I kind of jumped on here and posted some yesterday without introducing myself. I wish I had found this forum much, much, sooner!
For the last month I have been back in the State Farm agent's office I started in back in '05 so I could cut my teeth and put up the kind of numbers that are required to gain support from local leadership and set myself apart from the competition.
Background: 10+ years in claims, both staff and independent, most notable position was National Catastrope Claims Manager for a small-mid-sized IA firm.
Was recruited by a market AFE. He told me to go to work for an agent, get some letters behind my name, and put up some sales figures. I lost touch with him over the next few years, and I did exactly that.
I quit my 6 figure position, sold my new house, my beloved 66GT Fastback, gave up golf and anything that cost money.
I took a position as a field claims rep for Fireman's Fund, a position that allowed me to work from home and study for CLU. I completed it in about 9 months.
My SF agent, who is also my father-in-law, let his Life/Securities rep go for lack of production, and I came on board in late 05. With three policies on the books, I qualified him for Legion of Honor, a feat he was worried about missing for the first time in 29 years.
2006- Qualified him for LOH again, Level II Ambassador Travel. $1 million in new assets under management for SFMVPC and/or Phoenix. Gained entry into the pool, and posted for the first thing that popped up. I got it.
2007- SF Agency Internship. Became a TICA Aug 1. Qualified for Fall Life Promo, best month was 46 life apps.
2008-Won multiple awards for auto every quarter. On-Time for travel. Top 30 in the Southern Zone Mutual Funds, and was on pace to crack into the Top 100 nationwide.
July 28th, 3 days before the end of my TICA contract, I was informed I would not be offered an AA005.
Obviously the last month has been a worldwind. No explicit reason was given, but I can draw conclusions from the bits and pieces they would give me. I guess they are basing it on "Next Generation Competencies", but the are being tight lipped about it. The did not terminate my contract, just did not offer me a new one. The corporate wagon has circled, and they aren't giving me much info out of fear because initially I raised some serious concerns.
I'll spare the gory details now, I just wanted to introduce myself so some would know more about me. I will happily tell my story as required or when asked.
I'm not going to be negative, but I WILL be realistic. I'm currently trying to heal from the long path and huge sacrifices I made for that opportunity to have the rug pulled by what I know to be unfair circumstances.
Still, I take responsibility for not building better relationships within the DAFO. I simply could not wait to get away from them and into the Market, and in retrospect I failed because I think I let that and other concerns (contract) show.
I still love SF. I am not going to bash it. My experience is not the same as others. I believe in positive leadership, and that does exist in this fine organization. Just not within my immediate former chain of command.
So there you have it. I'm looking for new opportunities and think the people here and this forum are a very valuable resource so far.
For the last month I have been back in the State Farm agent's office I started in back in '05 so I could cut my teeth and put up the kind of numbers that are required to gain support from local leadership and set myself apart from the competition.
Background: 10+ years in claims, both staff and independent, most notable position was National Catastrope Claims Manager for a small-mid-sized IA firm.
Was recruited by a market AFE. He told me to go to work for an agent, get some letters behind my name, and put up some sales figures. I lost touch with him over the next few years, and I did exactly that.
I quit my 6 figure position, sold my new house, my beloved 66GT Fastback, gave up golf and anything that cost money.
I took a position as a field claims rep for Fireman's Fund, a position that allowed me to work from home and study for CLU. I completed it in about 9 months.
My SF agent, who is also my father-in-law, let his Life/Securities rep go for lack of production, and I came on board in late 05. With three policies on the books, I qualified him for Legion of Honor, a feat he was worried about missing for the first time in 29 years.
2006- Qualified him for LOH again, Level II Ambassador Travel. $1 million in new assets under management for SFMVPC and/or Phoenix. Gained entry into the pool, and posted for the first thing that popped up. I got it.
2007- SF Agency Internship. Became a TICA Aug 1. Qualified for Fall Life Promo, best month was 46 life apps.
2008-Won multiple awards for auto every quarter. On-Time for travel. Top 30 in the Southern Zone Mutual Funds, and was on pace to crack into the Top 100 nationwide.
July 28th, 3 days before the end of my TICA contract, I was informed I would not be offered an AA005.
Obviously the last month has been a worldwind. No explicit reason was given, but I can draw conclusions from the bits and pieces they would give me. I guess they are basing it on "Next Generation Competencies", but the are being tight lipped about it. The did not terminate my contract, just did not offer me a new one. The corporate wagon has circled, and they aren't giving me much info out of fear because initially I raised some serious concerns.
I'll spare the gory details now, I just wanted to introduce myself so some would know more about me. I will happily tell my story as required or when asked.
I'm not going to be negative, but I WILL be realistic. I'm currently trying to heal from the long path and huge sacrifices I made for that opportunity to have the rug pulled by what I know to be unfair circumstances.
Still, I take responsibility for not building better relationships within the DAFO. I simply could not wait to get away from them and into the Market, and in retrospect I failed because I think I let that and other concerns (contract) show.
I still love SF. I am not going to bash it. My experience is not the same as others. I believe in positive leadership, and that does exist in this fine organization. Just not within my immediate former chain of command.
So there you have it. I'm looking for new opportunities and think the people here and this forum are a very valuable resource so far.
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