Who here feels an office is beneficial for their businesses success?
I believe that it is helpful.
Required? No. Absolutely necessary? No.
Helpful? Yes.
10 minutes ago I was texting a lead - they live 40 minutes from my office. They're evaluating Med Supp + Part D vs MAPD. Husband turns 65 in July, wife in September....
I'll be able to go over both med supp and mapd, along with pros and cons, via phone or in person. But I'll admit - it's always a little easier (for me and them) in person.
The office helps. It's efficient. I have a big table and a 40-inch client-facing TV that I tell my Mac to "airplay" to -- I can bring up the Summary of Benefits for the plan they are interested in and pretty quickly go over it - show them some of the pitfalls, etc.
Could I also e-mail it to them? Sure I could. They probably have a computer. If not, they'll have a smartphone. But that's fun... "Ok, John, you and Linda huddle around your tiny iPhone and I'll talk and we'll go over the Summary of Benefits. Yes, you can open it on your iPhone - yes, you can barely see, sorry... but since you don't have a tablet or computer, you need to view it on your iPhone...."
So, for me, and for them, it might be easier if they come in. They'll be here on Friday at 10:30. It'll be a quick, efficient meeting -- and (my opinion) a better meeting than a virtual meeting - and I sell plenty virtually.
My opinion
- Med Supp is a piece of cake to sell via phone - it's just that simple.
- MAPD - not as easy. They really do need to see the summary of benefits, which is a 13+ page document. Not impossible to do virtually (especially if they have a bonafide computer), but easier to do in-person due to the volume of data.
Over the past year, I've been working from home, but have had a few people ask to "come in" to see me. I feel unprofessional when I say I work from home and only do home appointments. I've also had a few who didn't want to do home appointments for whatever reason.
While I know our jobs can be done virtually, does anyone see a benefit in having an office space outside their home? I'm debating on if the cost is worth it or not.
It'll also depend on your area. My office is 10 minutes from my house - I used to rent 1 room for $375 now I rent a double room for $875 -- the intention is to get a full-time admin in here before AEP.
If your office rent rates are a ton higher, it may be hard to justify. To me, having the ability to tell people, "can you come in on Friday at 9:30 to go over the plans?" is worth it for me. Also, the ability to bring on help - an admin - will further help me build the book.
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