Wanting to stay at a job as your hiring anniversaries stack up is becoming increasingly rare. 

Yet it’s not uncommon for employees at Applied Systems. Just ask Abby Larson, Senior Director of Onboarding and Success Services. 

“Lengthy tenure isn’t the exception at Applied,” Larson said. “I’ve been with the customer experience and services team for 15 years, but there are other teammates who are hitting their 20-, 30- or 40-year service anniversaries.” 

Considering that in 2024, the average stint with an employer in the United States was 3.9 years — which is the lowest it’s been since 2002, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — the decades-long stretches at Applied Systems speak to a culture of support and continuous growth. 

Larson, a leader at Applied Systems, is helping to shape the culture of continuous growth at the insurance tech company. 

“As the saying goes, ‘iron sharpens iron,’” Larson added. “I want my team members to feel safe, seen and valued. Their voices matter.” 

A crux of Larson’s leadership style is ensuring that every member of her team feels connected to the mission at Applied — “to power the global business of insurance and enable independent agents to thrive,” she said.  

“This way, they can help their insureds safeguard what matters most in their lives, be it their business or personal possessions,” Larson said. “I want them to see this as more than just a job; it’s a fulfilling career. Even if they’re not client-facing, it’s important to me that they understand the impact their work has on our customers’ success.” 

Larson’s work is made easier by what she describes as an exceptional team of high performers. 

“These are individuals who are eager to contribute, serve our customers in the best possible way and feel empowered to identify opportunities and develop solutions,” she noted. “Our team is a safe space for healthy conversations and candid, constructive feedback, pushing each other to improve.” 

Setting professional goals is important to Larson, but making each one stick is even more critical; one of the primary ways she does this is by tying each one back to the company mission and placing it in the context of the bigger picture. In terms of execution, she says that connecting with each team member individually on their goals and sharing her own is how she keeps the team on track for maximum growth.  

“We have candid conversations about what’s going well — and how we can leverage what’s going well — and what can be improved,” she explained. 

While the feedback is ongoing throughout the year, she and leaders at Applied Systems set aside extra time during annual performance reviews to celebrate accomplishments such as helping a customer win or earning a promotion. Larson notes that the support she’s received from her leaders has helped to push her own growth and development, earning five promotions during her tenure with Applied.   

“We support each other, we are proud of each other, we push each other to be better,” Larson said. “It’s a unique thing, and I’m both so proud of and grateful for it.” 

“We support each other, we are proud of each other, we push each other to be better. It’s a unique thing, and I’m both so proud of and grateful for it.” 

The support of leaders like Larson comes in many forms at Applied Systems. The company reimburses teammates for professional development costs like attending conferences or receiving certifications. They also enthusiastically celebrate upward career movement, even when it means moving on to another team within Applied. 

“When a teammate succeeds, we all succeed and we make it our mission to see those amazing career moments happen,” Larson said. 

The supportive company culture isn’t limited to performance reviews or professional development courses though, Larson said.

On her team, she watches her direct reports grow through ongoing projects, like creating a digital content library alongside the learning and development team, or the dedicated team that now offers extra assistance to customers in their first year of using the software. Larson shared that the latter project was proposed by a teammate who now leads the work. 

“We’ve already seen an incredible value-add for our users,” she added, noting that initiative is a rewarded trait at the company. “Those willing to take on new challenges stay engaged and find opportunities to contribute in new ways.” 

For Larson, Applied Systems checks off all of the boxes for what she desires in an employer. 

“I feel so fortunate to work for a leader who challenges me, in a company that provides great opportunities, alongside smart peers and with my managers who lead their teams so effectively,” she said.