Devotional
God repeatedly gave Joshua the charge to "Be strong and courageous" (Deut 31 & Joshua 1). David said, "Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27). The words "Do not be afraid" are repeated 70 times in the Old & New Testaments. Paul would say, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8).
Fear holds us back in many ways. Fear keeps us from taking risks and investing in our business. Fear keeps us from asking for the opportunity to quote someone. Fear keeps us from asking for the sale. Fear keeps us from asking for referrals or new lines of business.
We fear people's reactions; we fear losing money; we fear losing free time or rest. Living a life of fear doesn't honor God or produce success. I encourage you to write out the things you are afraid of and then take them to God. God is for us, so what's the worst that could happen!?
Scorecard
This was a poor month production-wise. Let's buckle down and end 2012 strong. Take some extra risks in November!
October Scorecard
Heath 15
Jared 13.75
Torrie 11.75
EJ 7.5
David 7
Dana 3
James 1
Mike 1
Steve 0
Lyndal 0
Jerry 0
Chase 0
Monday, November 5, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Hard Work
Devotional
Proverb 14:23 says, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
Sometimes it's easier to talk about work than it is to work. The challenge for each of us is to do the most important things first--even when they are exactly the tasks we don't want to mess with! Do you have a to do list? Most of you probably do. Do you prioritize your to do list?
If you don't, I'd encourage you to start. One way is to split your list into two lists--Urgent tasks and Important Tasks. Urgent is only those things that have to get done soon, like today or tomorrow. Don't do anything on the Important list until the Urgent list is done. And if something isn't important, don't put it on the list at all.
Another way would be to rank tasks A, B, or C depending on how important they are. Then do all the A's before you start on the B's, etc. Doing things that aren't urgent or important before tasks that are is a huge time waster and will lower your ultimate profit.
Here's a list of common time wasters than get in the way of profitable work:
1. Telephone and Email (maybe email shouldn't be the first thing I do when I get to work...)
2. Internet (including facebook unrelated to work)
3. Coming in late and leaving early (the downside of flexibility)
4. Lack of organization
I pray you can make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5) you have at Alpha Omega.
Scorecard
3rd Quarter is over and new commission levels will kick in with your next checks! Let's have a great Q4.
September (out of 15)
Heath 13
Torrie 12
David 11
Jared 9
EJ 4.5
Dana 4
Steve 3.5
James 1.5
Lyndal 0
Jerry 0
Chase 0
Mike 0
Q3 Averages
Heath 13.17
Jared 11.67
Torrie 11.17
EJ 8.17
David 6.67
Dana 5.83
Steve 3.08
Lyndal 2
Jerry 1.33
Mike 1
James .67
Chase 0
Proverb 14:23 says, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
Sometimes it's easier to talk about work than it is to work. The challenge for each of us is to do the most important things first--even when they are exactly the tasks we don't want to mess with! Do you have a to do list? Most of you probably do. Do you prioritize your to do list?
If you don't, I'd encourage you to start. One way is to split your list into two lists--Urgent tasks and Important Tasks. Urgent is only those things that have to get done soon, like today or tomorrow. Don't do anything on the Important list until the Urgent list is done. And if something isn't important, don't put it on the list at all.
Another way would be to rank tasks A, B, or C depending on how important they are. Then do all the A's before you start on the B's, etc. Doing things that aren't urgent or important before tasks that are is a huge time waster and will lower your ultimate profit.
Here's a list of common time wasters than get in the way of profitable work:
1. Telephone and Email (maybe email shouldn't be the first thing I do when I get to work...)
2. Internet (including facebook unrelated to work)
3. Coming in late and leaving early (the downside of flexibility)
4. Lack of organization
I pray you can make the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5) you have at Alpha Omega.
Scorecard
3rd Quarter is over and new commission levels will kick in with your next checks! Let's have a great Q4.
September (out of 15)
Heath 13
Torrie 12
David 11
Jared 9
EJ 4.5
Dana 4
Steve 3.5
James 1.5
Lyndal 0
Jerry 0
Chase 0
Mike 0
Q3 Averages
Heath 13.17
Jared 11.67
Torrie 11.17
EJ 8.17
David 6.67
Dana 5.83
Steve 3.08
Lyndal 2
Jerry 1.33
Mike 1
James .67
Chase 0
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Grace-ful Talk
Devotional
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt." - Colossians 4:6
"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgement for every empty word they have spoken." - Jesus, Matthew 12:36
I can definitely say I've spoken many "empty" words in my life. Words can be empty in a number of ways--empty of truth, empty of grace, empty of class or noble thinking, empty of purpose or value. But words are a big deal to God. Language matters to Him.
As we go through all these transitions, as we work in close quarters, as we have opportunities to speak with clients and potential clients, let's remember to let the standard of what we say be God's grace.
Paul said, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable . . . think about such things." (Philippians 4)
If we aren't even supposed to be thinking things that don't measure up to that standard, it's probably a pretty good standard for what we speak!
Scorecard
We had a pretty good month for new business, and we're starting to get some steady production in commercial. Remember to brainstorm possible contacts for commercial policies and look for opportunities to cross-sell existing clients. One more month for 3rd Quarter scorecard!
August Scores
Jared 14.5
Heath 13.5
Torrie 12.5
Dana 10.5
EJ 10
Steve 3.75
Mike 3
David 3
Lyndal 2
James .5
Chase 0
Jerry 0
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt." - Colossians 4:6
"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgement for every empty word they have spoken." - Jesus, Matthew 12:36
I can definitely say I've spoken many "empty" words in my life. Words can be empty in a number of ways--empty of truth, empty of grace, empty of class or noble thinking, empty of purpose or value. But words are a big deal to God. Language matters to Him.
As we go through all these transitions, as we work in close quarters, as we have opportunities to speak with clients and potential clients, let's remember to let the standard of what we say be God's grace.
Paul said, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable . . . think about such things." (Philippians 4)
If we aren't even supposed to be thinking things that don't measure up to that standard, it's probably a pretty good standard for what we speak!
Scorecard
We had a pretty good month for new business, and we're starting to get some steady production in commercial. Remember to brainstorm possible contacts for commercial policies and look for opportunities to cross-sell existing clients. One more month for 3rd Quarter scorecard!
August Scores
Jared 14.5
Heath 13.5
Torrie 12.5
Dana 10.5
EJ 10
Steve 3.75
Mike 3
David 3
Lyndal 2
James .5
Chase 0
Jerry 0
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
The Value of Listening
Devotional
James says, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak." Steven Covey said, "Seek first to understand and then to be understood." A friend of mine who is in professional fundraising told me last week, "when they talk more than I do, I win."
There is great power in asking good questions and then listening, really listening. When we listen like that, people know we value them and they can have greater faith that we understand what they really want. When we listen like that, we sell the right things because we know what people are looking for. When we listen like that, it's hard to put your foot in your mouth.
Be quick to listen and ask lots of questions. It's a small time investment on the front end that can pay big dividends on the back end.
Scorecard
We only hit 48% of goal this month, but that number is a little deceptive when compared to previous months. Kyle has backed his own production out to highlight what all the other agents are producing. So it's up to us now! As people settle back into their routines at work after the craziness of summer vacations, it's a great time to start selling some commercial deals! Let's send lots of deals to Torrie this month.
July Scores
Heath 13
Jared 11.5
EJ 10
Torrie 9
David 6
Lyndal 4
Jerry 4
Dana 3
Steve 2
James 0
Chase 0
Mike 0
James says, "Be quick to listen, slow to speak." Steven Covey said, "Seek first to understand and then to be understood." A friend of mine who is in professional fundraising told me last week, "when they talk more than I do, I win."
There is great power in asking good questions and then listening, really listening. When we listen like that, people know we value them and they can have greater faith that we understand what they really want. When we listen like that, we sell the right things because we know what people are looking for. When we listen like that, it's hard to put your foot in your mouth.
Be quick to listen and ask lots of questions. It's a small time investment on the front end that can pay big dividends on the back end.
Scorecard
We only hit 48% of goal this month, but that number is a little deceptive when compared to previous months. Kyle has backed his own production out to highlight what all the other agents are producing. So it's up to us now! As people settle back into their routines at work after the craziness of summer vacations, it's a great time to start selling some commercial deals! Let's send lots of deals to Torrie this month.
July Scores
Heath 13
Jared 11.5
EJ 10
Torrie 9
David 6
Lyndal 4
Jerry 4
Dana 3
Steve 2
James 0
Chase 0
Mike 0
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Pressing On
Devotional
We've crossed the halfway point for 2012. Production is up some and we had a good experience with Celebrate Freedom last week. Let's turn those 200 leads into a bunch of new clients! We've also launched a commercial division and sales are starting to pick up there as well.
Our Agent of the Year contest is half over, and scorecard commissions are kicking in this month. We've experienced a lot of change and there's more to come. My encouragement for us is from Philippians 3:13, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize." Paul says everyone who is mature will take that view of things (v15). Over in 1 Corinthians 9, Paul says to "run in such a way as to get the prize" and that he doesn't "run like someone running aimlessly."
Success is out there--it's the sum total of a lot of choices, a lot of small sacrifices. God made us physical beings and gave us physical work. He cares about our work. But He also understands our shortcomings and His focus is forward, not backward. So let's make the second half of 2012 twice as good as the first half! Let's get those scores up and give EJ and Heath a run for the money! :)
Scorecard
We hit 75% of goal in June! Just as a side note, Heath contributed a whopping $21,546 in new premium. Way to go, Heath! Things are picking up, so let's make July our best month ever and take home that extra 5%!
June Scores
Heath 15
EJ 15
David 9
Mike 7.5
Torrie 5
Dana 4
Lyndal 3.5
Jared 2.5
Jerry .5
James 0
Chase 0
Steve 0
Your Q2 scores will affect your checks starting next week. In other words, your production in April-May-June will affect the checks you receive in July-August-September (even though your July check is actually for June production).
Q2 Scores (Add to 55% to get your Q3% unless you are already vested)
Heath 12.5
EJ 12.17
Torrie 7.92
David 6.83
Mike 5.5
Jared 4.5
Jerry 3.33
Dana 2.33
Lyndal 1.67
James .83
Chase .5
Steve 0
We've crossed the halfway point for 2012. Production is up some and we had a good experience with Celebrate Freedom last week. Let's turn those 200 leads into a bunch of new clients! We've also launched a commercial division and sales are starting to pick up there as well.
Our Agent of the Year contest is half over, and scorecard commissions are kicking in this month. We've experienced a lot of change and there's more to come. My encouragement for us is from Philippians 3:13, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize." Paul says everyone who is mature will take that view of things (v15). Over in 1 Corinthians 9, Paul says to "run in such a way as to get the prize" and that he doesn't "run like someone running aimlessly."
Success is out there--it's the sum total of a lot of choices, a lot of small sacrifices. God made us physical beings and gave us physical work. He cares about our work. But He also understands our shortcomings and His focus is forward, not backward. So let's make the second half of 2012 twice as good as the first half! Let's get those scores up and give EJ and Heath a run for the money! :)
Scorecard
We hit 75% of goal in June! Just as a side note, Heath contributed a whopping $21,546 in new premium. Way to go, Heath! Things are picking up, so let's make July our best month ever and take home that extra 5%!
June Scores
Heath 15
EJ 15
David 9
Mike 7.5
Torrie 5
Dana 4
Lyndal 3.5
Jared 2.5
Jerry .5
James 0
Chase 0
Steve 0
Your Q2 scores will affect your checks starting next week. In other words, your production in April-May-June will affect the checks you receive in July-August-September (even though your July check is actually for June production).
Q2 Scores (Add to 55% to get your Q3% unless you are already vested)
Heath 12.5
EJ 12.17
Torrie 7.92
David 6.83
Mike 5.5
Jared 4.5
Jerry 3.33
Dana 2.33
Lyndal 1.67
James .83
Chase .5
Steve 0
Friday, June 8, 2012
Sowing and Reaping
Devotional
Proverbs 20:4 "A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall."
God has set up a world full of cause and effect. He uses these things to grow our character. They reflect the ways He relates to us. He allows our choices to matter--to make a difference.
In insurance, we talk about having things in the pipeline, but what we really mean is that what we plant today is what we'll harvest in the coming days, weeks, month or even years. Paul said not to let yourself get fatigued doing good because the harvest would come at the proper time if we stick with it (Galatians 6:9).
Are you doing the things today that will produce good sales tomorrow? Have you let yourself become fatigued? Are you spending your work time doing things that will produce policies in the future (like meeting new people and discussing their insurance) or just finding ways to stay busy?
As the Solomon said, consider the ants and be wise!
Proverbs 30:25 "Ants are creatures of little strength yet they store up their food in the summer."
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." -Calvin Coolidge
Scorecard Update
We broke the 56% of goal barrier!! 65% for May and we're off to a good start in June! Let's push hard and all get that extra 5% for June.
May (out of 15)
EJ 15
Heath 11.5
Torrie 10.25
David 6.5
Jared 3.5
Jerry 2.5
Mike 2.5
James 2.5
Chase 1.5
Lyndal 1.5
Dana 0
Steve 0
Proverbs 20:4 "A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring has nothing to harvest in the fall."
God has set up a world full of cause and effect. He uses these things to grow our character. They reflect the ways He relates to us. He allows our choices to matter--to make a difference.
In insurance, we talk about having things in the pipeline, but what we really mean is that what we plant today is what we'll harvest in the coming days, weeks, month or even years. Paul said not to let yourself get fatigued doing good because the harvest would come at the proper time if we stick with it (Galatians 6:9).
Are you doing the things today that will produce good sales tomorrow? Have you let yourself become fatigued? Are you spending your work time doing things that will produce policies in the future (like meeting new people and discussing their insurance) or just finding ways to stay busy?
As the Solomon said, consider the ants and be wise!
Proverbs 30:25 "Ants are creatures of little strength yet they store up their food in the summer."
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." -Calvin Coolidge
Scorecard Update
We broke the 56% of goal barrier!! 65% for May and we're off to a good start in June! Let's push hard and all get that extra 5% for June.
May (out of 15)
EJ 15
Heath 11.5
Torrie 10.25
David 6.5
Jared 3.5
Jerry 2.5
Mike 2.5
James 2.5
Chase 1.5
Lyndal 1.5
Dana 0
Steve 0
Friday, May 4, 2012
Selling Insurance...For God
Devotional
"Don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from your heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work." (Colossians 2:23-25, Message)
"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV)
God cares what we do every day. God cares about how we do it. He put us here to do meaningful work, to take care of things, to make things better (Genesis 2:15). We have the opportunity to do meaningful work when we meet a new person and start a relationship with them, when we ask someone if we can quote their insurance and then quote it correctly and honestly, when we save people some money, when we make sure our files are complete and accurate. Somehow we've bought into the idea that there are spiritual things we do for God and non-spiritual things we do for ourselves. But in the scripture, everything is spiritual. Jesus did his first miracle at a party--creating wine no less! He fixed people's real life problems and taught them how to live day by day. He lived in the real world with real people. And He spent a lot more of his adult life in a normal career than He did in full-time ministry.
So this month, don't do the minimum. Let's not just scrape by, surviving the hard things in life. Celebrate your opportunity to bring glory to God by being a good husband or wife, by paying attention to your kids, by being diligent at work. If everything is spiritual, then everything matters. What we do matters and how we do it matters. It matters to God because we matter to Him and this world matters to Him. He cares.
Whether you are stamping postcards or filling out a quote on EZLynx or talking to a new acquaintance about insurance or helping out a fellow agent, do it for God. And give it your all--because He cares about it.
Scorecard Update
We hit approximately 56% of goal again this month. What's going on?! I encourage you to make it your personal goal to see that May is a breakthrough month. If we all produce, we can blow 56% out of the water! Here's the summary of April's scores:
April (out of 15)
Heath 11
Torrie 8.5 (Great first month!)
Jared 7.5
Jerry/Chase 7
Mike 6.5
EJ 6.5
David 5
Dana 3
Lyndal 0
Steve 0
James 0
"Don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from your heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work." (Colossians 2:23-25, Message)
"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV)
God cares what we do every day. God cares about how we do it. He put us here to do meaningful work, to take care of things, to make things better (Genesis 2:15). We have the opportunity to do meaningful work when we meet a new person and start a relationship with them, when we ask someone if we can quote their insurance and then quote it correctly and honestly, when we save people some money, when we make sure our files are complete and accurate. Somehow we've bought into the idea that there are spiritual things we do for God and non-spiritual things we do for ourselves. But in the scripture, everything is spiritual. Jesus did his first miracle at a party--creating wine no less! He fixed people's real life problems and taught them how to live day by day. He lived in the real world with real people. And He spent a lot more of his adult life in a normal career than He did in full-time ministry.
So this month, don't do the minimum. Let's not just scrape by, surviving the hard things in life. Celebrate your opportunity to bring glory to God by being a good husband or wife, by paying attention to your kids, by being diligent at work. If everything is spiritual, then everything matters. What we do matters and how we do it matters. It matters to God because we matter to Him and this world matters to Him. He cares.
Whether you are stamping postcards or filling out a quote on EZLynx or talking to a new acquaintance about insurance or helping out a fellow agent, do it for God. And give it your all--because He cares about it.
Scorecard Update
We hit approximately 56% of goal again this month. What's going on?! I encourage you to make it your personal goal to see that May is a breakthrough month. If we all produce, we can blow 56% out of the water! Here's the summary of April's scores:
April (out of 15)
Heath 11
Torrie 8.5 (Great first month!)
Jared 7.5
Jerry/Chase 7
Mike 6.5
EJ 6.5
David 5
Dana 3
Lyndal 0
Steve 0
James 0
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