The concept of defined contribution (DC) is not widely used in the enhanced, or voluntary, benefit space. But communicated properly, approaching enhanced benefits from the DC perspective is a powerful and innovative tool that brokers can bring to their clients. I start the conversation by asking employers, “Why do you pay for benefits such as life, dental, vision and disability?” …
Jimmy Fallon Shouldn’t be the Only One Writing Thank You Notes!
Have you ever considered sending a handwritten note to thank a prospect for hanging up on you? One of my favorite comedy bits on the new Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is his Friday night “thank you notes” segment. Sure, they’re hilarious and witty, and the musical interaction with his band member and his cohost is comedy gold, but what I like …
How ‘National Cupcake Day’ built my social brand and how other advisers can do the same
One Tuesday morning in December 2015, I sat at the kitchen table with my daughter Dylan as she ate her “daddy’s cereal”— Special K with Red Berries. With the morning news on in the background, we both heard the anchorman say, “It’s going to be a delicious day. It’s National Cupcake Day!” At six years old, Dylan thought this was …
Be coachable: how brokers can stay out of their own way
Trust the experts to know how to overcome objections and close the sale. When I take on a new client, I start by telling them how the relationship works — and how it doesn’t work. In other words, I’m a big believer in laying down ground rules: What I expect from them as a partner, and what they can expect …
For Benefits, Word Choice Can Prove Paramount
How “Ancillary” and “Voluntary” may be hurting your enhanced benefit sales I just closed my first 50-life case and couldn’t wait for the employee group meeting. Visions of 80% employee participation were letting my mind cash checks that inevitably my mouth hadn’t yet written. While presenting, I proceeded to, innocently enough, refer to the majority of their employees as “tow …
Millennial advisers who are transforming their family firms
The average age of someone in the insurance business is 54, and for most firms, recruiting a younger generation into benefits has been very challenging, to say the least. I’m pumped that I was able to secure three millennial rock star benefit strategists who are breaking through the benefits status quo and taking their geographic markets by storm to speak …
Hi, my name is Eric, and I’m a recovering carrier rep
There’s little concern about the damage carriers’ always be selling mindset is causing employee policyholders, and even sales reps. “Hi, Eric!” said the group of attendees joining me at this week’s fictitious recovering carrier reps anonymous meeting. Now, before you judge me for poking fun at very serious topics like gambling addiction, or those constantly seeking an adrenaline rush and …
Finding sales partners in unexpected places
Working late one evening, my office cleaning guy, Jeff, popped in to tidy up. He had been cleaning my office for nearly a year, but I never see him since he usually does my space last. While he was cleaning, I struck up a conversation with him about how his business operates. I found out that he works alone and …
Join the ‘voluntary’ revolution
To say that I’m a bit humbled and overwhelmed with the incredible honor that has been bestowed upon me as the 2017 Voluntary Adviser of the Year by Employee Benefit Adviser would be an understatement. I’ve had the privilege of working with and being surrounded by some of the most talented and amazing colleagues in the enhanced benefits industry throughout …
How to maximize enrollment with enhanced benefits — with Eric Silverman
Originally published on BenefitsPRO.com by David Saltzman. You may have been calling them voluntary or ancillary, but Eric is passionate in his belief that neither of those words make the case for a benefit offering that is more important to clients and employees than ever before. Eric Silverman is one of the most disruptive forces in the area of “enhanced …