Investment in Education and Culture Paves the Way at BKCW

At BKCW Insurance, education is core to the agency’s mission of giving employees the tools they need to succeed.

BKCW pays for continuing education and designations, and the company give bonuses when people earn them. For example, employees receive a bonus for each CIC exam they pass.

“A more knowledgeable team gives better advice, and our clients feel the difference,” said Tyler Spears, managing partner at BKCW.

BKCW’s emphasis on growing employees’ knowledge and skills through education incentives gives team members the conviction to approach their jobs with curiosity and a willing-to-learn attitude.

Employees at BKCW brought up educational advancement in nominating the agency for the annual Best Agency to Work For award. The Austin, Texas, agency is the recipient of the Bronze Award for the South-Central region.

Earning the award is “the most meaningful recognition we could get,” Spears said, because it comes from the people who live BKCW’s culture every day.

“Awards from carriers and clients measure how we serve customers,” Spears said. “This one measures how we treat each other, and that’s what I’m proudest of.”

Employees who wrote in to nominate the agency praised BKCW’s family-oriented culture, which gives team members the flexibility to prioritize time with their loved ones. Employees also highlighted the agency’s mentorship, investment in technology, and community involvement.

“BKCW is one of the best insurance agencies to work for because it combines a strong, people-first culture with the resources and expertise of an established organization,” one employee wrote. “Employees are empowered to grow professionally through ongoing training, mentorship, and opportunities for advancement while working alongside knowledgeable and supportive colleagues.”

Employees say they feel rewarded for hard work and for taking on challenging assignments. They feel confident knowing that agency leadership will listen when they bring up work issues.

“Management is open and reactive to concerns voiced,” an employee wrote. “We also have layers of meetings where issues and concerns can be discussed with management–team lead meetings and full department meetings quarterly.”

Employees said they receive great compensation and benefits, among them the ability to work remotely multiple days a week. The setup of the organization allows for producers, account managers, and service staff to work together, according to Spears. When an employee is away from work, they can trust that their team members have their back.

“They work with you if something comes up and you need to change days, take flex time, or vacation,” one employee wrote. “When you are on vacation, the teams work together to keep your desk running so you do not come back to a lot of work, which lets you enjoy your time off.”

As employees of a fast-growing agency in one of the country’s booming regions, BKCW members appreciate the opportunity to interact face to face with business partners and customers. One way that BKCW encourages this is through its annual Lake Day, which brings in carrier partners from around the country.

“That investment in relationships alone showed their efforts toward retention and growth,” an employee wrote.

BKCW further invests in the Austin community by giving back to schools and other non-profit organizations.

The theme of being generous with one’s time and resources runs through BKCW’s culture.

“Invest in your people before you ask them to invest in you,” Spears said. “Pay for their education and reward them for finishing it. Trust them with flexibility, and they’ll repay that trust many times over. Build teams so nobody feels like they’re on an island. And listen. Your employees will tell you what they need if you ask them and actually follow through.”