I was selling group in NM but when I moved to AZ I was offered a job with a company selling individual. It's a good oppurtunity but I do miss the group market. Also the group market seemed like a tough nut to crack without the backing of a large established agency.
Separation Value-Added Services
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I was selling group in NM but when I moved to AZ I was offered a job with a company selling individual. It's a good oppurtunity but I do miss the group market. Also the group market seemed like a tough nut to crack without the backing of a large established agency.
Silverplume has an HR side to it that is more reasonably priced and allows you to download forms. Personally I would avoid this type of system. It is difficult for a group agent to manage thier time wisely and this adds more calls to your day. Also if you go to this type of system you are dragging yourself into topics you should not be advising on. I have always tried to avoid advising my clients on anything other than thier benefits package. My response was that I could tell them what I know but that ____ is not my field and I would hate to get them in trouble with bad advice.
In my experience the best way to obtain and retain customers is to get involved in the community. Make contacts through civic organizations, chambers, and other community organizations. Also make friends with CPA's and attorney's they are a great referal base. In group insurance relationships and networking are everything. You have to build that relationship by proving yourself, and proving that you care about them and thier employees.
I actually walked away from a 100+ group because the employer wanted a plan that would have devaustated the employees. My reputation is more important than any commission.
TriDad
Expert
We're looking into offering FREE, or deep-discounted payroll service as an added value service for being a client.... 
what do you think of that?
what do you think of that?
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We're looking into offering FREE, or deep-discounted payroll service as an added value service for being a client....
what do you think of that?
Sounds very time consuming, and has the potential for a geat deal of liability.
TriDad
Expert
that is a concern that we're looking into. Since it's all web driven, the client would be doing all the inputing, and everything would be automatically deducted from the employer account and direct deposited into the employees accounts.
I'm not a payroll specialist so compliance is an issue. That's why we're consulting with a payroll person to answer the concerns you mentioned.
I'm not a payroll specialist so compliance is an issue. That's why we're consulting with a payroll person to answer the concerns you mentioned.
What I did on things like payroll was to establish a network of people I trusted. Many times I would have a SBO who needed multiple things instead of giving them someones card and having them call I would arrange multiple meetings at the same time for them and give them access to our conference room. One example was a restaurant owner he needed group health, as well as payroll services, a buy sell agreement, and retirement planning. I could only handle the group health so I arranged for a CPA, an attorney, and a financial advisor to all come to a meeting with him at my office. He was there for 3 hours and left with everyone knowing exactly what he was trying to accomplish and all of us working together. He was very happy with me and I recieved several referals from him.
