Spring 2008

Wow, 2008 is shaping up to be a very tumultuous year with the presidential elections, the possibility of a recession, oil prices at over $100 a barrel and war in Iraq still going on. That being said, it reinforces the fact that we, as insurance brokers, have great opportunities with our prospects and clients. They need the products and services that we provide more in times like this than ever before. They are feeling less secure with the promises that our government is making and, in fact, are going to have to rely on their own savings in the future. We can help. No longer can we count on Social Security, Medicare and Government pensions to take care of us. All of these programs were designed with a lifetime expectancy for a male of somewhere in their early 70’s. Of course now it’s at least 85 years old and going up. The good news is we’re going to live longer; the bad news is we’re going to live longer. That leads me to my next point. If you really want to get schooled in how the current times provide the greatest opportunity in the history of our industry for you to help your prospects and clients, you need to make sure to attend our Sky is the Limit II seminar on April 22nd. Our featured speakers are Van Mueller and Matt Modleski. Van is an 18 year MDRT Top of the Table member who will give you solid facts that you can take to your clients, in an educational manner, and have them asking you to sell them insurance and annuities as opposed to you asking them to buy. Van gives an unbelievable presentation and you really don’t want to miss it. Matt Modleski, another good friend of mine, has an unbelievable inspiring story to tell you. He enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school and then decided he wanted to be a pilot - not just any ordinary pilot - he wanted to be on the US Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team. Everyone told him that was an impossible thing without a four year degree and piloting skills, but they could not dissuade Matt. Through sheer determination, he finished college while in the Air Force, got accepted into Officers Candidate School, then flight school, and eventually became the lead solo for the US Thunderbird exhibition team. Matt will tell you his entire story along with some phenomenal video clips, and the gist of it is, you can do anything that you set your mind to do, no matter what other people tell you or what obstacles are put in your way. Matt is currently the vice president of a health consulting firm and is very cognizant of the issues in our insurance business today. He will share some of those thoughts with you during the talk. Please make sure you go to our website to listen to brief audio clips of both speakers and find out how to register for this unique seminar because seating is limited.

If any of you drive up and down Schaumburg Road like I do, then you must have noticed the unfinished metal building at the corner of Plum Grove and Schaumburg Roads. This is the Schaumburg Child + Family Center. It would have been completed four years ago but the governor pulled the promised funding. Long story short…the building will be completed this year and serve over 100 families for low income children’s day care. American Chartered Bank has loaned the project $1.5 million for its completion. I’m on the committee to repay the bank by year’s end by raising the money in the local business community. Resource Brokerage will be matching our brokers’ donations up to $1000. Please check our website for addition details of this most worthwhile project.

The book I’m recommending this month is called It’s Your Ship, by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff. I heard Captain Abrashoff speak about a year ago, and it was amazing. He was given command of the USS Benfold. This ship had every cutting-edge system available, but it also had poor morale and a poor record. Abrashoff turned it into one of the best ships in the Navy by first realizing he had to improve his own leadership and then soliciting his crew’s suggestions.

Now that 2008 is underway, I would like to thank each and every broker who did business with us in 2007 making it one of our most productive years! You’ve allowed us to expand our technology, put on additional employees, and enhance our product lines. Thank you very much, and we look forward to a great 2008.

Meet the Resource Brokerage Core Team

Back Row (left to right): Shea Gamble, Justin Almli, Wilma Franz, Marianne Puzzello,Vicki Olmstead and Monica Spradling Front Row (left to right): John Rippinger, Jennifer Augustine, Costa Yasmine and Jan Gohl

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