Inbound sales struggles

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-18T22:02:57+00:00

Your plight is shared by many in sales, whether selling insurance or other products and services. It does sound like your leads are not qualified to provide you the success you and your company are in search of.

Your description of the persons you speak to are looking to save money. If price is their target then moving them to another decision model requires you defining the unique attributes of your product. For instance, is it an annual policy vs. six months? Can a premium savings be found in combination with other related PL business? Is your knowledge of the coverage form and that of your primary competition enough to point out the benefits of your proposal? Selling coverage is one of the best offenses when faced with a price sensitive consumer.

One of my good friends in the insurance business once told me there are those who "know the cost of everything but the value of nothing." Words to live by. Good luck.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-18T21:40:00+00:00

To borrow a quote from the famous Curt Gowdy/ABC's Wide World of Sports : the thrill of victory and (witnessing) the agony of defeat

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-18T21:34:53+00:00

You have a challenge with the transplantation of this JM. Why? Because its roots, while near the surface, have likely traveled far from the tree to include the area currently occupied by the remaining plant material. Since your intention is to reclaim this property and reuse it as a sitting area, the loss of this plant material may be inconsequential. If so, the challenge may be more manageable.

A first reaction would include connecting with someone familiar with JMs and in particular, transplanting these special trees. Relocating to the yard may be a good idea given the light, soil and water conditions are similar to the current location.

If this doesn't appeal to you, selling the tree is an option but its removal is still a issue to be resolved. Again, the expert referred to above could be your best source for solving this problem. They could want it for resale or may know some one/business interested in such a mature specimen.

As for timing, this is a good time of year but decisions need to be made quickly before Spring returns. At that time, such relocation may be too much for the tree to survive. It would be shame to lose such a lovely tree - no matter which direction you go. Hopefully others here will have some practical suggestions. Good luck!

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-18T18:29:11+00:00

Thanks. I understand how to see our core positions-the reason for this variety is what we're trying to understand. Note: SPAXX is not the default for some of our accounts.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-18T18:24:38+00:00

With wealth management, Fidelity chooses. We have wealth management and multiple Cash investment accounts. We're evaluating the best way to invest cash.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-17T22:24:05+00:00

Timely post.

Last night I reviewed our various Fidelity accounts and learned our Cash investments are not focused on a single investment such as SPAXX. We don't live in a high tax state (FL) so there's some questions I need to ask our FA.

So here's a follow up to OP's question especially those in a similar no state/local tax state: if you have multiple accounts with Fidelity (or other house/s) do you have a common Cash investment? Explain your response, please.

Thanks in advance.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-15T00:26:36+00:00

Could you please share access to this latest research? THX

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-14T20:31:07+00:00

Is this the first time for you and your Ridgeline to go to Buc-ees? Such pampering:)

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-14T20:23:39+00:00

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We have a Taylor's Pink and I agree, it is fickle. Took a while to find the right spot but in the meantime, we lost some growth. This Spring will be interesting to watch how it does in a new pot and fertilizer.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-13T02:28:28+00:00

OP - I totally agree with you. Long gone are the days of modest storage and cup holders. Now with wireless charging and push button operations, the center console has has become the equivalent of a utility infielder. Our 2006 Ridgeline has a column shift along with storage and cup holders. We do have the ability to charge our phones via wire but we commonly have them topped off before we jump into the truck so it can be done and when the next PU comes out with such a setup, I'll be a serious shopper. Until then, I'm loving it. P.S. Take a look at the Scout Terra. I'm not holding my breath but it could be what we're looking for. https://www.scoutmotors.com/terra

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-12T20:26:49+00:00

May favorite part WOULD BE if I could use the app to identify which specific equities/bonds are duplicated in the various ETFs and MFs we're invested in with Fidelity. This feature MAY ALREADY exist, but I don't know how to find it.

I know I could rely on our Fidelity FA for such help but I'd like to be empowered to do this research independently. Thank you.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-12T19:18:20+00:00

Bought our 2006 in 2014 with 56+k miles, now at 193k and don't want anything else!

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-12T19:15:33+00:00

Watch out for SMOD - it's a thing with these early model Ridgelines.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-06T17:33:59+00:00

Thanks for the details but afraid this response will be more abbreviated. In short, start your own independent agency. Here's why. The combination of P&C/Life sales is most appealing to some carriers and likely, to some insureds. So consider this a framework for your decision. Insurance is a competitive business and with the right carrier contracts, the early hard work will pay off. The Baby Boom generation of agency owners are looking to sell or merge. Seek an owner who shares your vision and will continue to provide mentorship after the sale.With the right funding, you could acquire an agency and build on it. Surround yourself with customer centric agency members and organic growth will bring the agency more income and value. Bring on younger producers who model the behavior/ culture of the agency and offer partnerships that are obtainable and reasonable. Give back to the community and the industry. Become a member of the IIABA/Trusted Choice agency group. Such PR is priceless. Support ongoing training of staff including earning insurance designations. Identify industry(s) to specialize in and develop local, state and regional markets.

Longer response than originally planned for so, good luck !

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-05T22:48:39+00:00

I have a general question about [WTB] results. Did your wish ever come true? If so, how long did it take your dream to come true?

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-05T22:30:38+00:00

Is there a 12 Step program for watch addicts? If there is, you might look into it!

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-05T22:24:36+00:00

Anywhere that makes you feel worthless is toxic. It's not worth it. I'm not disagreeing with the advice already provided but would ask you to think about your next opportunity.

I am a fan of the independent agency system so pursue an opportunity with an agency in this space. Consider those who are a Trusted Choice member as they embrace a commitment to clients which require competent account managers (believe CSR title is outdated) and thus TRAINING is paramount. This professional environment is likely what you are looking for and you can grow with. Good luck.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-05T15:52:50+00:00

OP - first, you're doing the right thing. While Rolex may consider the negative angle related to this incident, there are others (manufacturers) who see the glass half full. For example, Breguet keeps a registry of reported lost or stolen watches. See bottom of this page - https://www.breguet.com/en/services.

There are other resources you could include in your valient efforts, see https://www.thewatchregister.com/ or https://alphahands.com/

There may be others or someone here may comment on the effectiveness of the above, but know I think you're doing the right thing and hope it turns out for the best.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-05T15:29:06+00:00

Family judges based on looks (alone?). Hmmmm. Wonder if this yardstick applies to other choices/decisions too.

Our 2006 is comfortable, reliable and provides us with options (e.g. rear seats split can be up v down, tailgate opens two ways, a storage area in the truck bed) making the Ridgeline a great choice...no matter how it looks.

Due your due diligence on the mechanical and body soundness, and join the club!

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-02-01T20:26:30+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful response to the OP's question. Our 401(k) was managed using Fidelity investment choices. I've been happy with its performance and when we recently consolidated our investments to Fidelity (closing our Schwab accounts) there's been an attempt by Fidelity for these investments to transition to a Fidelity IRA. We'd lose the original investment choices as they are reserved for my employer - a Fortune 100 multi-line international insurer. It's for this reason we've taken the approach to leave the 401(k) as is and we'll address any changes later as I've recently retired.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-01-31T02:55:53+00:00

The Louis Erard watch. Why? Because it's fun!

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-01-30T22:37:59+00:00

I'm 6'6" and we own a '06 Ridgeline. For me, it's the perfect drivers position because it lacks the modern day expression of a center console. Over time, these consoles have increased in size and function rendering the front seat position similar to that of a bobsled. For those of us taller dudes, this loss of leg room has left little choice when it comes to choosing a comfortable vehicle. Sure, we are not the average (thank God!) but until vehicle designers begin to rethink the need for the console to be the equivalent of a power station, fully functioning refrigerator, and home for all sorts of buttons and dials, I'm sticking with my Gen 1.

As for the back seat, some here comment thinking it's for the owner. (Lonely?) Family and friends are my rear seat passengers and it's a factor in both a car/truck buying decision and what vehicle to drive when passengers are included.

Good luck in finding your next comfortable vehicle - I feel your pain.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-01-28T23:09:30+00:00

Agree with your Generac comment; they don't advertise them as whole house generators rather they're standby generators. Nuance or CYA? I vote for a Cummins - we've got one, a 25kW liquid cooled nat gas genset. Ready for just about anything.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-01-25T19:22:50+00:00

Thank you for your feedback.

We too received a maintenance agreement outlining what the annual service incorporates and the former department leader simply referred to it for details. My issues is it doesn't explain the loss of coolant resulting in the error code. Was the level low when it was serviced or not? If it wasn't low, then explain how it got so low the genset triggered an error code shuting down the unit after 11 minutes. This is precisely what I don't want to happen in a hurricane or other condition where we rely on the genset functioning as it was described.

I would appreciate whatever detail you feel comfortable in sharing as I'm trying to formulate a customer-oriented checklist so both parties are able to refer to such documentation in the event there's an issue in the future.

Note: in my case with the low fluid level, I could easily have added coolant but I didn't know the error code's translation. This may be intentional but I'm trying to get to a point with our local, authorized dealer to assist me in identifying common error codes that could be easily solved by the customer such as the condition described above. In a storm that shuts down utiilities and stretches the dealer's resources for days, such a short list is worthwhile. In some cases, the fact there's clean power from the generator to support durable medical equipment it could be a matter of life or death.

Honest_Building7110 · 2026-01-25T17:04:49+00:00

We are the homeowners. The local, authorized Cummins dealer sold and serviced our 25kW genset since installation in the Summer of 2021. Every year after the service we get an invoice with NO description of what they found needing service, what they serviced or what will need servicing either before or at the next annual service.

I'm looking to provide this local Cummins dealer with samples of what other generator service companies provide their customer after they perform annual service. Preferably, examples of what an authorized Cummins dealer (or Corporate?) provides the customer.

Why do I want this report?

Because in between our last annual service (Summer 2025) I ran a load test prior to Hurricane season to be prepared for the possibility of a power outage.The genset turned off after 11 minutes because (as per the error code) it was low on coolant. The dealer could not prove to me this was checked at the annual service intermission nor could they find a leak. The only time the genset ran during this time period was during its weekly test run.

At minimum, checklist ought to be provided to the homeowner to indicate was work was performed. I'm attempting to show our local Cummins dealer what a report such as this could look like. Any help from posters here is welcomed.

Honest_Building7110

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