Sales and marketing

One of the most troubling areas that brokers and agents hear from clients is how to address the growing incidences of obesity and diabetes. But the answer is as complex as the problem, says EBA Contributor Susan Rider.

Retirement readiness is just not a buzz word for EBA’s Retirement Adviser of the Year.

Mel Schlesinger on how brokers can sell more in a how-to guide.

Push employers fear buttons to sell and renew business says Craig Davidson.

Consumer-driven health plans have bypassed health maintenance organizations to become the second most common plan design offered by U.S. employers, according to an Aon Hewitt survey.

Thirty-nine percent of U.S. adults do not have life insurance, according to survey results released by InsuranceQuotes.com. And many of the 2,000 Americans surveyed who do have life insurance appear to be underinsured and not as knowledgeable as they should be about their policies.

When asked who plans to be doing the same job, in the same way, three years from now, not one broker raised a hand Tuesday during a session on growth and profitability at the 7th Annual Employee Benefit Adviser Summit.

Having spent my entire career in the insurance industry, I’m not sure how much of an understanding I can claim for other industries. However, it’s hard for me to imagine an industry where the purchasing decision has historically been tied to the “relationship” as much as it is in ours. …

In the immortal words of Albert Einstein, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result.” Are you trapped in this pattern? If so, embrace the guiding principle of evolve or perish to take your career to the next level. As I travel the country, speaking with my colleagues at state and local health underwriter association meetings about surviving and thriving in a post-health care reform world —…

There are four words that sum up the tremendous growth experienced by San Mateo, Calif. brokerage Sequoia Benefits and Insurance Services in 2012: "Coming through for people." To Greg Golub, CEO and founder, it is that simple, and it all comes back to impeccable customer service. In a year when other firms struggled to remain solvent, Sequoia brought in 135 new clients and 50 new 401(k) plans, developed an innovative smartphone application and overhauled its online customer service portal.A client-first attitude yields tremendous growth and employee admiration for Sequoia's Greg Golub, EBA's 2012 Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year.

Benefits Advisors Network members rally to tackle market uncertainty says executive director of 45-member BAN.

Sequoia's Greg Golub is EBA's 2012 Employee Benefit Adviser of the Year.

Mel Schlesinger shares how brokers salesperson can double their income using a sales mindset

Recent research indicates that more people are being affected by major legal events in their lives – and so is their productivity.

Two new studies amplify the benefits—especially for women—of working with financial advisers, and provide insight into a changing demographic for life insurers.

Kevin Trokey has coached hundreds of producers but it sees what attribute that seems to hold them back. What is that, how does it even keep good producers and from being great, and what can be done to overcome it?

With more than 8.1 million Americans protected by long-term care insurance coverage, there is no doubt it’s a product that appeals to baby boomers who don’t want to end up in a nursing home or be dependent on others. However, it’s not a fit for everyone. For example, most young married men would be better off focusing on building a nest egg and buying life insurance protection. …

For decades, health care consumers have been told once you have a problem, then you should go to the doctor. But now, as high-deductible health plans become ever more prevalent, employers are encouraging employees to go to the doctor first - before they get sick - and in turn the employer will often cover the visit at 100%.

After the June 28 Supreme Court ruling that found the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to be constitutional, many group medical producers felt that their business was over. I want to begin by saying that there has never been more opportunity than there is right now and that there will be for the foreseeable future.

The recent ruling of PPACA has created even a greater need for accurate benchmarking data proving the age old adage that if you can’t measure it then you can’t manage it. Advisers armed with information that drills down through national, regional, state, industry and company size will be better prepared to assist larger employers with employee acquisition and retention, and helping smaller employers make intelligent decisions on whether or not to pay or play. …