For Anthony Nelson, a sales manager at Allstate, overcoming adversity has been a hallmark of his career journey from the very beginning. For him, it began with the decision to forgo college and enter the workforce early.
“One of my biggest challenges was that I hadn’t completed my bachelor’s degree,” Nelson says, “I started my family young and needed to be able to provide.”
Because of the practical needs of having a family, Nelson knew that schooling had to take a back seat. Over the course of his career he found himself passed over for promotion opportunities in favor of others who did have their degree. However, these missed opportunities didn’t deter him, nor did he feel as though he lacked avenues toward success. “While working, I was able to take advantage of Allstate’s tuition assistance program and graduated last year with my bachelor’s degree,” he says.
Nelson—who has been promoted five times during his tenure at Allstate—is currently looking to earn his master’s degree. Here, he talks about Allstate’s commitment to developing their employees, his passion for guiding members of his team, and why “change agility” is essential in an evolving workplace.
Tell us about your career journey. What inspired you to pursue a career in the insurance industry, specifically business and sales?
When I first attended college, I planned to become a pharmacist. While putting myself through school I started working in a call center and struggled with all the science required for my major. I decided to take a business class and it came naturally to me. After 14 years in the call center industry and rising to a leadership role, I was eventually drawn to insurance. Now, working in sales leadership has allowed me to bring my two interests of insurance and leadership together.
What led to your first job at Allstate? What attracted you to the company, and how did you know it would be a good fit?
My sister was working for Allstate and had been trying to convince me for several years to make the move. The timing was never right for me and where I was at in my career. Then, after some changes in my personal life, I decided to take a deeper look. I knew I would fit in when I talked to friends who had started working with Allstate, and I could see that it was the right place for me. I’ve also seen immense growth and a company that cares about its employees, which keeps me passionate about the work.
Can you describe your career path at Allstate? Where did you start and where are you now?
I started at Allstate in the customer contact center and soon I was leading a team in the call center. My next step was to transition to the strategy team for one of the call center programs. This led me to a data analytics role, and then later I became a senior business process consultant. I then shifted gears and moved to the sales side of the company where I joined the Allstate agency team. I consulted with agents and helped them develop business processes to improve their agencies and profitably grow their business. I now work with insurance sales representatives, helping them to leverage sales strategies to be successful in meeting business goals.
You’ve been with Allstate for almost 10 years and have held more than five roles during your time there. How has the company supported continued career growth and development? How have you been personally supported?
First, I can’t say enough about the partnerships between me and my leaders. From our very first meetings, they have looked to identify what is important to me and where I wanted to go next. This support has led to introductions and recommendations for assignments that have allowed me to grow and gain new skills. In every conversation with my leadership team, we’re moving toward my next goal.
In what ways does Allstate empower employees to take control of their careers and encourage internal mobility?
One way that we’re encouraged to take control of our career mobility is by looking at the core skills that everyone at Allstate needs to have. Then, as you develop strengths in these areas, you’re encouraged to look at opportunities that are out there and the skills required for those roles. If you don’t have them, Allstate has educational opportunities to help gain those.
You’re also the President of the Allstate Professional Organization. Can you tell us about your role there and how the organization fits into the wider Allstate ecosystem?
Allstate is committed to the development of everyone here. We work to drive shifts in the organization and impact the broader business to help retain top talent and develop individuals at all stages of their careers.
What do you like best about the company culture at Allstate?
We’re allowed to be our authentic selves. With other companies I’ve worked for you had to mold yourself to meet their ideal. With Allstate, I get to be me. One part of me is that I’m an Allstater, another is that I’m a husband and father of five. I appreciate that I can have my faith, and none of that has to be muted or put into the background.
What advice do you have for those hoping to start their career at Allstate? What skills do they need to thrive at the company and in the insurance industry?
One of the first skills that is important in any career, especially at Allstate, is to be able to analyze data, do the research, and use both to make decisions. Data is so important and making decisions based on that data will help drive long-lasting change. I also recommend that people continually look for ways to improve the business processes at your company. Find opportunities to change, adapt, and modify processes to improve them. Finally, “change agility” is a skill everyone needs rather than being “change averse.” The one constant I have seen in my 25 years in the workforce is that change will happen. I can either get on the train and help it move forward or I may be asked to get off the train at the next stop.