Brian Ahearn, CMCT®, is a sales trainer, coach and consultant whose specialty is applying persuasion and influence in sales and customer service situations. He is one of 20 individuals in the world who currently hold the CMCT designation. This specialization in the psychology of persuasion is earned directly from Dr. Robert B. Cialdini – the recognized authority on the science of ethical persuasion. Brian’s blog, Influence PEOPLE, is followed by people in 200 countries and made the Online Psychology Degree Guide Top 30 Psychology Blogs in 2012.
A graduate of Miami University, Brian has been in the insurance industry for nearly 30 years. During his time in the industry Brian has held positions in personal lines underwriting, commercial lines underwriting and sales. He’s been a sales trainer for the past 20 years, working with people throughout State Auto to help them live the corporate culture – Everybody Sells State Auto. Brian also acts as a sales coach to State Auto’s regional vice presidents across the country. In addition to having his CMCT certification Brian is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and a Competent Toastmaster (CTM). Brian’s writing has been featured in the online magazine, Sales Mastery, and Jeffrey Gitomer’s weekly publication, Sales Caffeine.
When Brian’s not influencing and selling he enjoys physical activity. In his younger days he was a competitive powerlifter and bodybuilder. When he decided to put the weights down he took up running where he qualified for and ran the historic Boston Marathon twice. He began studying martial arts many years ago to spend time with his daughter, Abigail, and is now a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo.
What Dr. Robert Cialdini has to say about Brian –
“When Brian Ahearn speaks, people listen. That is so because he knows his material thoroughly, and he knows how to present it superbly. The upshot is that the genuine insights he provides are not just immediately understandable, they are also immediately actionable and profitable.”
What others have to say about Brian –
“I enjoyed your (Brian Ahearn’s) presentation very much. In fact, I used your suggestions today and got great results. The response was immediate. Our partners in the other organization were both impressed and grateful. I love when I get sound advice that I can put into practice right away and get great results!”
-Laura Palko, SPHR
Human Resources Director
Office of the Chief Information Officer at The Ohio State University
“I have attended many sales workshops offered by insurance carriers and this from start to finish, was the most enjoyable and useful course I have ever attended. The course WAS designed to provide useful tools that can be used to grow your business, regardless of carrier.”
– Kenneth Lawrence, Producer, Frost Insurance Agency
“The class was so powerful for me personally, that it has extended past any particular work situation or sales situation. It has influenced almost every aspect of my life.”
– Christian Fanetti, Sr., Vice President, Consumers First Insurance
“I had the pleasure of hearing Brian speak in Chicago at the NAMIC convention. Having heard many speakers over the years about sales skills, getting people to say yes, and other tactics, I was not expecting new or exciting from this segment about Influencing People. I was dead wrong because Brian’s presentation was awesome! He used real life examples, scientific studies, and his easy speaking style to engage participants. The best thing is you leave his presentations with concrete actionable items and transferrable ideas to improve your interactions with people on both personal and business levels. If you have the opportunity to hear Brian speak, do not hesitate!”
– Paul Saccomando, Operations Manager, Russell Bond & Co., Inc
“Not only was POP one of the best workshops I have attended over my career, which is measured in decades, it is the only workshop that I have gone out of my way to promote to my associates and employees. I have purchased more than half a dozen copies of Yes as gifts (reciprocity) for staff and friends. I would recommend POP for any insurance professional, regardless of their job description”
– Brad Greer, Executive Vice President, Missouri General Insurance Agency
“This class lives up to the high standards set by State Auto for content, presentation, and applicable examples that can be used right away in the field.”
– Stephen Strong, Stephen Strong, Insurance Agent, Logan Lavelle Hunt Ins. Agency
“The POP Workshop was time well spent and invested. Not only within my business life, but other respects in life as well! Looking forward to applying what has been learned.”
– Chad Hennessey, Producer, Insuramax, Inc
