August 2011
Strategies for Success Newsletter August 2011 Issue 68
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Published by Emily Huling Selling Strategies
www.sellingstrategies.com
Copyright 2011 Emily Huling. All rights reserved.
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In this August 2011 issue:
Thoughts from the home
Thoughts from others
Thoughts from the office
Have you read…? Follow up
On the road in 2011
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1. Thoughts from home
Becoming a “Yes” Woman
I’m not a huge Jim Carrey fan. Most of his movies are too silly for my taste. But there are a few that have provided me laughter and thoughtful reminders about life. Yes Man, a romantic comedy, is one of them. Carrey’s character, Carl Allen, is stuck in a rut and negative about life. He enrolls in a personal development course that recommends saying yes to everything. Carl takes this advice to heart and discovers the power of “yes” in career, friendship, and love.
I can identify with the Carl. It’s tempting to say “no” to activities, opportunities, and invitations especially when I’m tired or feeling overwhelmed after a long week of work and travel. But saying “yes” is exactly what I need.
Thought for the day: Next time you feel like saying “no” to having lunch with a co-worker, playing a game with a child, going to a movie, or taking a walk with friend, say “yes” instead. As Carl discovers in the movie Yes Man, you’ll never know where it leads.
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Group Learning Programs for Producers and CSRs
Two Hours to a Winning Sales Plan This step-by-step program helps agents create a personal one-page sales plan. The process includes a 10-point self-assessment, situation analysis, mission statement, creating strategies, goals, and activities. A sample plan, prospect and client tracking charts, and a sales activity form are included.
Great Service Sells Presented in 21, five-minute chapters, agencies can use the text with the audio CDs for a year’s worth of group training sessions. CSRs will acquire a dynamic service-oriented mindset and learn tips and techniques to retain business, increase sales, and earn referrals.
Visit www.sellingstrategies.com for more information and to order online.
Use Coupon Code NEWS11 to receive a 20% discount and a complimentary copy of The Energizer Minute Collection.
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2. Thoughts from others
On contentment
“Contentment is by definition not thought out. It is offered only to those who are ready to receive. It is a subtly graded sensation, heightened by its moderation rather than its intensity, causing one to marvel that a moment so simple and ordinary could be so fine. Those moments are recognizable by the joy and peace built in, by freedom from the pressing need to fix or mend a problem, an injury or hurt. These are the moments of acceptance, of living, of observation, of freedom from worry, valued for the infrequency of their appearance. And these gifts, when they appear, just as quickly disappear if not recognized immediately for what they are. For here is the deceit – they are so normal in their trappings that they appear to be devoid of value until the last moment. In the end, it comes to most of us that suspending the need to save the world from time to time may be required to savor it.”
From The Book of Choices by Mike Magee, MD
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August’s Energizer Minute
Tune in to hear A Shift in Gift Giving. Go to the www.sellingstrategies.com home page and click on the Energizer Minute.
Get your copy of The Energizer Minute Collection CD. The first 24 Energizer Minutes on CD recorded from January 2009 through December 2010. Receive a complimentary copy on product orders over $50.
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Special announcement!! The wholesale insurance industry has a new publication call WIN – Wholesale Insurance News! I’m thrilled to have an article in the May 2011 inaugural issue, page 18, called Underwriting the Customer Relationship. And check out the new slick format to read this online magazine! Sign up for your free online subscription.
Here’s the link
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/AMGQ0211/#/20
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3. Thoughts from the office
Results and Rewards
“That’s the best $7200 I ever spent!” exclaimed Paul, the owner of a main-street agency in a small mid-west community. Paul and I work together twice a year by phone to keep his business moving forward.
From May through September 2010, a normally slow time in the office, Paul challenged his three agency staff people to a sales challenge. The finish line was simple and clear. Each person had to produce 24 new home and auto, 9 new commercial, and 9 new life policies. The reward was simple and clear. Whoever achieved their goals would be invited with their spouse on a three-day trip to stay at the Sonoma Inn in Sonoma, CA. The result – they all made the trip! In March 2011, all four couples had a rousing time in the northern California wine country.
Paul told me the benefits of both the contest and the trip far exceeded his expectations. Focused teamwork, improved morale, customers being better served and protected, and family recognition were all advanced during this event. His greatest challenge now – how to top it!
How are you investing in your business to improve results and relationships?
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Shared experiences make memories. EH
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4. Have you read…? Follow up
Last month I suggested a book for readers who are dealing with the search for retirement communities for aging loved ones. It’s titled Where Should I Retire? A Guide to Continuing-Care Communities by Bernice Hunt.
Thanks to the many folks who wrote and shared with me some of their experiences and other resources. Here’s another one I want to pass along. Caring for Aging Loved Ones is the “Official Book of The Focus on the Family Physicians Resource Council.” One of the editors, Robert Riekse, Ph.D. is the father of a client, Jon Riekse, a senior officer at Auto-Owners Insurance. It’s a terrific book! The cover calls it “A lifeline for those navigating the practical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of caregiving.” I couldn’t agree more. In thirty minutes, I picked up several very important concepts to aid me in this process.
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For dozens of resources to build individual and organizational top performance, visit www.sellingstrategies.com or get in touch with me at emily@sellingstrategies.com or 888-309-8802.
Feel free to share any of my free stuff, articles, or newsletter content as long as proper credit is included.
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5. On the road
Business travel is taking me to these places. Please give me a call if you’d like to connect when I’m in your area.
Private client – Brenham, TX August 22-25, 2011
Private client – Fargo, ND September 12-16, 2011
NAMIC Annual Convention – Indianapolis, IN September 18-21, 2011
Private client – Oklahoma City, OK September 26-28, 2011
Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma Small and Rural Agents Conference – Norman, OK September 29, 2011
NAPSLO Annual Convention – San Diego, CA October 10-12, 2011
Next Generation Leadership Workshop – San Diego, CA October 10, 2011
Private client – New York City, NY October 27-29, 2011
Private client – Lansing, MI November 17, 2011
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Selling Strategies: Strategies for Success Newsletter is published by Emily Huling Selling Strategies. For further information contact emily@sellingstrategies.com.
© 2011 Emily Huling. All rights reserved. Feel free to share our newsletter if copyright and credit are always included.