by TRK3031962 » Sat Mar 28, 2009 09:52 pm
Hi all,
I'm a Life and Health and Annuity Agent/Recruiter in Virginia. I have spent many years in the field and have been through the "agent" ringer when it comes to being captive and having low commission contracts. I swore to myself that if ever I get to the position of being able to offer contracts that I would never ask an agent to be captive and I would offer as much as I could to other agents. Well, it took a while, but I'm there. Seems my philosophy is well liked by many agents I have helped across the country. I believe in doing the right thing because it's simply the right thing to do.
As most people, I don't know it all but I know a few things. I learn every day and hope to be able to help here and learn while I do. In reaching out to agents across the country I've been able to learn so many things that I had at one time never known.
I look to have a valuable and viable experience here.
Todd
I'm a Life and Health and Annuity Agent/Recruiter in Virginia. I have spent many years in the field and have been through the "agent" ringer when it comes to being captive and having low commission contracts. I swore to myself that if ever I get to the position of being able to offer contracts that I would never ask an agent to be captive and I would offer as much as I could to other agents. Well, it took a while, but I'm there. Seems my philosophy is well liked by many agents I have helped across the country. I believe in doing the right thing because it's simply the right thing to do.
As most people, I don't know it all but I know a few things. I learn every day and hope to be able to help here and learn while I do. In reaching out to agents across the country I've been able to learn so many things that I had at one time never known.
I look to have a valuable and viable experience here.
Todd
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 04:14 am Post Subject:
Hey, welcome Todd. I'm glad that you have found us. We keep on receiving queries from aspiring agents on how to set foot on the insurance industry. Your knowledge would certainly help them in gaining confidence. Hope you would stick to the community as a mentor to the newbie agents.
Thanks,
Rupert
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 05:09 am Post Subject:
welcome to the community TRK3031962..
we appreciate your valuable time for the community.
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:31 am Post Subject:
Hi TRK3031962,
I thought it's always better to work as a captive agent for the initial few years and then start as an 'independent' agent once you've gained enough expertise or developed a network around you. Now, it's interesting to know that you have a different idea. Would you please explain your views to us?
ArindamSenIndies
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 02:13 pm Post Subject:
Arindam, Think of it like this...how many different job careers can you think of that don't demand you are captive? If you want to leave a job, they don't tell you no you can't. You can't hold someone back from being successful whether it be with you or not. Why would you hold someone back? Why would I? That's just greedy and I don't play the greed game.
There is a place for an organization that will teach you and guide you, but the problem with being captive is that they always want to keep you at the lower levels. I'm not saying you don't move up, but for the most part have you ever seen anyone get trained then once they get trained they say, "now were going to move you up to the levels that are very competitive in the industry because we don't want to lose you?" No, IMO, anybody that wants to "own" you wants to continue to own you.
As for training, there is way too much information out there today that you need someone to hold your hand for very long. Like this forum for example.
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