...Those slippery, self-aggrandizing, arrogant shysters who steal from crying babies and gentle, trusting seniors ... or those people for whom standards mean nothing and rules are made to be broken...the get-rich-quick artists who con people our of their hard earned incomes and cheat them out of their futures...who take money otherwise destined to educate a new generation...who live it up while their hapless, hopeless and helpless victims suffer in agony for years while they sit, sipping from a coconut in Hawaii....those miserable cads who turn everything to their advantage and would steal from their mothers...who have nothing to offer other than an expensive suit, shiny shoes, a leased luxury vehicle, a Mona Lisa smile and a Hitler personality... those scourges of the earth who would sell anything to anyone just to make a buck -- what's right be damned... ?
If that's what you mean by a "salesman", then I'm against them. Definitely.
On the other hand, if instead by "Salesman" you mean ... Those salt of the earth individuals whose diligent, honorable and selfless efforts have made industry progress and prosperity a reality since time immemorial by advantaging generations of families and businesses...The polite and concerned men and women who have come into our homes and offices for years to help us meet the needs we'd never understand except for their help...or the friendly and experienced stalwarts who have worked tirelessly to develop industry standards and associations that have helped not only the members but also the general public... Or those honest, concerned people who worked day and night to protect widows and orphans, the sick and the suffering and the aged from inevitable lifestyle disaster by helping people understand the value of a product that no one "wants" to buy but everybody "needs"...who have endured countless hours of rejection so that they could help others who did not understand the startling value of the products they sold...who drove for an hour for a few dollars so that some hard working soul could help build their retirement lifestyle and have the peace of mind that comes from quality of life...or the kind and thoughtful leaders who have devoted their time, money and resources to building and supporting their communities because they had the flexibility and opportunity to do it... Or the personable, intelligent, friendly and giving helpers who hand people money when they need it most and they can't help themselves so they can continue on in dignity and optimism...
If this is what you mean by "salesman", then count me among them. Absolutely!
Despite all the protestations to the contrary, the "life insurance business" anyway is still a marketing and sales business. To what end do we profess our "Professionalism" when we some can hardly put sandwiches in their lunch pails? The products we have sold since about 1742 have tremendous intrinsic value and I believe that the greatest service we can provide is when we sell well. Selling is an honorable and noble profession and the advent of advice has not made it obsolete.
It seems to me that the more "professional" we get the less productive we’ve become and the less real "service" we provide. Why do I hear about advisors "contemporizing portfolios"...replacing business and not replacing human life value? Why do we seem incapable of selling (or advising) any product without some gimmick?
Is this an "Advisor" or a "Salesman" thing? It's neither. It's a PEOPLE thing. Bad apples make for bad pie, whomever does the baking. If we could only stick to the "Codes of Conduct" that adorn so many of our offices.
I'm Jim Ruta and that's just the way it is.
PeterTelenko
says,
Excellent article. While the press continues to hilight the few who do not live up to the profession, the clients and families of those we protect never come back saying "Sorry, we don't need it or It's too much" They thank us from the bottom of their hearts. No other profession in the world can replace the work we do, the benefits we put on the table or the security we provide when needed most. Thank you for continuing to promote the sometimes unseen value of our work.