Remembering Dick and Myra Larkin - National Association of ...

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Money Well SpentAs I sat in the Savannah airportwaiting for my homeward bound flightto be called for boarding, I started toreflect on the financial side of my tripto the NAPAA conference. In the end,I probably spent around $900 for hotel,airfare, conference registration,food, and miscellaneous expenses. Fora Wednesday to Friday trip that’s not abad price. Add in the benefits of a greatlocation, the freedom away from phonesand other work activities and the costfactor was clearly edging toward a gooddeal. When I started the trip, all I couldfocus on were the financial negativesand how things looked like solid red onmy “justification meter.” But in the endit wasn’t even a close decision. Factoringin the camaraderie and the ability tointeract with such a diverse group of fellowagents, I felt the “justification meter”slide over to the edge of the yellowarc. NAPAA’s excellent choice of speakersand the ability to personally interactwith companies that can directly andpositively affect my business moved my“justification meter” into solid green territory.Being at such a meeting in personis much more satisfying that learningvia Citrix-based computer technology,or reading a synopsis review. The physicalconnection was an important validationfor why every agent should attendat least one of these conferences.Vendor Jim Regan waits for the vendorfair to begin.Dale Revels shares an amusing anecdotewith Nancy Fish and conferenceattendeesCheryl Carson explains how usingSend Out Cards can improve retention.NAPAA CARESWhen I read DirectExpress and Exclusivefocusmagazine I do so with aselfish eye for what appeals to me andhow I can better myself both personallyand professionally. It wasn’t until I metthe people behind NAPAA that I realizedI wasn’t alone in looking out for mybest interests. Granted, the magazine isan important tool, offering insights andsolutions to issues agents face on a dailybasis, but meeting Jim and Nancy Fishin person let me know that there is awhole different level of partnership involvedin a NAPAA membership. Thisincredible intangible is easily worth theannual dues. Where else can you spend$350 per year and gain access to an organization(and people) that plot andscheme each day for a better work environmentfor their members. In completecontrast to the agent’s relationship withAllstate, NAPAA is dedicated solely tothe agent’s success. Allstate’s motive, forwhatever minimal assistance they offer,is purely for self-gratification and that’sOK for them. To most of us it appearsthat Allstate’s primary interest is to drivethe share price up, frequently at the costof beating the agent down. In completecontrast, NAPAA’s motivation is suppliedby the loyalty and gratitude of itsmembers and it exists solely to meet theagent’s needs.For me, attending the annual conferencesolidified my confidence inNAPAA and gave me invaluable insightinto alternate ways to run my agency andto become a better agent. It gave me reassurancethat I am not alone and thatthere are other agents dealing with manyof the same issues I deal with every day.By the way, not once did NAPAAbash Allstate, its philosophy, its corporateofficers, or its managers. Even whenthe Canadian agents spoke, the conversationwas devoid of animus. If ever therewas a compelling reason to be bitter andresentful, the Canadian agents have thecorner on that market. The conferencewas professionally presented and exemplifiedthe height of integrity. NAPAAdid every agent proud.In closing, I know I speak for everyonewho attended the 2009 NAPAA conferencewhen I say to Jim and Nancy, jobwell done. Now go and take a vacation!42 — Exclusivefocus Summer 2009
Why are Allstate Agents so Excited?E-chx Payroll and NAPAA have joined forces to make an excitingoffer that has Allstate Agents jumping for joy!WarningProgram Highlights:E-chx pays your NAPAA membership dues.E-chx is saving many agents between$350-$3,500 per year on their payrollprocessing and NAPAA membership costs.Incorporation services at a discountedrate**Incorporation services provided by Incorporators USA, LLCWarning:Excitement has been known tospread through Agents“This program has been so much easier to usethan my previous service company, and costsless too.”Scott SileoAllstate Agent, NAPAA member“E-chx has made processing payroll simple.The attention to product quality and customerservice is amazing.”Yvonne S. WhitakerAllstate Agent, NAPAA memberE-chx Offers:Multiple input options “Insight” for your accountantReal-time reporting HR HelpdeskEmployee Homepages Complete tax serviceAward winning customer Employee benefit solutionsserviceGet excited! We’ll save you time and money!Contact:Tom MistrettaProgram Manager(866) 312-8863tmistretta@e-chx.comSummer 2009 Exclusivefocus — 43
Page 2 and 3: The Best Way to PredictYour Future
Page 4: ExclusivefocusSummer 2009An Officia
Page 8: Savannah ConferenceCongratulations
Page 12 and 13: letters to NAPAAFrom CanadaThings h
Page 14: usiness tipsHow to Keep Clientsin t
Page 17 and 18: often. Dick loved food. Wherever we
Page 20 and 21: It hardly seems possible that DickL
Page 22 and 23: and when they used a search engine.
Page 24 and 25: featureThe Road Ahead -Canada Here
Page 26 and 27: Read between the lines and you’ll
Page 28 and 29: much easier.Once you’ve gotten a
Page 30 and 31: pecially hard these past four or fi
Page 32 and 33: featureReinventing the Wheel...Will
Page 34 and 35: Hypothetical Examples of ALI result
Page 36 and 37: usiness tipsThe Magic of Newsletter
Page 38 and 39: convention recapSavannah - a Confer
Page 40 and 41: An animated Dirk Beamer emphasizesa
Page 44: technology tipsHas your Agency Miss
Page 48 and 49: featureSnookered by AllstateHow uns
Page 50 and 51: agents now interact with customers
Page 52 and 53: technology tipsBanish your Fax Mach
Page 54 and 55: Too many agents put their faith and
Page 56 and 57: Why join NAPAA?and Section125 Plan
Page 58 and 59: the NAPAA market placeAgencies for
Page 64: I N T R U S I O N F I R E V I D E O

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