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August 25, 2008 |
E- Newsletter Volume 2, Number 1 |
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In This Issue · Hire a “B to Y” Assistant ·
Greetings NAIFA-California Members NAIFA-California
Mark Your Calendars! NAIFA-California |
Hire A “B to Y” Assistant
Adi Ringer, LUTCF, CFP®, ChFC
NAIFA-California Vice President As I was working on my business plan, I knew that I
couldn’t keep doing the same things and expecting different
results. The reality is that,
just like most of us that get into the insurance and investments world, we are
great at making sales, talking to people and coming up with great ideas. BUT NOT GOOD AT IMPLEMENTING
THEM. Whether it’s because
we’re too busy or our mind is going a mile a minute, without the right
help we won’t implement half our good ideas. I know I’m willing to host a
workshop or seminar and I will show up to do the presentations and
appointments, but I need someone to take care of everything else in the
middle, a “B to Y” assistant. Most of us are good at some things, but need help in other
areas. We all need a "B to Y
Assistant" at one time or another.
So what qualities should you look for? An assistant should have a pleasing personality. She or he will be working with clients
so she or he should be a "people-person" with excellent client-relationship
skills. An assistant should have complementary skills to the
Advisor. If you are a big-picture
person, then you will need a detail-oriented person to fill in the
blanks. A detail Advisor needs a
more global thinker. An assistant should be very organized, detail oriented,
and have the ability to delegate tasks when necessary and follow through to
ensure tasks are completed on time (Even when it’s from you!) An assistant should be intensely curious and not be afraid
to ask questions. If she or he is
responsible for marketing or special projects, her or his understanding of
the steps to success are critically important. An assistant should have energy and drive. In order to keep up in today's
fast-paced marketplace, a qualified support person should be able to handle
several tasks at once. And, finally, an assistant should be diplomatic. Clients can be very demanding and must
be told "No" occasionally without them becoming upset. A good assistant will be able to do
that with tact and professionalism. It’s
important that you take your time to find the right fit for your company and
more importantly your personality.
Also, be prepared to pay well.
This talent comes from experience and can command a higher pay. However, if you do this, you will see
a great return on your investment, will become more productive and
you’ll get projects off the ground while only doing the things
you’re good at and enjoy. (top) Legislative Update
http://www.naifacalifornia.org/Advocacy/PDFdocs/LegUpdates/2008/Legislative
Update 8-08.pdf
The summer months are usually reserved for large doses of
rest, relaxation, and fun with family and friends. I truly hope you are following this
recipe, and the time has been enjoyable. Your Leadership Team has used this time to help create
some exciting things for you for the balance of 2008 and beyond. This year represents a milestone for
our Association. NAIFA-California
will be turning 75! Quite an
achievement . . . certainly one that each of us should look to with great pride. You will see references to this in the months to come, all
culminating in our gala celebration next May in Speaking of celebrations, did you know that
NAIFA-California has dubbed our 75th year, “The Year of The
Local?” That is because our Locals represent our main
constituency, our main focus, our most valuable asset. In everything we do, we must
continually ask, how can we better assist our Local Associations in meeting
the needs of their members? To that end, we have devoted much energy and resources to
reach out to Field “Agency Management.” We wanted to go directly to Managers
and General Agents to hear what they had to say. Much of what we learned from these
meetings was shared with Local Leaders at the recent ALC
meetings in July. NAIFA-California
will continue to have dialogue with these key people to further re-engage
them into NAIFA, and to suggest ways they can directly support our Locals. Life Insurance Awareness Month will be here in a few short
days. I want to recognize the
efforts of NAIFA- NAIFA’s 2008 Annual Convention and Career Conference
will be in
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