Place to Work, Greer encouraged owners to focus on building a people-first culture.

Investing in employee growth, creating open lines of communication where feedback is encouraged and making sure employees know that their voices matter are key elements of such a culture. Offering meaningful benefits to “show you value more than just the work they do” is important, too.

“When your employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered, they’ll not only perform at their best but also help shape a positive, thriving workplace,” Greer said.