--- title: 4 Key Drivers of Infrastructure Development description: Learn ops best practices using Ethos' 'Four Key Drivers.' Discover how Ethos develops our internal architecture and tech-systems for maximum efficacy. image: https://www.ethosinsurance.com/hubfs/Engineers%20in%20mechanical%20factory%20reading%20instructions-1.jpeg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/4-key-drivers-of-infrastructure-development#maincontent) [«  View All Posts](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog) [ commentary ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/topic/commentary) # 4 Key Drivers of Infrastructure Development April 20th, 2022 | 5 min. read By [Jonathan Waterman](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/author/jonathan-waterman) ![](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/hubfs/Engineers%20in%20mechanical%20factory%20reading%20instructions-1.jpeg) Like so many other start-ups from the early 2000’s, we got Ethos off the ground using clunky old contact database software, an excel spreadsheet, and a lot of paper.  We understood early on that our focus on specialization would require specialized processes and systems - that we now call our “internal infrastructure”.  As we grew and technology became more accessible, we devoted more of our profits to its development - and we’ve never looked back. While developing our back-room capabilities we drafted several tenets that now drive everything we do both internally and operationally. Here are the four most important drivers as we continue to develop internal infrastructure: ## **1. Everything Benefits Our Customer** ![Portrait young shocked business woman sitting in front of laptop computer looking at screen isolated grey wall background. Funny face expression emotion feelings problem perception reaction](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Portrait%20young%20shocked%20business%20woman%20sitting%20in%20front%20of%20laptop%20computer%20looking%20at%20screen%20isolated%20grey%20wall%20background.%20Funny%20face%20expression%20emotion%20feelings%20problem%20perception%20reaction.jpeg?width=400&name=Portrait%20young%20shocked%20business%20woman%20sitting%20in%20front%20of%20laptop%20computer%20looking%20at%20screen%20isolated%20grey%20wall%20background.%20Funny%20face%20expression%20emotion%20feelings%20problem%20perception%20reaction.jpeg) Whenever we develop a new internal process, procedure, or system enhancement, we first ask ourselves, “how will this benefit our customer?”. Many times, the answer is obvious, especially when there’s a direct benefit. Oftentimes there are additional indirect benefits that are harder to identify. We found that forcing ourselves to correctly identify the indirect benefits is the key to developing the ***right*** infrastructure. You’ve heard the quote “complacency is the enemy of progress”? We agree, and so we built the persistence of providing continual benefits for our customers into our DNA. By putting our customers’ needs ahead of our own we can make sure that every new decision is meaningful.   ## **2. Technology Is Affordable, So Use It** ![Young man using a laptop building online business making dollar bills cash falling down. Beginner IT entrepreneur under money rain. Success economy concept](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Young%20man%20using%20a%20laptop%20building%20online%20business%20making%20dollar%20bills%20cash%20falling%20down.%20Beginner%20IT%20entrepreneur%20under%20money%20rain.%20Success%20economy%20concept.jpeg?width=400&name=Young%20man%20using%20a%20laptop%20building%20online%20business%20making%20dollar%20bills%20cash%20falling%20down.%20Beginner%20IT%20entrepreneur%20under%20money%20rain.%20Success%20economy%20concept.jpeg) The rapid pace of technological development is a wonderous, modern marvel. Not only are there new ways to communicate with customers, but there are also so many great new systems to help us deliver our [highly specialized service](https://blog.ethosinsurance.com/blog/the-case-for-a-true-healthcare-specialist). We often find ourselves asking, “if we can improve that, why wouldn’t we?”. Not every improvement is cheap or easy. Quite the contrary; most system or process improvements take time and careful deliberation, but cost is no longer the barrier that it used to be. When we’re constantly thinking about how *everything benefits our customer,* technological spend becomes a no brainer.   ## **3. Customized Infrastructure Lets Us Specialize Even More** **![Worker operating a crane at a construction site](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Worker%20operating%20a%20crane%20at%20a%20construction%20site.jpeg?width=400&name=Worker%20operating%20a%20crane%20at%20a%20construction%20site.jpeg)** If everything we do is intended to benefit our customer first, and technology is more affordable than it’s ever been, then specialization is even more achievable than before. As a [highly specialized wholesale brokerage](https://blog.ethosinsurance.com/blog/the-healthcare-specialist-a-case-for-agency-management), we’ve honed our internal processes and systems to help us magnify the benefits for our customers. We use platforms like Salesforce, Conga, and HubSpot to customize every aspect of what we do for our customers. Every internal process, data point, and output for our customer is managed by highly customized infrastructure that we’ve developed over time. This allows us to consistently deliver the exemplary service level and work product that only a highly specialized brokerage can provide.   ## **4. Keep Striving to Add More Value** ![portrait of tired woman after running on a hot summers day](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/hs-fs/hubfs/portrait%20of%20tired%20woman%20after%20running%20on%20a%20hot%20summers%20day.jpeg?width=400&name=portrait%20of%20tired%20woman%20after%20running%20on%20a%20hot%20summers%20day.jpeg) It’s always tempting to build a new process or system enhancement and then want to kick back for a while. Unfortunately, kicking back and relaxing can cause you to get lazy and miss the opportunity for your next big idea. Instead, we’re constantly asking ourselves, “what else could we develop that would make us more efficient and add value for our customers?”. It’s a tall order, but persistence allows us to take on the challenge. In 2019, I wrote a [blog article](https://blog.ethosinsurance.com/blog/insurtech-and-the-move-to-greater-wholesale-specialization) at the advent of the InsurTech era where I noted: “We don’t sit idle with [technological] solutions that we discovered fourteen years ago. We build into every annual business plan the goal of applying the latest technological advances to our systems so that we can further improve our customers’ experience with us.” Three years later and we’re still committed to that statement.   ## You're Never Done Improving > ### *“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs* At Ethos, we try to emulate that idea. We know that, as a true specialist, *we must do what we do better than anyone else*.  If we don’t, we stand to lose everything.  That strong incentive applies to our infrastructure as well.  As we continue to look for ways to provide more value for our customers and outperform our competition, we’ll innovate from within…using technology and our internal infrastructure as the tip of that spear.    [For part two of this series, please click here.](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/3-ways-to-use-internal-infrastructure-to-manage-your-workforce)   --- Retail Brokers! Are you ready to improve your business? Book some time with an Ethos healthcare professional liability expert today and learn how partnering with Ethos helps you achieve your goals.     [ Jonathan Waterman ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/author/jonathan-waterman) Jonathan, the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Ethos since its inception in 2004, has had a distinguished insurance career dating back to 1992. Beginning as an underwriter specializing in medical liability insurance for PHICO Group, he progressed to roles with Frontier Insurance Group and National Specialty Underwriters, Inc., before co-founding Ethos in 2004. Jonathan's background as a med-mal underwriter and in the wholesale market uniquely positions him to drive operational excellence at Ethos, utilizing his expertise in identifying data patterns. He has contributed to industry dialogue through his blog articles and participation as a panelist at events such as PLUS. Beyond his professional pursuits, Jonathan finds joy in family, a wide range of hobbies including music and sports. Connect: [mailto:jwaterman@ethosinsurance.com](mailto:jwaterman@ethosinsurance.com) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [### 5 Ways Retail Agents Pay for Their Wholesale Insurance Broker April 3rd, 2026|7 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/5-ways-retailers-pay-for-their-wholesale-insurance-broker) [### The Importance of Reasonable BOR Guidelines July 29th, 2024|5 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/importance-of-reasonable-bor-guidelines) [### Why Premium Finance Companies Try to Involve Your Wholesaler June 6th, 2024|9 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/why-premium-finance-companies-try-to-involve-your-wholesaler) [### 3 Problems with Involving Your Wholesaler in Premium Financing (and How to Solve Them) January 11th, 2024|6 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/3-problems-with-involving-your-wholesaler-in-premium-financing-and-how-to-solve-them) [### MICRA – The E&S Perspective December 19th, 2022|5 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/micra-the-es-perspective) [### 3 Ways to Use Internal Infrastructure to Manage Your Workforce August 1st, 2022|6 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/3-ways-to-use-internal-infrastructure-to-manage-your-workforce) [### Ethos Differentiator: Small Healthcare Risks March 17th, 2022|3 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/ethos-differentiator-small-healthcare-risks) [### Are You Your Wholesaler’s Target Customer? 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