Absolute Minimum $$$ to Start?

[VolAgent]

No offense Rouse but I'd never ask a business professor how to start a small business. These are the chaps responsible for turning out droves of geniuses who are begging for a socialist to run our country.

Entrepreneurship isn't something learned in school, however that's exactly what's required to become successful in this industry.

Running a business and starting a business are not exactly the same. That said, I'm not huge on business school. Due to Wall Street, they are beyond short sighted and not focused on the long term in my opinion.

I suppose this can be taken to support either position. Most full-time professors either consult, practice or write, depending upon the field. They have to to secure tenure and then to receive grants. You'll never see a law professor trying major cases, but they definitely do pro bono work, run or assist law clinics, etc. Same with medical school, most still do some level of practice. Business school, many consult as well.

It may not be their day job, but they still see the inside of their profession even though their main job is to teach.

 

[springbokhouston]

Maybe, then please explain their worth? I know that when I lived in LA the LAUSD openly supported the Dems. What do you think the teachers are pushing on our kids. I'm not picking sides here politically, but neutrality certainly is not the norm.

 

[VolAgent]

Maybe, then please explain their worth? I know that when I lived in LA the LAUSD openly supported the Dems. What do you think the teachers are pushing on our kids. I'm not picking sides here politically, but neutrality certainly is not the norm.

Who are you talking to and what about?

 

[Rearden]

What's rarer than full capitalization is the person who is willing to work his ass off to achieve his goals.

That's what's more often missing and much more important to have than capital.

I have an agent who started last year and was able to generate $75,000 in income from final expense sales, without working direct mail or telemarketing leads.

He did the "seminar circuit" I recommended. And he did that in six months.

It's a great method that works if employed in full force.

But the "full force" thing typically is the missing factor, unfortunately.

 

[Thedude]

I specifically said FE. The reason you agree is because you are a person that sells FE for a living so you know what I'm talking about.

Selling FE is not about the book learnin. It's not about the classroom BS or anything you will get from a desk jockey or a company rep.

Long term success in FE comes from an understanding of the FE market and the FE demographic.

There is no one that hasn't done it that will ever grasp that. And it's comical for them to claim otherwise.

Sure you can learn the nuts and bolts and the products from a desk jockey. And maybe that's what they are hanging their hats on?

Yea that's why I said they need to have at least worked the field before....but who's to say they aren't better at teaching than selling?

but I've seen some 20,000 a month producers try to train someone and they have zero people skills nor can cater to different personalities so every person they touch fails because they can only train people like them

We all know these people lol

 

[springbokhouston]

Running a business and starting a business are not exactly the same. That said, I'm not huge on business school. Due to Wall Street, they are beyond short sighted and not focused on the long term in my opinion.

Agreed, having done more than a little of both it's been a huge advantage having had the experience. Back to the program, I think it's very important to have a mentor/upline etc that's intimately familiar with what it takes, including sales, office work, money and time management, self discipline etc etc etc.

 

[Thedude]

Maybe, then please explain their worth? I know that when I lived in LA the LAUSD openly supported the Dems. What do you think the teachers are pushing on our kids. I'm not picking sides here politically, but neutrality certainly is not the norm.

Most of my professors were fiscally conservative and to save face they accept these left social policies

LA and Houston will be different though

 

[jdeasy]

Hey JD, a friendly question. If someone were training under you, what would they see? Do you try to say and do the same thing with your appointment setting and presentations (scripted) iwith every lead and in every home? Could another agent learn and repeat your steps and language right down to the close? Is scripted language part of the FEX program?

Short answer, yes. I say the same thing on every appointment setting call. I do the same presentation in every home. is it scripted? Yes. But I haven't had to pull out the outline in years.

Long answer, doubtful. Once I saw my lines that I want said everything else is read and react. Unless the person is picking up on the nuances of that then they won't learn.

That's why I'm not a big fan of ride alongs for a new agent. They miss the small stuff.

FEX's training is more about learning to read and react than to book study.

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Yea that's why I said they need to have at least worked the field before....but who's to say they aren't better at teaching than selling?

but I've seen some 20,000 a month producers try to train someone and they have zero people skills nor can cater to different personalities so every person they touch fails because they can only train people like them

We all know these people lol

It's the same thing with coaches. Just because someone was a great basketball player doesn't mean he will be a successful coach. More than likely they will not.

That's still different that learning FE.

 

[springbokhouston]

Who are you talking to and what about?

I'm talking about the professors. If the kids are getting to them too late what is the professor's worth? Assuming that they are unteachable that is.

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Spot on JD, however I humbly disagree about the ride along. Having started a year ago I can honestly say that it was a huge help to me. Seeing the sale in action and understanding that this can actually be done was a big psychological boost. I also picked up many little techniques from various agents that I plugged into my own system.

There is obviously no substitute for getting out there and having your tail handed to you when all is said and done. I will admit that there is no single best way to skin a cat, so everyone's mileage will vary.

 

[jdeasy]

I'm talking about the professors. If the kids are getting to them too late what is the professor's worth? Assuming that they are unteachable that is.

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Spot on JD, however I humbly disagree about the ride along. Having started a year ago I can honestly say that it was a huge help to me. Seeing the sale in action and understanding that this can actually be done was a big psychological boost. I also picked up many little techniques from various agents that I plugged into my own system.

There is obviously no substitute for getting out there and having your tail handed to you when all is said and done. I will admit that there is no single best way to skin a cat, so everyone's mileage will vary.

That part of the ride along I agree with. But more to see if it's a career path you want to follow. There is much value in that.

I was talking about picking up on the finer points of selling. A new agent will not see that.

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Yea that's why I said they need to have at least worked the field before....but who's to say they aren't better at teaching than selling?

but I've seen some 20,000 a month producers try to train someone and they have zero people skills nor can cater to different personalities so every person they touch fails because they can only train people like them

We all know these people lol

I'm not saying a top producer can train. In fact I would guess most can't/won't.

I don't believe I would be good at training agents.

But I am saying that those that haven't been out there and made a living selling FE will never be able to train someone to make a living selling FE. There's not even a unicorn in that scenario.