We want to know what we can do to really help you build a business that has a predictable stream of profits, clients, referrals, and more. We want to provide you with the proper tools because this is not a "One Size Fits All" business for agents and advisors. It is also not a "One Size Fits All" financial world for the most aware group of consumers in history. 

So, before I get to the meat of this writing, let's defuse a few myths…

1. There is no quick, overnight, or simple way to increase sales and revenue without a plan that is maintained and monitored.  
2. It takes you working the in ands outs of the business, where you need the tools and the platform.
3. In short, you need to have the attitude and aptitude to make this work.
4. We have, and will continue to, build the platforms and tools to assist you in your chosen markets.  

Again, our focus has always been in the areas of marketing, research, and education. It might not sound too sexy, but that is what makes your world, and our world, go 'round. 
 
What are the things that keep you up at night regarding your business? Is it: 

1. Lack of good prospects at a reasonable cost and a method to obtain them?
2. Lack of knowledge in certain areas?
3. Digital marketing, or the lack thereof?
4. Lack of a system that awards you when you excel?
5. Lack of seminars?
6. No branding or print design?

The good news is, with Ohlson Group, we have a commitment on each end. You will know what we expect of you and what you can expect of us. Call us at 877-844-0900 or schedule a 15 minute appointment with marketing consultants.

​We are looking to become the answer to those questions above. Some have said that I am trying to develop a "Modified Career Operation,” and you know, I like the sound of that. So, let's get going. Hope to hear from you!

Do you know anyone that lost a spouse lately? I am sure that you do and I am sure they are re-working their plans. You should be there to help. Let's look at some of the challenges, opportunities and solutions:
 

• The surviving spouse will now file as a single. Have you looked at how fast you move into the higher tax brackets as a single? No double standard deduction, etc.
• What about the life insurance policies that are in force to be paid to the deceased? What do you do about them?  Do you consider a life settlement? What about giving to the kids so when the survivor passes, the kids or beneficiaries will get a tax-free benefit. It may be hard to find a better return.
• If the survivor has been holding off until age 70 to collect social security… Should he/she start now? What about a Social Security Survivor benefit?

 
Now, let's also take a look at the "tax time bomb.” The survivor has a good net worth and good financial products. The kids will now get all the dough when the survivor passes. When that happens, the kids can say good bye to low tax rates. This windfall will throw them into the higher brackets. What to do?
 
A piece of paper and a drop of ink can transform lives, when the ink is used on a life insurance application. It’s simple: Start moving some of the assets into life insurance, so when death occurs, the money that is passed down is income tax free. That will pay for a lot more grandkids educations or assistance to heirs that have been behind a financial eight ball. But even though that will eliminate some tax rime bombs, let's don't forget about the survivors needs.

The survivors life has changed forever. He/she will now be riding solo into retirement. He/she might not have desire to work as long. He/she might want accelerate retirement income. Should we begin meeting with the survivor again? You bet... because if you don't, someone else will.
 
Here’s the bottom line… get with the survivor ASAP. Don't go in for a sales presentation, but a nice lunch at an appropriate time can ease some strain. Let the person know that you are there to help and there will be changes to his plan that need to be made. And, while you are at it, try to get a meeting with the attorney as documents will need to be re-written or altered.
 
After the dust settles and the casseroles that friends and neighbors fixed are gone, the phone doesn't ring as much. Your client will have to "face the financial music.” Too many in this situation put it off for too long. Ask questions, re-write the plan, and everyone will gain.

I will make this commentary short, as I fear I am running out of time today. Why would that happen to me?

• Did I fail to plan?
• Did I fail to prioritize my work?
• Was I spending $5 time on a 10 cent project?
• Do I even know where I am spending my time?

Well, I am confident that you have asked those same questions of yourself.   

Let me give you a statement from "The Best of Success," compiled by Wynn Davis. "Time can't be managed. But what can be managed are our activities and how we 'spend' time.” And all the experts agree... managing our activities begins with planning. So by knowing what's important for us - planning our work and working our plan, we become wise managers. Notice how everything revolves around having a plan? So, how can you monitor your time? Let's look…
 
In "The Art of the Deal" by Donald Trump, he always had phone appointments and personal visits scheduled for 15 minutes. He informed the person on the other line that he had 15 minutes. Now, sure, if things are going great, you continue. But your plan should dictate what you do each day, into each week, into each month. 
 
You need to spend a part of each day prospecting. Yes... each day. You don't have any good prospects? Then you need to spend time on marketing, such as through your website, LinkedIn, Facebook, or planning quality content drips on your clients and prospects.

Let's cut to the chase. At The Ohlson Group, we have many of these tools where we can help optimize your business. That is why we have to spend some quality time together... so together we can get your business even more successful than it is today.
 
I hope that you have found this commentary to be of value to you. If so, and if you want to learn more, call us at 1-877-844-0900 or line up an appointment with one of our marketing consultants. If you don’t mind, I would like to close with a quote by Victor Hugo that I find helpful. "He who every morning plans the transactions of the day and follows out that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy day.” 

The Challenge

On the surface it seems rather simple: Reposition the cash value from the current insurance into new solutions that more closely match the client’s updated planning objectives. The reality is that there is no singular product that can accomplish all these objectives, and “splitting” the cash among multiple solutions typically involves a full surrender of the existing policy, triggering what can often be a rather sizable taxable event.

The Solution
​
Fortunately, there are a handful of insurance companies that offer “all seasons” product portfolios and the ability to “split” incoming 1035 exchanges upon receipt. This ability allows them to allocate funds to three separate solutions that can effectively transform the client’s insurance assets into a portfolio that matches their current needs far better than a single policy solution. In this instance, a 57-year-old male with a $1.5MM policy with $352,176 of surrender value was repositioned as shown in Figure 2, below.

In today's digital age, our cell phones have become our lifelines, serving as the primary means of communication with friends, family, and businesses alike. With the convenience of smartphones and the demise of long-distance fees, many of us have forsaken traditional landlines in favor of the versatility of our mobile devices.
 
As a result, we often retain our phone numbers even when relocating, sparing ourselves the hassle of updating contacts and notifying acquaintances. However, while the area codes of personal phone numbers hold little significance to us, the story takes a different turn in the realm of business phone numbers.
 
1. Establishing Trust and Familiarity

Consumers frequently screen incoming calls, instinctively favoring those bearing local area codes. The inundation of spam, robocalls, and persistent telemarketers has cultivated a wariness of unfamiliar numbers. A local area code, however, serves as an immediate indicator of relevance, triggering recollections of past interactions with local businesses. This association fosters trust and familiarity, prompting a more receptive response from potential leads.
 
2. Enhancing Accessibility

Despite the prevalence of virtual business transactions, the appeal of in-person assistance persists. A local phone number reassures customers that physical interaction remains an option if needed, instilling a sense of security from the initial outreach. Even if the area code does not precisely match their locale, a phone number with a state-specific area code can evoke a perception of locality, given the commonality of intrastate relocations. This perceived accessibility helps build trust and establish credibility of your business.
 
3. Cultivating Personal Connections

Shared experiences and mutual understanding form the foundation of interpersonal connections. By aligning with local culture and customs, businesses wielding local phone numbers can easily exchange small talk… which honesty small talk is very underestimated. Discussions about traffic woes, upcoming festivals, or recent local news resonate deeply with customers, fostering a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding of the community. These interactions nurture relationships to help both you and the lead develop a better understanding of one another.
 
Three Paths to Acquiring a Local Phone Number
​

• Dedicated Business Line: Adding a separate line to your cellular plan ensures clear demarcation between personal and professional calls, promoting a healthier work-life balance.
• VOIP Smartphone Apps: Cost-effective and user-friendly, VOIP apps offer local numbers and convenient features, empowering businesses to stay connected with ease. This solution may be ideal for someone not wanting to update their current clients they have a different phone number.
• Professional Services: For national agents seeking local presence, specialized digital marketing companies provide local numbers automatically, albeit at a higher cost. The investment, however, often yields tangible returns, as attested by numerous successful professionals.

 
In Conclusion, Local Phone Numbers: Bridging Gaps and Boosting Sales

The adoption of a local phone number can substantially increase contact ratios and foster meaningful connections with potential leads. Studies suggest that this simple yet impactful strategy can elevate contact ratios by up to 20% or more, translating to increased appointments and ultimately, higher sales figures. By leveraging the power of locality, businesses can carve out a niche in their communities, earning trust and loyalty one call at a time.

The conventional approach to designing accumulation-focused Indexed UL strategies involves minimizing the death benefit. Often, this is combined with using the maximum AG49 compliant illustrated rate to squeeze every dollar of projected income out of the product.

While that can produce a compelling illustration, it may not be the most effective approach in the real world. That thought process is often the reason for things like stress testing or reducing the illustrative rate, even if it results in a reduced illustrative income. The truth is there is another, perhaps more meaningful alternative design that can deliver more consumer value from virtually any Indexed UL product.
​
This more balanced approach to case design can deliver:

• An increased initial face amount, meaning more coverage for the client’s loved ones
• A corresponding increase in the lifetime maximum available under any Accelerated Benefit Riders
• Additional funding capacity that allows the client to increase their contributions to the “Tax-free Bucket” in their retirement plan should their investable cash flow increase. 
• All without asking the client for another dollar of premium. Check out the results below: