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Does Your Team Stand Out When ALL of the Chips Are On The Line?

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

Our claims service report series is one of our most requested by agents…..so what the heck is a claims service report?

Claims service reports are a custom document that we sent out to our customers a certain number of days after a claim occurs, because in our agency, we monitor all claims activity.  We don’t wait for the document or the notification to come in; we go out and get it.  We proactively hunt for it on carrier websites, we look at things that come in, and once we see that we proactively contact our clients, and make sure the claims process gets started.  In addition to that, we talk to them about the claims process, and make sure the companies are standing up to their end of the bargain and are taking care of our customers in the manner that they should be taken care of.  We really feel good about that.  At the end of the process, we send them out a claims service report, and we ask for feedback on how the claim went.  Our claims service report have a lot of different questions on them, which kind of lead up to the final question, which is, “Tell us about your claims experience,” and those claims service reports just time after time bring great feedback, and a lot of the responses are GREAT testimonials.  “Thank you, your agency just took great care of us.  We appreciate you being there for us always,” so forth and so on.  So keep in mind that that also is a positive emotional situation.

In other words, it’s not anything negative, it’s positive, and they’re feeling good about the situation.  We also forward all claims service reports to the carriers, good and bad. Carrier claims reps need to hear the good reports too. Our carriers LOVE this. We also market to the CLAIMANTS. You got it. If we are provided a name and contact information, we start a separate campaign to the CLAIMANTS. Here’s a situation that happened just last night:

I was in the office and it was late, a client walked in, I said, “Hey, how can I help you?”  And he goes, “Something great happened, and I just had to come by and tell you guys, and in addition to that I want to find my agent, because I feel like I want to give him a hug.  I’m that jazzed about the claims experience I just had” and I said, “Tell me more,” and he told me about the situation.  What had happened was, the agent in our office had gone the extra mile.  He had gone way out of his way to help him out, to make sure that a situation was resolved.  It was a situation we didn’t make any money on, but he went the extra mile anyway, and got the situation resolved for our customer, and our customer was, so happy they couldn’t stand it, so they drove down here to tell him.  And that particular agent was on the phone, so it was a great opportunity, that positive emotional situation was at its very highest at that point.  So, fortunately, we were in an area of the office which is right near our marketing room, and our marketing gal, who’s always on it, she just kind of handed me the camera, and I didn’t even have to think about it.  So I said, “Mr. Client, would you mind if we helped other people with just a few words about what just happened to you?”  And he said, “Yeah, no problem, what do you need me to do.”  I said, “I’d just like to record how you were taken care of by our agent, so I can share this with other people who might ask about our services.”  He said, “I’d be happy to.”  And right there on the spot, full of emotion, he recorded the testimonial.

So, that’s a perfect example of a positive emotional situation, which is the time that you always want to ask for a testimonial, because that’s when you’re going to get your very best testimonials.

Be Unstoppable when taking care of your customers! “No one cares how much you know until they know you care”

The Five Steps Of Learning And Retention

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

Learning – the acquisition of new information or knowledge, and Retention – the ability to capture that information and recall it when wanted or needed, is actually a process that involves five steps:

First, is Impact. That is, actually receiving the idea in your mind. Impact can be in the form of a word, a visual observation or a concept. It makes no difference. Your mind isn’t capable of making a distinction between a visual or an actual experience. Nor is it capable of determining the difference between a conscious or an unconscious impact an idea may have on you. As far as your mind is concerned, those experiences are all the same and your mind will accept them, regardless.

If information or an experience appears real to your mind, your emotions and nervous system will react as though it were actually real.

To illustrate this point, try this simple experiment:

Seat yourself in a comfortable chair, feet flat on the floor and your hands resting comfortably in your lap.

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, let it out slowly and relax. Take another one. Let it out slowly. Relax even more.

Picture in your mind a lemon resting on a table in front of you. Visualize it. See it clearly. Look at its shape – its color – its texture.

Now, mentally reach out with your hand and pick up the lemon. Bring it up to your face. Look at it closely. Squeeze it. Do you notice how firm it feels? Feel the texture of the lemon’s dimply and waxy skin. Notice the lemon’s yellow color and round shape, with its pointy ends.

Now, hold it up to your nose. Smell it. Do you notice the lemon’s citrusy smell?

Place the lemon on the table and mentally pick up a knife that’s laying nearby. Cut the lemon in two.

Pick up one half of the lemon and see the juice dripping from it. Bring the lemon up to your nose. Smell it again. Now bite into the lemon.

What’s happening to you right now? Is saliva flooding your mouth, both in your mind, as well as physically?

Now consider what just happened. In actuality, there was no lemon. You just pictured one in your mind. While this was just a mental exercise, and the lemon was just imagined, chances are, if you are like most people, the mental image you were playing on the screen of your mind triggered certain responses which manifested themselves physically. So, you can see by this demonstration, that Impact, is a critical step involved in the process of learning and retention.

Being a Unstoppable is ALL about IMPACT. The next steps are coming to you over the next few weeks.

Until, then GO IMPLEMENT something!!

 

Good News

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

Hundreds of people that are cared about deeply, respected and are considered lifelong friends have encouraged me many times over to provide this information to as many people as possible. Take a look at the good news below. I hope you can make it. It is going to be the beginning of something GREAT!

Good news

 

Wishing you continued massive success!

“You can have everything you want if you’ll simply give enough other people what they need”
Zig Ziglar

Unlimited Abundance

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

Walt Disney was a man of extraordinary vision and foresight. He knew what it would take to be successful in his chosen area of business, and he developed a formula that expressed his philosophy, and could be used in any type of business to ensure its success. He called it, his “Law of Unlimited Abundance.” Walt said that it didn’t matter what type of business or endeavor a person was engaged in, they could be successful and enjoy unlimited abundance, if they would simply follow his formula or plan. Walt Disney’s “Law of Unlimited Abundance,” stated, that to be successful, you must: “Do what you do so well, that the people who see you do it, will want to see you do it again, and will bring others to see you do it.” That’s the credo that built the enormous successes of Disneyland and Disneyworld. And in their arena of operation, they stand alone.

 

 

The Law Can Work For You!
It can be similar in your agency, too. You see, the key is to, “do what you do,” not always what someone else does, but what you do. Simply covert the “way” you perform everything done by you and your team. That’s what makes you special, sets you apart from others, and attracts people to you. You are not a conformist.

Then you do what you do, “so well,” that is, provide what your customers require, want, or need in an exceptional manner. It leaves no room for mediocrity, it’s “so well.” That implies exceptional performance.

And if you will do that so, “the people who see you do it,” (your customers), “will want to see you do it again,” (that’s repeat business), “and will bring others to see you do it,” (that’s referral business), you too, can meet with an unparalleled< explosive, success.

Because so few people perform in business that way, it sets you completely apart from all the competition. Customers can’t get the kind of caring protection from anyone or anywhere else. It’s simply not available anywhere, at any price.

So, by default, you become unique, different, and difficult to replace. And it will be reflected in your business and your bottom line. It has to. There’s no choice. It is a basic, eternal law of nature. You simply reap the results of what you’ve sown.

You Reap What You Sow

 

The question you must answer in your mind is, “What are you going to sow, so you will reap the kinds of rewards you wish to have?”
In the world of business, this is a most critical question, and one you would do well to take the time to answer. Fact is, most business people simply don’t understand how important the answer to this one question really is.

You see, many people go into business because it is something they have always wanted to do, or because they want a certain amount of freedom, or perhaps they want to be their own boss.

Now, those are not necessarily bad reasons, but they are selfish reasons for the most part, and while they may sound good on the surface, in actuality, some of them may not be very practical.

If you go into business for selfish reasons, and fail to give the customer his or her rightful due, your chances of success are likely to meet with hard times.

Business, like farming, requires that you do certain things in a particular order if you are to realize an abundant harvest. Now the answer to the question:  “What are you going to sow, so you will reap the kinds of rewards you want?”…is simple. You only have to look at the question backwards.

First, what kinds of rewards do you want? Second, what do you have to do to get those rewards? And third, who is it that can give you those rewards?

If you will always remember that although you may represent certain companies, they are not who pays you.

Hope this helps, hope you take action. Good luck!

 

Mike Stromsoe, Creator of the
Unstoppable Profit Producer Program™
A Coaching Program for Insurance Agents
Call 800-770-9984
www.unstoppableprofitproducer.com

PS As a special bonus for March, since it’s the month of GREEN, I will help you make MORE green. For all of the details, call 800-770-9984 or Email us ([email protected]) today for your F*REE, 29 minute, in-depth, no-obligation Agency Analysis!

 

Here’s What Other Agents Say About the Unstoppable Profit Producer Coaching Program and How Their Lives Have Been Changed:

“I have had the pleasure of working with Mike Stromsoe on various projects over the last four years. I must say that I have never met another individual in business who is more focused on getting the job done, whatever the task, and getting it done right with the utmost integrity. Mike has taught me many things in the business environment but what I am most thankful for is his example of discipline to get things done and get them done right, quick and precise with the customer in mind always. I highly recommend Mike Stromsoe and his team to anyone who is looking for his services.”

Terry Young ~ Southern Risk Services

The Business That Supports The Life Of Your Dreams

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

Life is so awesome! Thought it would be fun, since having FUN is an Unstoppable passion, to share some insight into one of my personal passions. You see, this is WHY we create systematic, self-reliant business models. So most days can be like those described below:

 

A recent Saturday morning group bicycle ride occurred that causes me to urgently share this really important message. Please…..take a moment.

One of the toughest challenges we face as entrepreneurs is staying in the mindset that takes us to the next level. It’s all about mindset, the awesome think-tank.  You see, we are what we think about.  So, I challenge you today with this question: What is it that you think about constantly?  Do you constantly think about how good things are?  Do you constantly think about how bad things are?  Are you constantly seeing ways to improve your business?  Or are you constantly thinking about how bad things are and that there’s no way that they are going to get better?

 

Here are some real world results from my recent experience with some of my riding partners.  We were about 21 miles into our ride on a recent Saturday when we came along some newer cyclists in our group; we asked how things were going, how they were feeling about the ride so far.  And here was the response from one of them.  “All I can think about is that hill that’s coming up.”  This was quite intriguing to me, as one of the keys when you are riding fairly steep hills on a bicycle is that you have to get in the right mindset.  If all you think about is how difficult that hill is going to be, the hill has already beaten you.  It will beat you down and beat you down, and consequently, you’ll struggle the entire way up.  Have you ever experienced this in your business life?  If so, what’s the answer?  Well, my friend who we were riding with needed encouragement, and that’s what we gave her.  We shared with her that we’d ridden this hill many times, and that it wasn’t so bad.  Yes, the first time I rode it, it seemed ominous.  But, after it was done, it was really fairly easy.  And there’s a system that must be in place when you’re riding hills.  So, I shared with her my system.  I also encouraged her that about a third of the way up the hill, there is a little flat area where she could recover before attacking the rest of the hill.

 

You see, it’s about mindset, about having a system in place and it’s about where you position your mind before you enter into anything.

 

Working on your mindset is an incredibly challenging yet rewarding experience.  I encourage you to take a look at the left column of this blog, near the bottom and subscribe to the link “Thought of the Day-Hill”.  It’s FREE, but in fact, will pay you; your family and your business back many, many times over. This is something that I look at every single day and it helps my mindset accelerate to the level that helps us reach our goals and live our dreams!

 

Good luck, and see you at the top!

Freedom

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

The only thing that matters is helping you build a business that supports the life of your dreams.  About 6 or 7 years ago, our agency was gaining momentum and growing quickly. We had acquired an agency, brought in people from the acquired agency, and brought the entire team together through the definition of each specific, documented task. We were firing on all cylinders. I finally had a business that truly “supported the life I wanted to live”. I was free!

Shortly after that, I noticed the team needed direction. Another roadblock in our evolution. That’s when our Intranet was born. Building an Intranet for your agency business can bring a whole new atmosphere to your business and your team.  Here’s just a few of the benefits this can bring:

  1. 1. Reduces Cost – with an Intranet in place, you can publish most of the company documents, memos and such directly through a webpage, go paperless.  This saves you on printing and distributions costs.  What about training costs?  If you could upload training videos directly to the Intranet, for your teams’ use (when they need it), do you think this might free up your time?  That brings me to the next item…

    2.  

  2. 2. Saves Time – How much is your time worth? Have you recently calculated what an hour of your time is worth? With all of your agencies documents in one place, it is easier and quicker to add new or update existing information and make it instantly available.  When your top producer needs a form, they know right where to look – no more searching endlessly through computer folders, numerous workstations and simply wasting your valuable time.

    3.  

  3. 3. Teamwork – An Intranet offers an environment where your team members can share knowledge and support, edit and manage documents/projects as a group and promote virtual team working.  Keep everyone on the same page with announcement section, interoffice memos, team calendar, FAQs, employee handbook, team motivational programs and the list goes on.

    4.  

  4. 4. Increase Productivity and Effectiveness – By reducing cost, saving time at every corner and setting a stage for your team to enhance their communication and collaboration, you have become more productive and effective as individuals and an agency alike.

 

An Intranet has made a tremendous impact in my agency and many others. I encourage you to do a little research and see if an Intranet is the right solution for your agency business.  For an example of an intranet, check out Intranet Concepts.

To your success,

 

Mike Stromsoe, Creator of the
Unstoppable Profit Producer Program™
Phone 800.994.9984
Email – [email protected]
www.unstoppableprofitproducer.com

 

PS  BTW, building an Intranet was not easy and took months of blood and sweat during afterhours work.   If you would like to virtually eliminate your pain and take advantage of my pain, see my limited time offer below.

PPS  If you are ready to take the leap and start living life on your own terms, Call 800-770-9984 or email [email protected]  to schedule you F*ree 29 minute, In-Depth Agency Analysis today.  There is absolutely ZERO Cost and No-Obligations – you have NO RISK!

What Do Jim Irsay and Mark Davis Have In Common?

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

The ANSWER is here..

Having a world class team is the NUMBER ONE priority in any business.

If you would want more info about the Unstoppable Profit Producer Program™ or my Step by Step Hiring System, Take Action Now.  Call 800-770-9984 or Email [email protected] today and start living life on your own terms.

And remember, Implement, Execute and Take ACTION!

PS  “We don’t build businesses, we build people and people build businesses.”    ~ Zig Ziglar

Why We Do What We Do?

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

As the new year begins, most people have created their list of resolutions and goals.  It is during this time that it’s critically important to clearly understand  the “WHY” in what we do.  This is a significant factor in knowing where you want to go and culminate this year.

Our team recently had the opportunity to view a video about the “WHY”. It was a video that has caused daily reflection for some time. In fact, so powerful, we felt it would be unfair not to share it with each of you.

The focus is WHY we do what we do, whether it be in business or in life. Below are some of the key points of the talk. We hope these simple, yet important thoughts truly make a difference for you, your family and your business this holiday season:

Why – Why we do what we do – It is our purpose, our cause, our belief system. Why do we get out of bed in the morning or why does an organization exist ?

How – How people do it – your differentiating proposition. The processes by which we do what we do. Does our make “all the difference” for others?

What – What is it that we do? Do we have clarity on our mission?

People aren’t in it because of what you do, they are in it because of why you do it; When the opportunity to connect with people who believe what you believe arises, a common why occurs. It is our hope that everyone will consider the WHY in everything you do and that your true belief will reflect in your efforts, whether it be business or pleasure, family or friend. Every relationship matters.

There is so much to be thankful for–our families and friends, our health, our homes, our daily lives. And there is incredible opportunity going forward in 2012.

Thank you for your support, confidence, your business and friendship!

PS All NEW for 2012…… call 800-770-9984 to find out ALL of the details on WHY you should build the agency to support the life of your dreams. Call 800-770-9984 today!

10 Proven Tips to Explode Your Profits in 2012….

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

Are YOU ready to make your 2012 the year that will catapult your life and the lives of those you love into a rewarding experience that will make a difference for others?

 

As you know, to do this, we must create and maintain businesses that relentlessly churn profit on their own.  Does this describe your business(es)?

 

Whether your businesses relentlessly churn profit on their own or not, please accept these 10 Proven Tips to start your year on a foundation that insulates you against any and all economic pressures. I strongly encourage you to print or write down the following 10 Proven Tips and Implement, Execute and Take Action on each one:

 

1. Be Decisive – When you make a decision, make the decision and run with it.  Don’t waver around or hesitate.  Either implement or decide not to implement and MOVE FORWARD.

 

2. Stay Focused – You have made the decision, now FOCUS on it!  Segment your time, do whatever you must do to follow one course until you meet success!

 

3. Write Your Goals – What gets written down gets done…  Now that you have written down your goal down you have made a commitment to yourself and to others. Review them often.  Share them with those you hold closest and post them all over, in your car, bathroom mirror, fridge – EVERYWHERE.

 

4. Plan Thoroughly – Planning before taking action helps you to do things better, cheaper and faster.  Planning ahead will allow you to maintain focus, prepare yourself, see obstacles that lay ahead and a strategic exit plan, if necessary.

 

5. Involve Others – Two heads are better than one.  It’s okay to learn from someone who knows more than you.  You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, learn from those who did.

 

6. Welcome failure – Success cannot exist without failure.  Think about it, Einstein failed 10,000 times before he invented the light bulb.  Success cannot exist without failure, learn from it and move forward towards your goals.

 

 7. Take purposeful action – There is no magic pill to get you success, you must Take Action – roll up your sleeves and work your way there.  If you are waiting for it to fall in your lap, you are going to find yourself sitting there for a long time. Implement, execute and take action today!

 

8. Inspect what you expect – Evaluate where you currently are, in relation to where you would like to be.  Are your actions driving you down the road to meet your goals?  Things change, make sure you consistently know where you are going.  If not, you may end up traveling a long ways down the wrong road.

 

9. Reward yourself – Set a reward for each goal you make, or even a reward for each step accomplished to get there.  This will help motivate you and encourage you along the path to your goals.  Recognizing your achievements is critical to continue the positive behavior of striving for and meeting your goals.

 

10. Maintain personal integrity – Are you committed to your goals?  What’s the purpose of setting a goal if you do not plan to achieve it.  Personal integrity is the key to success.  You must commit to your commitment, keep your promise to achieve it.

 

How do you plan to make a difference in 2012? 

 

If we can help you in any way, please get in touch with us at 800-770-9984 or [email protected].

 

Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Top 10 Reasons to Stay in Touch – Are You?

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

Recently spent almost 3 hours with two of the brighter minds in the insurance industry and I am blown away how far behind some agencies are in today’s marketplace. Don’t risk being one of the casualties. This business is NOT rocket science. Little known secret – a close friend of mine is a rocket scientist. I consulted with Ron a couple of years ago, took his photo and keep it on my phone to share with anyone I am teaching because my friend, the rocket scientist, confirmed this fact – This business is NOT rocket science

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS AND PROSPECTS – ALL OF THE TIME

Here are the Top 10 Reasons to stay in touch and thoughts from the author:

1. Most businesses lose 10-17% of their business every year.
Thought: While I realize this likely does not apply to most of you, you are still losing business. Why? Do you have a relationship with your clients, prospects and COI’s that will stand the test of time and any other forces that might interfere? The easiest money you’ll ever make is the money you are already making (your clients and past clients)

2. 62% of your clients aren’t taking advantage of all of your products or services.

Thought: Again – The easiest money you’ll ever make is the money you are already making (your clients)

3. 91% of our customers say they would give us a referral, but 80% haven’t been encouraged to do so!
Thought: This I do not understand…I am sure everyone on your team is scripted to ask for  referrals every time they communicate with someone, don’t they? Each outbound contact includes a “motivator” in every email, outgoing envelope, etc. Everyone on your team is also motivated monetarily to act. Right?

4. Simply saying “thank you” to your customer will increase your business by 17%.

Thought: This one is easy. Every time your team speaks with someone, this is automatic. Isn’t it? And they are writing a minimum of FIVE thank you notes a week. Right?

5. You lose 10% of your influence for every month that you don’t have contact with your client.

Thought: Another no brainer….true? We communicate with our marketplace at least one to two or more times a month (email, newsletter, faxes etc)….don’t we?

6. A 5% increase in customer loyalty could yield 20-80% to your bottom line.

Thought: Ah the Pareto Principle. We build loyalty consistently, especially with our VIP clients, don’t we? For example, we send a special VIP package every month, right?

7. Studies show that an average prospect won’t do business with you until they’ve seen or heard from you
or your message at least 7 times.

Thought: Finally, an easier question…..we have an automated, automatic follow-up system that contacts our prospects a minimum of SEVEN times, in different ways (email, snail mail, fax, voice broadcast, video landing page). Don’t we?

8. 79% of all trade show leads aren’t followed up with. Most business from a trade show comes from the vendor following up with the prospect.

Thought: Ok. Maybe you don’t do trade shows, what about networking events or other social gatherings. We always send a hand-written note saying “good to meet you” etc including credibility boosters….right?

9. 66% of your business within the next year will come from your sphere of influence.

Thought: Opportunity knocking? Well, if we are executing on 1 through 8 above, then maybe this applies.

10. Only 3% of the mail we receive is personal.

Thought: Dare to be different and STAND OUT from the crowd!! If you want to be like everyone else, do what everyone else is doing and get the same ol same ol results.

YOU are in complete control of your destiny.
What is working for you? Why or why not? As marketers, we test. Are you testing consistently?

The above thoughts and comment did attempt to be a bit humorous until I really started thinking about my own team in the “Living Agency Laboratory”….. gotta run, we have work to do!

Last thought: The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary!!

If you have questions regarding this article or if you would like to learn more about the Unstoppable Profit Producer Program, Call 800-770-9984 or Email [email protected].

P.S. Be UNSTOPPABLE!

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