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Category: Time Management

How Time Management can Be Your Biggest Ally

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

For many business owners, time seems to be the one thing that you consistently run out of. There never seems to be enough. Between managing employees, garnering new business, seeking out investors, looking over the books and wearing so many other hats, you could feel as if you don’t even have a few minutes to sit down and recharge. This is where time management comes in.

You may be thinking you don’t even have time to manage your time, but you’re wrong. Understanding time management and how it could help you may be your saving grace and eventually increase your bottom line. Once you sit down and really scrutinize how you spend your time, it’s amazing to see how your time could be streamlined. In some instances, time is wasted doing things that could be delegated to someone else, or on processes that don’t even need to occur. When owning a business, especially in a brand new business, it’s easy to want to do everything, but you can’t. Take the time to assess and rethink.

For more information on better time management, take a look at Mike Stromsoe’s Unstoppable Profit Producer Program.

Freedom ROCKS and How to Get More of it!

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

One of the most frequent questions I get from other agents and entrepreneurs is how do you get so much freedom and don’t you worry about leaving the office for extended periods of time, whenever you want?  I used to, but not anymore.  You see, the agency that supports the life of my dreams has been carefully built and, consequently, I’ve taught the people that have earned the right to be part of our team to also create their individual opportunities daily to support the life of their dreams too.

I’m talking about the slowly hired team members that work in the Living Agency Laboratory. Yes marketing, operations and the rest is of paramount importance, but having the right team members strategically positioned in each facet of your money machine is the NUMBER ONE priority. One of the keys to maintaining our team is something that we just completed, which I affectionately call “Team Member Vision and Check-Up Day”.  For me, these days are some of the most important days of the year and before the day comes I plan, plan, plan and visualize in my mind exactly how it’s going to go.  This is what it looks like:  Every team member gets approximately one hour in my office, behind my closed door, to have a conversation with me and me only about their current situation, their future situation, and how they can contribute to our business going forward.

Additionally, we allow them some time to talk about personal things, if need be.  Before I go into this day, I always prepare a one-page script of very pointed questions, designed to elicit information, thoughts, visualizations and other matters of importance that need to be discussed.  Through these conversations, we are able to help the team members solidify their current goals, personally and professionally, start planning for their next set of goals for the coming year, and overall discuss how they can be a better team member, contributor to our agency and to the goals of our agency heading into the future.  Every time these meetings happen, it gets better and better.  This not only gives the team members a lift and gives them clarity in what they’re doing, it also helps me be a better leader and helps all of us collectively plan for the future and to set goals for the coming year.

After going through the process this year, I’ve now decided that I’m going to perform this twice a year at a minimum.  The nuggets have become so valuable and have helped create great clearness in where we’re going into the future.  In addition to that, it positions me as a team leader and agency owner to make changes in our personnel and the way we do things, our scripting, our operations, and much, much more.  By designing these conversations with specific questions, we are able to help the team members see exactly where they’re at.  If there are things that need to be fixed, it’s the perfect opportunity.  In the sessions that just ended, I planned one of the chairs in our agency, a very key chair, for many years to come(as long as she holds up her end of the bargain).  That lifts a potential burden off of my mind, allows me complete focus on the things that I need to continue to do so that our agency continues to churn money week after week, month after month, year after year.

Thought it would be helpful to list a few of the key scripted, pinpointing questions that I asked my team t behind closed doors:

1.            What thoughts do you have about your progress and our progress in 2012 so far?

2.            Why do you show up daily?

3.            Are team meetings of value to you? Why or why not? What can be done, in your opinion, to improve them?

4.            What are your expectations of this business to support your growth and advancement in the insurance agency business in the future?

5.            Discuss your expectations for yourself for 2013

Note: the most important part of facilitating these conversations is to STOP TALKING after you ask the questions. The answers and information you are looking for will come if you just listen for it.

Make a Difference, Be Unstoppable, Leave NO Regrets

Mike Stromsoe

 

Singles, Not Home Runs

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

With baseball season in full swing, this is the perfect time for us to discuss “singles, not home runs. I love, absolutely adore, helping people FULLY understand this concept.  After all, isn’t the final score really all that matters? Let’s tap our cleats with the end with the fat part of  the bat, step out of the batter’s box, take a deep breath, stare down our marketplace and get ready to take our best swings.

Who doesn’t want to score BIG and go home? What entrepreneur doesn’t feel that next great idea will be THE big idea that will turn the tables and create truckloads of cash that will provide mega freedom and financial security?  Maybe yes, maybe no. As marketers, we test. Secret tip, based on my own painful experience: home runs are few and far between. While you are swinging for the fence, don’t forget to hit lot of singles too. Singles might be other autopilot marketing programs that go on day after day, week after week, month after month and so on. Emails, voice broadcasts, phone calls, newsletters, direct mail pieces of all types, social media, videos, text messages and more. Last check, we have 27 different marketing activities going on every month. Remember, the singles when multiplied add up to runs and thou who has the most runs at the end of the game……wins!

What about you? Are you constantly rounding the base paths, making it home and scoring enough runs? If not, where should you start? Let’s make this real easy. There are 9 innings in a game, right? Get out a sheet of paper and write down the TOP 9 things that ARE working in your agency to drive new revenue, time after time, without question. Make sure that you consistently and continually do these 9 things, day after day, month after month as long as they remain profitable. Stop doing everything else. More results will come from your successes by simply performing the 9 successful programs that ARE producing results in your business.

Here’s why. This piece is being written on the heels of a successful trip, having spent two days with prosperous agents. One of the entrepreneurs, however, had a slight dilemma with a new partner in their business. She was being challenged with her mindset. We were on location and had the opportunity for immediate action. I made one suggestion and it made all of the difference. I STRONGLY encourage you to write this one down. This new partner said, after her successful appointment which culminated with her running into the room with a check in hand, “I am going to write these words on the inside of my forearm so I never forget them. They made ALL of the difference:

WE BECOME WHAT WE THINK ABOUT

The newest success story went on to share how she was able to go on the appointment, have the needed discussion with her prospect, do the deal, get paid and, most importantly, learn life changing lessons. She shared that after she heard the suggestion the day before; she began to only think about how the appointment was going to be a success. WE BECOME WHAT WE THINK ABOUT.

While continuing to do your math, while listening to your marketplace, while tweaking your message, while shifting your media packages (note the MMM’s-market, message, media), think about doubles, triples and home runs. Watch for the opportunities. They will surface, IF you focus on them ALL OF THE TIME.

In the last 12 years or so, our living agency laboratory has hit mostly singles. Those singles have added up to well over ultimate million dollar annual revenue, 5643 paying policyholders in our herd and thousands of prospects.

Singles, not home runs. And don’t forget, many base runners turn singles into doubles, just be paying attention to what is going on around them

Please……go implement, execute and take action NOW!

PS If you can’t create a list of 9 things, immediately get a hold of Andrea or I……we need to chat.

Call 800-770-9984 or email us at info@unstoppableprofitproducer.com today!

The Five Steps Of Learning And Retention – Part 2

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

The second step is Repetition.  My research of a university study revealed that an idea that was read or heard only one time was 66% forgotten within 24 hours. But if that same idea was read or heard repeatedly for 8 days, up to 90% of it could be retained at the end of the eight days.

So once you’ve read this manual all the way through, go back and read it again. But this time read with a highlighter, a pencil and notepad handy. Mark up the book. Write down the ideas you feel fit your personal business situation. This repetition will help you retain more of the information than if you had read it only once.

The third step in the learning and retention process is Utilization. This is the “doing” step. It is here that neuromuscular pathways(the study of this has been fascinating) are actually developed, creating a “mind‑muscle memory.” And according to the study quoted earlier, once you physically experience an action, it becomes twice as easy to recall as if you had heard it only.

Fourth, is Internalization. Actually making the idea a part of you. That may involve some customizing or tailoring of the idea to fit your situation or style, but it is vitally important for you to personalize the idea and make it “yours”.

The fifth step is Reinforcement. In order to maximize the effectiveness of an idea, you should continually be looking for ways to support and strengthen it. The more you can support the idea, the more you will believe it, the longer you will retain it, and the more effective it will become in helping you serve your customers’ needs.

Now, what does all this have to do with your business? Simply, this. In your daily business and personal activities, as well as throughout your experience with the information in this article, you are going to be overwhelmed with great number of ideas.

Some will be brand new, that is, you’ve never heard them before. Some will be ideas you have heard in the past, but have forgotten. And others will ideas you come up with on your own as a result of something that was triggered in your mind as you read. Understanding and applying these five steps in the learning and retention process can help you retain more of what you read and experience. These experiences can then be implemented and executed to put more cash in your pocket!

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!!

 

A Couple of GREAT Ideas

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

If you’re like a lot of insurance agency principles, managers, producers or agency team members, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything facing you in today’s marketplace. You want to excel and lead your agency team into the future, but sometimes you can’t seem to find the right formula to best position your team for success and you’re starting to wonder if there might be some better options?

I totally get it. I am right there with you and I remember how hard it was for me in the early years when I was trying to figure it out. I felt like I was working around the clock but not making much progress. I was really starting to doubt myself. A lot of my consulting clients had similar experiences and feelings as well.

Ultimately I’ve found that its times like this, when you get to choose how you want show up in the world. It may not be easy or comfortable, but it’s worth it every time.

What I also know to be true is that there are good reasons why you have succeeded to where you are now. Your team, your carriers, your colleagues, your family, they all see something in you. Now it’s time for you to step up and play a bigger game. As long as you have the internal drive, you can learn the cutting edge tools and skills required and get the support you need to quickly grow in today’s quickly changing marketplace.

Back when I first became an agent, I had to fly by the seat of my pants. There wasn’t any training, coaching or resources like we have today. And I really struggled. In fact, there were many early mornings, late nights and weekends away from my family before I finally figured out what it takes to quickly and confidently create the agency that supports the life of my dreams.

That’s why I am so dedicated to helping agency principles, managers, producers and agency team members. I want you to be able to avoid all the pain and struggle that comes with not being as successful as you know you can be in your insurance agency business.

Hundreds of people that are cared about deeply, respected and are considered lifelong friends have encouraged me many times over to provide ALL of this information to as many insurance industry people as possible. After thousands of hours, over 25 years of investing in becoming the very best, after quickly growing a scratch agency from zero to over one million in revenue in less than 8 years, it’s only right that I give back, that I share every secret I have with you, in intimate detail, for free.

Take a look at the video link below. Agent Jeff Liebowitz reveals where he learned and what the results were after he implemented a took action on a couple of good ideas.

After one full day of sharing everything I can, you’ll have hundreds of new tools and tips to quickly accelerate your agency to the next level. Nothing to figure out, I am going to share all of it with you. All you need to do is show up. I hope you can make it. It is going to be a very special day!

Video >>  Here’s A Couple of Good Ideas

If we can answer any questions, please let us know. Please contact Andrea at 800-770-9984 or email her at andrea@unstoppableprofitproducer.com.
To Your Massive Success!

 

Mike Stromsoe
The Unstoppable Profit Producer
Phone 800-770-9984
www.unstoppableprofitproducer.com

 

PS Remember, every interaction with our program carries our exclusive, unconditional satisfaction guarantee! You have no risk and everything to gain.

PPS  Here’s another reason you can’t afford not to invest one day in the future of your agency (exclusive video)

PPPS Below are all of the details so you don’t have to search for them:

Date:  June 1, 2012

Time Learning Begins:  8:59am

Time Learning Ends:  4:31pm (Actually Learning End Time NEVER ends)

Location:  Ayres Hotel and Suites – Costa Mesa
325 Bristol Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 546-0300

Airport:  4.3 miles (8 minutes) from John Wayne Airport, Orange County

Seating is limited and for only a $49 room charge (which includes lunch) you won’t want to miss out.

If you are ready to change the future of your agency and start living life on your own terms…

Instant Access To The Machine

If you have any questions, please contact Andrea at 800-770-9984 or email andrea@unstoppableprofitproducer.com, she’ll be happy to help.

 

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 (info@unstoppableprofitproducer.com) 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

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 – info@unstoppableprofitproducer.com
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 info@unstoppableprofitproducer.com  to schedule you F*ree 29 minute, In-Depth Agency Analysis today.  There is absolutely ZERO Cost and No-Obligations – you have NO RISK!

A Picture of…

Posted on by Mike Stromsoe

It’s been said “a picture tells a thousand words”… “a picture of efficiency”,
but a video!

Good news for you. I just shot a video showing the REAL WORLD TOOLS
at my own desk that make each person on our total protection team a
“picture of efficiency” which results in a money making machine,

 

 

Now please go implement!

PS Success Leaves Traces….find out yourself for free, Right HERE.

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