The anatomy of a modern benefits team

Benefits placement has always been complex. But over the past few years, it’s felt like someone turned up the dials.

Benefit options have multiplied, compliance requirements are getting thornier, and clients expect faster answers with more detail than ever. Carriers are struggling to keep up, too, which makes staying in close touch and getting placement over the finish line harder than it should be.

For most brokers and carriers, the trying-to-keep-it-all-straight never really ends. In our most recent broker survey, the average team said they spend a full work week (39 hours per employer group) just getting through placement.

Not everyone is underwater, though. Some customers on ThreeFlow have adapted their day-to-day to match how challenging placement has gotten. And as the job gets harder, the gap between them and the teams still running the same old playbook is only going to grow.

To understand what’s setting them apart—and what habits you can borrow from them—we took a close look at how they stay in sync with their partners, manage client expectations, and use data to make better decisions faster.

Below, we share what the outliers are doing differently. But first, a note on how we identified them.

What defines a ThreeFlow Power User

We wanted to make the “Power User” moniker meaningful, so we chose our criteria deliberately.

The first requirement was consistent, deep usage of ThreeFlow’s core workflows and features. These users had to have made the system a core part of how they work (aka not occasional or surface-level engagement).

Power Users also had to be managing significant volume. That’s where process discipline and having a unified place to see, analyze, and act on your data matter most—whether you’re a two-person shop or a large firm.

These users also couldn’t just be our “friendlies,” early adopters, design partners, or teams who have a direct relationship with someone at ThreeFlow.

Once they cleared that hurdle, we evaluated them based on four behaviors our customer teams see in their strongest users:

• Activation: They initiate RFPs and renewals within ThreeFlow, replacing manual handoffs with more consistent workflows.
• Collaboration: They keep internal teams and partners aligned through shared comments and benefit callouts, rather than fragmented email threads.
• Analysis: They use ThreeFlow to review options, compare quotes, and shape recommendations—spending more time advising clients and less time managing spreadsheets.
• Decision: They close the loop by marking coverage as sold, maintaining clear ownership and making sure next steps are visible to everyone involved.

Here’s what that looks like in practice.

What modern benefits teams do differently

They get to value faster

Power Users aren’t dipping their toes into ThreeFlow, they’re using it in every placement task.

A good indicator of this level of adoption among brokers is the number of renewals they collect and how many RFPs they send through the system. The top 5% of brokers can manage high volume because all the data is in one place, and the next step is always clear, without having to reconstruct context or track things down in multiple systems.

The top 5% of carriers have high quote submission volume and regularly use smart proposals, smart renewals, and ThreeFlow Connect. Because ThreeFlow automatically populates and submits and submits quotes, carriers aren’t stuck manually rekeying data from PDFs and email chains. Instead, they’re using that time to put their best foot forward, highlighting their differentiators and providing fast responses at unparalleled accuracy—even during their busiest times of year.

They operate transparently

Power Users aren’t managing placement through an elaborate inbox folder and flagging system that only they understand. They’re working with their respective broker or carrier directly inside the system, where everyone can see what needs attention and what’s good to go.

The top 5% of brokers and carriers exchange far more benefit call-outs and comments through ThreeFlow than other users. When everyone is collaborating off the latest and greatest, quoting, analysis, negotiation, and presentation happen faster.

They turn data into action

With quoting data normalized and comparisons generated automatically, Power Users don’t have to spend hours reformatting—they can jump straight into analysis.

In ThreeFlow, the top 5% of brokers stand out in how often they use quote edits, broker review, and exports. That means they get carefully thought-through options in front of clients earlier, explain tradeoffs with more confidence, and enter carrier negotiations prepared to get the best deal.

They make decisions with confidence

Among brokers, we used one action as a proxy for this: marking sold. The top 5% do this consistently.

It may seem small, but it signals clarity and momentum. Power Users move deals forward and quickly shift into enrollment, policy binding, and implementation planning with their GA partners. With coverage already in place, they’re not scrambling to rebuild when the next cycle begins.

These behaviors are becoming the new standard

Right now, these practices set teams apart. But what’s exceptional today will be expected tomorrow, and the brokers and carriers already operating this way have a major head start.

They’re building the operational muscle to keep raising their own standards and to recognize, faster than anyone else, what good placement will need to look like next.

Meet the 2025 ThreeFlow Power Users

We’re proud to celebrate the brokers and carriers who are setting the standard for excellence on the ThreeFlow system. The individuals below represent the top 25 users in the US in 2025—true Power Users who are driving results, embracing innovation, and getting the most out of ThreeFlow every day.

Each of the top 5% of users will receive an email recognizing their achievement and welcoming them to ThreeFlow Power User status.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees!

Will 2026 be your year?

Being a Power User is about how your team operates, not how often they log into ThreeFlow. If your goal is to start operating like the top 5% this year, we recommend:

• Adopting core workflows (RFPs, quotes, comparisons, and client presentations) across your entire user base—not just a select few who know the ropes.
• Increasing team collaboration by working with peers, carriers, and GAs in the system so handoff errors and outdated information stop being a tax on your time.
• Using data more intentionally. Maximize how your team uses ThreeFlow Insights to gain real-time, in-app market data to expand your view of market activity and boost your competitive advantage.

The sooner you start, the more equipped you’ll be to tackle the challenges of 2026 (and beyond). We’re excited to see who joins this list next year.