I know that I can do well in this business but I need to become committed to really putting myself out there to our current client base. I feel that if I could provide more services and really know them inside out that I could be the real benefits person I should be.
My learning curve is small and my experience with anything other than health is even smaller, I think i need to add Long Term Care, Term Life, Disablity and Workers Comp. For me this can all be put together.
But until times get better, I will concentrate on our current clients and seeing if I can save them some money. I think I will definately do a soft sell, just letting you know I'm with the agency, can I ask what your doing now, are you happy, if you are that's great, let me know if you need anything. I want to start with health and when things turn up I can add on services. But I need to have a good base in those services and I don't.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Long time gone...
The election did go off without a hitch and it was wonderful to see Obama get in.
Again I did not vote on the issue of health care, neither candidate has a good grasp of the issue. I guess I'm revisiting this blog because I had a couple declined yesterday and I've been trying desperately to find them some healthcare. They are six years away from retirement and can't find a company to take them. I feel guilty because I could have advised them to stay where they were at.
But in any case, they could be declined by the company that I just signed them up with.
I've been working on a lot of stuff and closing a little bit of stuff. I think if I can continue I can find some companies some real savings. I think that will be the wave of the future. I'm working on 3 groups for a 1/1 start date. They are small groups under 8 but all of it is money. I'd much prefer to work for them then for six or seven big one's where I could lose the account. I was reading in the Insurance Forums about a female who does group that does all of their back office stuff. I don't think I could deal with all that crap but if I had the admin I would. I wouldn't mind offering that service to some of my clients who have small operations. I will consider it. But I think my boss would not like me to deal with the E&O of it.
I did get a lead from one of our guys in Carson about a large group but i'm not sure I can offer them what they want eventhough I it would be worth it in the long run. It's a radiology group that I feel we can do a lot for i'm just not sure if they will give us the chance. I hope they will but at the same time if I worked so hard and then lost them....I'd be devastated.
There is another group I got a lead on this morning who do wall construction and I guess I should be working on them right now. But I'm not.
I'm feeling a little down and I can't figure out why, I mean sometimes my med's make me feel down. Usually it only happens once or twice a year or so, it just depends--I just get blue and I feel like i'm coming apart. I ate a good lunch (fatty) and took another pill hoping that will calm my system but so far it hasn't worked completely. So I thought maybe a good blog would get me on the right track. I've got to regroup and put my mind toward closing some deals. I will make this happen. Earlier I felt like going home shutting the door and not letting anyone in. I'm a Mom now and I don't have the luxury of my own time and space. I don't mind that part of it really. I just need to get my energy up.
Again I did not vote on the issue of health care, neither candidate has a good grasp of the issue. I guess I'm revisiting this blog because I had a couple declined yesterday and I've been trying desperately to find them some healthcare. They are six years away from retirement and can't find a company to take them. I feel guilty because I could have advised them to stay where they were at.
But in any case, they could be declined by the company that I just signed them up with.
I've been working on a lot of stuff and closing a little bit of stuff. I think if I can continue I can find some companies some real savings. I think that will be the wave of the future. I'm working on 3 groups for a 1/1 start date. They are small groups under 8 but all of it is money. I'd much prefer to work for them then for six or seven big one's where I could lose the account. I was reading in the Insurance Forums about a female who does group that does all of their back office stuff. I don't think I could deal with all that crap but if I had the admin I would. I wouldn't mind offering that service to some of my clients who have small operations. I will consider it. But I think my boss would not like me to deal with the E&O of it.
I did get a lead from one of our guys in Carson about a large group but i'm not sure I can offer them what they want eventhough I it would be worth it in the long run. It's a radiology group that I feel we can do a lot for i'm just not sure if they will give us the chance. I hope they will but at the same time if I worked so hard and then lost them....I'd be devastated.
There is another group I got a lead on this morning who do wall construction and I guess I should be working on them right now. But I'm not.
I'm feeling a little down and I can't figure out why, I mean sometimes my med's make me feel down. Usually it only happens once or twice a year or so, it just depends--I just get blue and I feel like i'm coming apart. I ate a good lunch (fatty) and took another pill hoping that will calm my system but so far it hasn't worked completely. So I thought maybe a good blog would get me on the right track. I've got to regroup and put my mind toward closing some deals. I will make this happen. Earlier I felt like going home shutting the door and not letting anyone in. I'm a Mom now and I don't have the luxury of my own time and space. I don't mind that part of it really. I just need to get my energy up.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
What I believe...
This election is not something that I am looking forward to as an agent. Don't get me wrong I believe that every man woman and child deserves equal access to healthcare. I'm not sure if I believe that anyone including individuals or businesses should be mandated to carry it. And I only think that because in this country everyone has a choice. But on the other hand it's those same people who are going to be a burden to society because they are only going to sign up for benefits when they need them and they will never seek preventative care.
The public system that Obama talks about is good in theory and literally impossible in practice. I do believe in guarantee issue, but what good is there to have that if all healthcare costs rise? It is literally criminal to charge what is charged for the simplest care. The healthcare costs are the true problem with every procedure being outrageous. So what do you do to lower costs? Or better stated, who do we decide is going to get a pay cut? Doctor's? I don't think they are the problem and I'm sure many are overburdened giving free care and trying to get their money from insurance companies. The healthcare companies? Perhaps, but how do you regulate a business and tell them how much money they should make? Who decides that? If companies were people they would have a conscience about how they treat people. But for companies, especially healthcare companies, it's not about how they treat people, people are beside the fact. People are only treated well for their money companies don't collectively care about anybody--they care about things like money.
Look at Exxon with more record profits this quarter while millions suffer paying outrageous gas prices, is it their fault? Sure, but they were doing what they were suppose to, a company made profit which is all that it is required to do, they don't give a damn about people. The only time 'cares' or listens to people is when the bottom line is threatened. Do I think windfall profits tax should be put back in place? Of course, but how can you really punish a company for making money? If they have broken laws or regulations to make that much money then reform those but it seems unreasonable to me to punish them for working a system that doesn't work. Fix the system.
So take out the word Exxon and put in any of the leading healthcare companies. They are making money off a need of society the product is unimportant and the people they are serving are unimportant. All that is important is that bottom line. What needs to be reformed is the system that allows crazy profits while people are paying more and getting less.
Of course reform and regulation just causes the companies to raise prices to cover the hassle of dealing with government and people. And of course the companies get use to making more money regardless of how they are inflating the price or the suffering of the people they supposedly serve.
What is the answer? Universal healthcare? I think lowering the actual costs of care is the start or giving some sort of incentive or breaks to companies that are not for profit. Making healthcare compete against eachother is another start, but not by pitting states individual plans/policies against others, everyone should have the same type care available that should be mandated. If there was one mandate of what policies should contain that is national would help. But again that would rise costs.
It's a circle, one that I can't solve with my piece of it. But I do believe that without lower costs of products and procedures we don't really have a good shot. It's easy to pass laws and mandates it's much more difficult to give companies a conscience to care and serve people.
The public system that Obama talks about is good in theory and literally impossible in practice. I do believe in guarantee issue, but what good is there to have that if all healthcare costs rise? It is literally criminal to charge what is charged for the simplest care. The healthcare costs are the true problem with every procedure being outrageous. So what do you do to lower costs? Or better stated, who do we decide is going to get a pay cut? Doctor's? I don't think they are the problem and I'm sure many are overburdened giving free care and trying to get their money from insurance companies. The healthcare companies? Perhaps, but how do you regulate a business and tell them how much money they should make? Who decides that? If companies were people they would have a conscience about how they treat people. But for companies, especially healthcare companies, it's not about how they treat people, people are beside the fact. People are only treated well for their money companies don't collectively care about anybody--they care about things like money.
Look at Exxon with more record profits this quarter while millions suffer paying outrageous gas prices, is it their fault? Sure, but they were doing what they were suppose to, a company made profit which is all that it is required to do, they don't give a damn about people. The only time 'cares' or listens to people is when the bottom line is threatened. Do I think windfall profits tax should be put back in place? Of course, but how can you really punish a company for making money? If they have broken laws or regulations to make that much money then reform those but it seems unreasonable to me to punish them for working a system that doesn't work. Fix the system.
So take out the word Exxon and put in any of the leading healthcare companies. They are making money off a need of society the product is unimportant and the people they are serving are unimportant. All that is important is that bottom line. What needs to be reformed is the system that allows crazy profits while people are paying more and getting less.
Of course reform and regulation just causes the companies to raise prices to cover the hassle of dealing with government and people. And of course the companies get use to making more money regardless of how they are inflating the price or the suffering of the people they supposedly serve.
What is the answer? Universal healthcare? I think lowering the actual costs of care is the start or giving some sort of incentive or breaks to companies that are not for profit. Making healthcare compete against eachother is another start, but not by pitting states individual plans/policies against others, everyone should have the same type care available that should be mandated. If there was one mandate of what policies should contain that is national would help. But again that would rise costs.
It's a circle, one that I can't solve with my piece of it. But I do believe that without lower costs of products and procedures we don't really have a good shot. It's easy to pass laws and mandates it's much more difficult to give companies a conscience to care and serve people.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Another day...
Lack of sleep is making my mood cloudy to say the least, I think I'll go for a walk this afternoon try to clear my head and move my butt.
I've had a productive month with a few things in play but not enough to make me rich. HAHAHA. I had time today to send out faxes to our current clients and maybe followup if I can just get my head out of my ass. I'm always super confident when I start out but by the time I get around to making my first phone call I fall apart. Why is that?
I've got more experience now but it seems that my confidence always fails me. If I could get over the rejection I would pick up a lot of business. It's the fear but I'm gonna do it. I promise, I swear, alot.
I've got an enrollment meeting today that I've scheduled three times before. Can i hurt them now? I'm signing this 5 man group up for an HMO with a local insurance company here in town. I'm not crazy about this companies commission structure but I think I'll live--maybe. Basically when the premium total goes over $25,000 during a year it drops you down in commission. There is no incentive to give them more business. The only way to maintain your commission is to have a certain number of employees signed up, that sucks.
I find in this area if your willing to pay a little more and I do mean little for a small group you can get really excellent benefits. Todays plans are all about out of pocket but if you can get somebody a low out of pocket paying a little more in premium makes sense.
I'm really in love with Aetna's 1500 100%, what a great value, if you really look at it you should pick that before any of the other traditional plans with a low deduct.
I've got to start setting goals. I need to close 10 individual plans a month and do at least 4 groups of any size. That's my goal now I'll do it.
I've had a productive month with a few things in play but not enough to make me rich. HAHAHA. I had time today to send out faxes to our current clients and maybe followup if I can just get my head out of my ass. I'm always super confident when I start out but by the time I get around to making my first phone call I fall apart. Why is that?
I've got more experience now but it seems that my confidence always fails me. If I could get over the rejection I would pick up a lot of business. It's the fear but I'm gonna do it. I promise, I swear, alot.
I've got an enrollment meeting today that I've scheduled three times before. Can i hurt them now? I'm signing this 5 man group up for an HMO with a local insurance company here in town. I'm not crazy about this companies commission structure but I think I'll live--maybe. Basically when the premium total goes over $25,000 during a year it drops you down in commission. There is no incentive to give them more business. The only way to maintain your commission is to have a certain number of employees signed up, that sucks.
I find in this area if your willing to pay a little more and I do mean little for a small group you can get really excellent benefits. Todays plans are all about out of pocket but if you can get somebody a low out of pocket paying a little more in premium makes sense.
I'm really in love with Aetna's 1500 100%, what a great value, if you really look at it you should pick that before any of the other traditional plans with a low deduct.
I've got to start setting goals. I need to close 10 individual plans a month and do at least 4 groups of any size. That's my goal now I'll do it.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
It's been well not busy but steady
I met some nice gentlemen at a Word and Brown event so kind and new to the business. It's so nice to meet some guys who are starting out and have that level of service minded ness that I admire. I should see them both again today.
The leads we paid for so far have not panned out, people are hesitating in this economy so it's tough. Instead I've been working on stuff handed to me by other agents in the office. If it wasn't for them I'd be starving. I guess you don't buy leads for easy closings you buy them to get your face infront of somebody.
I think I find my strength is making groups with the main employees and then finding the dep's policies for less under individual policies. I do find that I am taking over a lot of business on BOR I just want to make sure that it is the kind of business I can keep.
The leads we paid for so far have not panned out, people are hesitating in this economy so it's tough. Instead I've been working on stuff handed to me by other agents in the office. If it wasn't for them I'd be starving. I guess you don't buy leads for easy closings you buy them to get your face infront of somebody.
I think I find my strength is making groups with the main employees and then finding the dep's policies for less under individual policies. I do find that I am taking over a lot of business on BOR I just want to make sure that it is the kind of business I can keep.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Where have I been?
First off the leads got me going, got me out there and finally got me some movement.
I've closed on a couple of small groups, dentist (all individual policies), car maker small group HMO and a storage unit business 3 people.
I've taken over on BOR several individuals, mostly I find that if you talk to people and ask for their business they will give it to you. Sometimes people don't want to move or can't move but that doesn't mean you can't give them good service. The dentist alone I wrote one child and took over two individual policies.
As for the leads, good and bad. It's easy to ask people for there business but sometimes to get them to send you info is crazy. I still haven't closed one of the deals if you can believe it. Two restaurant owners, one I want to take over on BOR and the other has 6 kids and no insurance. Two employees of a ink refill and one of them passed on there info to their mother. Another is a body shop with five employees and I am hoping to get the go ahead at the end of the month. I also had a nightclub owner but I can't get him to send me the info.
I don't plan on asking for any more leads until I finish with the one's I've got. I can't justify it without writing something.
This week I have one enrollment tomorrow of 4 tile setters who formally had union coverage. I'm highly tempted to try to build them some sort of massive package and spend every penny they are saving. But I won't. I've decided to write them with a local insurance company who I normally would never write with but because they need a high level of service I'd prefer to put them in the hands of a company that will hug and kiss them. The way they constructed their HMO's you can find something the same price or better than PPO or POS. These guys would not know what to do with themselves if I threw a high deduct plan at them. Benefits are baby steps.
On Friday I'll set up an enrollment meeting for our bailbonds gentlemen who has already told me that I had better answer my phone. I do answer my phone, I just wish he would never call. No actually I really like him and I think I would find it to be a real pleasure to deal with him. It's an eight person group that I'll be writing a 1500 one hundred percent plan. The benefit really made sense to this client. As for the dental I wrote it with the company that gave me several options.
I just hope even more is coming...
I've closed on a couple of small groups, dentist (all individual policies), car maker small group HMO and a storage unit business 3 people.
I've taken over on BOR several individuals, mostly I find that if you talk to people and ask for their business they will give it to you. Sometimes people don't want to move or can't move but that doesn't mean you can't give them good service. The dentist alone I wrote one child and took over two individual policies.
As for the leads, good and bad. It's easy to ask people for there business but sometimes to get them to send you info is crazy. I still haven't closed one of the deals if you can believe it. Two restaurant owners, one I want to take over on BOR and the other has 6 kids and no insurance. Two employees of a ink refill and one of them passed on there info to their mother. Another is a body shop with five employees and I am hoping to get the go ahead at the end of the month. I also had a nightclub owner but I can't get him to send me the info.
I don't plan on asking for any more leads until I finish with the one's I've got. I can't justify it without writing something.
This week I have one enrollment tomorrow of 4 tile setters who formally had union coverage. I'm highly tempted to try to build them some sort of massive package and spend every penny they are saving. But I won't. I've decided to write them with a local insurance company who I normally would never write with but because they need a high level of service I'd prefer to put them in the hands of a company that will hug and kiss them. The way they constructed their HMO's you can find something the same price or better than PPO or POS. These guys would not know what to do with themselves if I threw a high deduct plan at them. Benefits are baby steps.
On Friday I'll set up an enrollment meeting for our bailbonds gentlemen who has already told me that I had better answer my phone. I do answer my phone, I just wish he would never call. No actually I really like him and I think I would find it to be a real pleasure to deal with him. It's an eight person group that I'll be writing a 1500 one hundred percent plan. The benefit really made sense to this client. As for the dental I wrote it with the company that gave me several options.
I just hope even more is coming...
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