Why Do We NEED Uplines (FMOs)?

[wehotex]

What was her reaction to your comments?

She said that the Agency DOES do things for us. I really don't know what she meant by that. They do stock materials and they do process the commissions. Otherwise, nothing else for me. She backpedalled and told me that it was "just a joke". I talked to her again on the phone yesterday and acted like it never happened. I think that surprised her. I'll be in there tomorrow to run off some more copies. I dare her to say anything more, lol.

 

[Bill_Kiray]

You are asking the impossible of a FMO.

That may be your experience, so I wouldn't try to refute it. However, there are FMO's out there that provide those types of services to agents. Regardless, in my opinion, those are the questions that agents should be asking to make decisions on what contracts to sign and with whom.

 

[WinoBlues]

She said that the Agency DOES do things for us. I really don't know what she meant by that. They do stock materials and they do process the commissions. Otherwise, nothing else for me. She backpedalled and told me that it was "just a joke". I talked to her again on the phone yesterday and acted like it never happened. I think that surprised her. I'll be in there tomorrow to run off some more copies. I dare her to say anything more, lol.

A smart businessman has an exit strategy.

 

[DS4]

there are FMO's out there that provide those types of services to agents.

Please name one.............

My experience with FMO's is that they send you a birthday card once per year. That is the only contact I've ever had.
I find FMO's are a useless layer of BS between me and the carrier, profiting off of my hard work.

 

[Todd King]

That may be your experience, so I wouldn't try to refute it. However, there are FMO's out there that provide those types of services to agents. Regardless, in my opinion, those are the questions that agents should be asking to make decisions on what contracts to sign and with whom.

Yeah, but what would you know about that. I mean, you've only been instrumental in building Neishloss & Fleming into one of the top 10 MA IMO's in the country.

Some agents just don't need IMO/FMO's. I get it. Many do though.

Some agents are also under the impression that their IMO is taking something away from them, like commissions. Many times the agents get better contracts going through the IMO than they would by going straight to the company.

It really does depend on your market as well though. I know how the senior market works more than any other type of market, so my view could be skewed.

 

[BobbyMcGee]

I find FMO's are a useless layer of BS between me and the carrier, profiting off of my hard work.

I agree. They are a bunch of "Tin Men." Haha. Loved that clip.

 

[Focus LTC]

Please name one.............

My experience with FMO's is that they send you a birthday card once per year. That is the only contact I've ever had.
I find FMO's are a useless layer of BS between me and the carrier, profiting off of my hard work.

Some customers see the agent as a useless layer of BS between them and the carrier, profiting off of their hard earned premium dollars... That's why most go direct (see UHC/AARP medsupp penetration, see BCBS medsupp penetration).

Just sayn'...

An FMO's worth to the carrier isn't measured by a single agent but rather the 1,000 or 5,000 or 10,000 agents that they get on board...

 

[midwestbroker]

Personally, the FMO should be the one to educate on product and help with situations that may come up with the carrier.

Prospecting is the responsibility of the agent. The FMO does have a vested interest in the success of the agent, but the challenge for the FMO is how much time do they spend with an agent who may not produce? Some agents may spend hours on end talking to the FMO about prospecting, not sell a thing, and be out of the business with the FMO having nothing to show for the time spent with that agent.

I have found the agents that require the most attention may be the least producing agents. Not always the case of course, but more so than not.

 

[Todd King]

I have found the agents that require the most attention may be the least producing agents. Not always the case of course, but more so than not.

I find this very thing to be true as well.