Updating from September 2012 https://theinsurancebill.com/?p=192
Life philosophies can adjust. It’s tough to think that any day you wake up doesn’t have some element of great to it. Although I really do not remember who I was referencing six years ago, I think I do and just the possibility of who it is makes me smile.
Ten or so years ago I started to realize I could work with anyone. Then, this adapted a little to
Doing an audit/ clean up of my computer. Lots of satisfaction in finding goal list and projects that were successful but forgotten. Also, find lots of thoughts that I am thankful I had then and are still valid today. Some from a goal list I had put together;
My mission is to continually provide my clients with the service that I would expect, the best possible. Each relationship will be treated as though it is priceless. My professionalism must always be visible and I cannot sway from my principals. Purely on principle, I must always give the client everything possible all while being the person who I would want to deal with. I must be a reliable source for information and provide those who I deal with the utmost of professionalism…….
Several times a month a new person hires me and I am shocked. See I know I am “good” and I know how to do a lot of things. But there is a recurring theme, there is really no reason why this opportunity should exist. There is no reason why this person should have called. But then again there are quite a few.
The one that set me over is something like this, husband and wife with the same agent for 20+ years. Husband and wife fit perfectly into dozens of companies; married, great credit, college degrees, home owners, clean records. He is also a business owner and the paths fairly regularly cross with the agent who should appreciate his business. Sounds familiar?
YOUR VOICE MAIL!!
Seriously, people call you and you have 15-30 seconds to say something cool. Credit to Jeffrey Gitomer who first put this thought in my head. ” I am on my phone or away from my desk…” Says nothing, shows nothing but it does waste the time of the person that called. Help them smile, maybe even laugh. Why not?
Here is what referrals would look like if they were a “symbol”;
Thanks Charles Petzold
Pretty simple, where the intersection takes place is the referral/sharing moment. The idea being that the referral takes place and the Referrer and the Referee continue on the path and eventual pass and receive another referral. Reality is in perfection it is more like this;
thanks Etsy person.
A continually growing chain of infinity symbols that interlock with one another therefore allowing a continual stream of referrals and sharing to take place. If at some point you choose to cut the loop you hinder the ability to give and subsequently receive referrals in the future. Why would you want to do that? No idea.
The moment you decide to ask a friend for an introduction that is when. See the key is that you, in this case I, was willing to strengthen a relationship by asking for some help. See there is something to be said for being willing to go out on a limb and ask for some help.
Sometimes you win just by asking.
Now what about the other side, the brush off or lack of interest from the other party. I give it a big aw well and move on. See part of being willing to ask is being willing to get turned down. Remember just because most of the world does not have the senses to see, hear or feel an opportunity doesn’t mean one does not exist.
How many people who collect “unemployment” are legitimately unemployed?
How many of those same people did NOTHING or close to it to remain employed?
**Disclaimer; I have no idea what the payments are for unemployment. I have no idea what you need to do to “qualify” for it. I have never nor will never be unemployed…maybe unemployable but never unemployed**
FACT: There are jobs everywhere. Thing is many of them are not advertised and do not need to be.
FACT: That is not a statement about the “old boys club” that is a true statement as it pertains to the world we live in.
I was at a light behind a car with a big sticker announcing that they were an Alum of New York University. Pretty regular, unremarkable thing to see. But I am wondering, what does and what should someone be looking for when you look at a college?
My initial thought is check in with the alumni office first with the career/guidance office a close second or even in a tie for first. Even if you do not know what you want to study the reality is these two places could be the best tools any college has to offer. I appreciate the fact that the name on some pieces of paper carriers more prestige than others but the reality is it is a piece of paper. You can read all the books you want but if you do not do anything with the information it isn’t really knowledge.
I suggest always starting from a genuine position. Preferably a position that makes you want to help others and be a solid resource for everyone you know.
So over the last several years I have taught myself a lot about LinkedIn. It started about four years ago as a way to make sure I am keeping in touch with people. It has grown into a very useful tool for not only keeping a rolodex somewhat organized but also has allowed me to become more valuable for the people I value. The following is a little experiment I had done once before and just did again. It worked well the first time, I learned some lessons and here you go;
Not to far removed from election season and now with other elections and votes pending soon I cannot help but think about how amateurish campaigns can be. Reality is it is pretty sad. Everyone operates from a reactive position and goes right for the “jugular” with something like public safety. Rarely with any facts in hand. Even rarer with actually actionable steps to fix the base of the problem from the past. Instead they take the easy road, strike up some fear, attack an opponent and just like that you have some politics.