NETWORKS BIG OR SMALL

I have self declared myself as my own entity!

Ok, what does that mean?

There are so many people out there that believe in the system. When I refer to the system, I refer to Insurance companies referral networks, homes warranty programs, etc. At the end of the day, you are trusting a person. Who is the person you choose to trust? I look in my crystal ball and see the fact that whoever we go with, there is a chance of failure. The only challenge is that the larger institutions have taken the small guy out of the picture. In years past, a homeowner would have a choice to choose someone or a company they would trust. With the media blitzes on going with different programs, it has nullified or made it more difficult for a small company to operate.

Let me give you an example of an independent insurance agent. If that agent would build a relationship with a client based on trust, business would happen and if there was a claim that agent would help the client to know things are going to be ok. With the claims handling now, an agent may not even know about the claim for 3-4 days after the incident. Where as before, an agent would call and would help the client at least mentally process through the claim. Now agents are limited by the claims not putting the agent into the sequence of events.

And lets talk about the computerized insurance that people are moving to. I am referring to the one with the lizard. I can’t tell you who my local agent is for that company. I don’t even want to say their name because if I do, I am giving them more advertising. Impersonal relationship! Yes, you are getting insurance, that is true, but a live agent will help you to make better decisions.

Here is an example: You got insurance on your home. That is all you want to spend. On the other hand, an agent says do you want sump pump coverage because that is not part of the flood insurance? You don’t want to spend a dime more than you spent. On the other hand, you have your $15,000.00 in Cubs Memorabilia with your $3,000.00 flat screen. You could lose your sofa though! Do you pay the extra $72.00 per year to get this added ryder or not? That’s your choice, but you know you have a choice. Sometimes, this is a good conversation to have with a human being. Maybe an insurance agent! This agent has been there and done that! They have had clients that have declined on the ryder all to call the agent up when they did have a flood and the client first implored that they have insurance. Then the client got upset because the agent said I asked you and you signed off on this. So, it is not just a yes no answer when deciding whether you get the ryder or not. Sometimes, an agent will need to explain to the client what the ramifications are. Do you think a computer questionaire will make an individual mentally live through this dialogue? Probably not!

So, you as a client of your computerized insurance program feel like you are well served because a lot of others are in this network. Don’t get me wrong, I think networks are great. I just think people need to be informed. At the end of the day, you need to trust the company you are working with. My job as a cleaning and restoration professional is to give people the tools they need to make informed decisions. Sometimes, a huge network is great and the individual will make a good decsion based on the network. Other times, a network can create major havoc on an individual. The same goes with individuals you do work with. I had 2 sliding doors installed from a guy that I would never use again. He wasn’t in a network. You might see that failure can even happen on an independent happenstance.

So, I hope you read this and make informed decisions.

All that I ask is that you do not put all of your hope into a network. My hope is that you still make informed decisions based on people you trust and what you know is right.

We as individuals in our community need to not hide our lights under a bonnet. We need to talk to each other about networking ourselves. Networking does not take money. Networking is a gumshoe concept. Relationships are built through people that we trust. Those people then go out and are our raving fans. The energy then converts to a conversation with a bonafide client. Our company then has a stage so show these clients that we have something of value for them.

http://tudorservices.com

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James Tudor

Tudor Cleaning and Restoration Services

443 East U.S. Highway 30

Valparaiso, IN 46383

Phone: 219-465-6904

Fax: 219-531-7733

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