Category: Inside The Industry

What Should You Say To Homeless People?

As much as I want everybody to stand on their own two feet, I know that things happen. Even the wealthiest among us can find themselves penniless and desperate. You don’t think so? Take into account monster storms like Katrina… Read More

What Makes Americans Prosperous?

As a life insurance salesman, I like to pay attention to what popular media says about my profession. It’s often not too flattering. In the movies and TV shows I’ve seen, my compatriots are typically portrayed as sleazy shysters or… Read More

What If a Woman Managed Your Money?

Does gender still play a role in the financial world? People tend to think that gender stereotypes are old-fashioned, and are the hallmarks of prior generations. People feel we are now past that. Yet, do you know what is typically… Read More

Why Should the Government Limit Political Donations?

As a life insurance salesman, I compete for my business with hundreds of thousands of other sales people. These competitors include other licensed independent brokers; captive agents; property and casualty brokers; benefits consultants; bankers; accountants; investment advisors; financial planners; and… Read More

Are You Too Tired to Exercise? This 97-Year-Old Sprinter Isn’t!

Is your weight preventing you from getting the lowest life insurance rate available? Is your blood pressure or cholesterol the problem? Are you on anxiety medication? And are you bummed because you know all you have to do is some… Read More

Does the Robin Williams Tragedy Make You Think About Suicide?

The death of the great comedian Robin Williams sheds light on a very delicate topic: suicide. I have firsthand professional experience with this. A number of years ago a client committed suicide. She was also a personal friend, and that… Read More

Why Do People Lie About Their Smoking?

It is well-known that insurance applications ask about the smoking of tobacco. Here is an example: 1 Do you use tobacco in any form? 2 If yes, what type of product(s) have you used? 2a Cigarette? 2b Cigar ? 2c… Read More

Would You Tip Your Robot Waiter?

The next time you buy fast food, you may be served by a robot. What is the social protocol: do you leave a tip? How would you do so? Or should you just make a donation to charity? It seems… Read More

Do You Think This Good Will Can Translate Into More Business?!

TD bank in Canada turned an ATM into an Automated Thanking Machine and recorded customers’ reactions to receiving personalized gifts dispensed through a small door that opened in front of them. “Never in all my life have I had such… Read More

Will There Be War When We Have Peace?

This is not as crazy a question as it sounds. It forces us to talk about what peace really means. Should we strive for a time when there is no war at all? Should we settle for wars that are… Read More