Breaking with Tradition, California Physician Group Lists Prices for Procedures

California’s largest private physician practice posted prices for 58 medical procedures on its web site, a move that the LA Times says “puts a significant crack in the ages-old reluctance by doctors and other medical providers to let consumers comparison shop for services such as chest X-rays, baby vaccinations and Pap smears.”

According to the this study by the Kaiser Foundation, consumer-directed health care plans haven’t gained traction nor lived up to their cost-saving promise because consumers have scant resources when it comes to smart health care shopping. The most basic element of smart shopping—comparing prices—is incredibly difficult and time consuming. So, this story from California is a heartening development, both for consumers and for proponents of consumer-driven health plans like HSAs. Let’s hope that more health care providers follow suit.

Funeral Insurance: an Alternative to Life Insurance?

According this story in the Times, burial insurance is gaining in popularity among people who don’t want or can’t afford life insurance. “[Lower-income people] see holding burial insurance as a point of pride, as well as security. They want a dignified funeral for themselves and their kin, and they have seen the crushing debts left by funerals that may cost well over $5,000.” Steven J. Dubner, of “Freakonomics” fame, thinks it’s a bad investment. Got an opinion? Put it in below.

Dentists: Give Us Your (Not) Poor…

By now you’ve probably heard about the story of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver, who died from a brain infection that started out as a tooth infection. Driver’s mother had tried in vain to find a dentist for her son. Turns out most dentists don’t want to take patients covered under Medicare. This trenchant article from Slate.com explains why. (Hint: Our head-in-the-clouds congress that doesn’t want to admit that our public health insurance system rations medical care for the poor.)

Posted by Jeb Foster at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Don't feel ashamed if the answer is yes. If you're an insurance professional receiving real-time insurance leads from a vendor like InsureMe, you may constantly check your email to see if new leads have come in. You're probably using programs like our new Agent Connection beta to receive real-time lead alerts on your PC. You're reading this blog and our resource center articles, and contacting prospects with a quote ASAP, just as we recommend in our articles.

But how much is too much? MarketingProf's B.L. Ochman draws the line:

[...] It's common to see people answering email via Blackberry in meetings, at meals, and during events: something that strikes me as incredibly rude, but which seems almost universally accepted. For the most part, rather an a necessity, staying constantly connected is a habit that becomes an obsession, and then an addiction. [Emphasis mine.]

And while Ochman feels that the work she does for her clients is important, she doesn't see her work as "holding the globe together." Which is why she unwired this past weekend. As did I during my long weekend on the east coast. What a great feeling.

What it all comes down to is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. InsureMe expects that of its employees. Which is part of the reason we're forbidden to work—or even check email—on Saturdays. Yeah, you might be saying, but time is money. Or maybe, my clients are online, so I should be too.

Perhaps these statements and their next of kin ("I'm expected to be reachable 24/7," "It looks bad for emails to go unanswered," etc.) are viable. But setting a few ground rules about your constant connectivity will help your productivity in the long run, says Ochman.

You can start by reclaiming your weekend. Ochman recommends:

1. Taking turns with someone in your office to handle emergencies and PR issues on the weekend.
2. Telling clients that you're not available until after noon on Sunday...and go on from there.
3. Don't check your Blackberry at dinner or other social engagements—it's rude!

So to couch on Ochman's closer: how do you unwire?

[Photo from Flickr]

Posted by Megan Mahan at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

You’re sluggish, uninspired and filled with a sense of loss.

You’re back at work after a holiday.

They call it the back to work blues, and if you’re not experiencing them right now, you’re in the lucky minority.

In theory, a long weekend is supposed to energize you. Ruddy from the spring sun, you’re supposed return a cheery go-getter, not a sullen no-hoper.

In reality, going back to work can be a drag, even if you love your job. It’s particularly hard if you had a great weekend fishing with the kids, catching a baseball game or ‘laxing in the sun. Back at work, the holiday weekend can seem like a cruel aberration—a time of fun and gaiety that’s in stark contrast to your office life.

But you can’t sit at your desk and lament bygone holidays.

So how do you get reinvigorated? How do you beat the holiday hangover?

Here are some tips:

Limit your caffeine intake.
If you’re a slow starter, you impulse may be to compensate by upping your caffeine consumption. Problem is, the caffeine-anxiety link is well documented. If you feel overwhelmed with the mountain of work in front of you, caffeine will make that mountain appear to be even larger.

Make a list.
One of the worst things about re-entry is feeling overwhelmed. Making a to-do list will help keep things in perspective and provide you with a plan of action—something to lean on. The key, though, is to set reasonable expectations and maintain a detailed and smart to-do list.

Decide whether you’re a dipper or a diver.
According to the employment coaches at the Thank goodness It’s Monday (TGIM) blog, you should ask yourself if you’re the type who jumps into things or eases into them. If you’re a dipper, you shouldn’t try to be a diver, and vice versa. You want to set yourself up for success on your first day back.

Most of us are dippers, meaning we prefer to slowly re-engage; don’t feel bad about it. Relish it. You’ll reach warp speed soon enough. :)

Posted by Jeb Foster at 07:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

The Bad News
According to a recent study by the Wharton School of Business and the Verde Group, bad customer service can really really hurt:

Here are the key findings from their study of 1,000 American consumers:

One in three dissatisfied customers will share their experience with friends, family and coworkers.

Unhappy customers will tell four people on average.

Fifty percent of those who hear about such negative experiences won’t shop at that establishment in the future.

When all else is equal, if you have two stores selling the same thing, the one with better customer service will have 30-40 percent more sales.

Worse still, unhappy customers will embellish their stories. “In the retelling of the story we become more animated and we color the story a bit more,” Paula Courtney, head of the Verde Group, told NPR recently. “What starts off as you had a rude person at a store could, by the time you tell the story for the fifth time, become ‘the employee was abusive.’ That’s why negative word of mouth is so powerful.”

Sales associates fail to do one important thing, the study notes. They don’t engage the customer. (An engager, the study says, is “available, friendly, and willing to help.”) Customers said that ineffective engagement was the single biggest reason for the loss of their business.

The Good News
There is good news implicit in this story of bad customer service. Consumers aren’t looking for a salesperson who can juggle atop a unicycle—they just want someone who will engage them!

In other words, the bar is low! Since most consumers have gotten used to poor treatment, it’s easy to distinguish yourself and your agency with good customer service.

Put on a friendly smile and offer to help, and you’re on your way to developing a loyal customer—one who will tell positive stories (perhaps with embellishments) about your company.

Posted by Jeb Foster at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of Dilbert (the comic strip). But I do stop by cartoonist's Scott Adams blog once in awhile. Today I learned that Adams owns two restaurants in California. And he's having trouble remaining competitive now that chain giants like PF Chang and Cheesecake Factory moved in next door.

I found Adams' challenges not unlike those of an independent agent or small agency. Especially when it comes to advertising and marketing:

Advertising has no impact on restaurant business. We’ve tried newspapers, radio, direct mail, and magazine ads. They don’t even cause a blip in the baseline. Other restaurants have apparently discovered the same thing.

So Adams decided to solicit ideas from his blog readers. And while some of you may argue that we're comparing apples to oranges here, there are some great ideas nestled in the handfuls of comments this post has garnered.

The gems focused on:

• Boasting about quality and service (a common downfall of bigger operations)
• Providing different and/or niche offerings
• Taking advantage of networking events—or better yet, hosting them
• Adjusting pricing to stay competitive with the neighborhood giants
• Targeting special interest groups (churches, social organizations and nearby employers)
• Checking out local web 'meet-up' groups, visiting those that fit your niche (link: MeetUp.com)
• Working with local high schools and colleges to promote your products to young people
• Having a free beer night

Okay. So that last one might not work. But a lot of these are great, simple ideas that we sometimes forget about in lieu of big advertising and marketing plans.

Check out the full post to mine the comments for ideas. And don't forget to leave your own thoughts here.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Good News for Agents, Bad News for Robots: Consumers Still Prefer the Human Element

A study for IBM reveals that 75 percent of insurance consumers prefer working with an agent. Phew…[Link]

Billions of dollars in fire-related losses in the last 20 years have insurers demanding a new level of consumer accountability. [Link]

Study: More Consumers Interested in Long-Term Care Insurance

Yet one big hurdle remains: many still think it’s too expensive. [Link]

Posted by Jeb Foster at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

**Hills = your competitor's web site

What you're about to read is an open criticism of another web resource for insurance agents. So, on the surface, this make look like a pretty biased blog post. I assure you that it is not. Our goal here at the Agent Blog is to invoke dialogue and share best practices.

Let me start by saying that Leads4Insurance has improved their site since I last checked it out. The [audible...and creepy] 'important message' from Brian Kay no longer starts up upon arrival. But two of the site's staples remain unfortunately the same.

1. The market-y splash page. Yikes. Not only is this an unsightly [un]welcome, but it's pulling double duty. It's selling visitors just as hard as the site itself. Which is too much.

Fix it: Scale it back—remember, gimmicky doesn't equal new clients. And splash pages are really a barrier to entry, keeping visitors away from the important stuff on your site.

2. The totally annoying Don't Go! pop-up. More nerve-grating than the Brian's audible message, this pop-up hits visitors as they exit, feeling much like the screen door hitting them in the backside on the way out.

Fix it: If a visitor doesn't want to stay on your site, let them go. Don't try to drag them back by the hair. It's not appreciated. And, if you really can't let this one go (though I wouldn't see why not), at least give the visitor a way to navigate back to the main site.

Site features like splash pages and exit pop-ups oversell the message. And in the world of Web 2.0, people aren't looking to be browbeaten with your sales and marketing schtick. In essence, Leads4Insurance is the overzealous insurance salesperson from whom no one wants to buy a policy.

Take a good look at your web site and figure out where you can dial it down. Let the features of your service speak for themselves—don't let old web tactics dilute them.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

I'm excited to announce that James Omdahl ("Tall") and I ("Small")** will be presenting at HIGH-TECC this summer in Vail, Colorado.

HIGH-TECC is an annual conference put on by Steve Anderson (of TAAR Report fame), geared towards using new technologies to your insurance sales advantage.

It will be my first time attending the conference, but our marketing director (Lori Reed) has raved about it in the past, praising the innovative and friendly atmosphere.

The early bird registration ends today—so sign up now to get $200 off registration.

Stay tuned!

**This photo is an early indication that this presentation will be neither boring nor a waste of time. But come July, we'll leave the chewing gum out of it.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 03:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Some recent headlines of note:

“Three Doctors Held in Health Insurance Scam”

The three docs stand accused of performing 1,000 unnecessary procedures on 940 patients and billing insurance cos. roughly $30 million.

"We're talking about doctors who were real-life body snatchers," said Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas. [L.A. Times]

“Penniless N.Y. Man Unaware of Alleged Insurance Plot to Kill Him”

It seems that the Harlem man got lucky—the two agents are also accused of insuring four other men and hiring goons to either shoot or poison them. AP: “One of the victims was a homeless alcoholic who was slipped a fatal dose of a sedative while in drunken stupor in a Queens park.” [Insurance Journal]

‘Lawless’ Situation Threatens Okla. Seniors, Commish says

Holland said lack of federal regulation of two Medicare plans "has led to virtual lawlessness in Oklahoma," with “unlicensed agents are setting up shop in pharmacies, large retailers, and nursing home lobbies.”

"As insurance commissioner, I currently have greater authority to address a consumer's problem with pet insurance than I do protecting the half a million Oklahoma senior citizens covered under a Medicare Prescription Drug or Advantage plan," Holland said. [(Oklahoma City) KOCO, Channel 5]

“La. House OKs insurance credits to lure companies”

Recently passed by the La. House of Representatives, the “Insure Louisiana Incentive” would offer $2 million to $10 million grants to insurers. Grant recipients would be obligated to write the equivalent amount in new policies in the state. To be eligible for the grants, the bill also stipulates that “25 percent of those policies must be from the ones currently provided at higher rates by Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp.” [(La.) Shreveport Times]

Get Birthday Cards (Check Included) from Your Dead Grandparents!

Commemorative Life Insurance Company in conjunction with Assurity Life make it possible for your loved ones to continue receiving cards, and money, for as long as they live. Lifetime annual gifts are available in denominations of $100, $250 or $500. You can name as many, or as few, beneficiaries as you choose.

The weird needle on my mental dashboard is flickering a bit. This is what they’re calling it: AfterThoughts Birthday Insurance (SM).

Posted by Jeb Foster at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Today's sales tip comes from the comedy classic, Tommy Boy:

[link to video]

Not only is he calm and [weirdly] conversational, but he responds to Helen's strong personality with a strong personality. This can work wonders when you're trying to close a sale. Conversely, remember to respond to a soft personality with less force. ("Will this work for you?" "What questions can I answer for you?")

Posted by Megan Mahan at 01:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

AP: "For the second straight year, rude Miami drivers have earned the city the title of worst road rage in a survey released Tuesday."

Posted by Jeb Foster at 03:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

The Clio Awards are the ad industry's equivalent to the Oscars. Straddling the world of commerce and that of art, many of these ads also skirt the edges of decorum. Still, most (if not all) of the winners are have some element of ingenuity. What’s not always clear about the ads, though, is how well they promote their products or services. (You sometimes get the impression that ad agencies make ads to impress their critics from other ad agencies.) Leaving aside effectiveness, most of this year’s winners shine in one area: they’re entertaining.

This spot from Travelers got a nod for visual effects.

Posted by Jeb Foster at 02:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Last week, The Consumerist (a popular blog for outing customer un-friendly companies) posted a bit on avoiding upselling.

They point to lots of examples: the free magazine subscriptions, the extended warranties, the added protections and services...

Indeed, upselling has run rampant. Because when an existing customer agrees to buy more, it costs the proprietor nearly nothing. And, according to this MSN Money article, surveys indicate that 15 percent of customers actually want to hear about additional offerings.

Of course the flip side is that you’ve got a solid chance of ticking off 85 percent of customers with your upsell pitch. Here are some guidelines for keeping on your clients' good side:

1. Don't be random. Last year, my then-auto insurance agent went over the changes to my rate with me, and, in the next breath, tried to sell me a life insurance policy. While the abrupt transition sent me into stammering mode, my furrowed brow spoke volumes.

2. Keep it relevant. I've never understood why Best Buy tries to sell me a magazine subscription when I'm buying new earphones. The demographics are all wrong. The products don't coincide. Similarly, if I'm tweaking my auto policy, making the leap to life insurance can be difficult. If you can help me out with my renter's or home insurance policy, great. Tell me about that!

3. Be less effusive. As customers, we know you're just doing your job. But that doesn't make us any more excited to be upsold. I actually do have a life insurance policy. And when my agent has a new offering for me, he usually sends me a letter with all the details. No phone call. No in-your-face sales pitch. The ball is all up in my court and I can do with it what I please. I love it.

4. Show, don't tell. When my life insurance agent sends me information about a new offering, he sends me a detailed workup of how that will financially affect me—when I'm 35, 40, 55, 70...he shows me the money.

5. Use incentives. This is pretty easy to do in the insurance world, and probably goes without saying. If you upsell your client into buying home insurance in addition to an auto policy, give 'em a hefty discount. Now the customer and your boss are happy. Hurray!

Done tactfully, upselling can help you knock monthly and quarterly quotas out of the park. Just do unto others as you'd like done to you. :)

Posted by Megan Mahan at 01:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

I'm not talking about your ability to surf the web. I'm confident you've got those skills down. :)

I'm talking about what happens when you type your name into Google and hit 'search.' What comes up? Is it good? Is it bad? Is there anything at all?

It's been among the topics of discussion here at the office this afternoon, after learning that John McCain's web site ranks 68th in a search for "John McCain," and that three federal judges have OK'd using Google to research an employee's prior work history.

Ironically, in the midst of all the personal Googling this afternoon, April (from the InsureMe Affiliate Blog) received a phone call from her estranged best friend of six years. The friend found April by searching for her name in Google, finding April's blog posts, and calling InsureMe.

Sure, someone could probably raise the issue of the creep factor—that in this day and age, with the internet and cell phones, it's tough to stay hidden. But the reality is, if you plan on using the web to make money, you don't want to stay hidden.

Take a moment and Google your name. See what comes up in web results—and images. Let me know what you find.

[Related article]: You're a Nobody Unless Your Name Googles Well (WSJ.com)

Posted by Megan Mahan at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Well, Maribeth and I think it's cool. We made it a little while back.

We've bagged on lousy presentations here on the Agent Blog. It's only fair that we should put our best effort out there and solicit your feedback. Let us know what you think.

Note: this slide show is meant to be narrated, so it may be hard to follow in some areas.

[We usually make a point not to post salesy stuff—this blog is supposed to be about you not us. Don't fear that this slideshow signals a change in direction.]

[Update: Here's one more show for you.]

Posted by Jeb Foster at 09:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

According to an article from the NY Times, we’re living in a “Wild West of digital communications.” It's an unruly environment where technology hampers our productivity as much as it helps it...

Link: “Slow Down, Brave Multitasker, and Don’t Read This in Traffic”

Posted by Jeb Foster at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

We talk a lot about the world of the web here at the Agent Blog—and now you can put your vocabulary to the test with the Internet Terms Challenge, created by the Web Marketing Association.

It is indeed a challenge, but one worth taking if you're planning on diving head first into learning about the web.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 09:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

To a large degree, success in insurance sales is predicated on effective social dexterity. Because insurance costs money yet doesn’t yield a tangible product, most consumers seek reasons to trust whomever they’re buying from. The key to building trust is building rapport.

Check out this list and ask yourself if you’ve got these must-have social skills:

From Uncommon Knowledge:

1. The ability to be relaxed in social situations


2. The ability to actively listen


3. Empathy and interest in others


4. Knowing how, when and how much to talk about yourself


5. The ability to maintain appropriate eye contact

Your turn:

Photo from Flickr under Creative Commons license.

Posted by Jeb Foster at 09:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

The problem with newsletters lies in determining whether your piece is considered:

(A) Noise/clutter to recipients
(B) Valuable to recipients

At InsureMe, we wrestle with this a couple times per quarter. Typically, [e-] newsletters are considered best practice. They provide an added touchpoint with past and current clients which builds brand recognition and may inspire them to buy other products from you.

So theoretically, if the newsletter provides value to the recipient, you newsletter can't be considered noise or clutter, right?

Not so, says Ryan Healy over at On Copywriting. His post Eliminating Distractions offers this:

I just signed up for a new program this weekend. I'm reading through the 'Get Started' guide.

Lo and behold, on page 6, there is a statement that is exceptionally powerful, even though it has nothing directly to do with the program.

'Eliminate all distractions. Unsubscribe from every Internet marketing newsletter that is not critical to your success with _________.'

Simply fill in that blank with whatever skill area it is you're trying to succeed in, suggests Ryan. "Then start pruning your email with the unforgiving force of a machete. The key, after all, is to eliminate ALL distractions."

This is important stuff to think about if you send out newsletters. In fact, we're currently mulling over ideas for our next InsureMe Agent Wire. Though we've solidified a 'model' that seems to work for our audience, it could use some help.

So tell me—What newsletters (if any) do you look forward to seeing in your inbox? What would you like to see more of? What turns you off?

Leave your two cents via comments—this should be good newsletter fodder for all of us.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 09:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

In case you missed some of this week’s entries and you’re allergic to scrolling, here are links to the latest Agent Blog posts:

• Customer Service Hall of Shame
• Email Marketing: What Not to Do
• To Do: Learn How to Make Better To-Do Lists
• How to Avoid the Info Dump—and Make the Sale
• Finding Inspiration from This Year’s Webby Winners
• RSS in Plain English

Posted by Jeb Foster at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

A few weeks ago, Jeb posted about Real Simple Syndication (RSS), which is a way to read all your favorite blogs posts and news tidbits from one web page. (We also mocked it in this InsureMe Agent Blog video.)

CommonCraft has taken things one step further to create a three minute video which provides a visual of what RSS is—and how to use it—in plain English. Whew. Non-tech people have never been so relieved.

If you visit this or any other blog or news site on a regular basis, RSS will save you a world of time. And we know y'all are busy! Watch the video and learn how to get news and blog updates to come to you—instead of vice versa.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
 

The winners of what Time Magazine calls the “Online Oscars” were announced recently.

Presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, Webby Awards honor "excellence on the internet.”

Here were the nominees from the insurance category:

• Allstate: It Takes a Thief
  http://www.discovery.com/allstate
  


• eHealthInsurance
  http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/
  


• Allstate - Marina Towers
  http://www.Allstate.com/crash
  


• Nationwide Insurance - Times Square
  http://www.lifecomesatyoufast.com...
  


• Progressive
  http://www.progressive.com
  

After checking out this year’s winners and nominees, one thing was pretty clear: most of the sites nominated were darned neat. Across all categories, most sites were good-looking, easy to navigate, well put together, and interesting.

If you’ve got a web site or are thinking of creating one, I recommend checking out the winners and nominees for ideas. If you run a small operation and you're low on time and/or web savvy, you may feel a little overwhelmed by the polish and shiny sophistication of many of the winners.That’s ok. You can still come away with a lot of good, low-tech, DIY tips and best practices.

And keep in mind that you don’t have to have deep pockets or technological wizardry in order to have an effective web site. (As Seth Godin mentioned recently, for $5 a month web novices can have a good-looking site up and running in a few minutes.) As it happens, many sites buckle under the weight of their excessive budget and bloated technology, so be glad you don’t have truckloads of money to spend on web design. :)

And often enough, monetary constraints bring new ideas and creativity. Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple: “All the best things I did at Apple came from (a) not having money, and (b) not having done it before, ever.” (How’s that for motivation?)

Additionally, I’m sensing lately that the pendulum is swinging in favor of the low-tech. Consider the sensation that this site, which is comprised of low-quality photos of writing on top of a refrigerator, has caused. The techies at 37 Signals think it's perhaps the most creative site on the internet. Or this site, which has one graphic and never strays from humble 12-pt Times New Roman font. It is, in my opinion, one of the better-looking sites on the interweb.

Posted by Jeb Foster at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
 

Though there were a handful of great sales tips and best practices shared amongst the team, my favorite was avoiding the info dump.

What is the info dump?

The info dump occurs when you excitedly inundate your prospect with all the information you have about your product. The info dump is most common amongst sales reps that are so passionate about the product that they feel the need to share all the information they have during a sales call.

Though it's important to clearly communicate your product's features and benefits to the prospect, the info dump ruins the sale in two ways:

(1) You prevent the prospect from doing any talking. Thus, you are unable to tailor the product and your sales pitch to the needs of your prospect.

(2) Prospects become so overwhelmed with the information that they become unreceptive to buying your product—or at least, buying the product from you.

When it comes to phone sales, remember that passion and excitement for your product is important. Just remember to slow down enough to ask your prospect questions, listen to the answers and tailor your sales pitch accordingly.

Photo from Flickr

Posted by Megan Mahan at 01:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Over the past few years, I’ve become a compulsive list maker. Without a to-do list, for example, my work day would dissolve in to a nebulous pool of grey goo. Things would get done, but more would plunge down the memory hole.

As it happens, making an effective to-do list is a learned skill. (I am by no means an expert, but I’m improving with each list.) A good to-do list will provide the necessary structure to help you get things done. A bad one does next to nothing in that effort. A really bad one can actually can make you less productive.

So how does one make a good to do list?

According to the efficiency gurus at 43 Folders, the key is in the phrasing. “Framing your work in the physical world is easiest when you imagine what’s being done, and the best trick here is to simply phrase your task in a form like: ‘verb the noun with the object.’ That means instead of reminding yourself with the mystery meat of “Year-end report,” you’d more accurately first “Download Q3 spreadsheet from work server.”

The other essential component is to break down tasks into small, easily digestible bites. This prevents cognitive overload and attending anxiety and paralysis. For example, you’d be silly to write “Close the deal” on your to-do list. That may be your goal, but you’ve got to get more specific than that. “Follow up with so and so” or “Send thank you note” are smaller yet more concrete steps you need to take in order to ‘close the deal.’

Here are my questions for you, Agent Blog Reader: What are your list strategies and/or quirks? Are your lists high- or low-tech? Do you save your long, impressive-looking lists? (I know I do.) Do you have an effective method of getting things done that you’d like to share?

Links:
To-Do List blog
43 Folders: Building a Smarter To-Do List

Posted by Jeb Foster at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
 

Just a quick note on this Tuesday morning:

If you're contemplating an email marketing campaign, make sure your marketing message doesn't actively trick the recipient into doing what you really want.

I received an market-y email about insurance leads this morning. The message, which did not disclose the sender or company name, offered to give me a free demo of their service.

Sure, I thought. I'd love a demo. So I clicked on it. What opened up was a contact information field for EZ Leads.

A little confused, I entered my required information, hoping a demo would still be around the corner. No such luck. Instead I was told a representative would contact me as soon as possible.

Ouch. Luring prospects under false pretenses is never a good thing. It definitely won't earn the respect it takes to gain a new client.

Posted by Megan Mahan at 09:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)