Ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius expressed his belief in the importance of
learning from interaction when he wrote, “I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I
do, and I understand.”
There are no shortcuts when it comes to being successful, just as there are no
shortcuts when it comes to gaining knowledge and understanding.
Richard "Dick" Cleary
Recent Posts
Topics: Agent / Advisor Training, eLearning, Training and Development, Insurance
If you are leading 1099 associates — those who are not employees of your company paid on W-2’s — be aware of the U.S. Department of Labor’s guidelines on how to differentiate between employees and contract labor. Because rules and laws vary from state to state and from one company to another, we cannot provide detailed information or advice. It is important that you work with your company or get state-appropriate legal advice to make sure you are not crossing any of the existing boundaries that could get you in trouble.
Topics: Management Development, eLearning, Training and Development, Insurance
Use Focused Training Groups to Engage Associates
You’ve probably heard these common complaints about training from your mid-tier and top-tier associates:
- “You offer training only to new hires and neglect those of us who are more experienced.”
- “You offer the same training to all associates at every level of the career.”
- “You force training on us that we can’t relate to and don’t find valuable.”
Topics: Management Development, Agent / Advisor Training, eLearning, Training and Development, Insurance
If you are a top-performing associate, chances are, your manager is likely to approach you about going into management at some point. This happens often, and when it does, it requires a deep soul search to figure out whether to consider it or not.
Plenty of producers have left their clientele and practices behind to give management a try, only to discover that they weren’t happy in a management role. Many associates accept the invitation into management because they want to please their managers. Others do so because they aren’t sure where their true passion lies.
Topics: Management Development, Agent / Advisor Training, eLearning, Training and Development, Insurance
A Six-Step Guide to Writing an Effective Elevator Talk
When you have a polished, well-practiced “elevator talk,” you can easily introduce your practice to potential clients, nominators and referrals in any situation. After all, you never know if you’re talking to that one person who might be able to help take your practice to the next level. Using a short but well-planned elevator talk is an effective way to present your unique value proposition to people in an engaging way.
Topics: Agent / Advisor Training, eLearning, Training and Development, Insurance
Financial Literacy — Understanding Social Security's Impact on Retirement
Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans aged 65 or older currently receive Social Security. The Social Security Administration estimates that 21 percent of married couples and 43 percent of single seniors rely on Social Security for 90 percent or more of their income.
Topics: Agent / Advisor Training, eLearning, Training and Development, Insurance, retirement, Social Security
Become a Master Communicator: The Importance of Body Language
Every good business relationship begins with strong communication skills. Whether you are meeting a client face to face, skyping with someone halfway across the world or giving or listening to a presentation, communication is always in play.
Topics: Agent / Advisor Training, Employee Training, Training and Development, Insurance
How Everyone Benefits from the Work-from-Home Option
Working from home is becoming an attractive option for many people who have long commutes or find that they can concentrate better without the distractions of being in an office. If you are a manager who hasn’t considered the work-from-home option for your agents or advisors yet, it might be time to consider the many benefits.
Topics: Management Development, Agent / Advisor Training, Insurance
Why You Should Convert Classroom Training to E-Learning
Traditional classroom training will soon be a thing of the past. E-learning is becoming the new norm because it is highly effective as a learning method, and it is extremely cost-effective.
It’s Effective and Cost-Effective
One study that compared e-learning with traditional classroom training reports these compelling numbers:
Topics: eLearning, Training and Development, Insurance
5 Reasons Insurance Agencies Should Invest in Video Content
Regardless of which marketing information source you consult, video content has become the most powerful digital marketing tool to reach consumers. Numerous marketing surveys and study reveal more than 50 percent of consumers prefer to see video content from the brands and businesses they support; and, video content has edged out static photo images as the best performing content for businesses. If you are not leveraging the power of video content to increase your brand awareness and capture leads, it's time to jump on the bandwagon. Video content is the next big thing and it isn't going anywhere soon. Here are six reasons you should invest in video content for your insurance practice:
Topics: Agent / Advisor Training, eLearning, Training and Development, Insurance