Biz Coach Or A waste Of Money????

[nevets24]

I am considering a business coach to help me I never used one, I have been hearing that they can be helpful. I wonder what actually a business coach will do? I picture getting up in the morning and my coach calling me saying "your A winner, Now look at yourself in the mirror, and say everybody likes me, Then give your self a big hug". Can someone give me the benefits of a coach? Also tell me what are the normal prices of a person like this.

 

[djs]

I've never used a business coach, so keep that in mind as you read this. I have talked to several, and also have known people to use them very successfully and people who have flopped entirely.

My first suggestion prior to getting a business coach is to read (or listen to the audiobook) e-myth mastery by Michael Gerber. This isn't the same as having a business coach, but it is a whole lot cheaper and helps put things in perspective.

As far as the coach goes, you have to consider the expense as an investment. The $$$ you give the coach should be coming back to you pretty quickly in increased productivity. You should interview several coaches, find out from them what their strengths are, how they think they can help you, and what you can reasonably expect from using their services. If you like the person, get some references and check them out.

Basically, a coach should help you become an entrepeneur, rather than a technician. In other words, they should help you work ON your business, rather than IN your business (again, read e-myth mastery).

You also need to decide what type of coach you want. Do you want help in closing techniques? Do you want help in marketing? Do you want help in business operations?

Bottom line, know what you want to achieve, don't be afraid to use help in achieving your goals.

Dan

 

[somarco]

I know a couple of guys who have used a business coach. These are people who have a business, have run it for several years with some level of success, but wanted to move to the next level.

I have always felt that our business was so unique, selling an intangible that almost everyone needs but doesn't necessarily want to pay for, that it would be difficult or impossible for an outsider to develop a plan that would work. Also our business changes on an almost daily basis which requires you to adapt.

Again, this is something that a generic coach can help to a point but I believe you must have a "gut instinct" on what works, what doesn't.

The 2 guys I know who paid for coaching felt it was worth the several thousand dollar investment. Both were given assignments (mostly involving networking) and told to check back on a regular basis.

The combination of structure and accountability are traits that are not inherent in most entrepreneurs. In this regard, a coach can be a good thing.

I talked with a guy a few years ago that had been successful in his own right. He owned 2 different businesses, sold them, then bought a coaching franchise.

If I could remember the name of the company I would post it.

He sent me lot's of free stuff and put me on his email list. He also sent me an audio CD but don't ask me where it is.

The information was good, but I didn't want to pony up the grand or so for an initial consult + ongoing fees.

I have no idea if he is still doing this or his company is in business. Seems like I tried to check back in with him after a few months of non-communication and he was not available.

Business coaching, marketing advice, sales training all have their place but from a personal perspective, I have found the substance to be lacking. Our business requires you to think on your feet, perhaps more so than most other sales jobs.

At least that is my perspective.

If you are selling life insurance you have to create the need, convince them the shell out the money and motivate the prospect to act now.

If you sell health you have a mindset among many that health insurance is something that should be free.

To use the hardware store analogy, we don't sell drills we sell a way to solve the need for a hole.

When I am talking with a prospect or client, I ask a lot of questions, listen intently and take copious notes. While I have a standard list of questions no two interviews are the same. There is a lot of fancy footwork that comes from listening to what the prospect really feels like they need then showing them how to solve their problem.

A sales tract or marketing plan can't teach that. Either you have the ability to listen and react or you don't.

To get back on track, if you need structure and accountability then a coach may be just the thing for you. Otherwise, you might want to put your dollars to better use.

At least for now.

 

[Insurance Salesman]

You'd probably be better of if you were to spend the money on a cold caller.

 

[Mark]

The force is already within you. You don't need someone else to use the force. Just believe in yourself and don't give up. IF you need someone to tell you are somebody, then I will do it. You are somebody and you can do great things. But it won't be at home in front of your tv. Now go see the people, smile when you are in front of them and believe in yourself or they won't.

I had a free business coach, if that is what you want to call it. It was a S.O.B. boss (manager) , that made me go door to door and call down the phone book when I got started in this business. I thank GOD for him everyday. I needed someone to yell at me, instead of buiding me up and to tell me what I was doing wrong. Don't look for reason to fail, but ways to win.

 

[Delta76]

nevets24,

What areas do you find are lacking that you want to improve?

I'm torn on this issue, I have a Sandler sales trainer that was successful in the insurance business before he retired and bought a Sandler franchise. He effectively acts as my non-official business coach, helping me think about what I'm doing each day and working toward.

However, and actually because of that trainer, I spend one hour each morning just working on improving myself while drinking coffee in an overstuffed chair. I usually work my way through a good book and instead of just reading it and thinking there are some great ideas, I actually work on implementing those ideas. Right now I'm working through "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People". This one is taking me a while as there is a lot there!

After I take notes and journal about how I'm going to implement what I'm working on, I set my goals for the business goals for the day and get to work. That hour in the morning energizes me more than anything else I could do and I start the day enthusiastic and ready to take on the world.

 

[Insurance Salesman]

I've done Sandler, also. It's expensive and worth every penny.

 

[somarco]

The force is already within you

I think I know how you will dress on Halloween.

It was a S.O.B. boss (manager) , that made me go door to door and call down the phone book when I got started in this business.

I know you are in a family business. Assume you are not talking about your dad (or is it uncle?

.

 

[Mark]

I think I know how you will dress on Halloween.



I know you are in a family business. Assume you are not talking about your dad (or is it uncle?

.

LOL. I'm glad you caught that. The force is stong within me.

No, when I got into the business my father was doing Health Ins Marketing and he wanted someone that was not family to be mean to me. So I was trained by a man that I thought was crazy. He made me buy a brand new car the 1st week, that I worked for him. I didn't know what a prospect book was, and he gave me my 1st one. He called it the phone book. It was full of names and numbers. I didn't have a clue what to say to them. So he taught me to say, that I'm going to be in your area today and tomorrow and wanted to know if I could stop in and see if I could help you like I'm helping your neighbor. It was that simple and one out of 50 people that answered the phone would say yes. I would get about 5 to 7 appointments from one day of calling. On the door to door sales, I would offer them a hot pad or cigarette lighter for 5 mins of their time. It was so simple that it worked.

This guy that I won't name, besides James, because so of you may know him, was really mean to me at the time, but it was what I needed to make sales. When I got started I was dumber then dirt about Life Insurance Sales. I quickly learned not to reinvent the wheel but to copy what other successful agents were doing. He kept telling me over and over,,Mark you have to see the people,,,see the people,,see the people...that is the bottom line in sales. Also, he and my father told me everyday, that Referrals are the life line of this business. They taught me that my clients have a real problem and I have to fix their problems. I had to be an expert on every product I sold and have the product guide with me at all times.

I have a lot of funny stories to tell, but I won't bore you all with them.

Okay, just one boring story then. He one day called my answering machine, and heard my stupid message and went crazy on me. Mark, that don't sound like an insurance salemans machine. I only said on it. Hey, this is Mark Rosenthal, leave me a message. Which I thought was good enough at the time. He said, Mark, would you buy from that guy on the machine. How do you know that he is a life insurance salesman and does his voice sound happy. It was the little things like this that made me whom I am today and made me make sales. He would shoot me if I didn't always have 50 business cards in my pocket at all times and at least give out half of them each day. I had to carry my own life insurance policy with me also. To show the clients that I believe in life insurance.

Okay, enough of the past. Over 50% of new agents don't last 18 months. Because, they don't understand that you have to sell yourself and really work hard in this business. It is a job and you have to work your butt off, but if you do, you will make it. A lead was a referral that you got for free. There were no lead to buy in those days.

Let me give you all some advise. Be nice to your underwriters at your home office. Never be rude to them. Do do keep 2 list and you don't want to get on the bad one. Also put all the health history down, and make sure you get the truth out of the clients. The underwriters are not only underwriting your clients, but you also. Your first 5 apps, decides which list you get on. The list that the agent always tells us everything, or the list that they need to do a ton of phi and aps and bug the hell out of you.

[email protected]

 

[somarco]

my father was doing Health Ins Marketing and he wanted someone that was not family to be mean to me.

Is DFACS aware of this?

I would offer them a hot pad or cigarette lighter for 5 mins of their time.

Not sure what a hot pad is, but a cigarette lighter? Was everything in black & white and did the guys all wear fedora's?

Sounds like something out of a Bogie movie.