CBU News  
A Monthly Update for Insurance and Financial Professionals
January 2014  View our profile on LinkedInLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView our videos on YouTube


We have set our goals high for 2014, and are looking ahead to another successful year! January is the perfect time to set goals for yourself and start the year off strong.
 
In this e-newsletter, we discuss the importance of goal setting and introduce the Allianz Preferred Series. Two highly successful marketing systems are discussed and we congratulate some of CBU's top producers from 2013. 
 
Make this your best sales year yet! A new year means new opportunities, and CBU is here to support you every step of the way.
Aim High for 2014
Goal Setting for the New Year

 

It is important to set goals for yourself both professionally and on a personal level. Here are some ways to keep yourself motivated as we begin a New Year.

 

Start the year off by getting prepared and keeping your eye on the prize. Research companies that you work with and service. Take inventory of your assets and liabilities. Also, set goals to stay focused and start the New Year off strong. It is important to not only set long term goals for the New Year, but short term goals as well. Create a plan of action and ways to track progress daily, weekly, monthly, and annually for personal and financial success.

CBU Division Leaders for 2013
Kevin Frisbie, Christine Gross and Justin Cotta Holmes

 

Kevin Combined Benefits United would like to thank all of our producers for their continued dedication and hard work in 2013. We would like to recognize the top agents of the three divisions within CBU for 2013.

 

Kevin Frisbie, Senior Division Manager at Combined Benefits United, led the Life and Annuity Division in 2013. Kevin hosted numerous seminars throughout 2013, including the Asset Preservation Workshop and Social Security Rescue Seminar, which contributed to his production throughout the year. 

 

CBU's Senior Division was led by Medicare Specialist Christine Gross. Throughout 2013, Christine's educational and no pressure approach has allowed her to not only work with individuals in the area of Medicare, but she has been able to expand her business by partnering with experts in life insurance, long term care planning, and asset protection strategies.

 

 

Justin Cotta Holmes, Worksite Specialist, led CBU's Worksite Division in 2013. Justin worked with many different employers to provide voluntary benefit options to employees. Not only did Justin reservice current groups, but he also enrolled a number of New Groups in voluntary benefit products. 

 

Congratulations Kevin, Christine and Justin on a very successful 2013 and keep up the hard work in the new year!

Allianz Preferred Series
Allianz 360, 365i, 222 Fixed Index Annuity

 

Allianz Preferred This new product line from Allianz, the Allianz Preferred Series, can offer you several advantages in the fixed index annuity market.

 

Why Allianz Preferred? Unprecedented demand along with steady growth of the fixed index annuity market has brought increased attention to the sales practices of annuity producers and marketing organizations throughout the country. This trend reinforces the importance of Allianz's leadership role. Allianz strives for leadership in product training, commitment to suitability, and most recently, partnering with preferred IMOs (such as Combined Benefits United) to ensure that there are trained suitability and compliance professionals who can help navigate suitability and ensure that the materials you use with clients - such as seminars - are compliant with ever-changing regulatory requirements.

  • Allianz 360 Annuity - Allianz 360 Fixed Index Annuity with its 360 benefit rider (available at additional cost) can help your clients address both halves of the retirement puzzle - accumulation and income.
  • Allianz 365i Annuity - Allianz 365i Fixed Index Annuity gives your clients the potential for indexed interest, plus a 6% bonus on any premium that they place in their annuity within the first three contract years.
  • Allianz 222 Annuity - Allianz 222 Fixed Index Annuity is a new flexible retirement income solution you can customize to your clients needs. In addition to the features you expect from fixed index annuities - such as tax deferral, principal guarantees, and a death benefit - it also gives your clients more options for accessing those features and benefits. 

To learn more about the Allianz Preferred Series, click here or call the CBU Office at 1-866-275-3345.

Must Have Marketing Systems for 2014
Asset Preservation Workshop & Social Security Rescue
  
APW Logo
If your new year's resolution is to make more money, take a look at our "Must Have Marketing Systems of 2014." CBU has two highly successful systems; the Asset Preservation Workshop and the Social Security Rescue Seminar.
 
The Asset Preservation Workshop is a complete marketing system that provides a national speaker, seminar presentation, and an estate planning attorney's expertise. We deliver a national speaker to present at your seminar and partner with a local estate planning attorney. Then, you cultivate attendees (and No-shows) into cleints by using proven APW techniques.
 
Video of an actual Asset Preservation Workshop
Video of an actual Asset Preservation Workshop

Our Social Security Rescue Seminar has been successfully tested in over 40 markets, including New England, and it is a complete business development program that provides:
  • Personalized Social Security Income Analysis for Each of Your Clients - An Actual Benefit Report!
  • Continual Stream of Qualified and Interested Prospects
  • One Hour Presentation
  • Evening Seminar with No Food
Social Security Rescue Seminar
Video of an actual Social Security Rescue Seminar

To learn more about Asset Preservation Workshop or Social Security Rescue, click here or call the CBU Office at 1-866-275-3345.
CBU Agents Earn WN Cash Incentive
Power Play Cash Grab Incentive

 

Washington National
From September 15 to December 15, 2013, Washington National ran a "Power Play Cash Grab Incentive." CBU is excited to announce that ten producers qualified for this cash incentive. From September 15 to December 15, 2013, these agents collectively exceeded $300,000 in NAP. The ten producers who earned this cash incentive are:
  • Justin Cotta Holmes
  • Nikki Shields
  • Kelli Brewer
  • Brian Heath
  • Marie Hayden
  • Quang Nguyen
  • Darren Hartley
  • Mark Walsh
  • Catherine Lewis
  • Tina Carreira
Congratulations to all of the agents who qualified for this cash incentive. For more information on how you can earn exciting rewards and trips, be sure to keep an eye on our incentives page 
or call 1-866-275-3345.
"Thou Shalt Not"

Ten Referral Commandments

MDRT


Those ten laws sure survive the test of time. Could another set be adapted to warn will-meaning friends and clients?

  • Thou shalt not tell me how to do my job. Some friends might offer impractical advice like "Focus on lottery winners" or "Get your own TV show like Suze Orman."
  • Thou shalt not lie, trick or deceive people.  Don't trick them into a meeting. If they get the feeling they are being herded, they start with a bad attitude.
  • Thou shalt not schedule my appointments. Friends who say, "I'll have him call you tomorrow" are making a commitment on your behalf. If they forget to tell you, they've created ill will. Focus on the introduction.
  • Thou shalt not drop names. Sure, they can state they are a satisfied client. Any additional names they mention, however well-meaning, implies you freely talk about you clients' personal details.
  • Thou shalt not overpromise. Every situation is different. THey might not understand the friend's problem. "So you're sick-he'll still get you insured." Their guarantee leads to unrealistic expectations.
  • Thou shalt not negotiate pricing. "Here's what she charged me. I'm sure you'll get the same deal, too." Asset-based pricing changes. Products are different.
  • Though shalt not spread false rumors. "You're with what firm? Are they still in business?" Casting doubt on competitors is unprofessional. Your friend's action reflects badly on you.
  • Thou shalt not waste your time. You are seeking a certain type of prospect. This might involve age, assets or needs. Talking you up with unqualified prospects puts a problem in your lap.
  • Thou shalt not position me as an expert in unrelated areas. Some areas like maritime insurance are very specialized. Your agency might not handle those lines.
  • Thou shalt not cross the line. Being too pushy or insistent implies a con is taking place or you're compensating your friend for the introduction. It's even worse if they really don't understand what you do.
Combined Benefits United is an Independent Marketing Organization that is focused on powering insurance and financial professionals to be the best they can be.  We proudly partner with the nation's top insurance companies to better offer clients a full range of life and legacy planning products.

We welcome the opportunity to work with all of our agents, and we consider everyone to be a part of the CBU Team.

  

Sincerely, 

Raymond Vallee 



Raymond Vallee Jr.
President

Combined Benefits United, Inc.
89 Water Street, Suite 2
Hallowell, ME 04917
1-866-275-3345
marketing@cbuteam.com

Our Mission
"To achieve excellence within the insurance marketing industry through every word and action leading with transparency and convictions, while cultivating relationships with the highest level of integrity"
 
In This Issue
Goal Setting
Division Leaders
Allianz Preferred
APW & SSR
WN Incentive Winners
Sales Tip

Quick Links
  
Combined Benefits United

89 Water Street
Suite 2
Hallowell, ME 04347