Selling tips...

30 years ago when I was drawn into the Life Insurance business was mainly due to the noble profession of it. All our briefings, seminars, trainings and sharing were on saving lives. There were unaccountable testimonials and experiences of how life insurances gave hopes and dreams to those who had lost their breadwinners. The husbands could have passed away but the miracle of life insurance brought life to the deceased families. The wives needed not to beg, the children could still continue their studies and they could live in dignity and respect. And as life insurance agents we were the preacher of love. I was indeed proud to be one.

But sad to say, today our business recruitment doesn't talk on selling insurance as a noble profession any more but rather on the glamour and benefits out of the selling. The career allows you to earn as much as you like, free trips and holidays are offered, awards and recognition are given. To capture new recruits' interest and attention, expensive cars are driven by those successful agents as testimonials for their achievement. All seminars and trainings come with incentives and more awards to the pleasing ears. Yes! The senses of our eyes is usually too tempting to resist. Today just in our company alone, we have 15000 agents selling life insurance, comparing 30 years ago when we had only 300 agents. Those days we had to use the heart to sell, while our current agents applied the brain more. 

Moral of the story... Sight again is more effective to decide. Though the heart is slower but the passion is permanent and more sincere. Thanks God! I used my heart to come into this business, and that's the reason why I could still remain as a humble agent. 

Food for thought - "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble" - Helen Keller

Selling needs plenty of Enthusiasm....

Selling tips...

Steph has been selling life insurance for almost 10 years. Prior to taking up this career, she was a Private Secretary working in a large corporation. Seeing many of her friends doing well in insurance, she jumped over to the selling world without hesitation. For the first four years in the business, she was doing well, qualifying several incentive trips given by the company. The desire to earn money and other awards, drove her to work extremely hard then. From the fifth year onwards, things started to change. She could not sustained and maintained the constant aggressiveness in achieving her targets. Her income is dropping and she has to live on her saving. Over a chat with me, she sounded her fear with me over her career now. She is wondering whether she should continue selling, or to look for another job instead.

This was what I told her... In any selling, the first few years could be an easy stage of work. Money is the prime mover, and with so many friends around to see, you literally need not look for new prospects to sell. Approaching and selling to friends are different from meeting total strangers. Selling to friends is a joy, while meeting strangers you need guts and courage. Not only this, you need to enjoy meeting people all the time and at the same time love to talk endlessly. Steph doesn't like to meet people, except closing cases. Steph doesn't like to talk, except chatting with old friends. She is failing on her career because she has lost the drive to meet people, and more so she doesn't know how to create an excitement conversation, other than talking about her products. 

Conclusion... Unless Steph could enjoy and have fun out of selling, the career of selling life insurance in a long term is definitely not possible. 

Food for thought - "Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Philosopher

The West & The East......

I was laughing over these few cartoon posts. They said, "A picture is better than a thousand words!"

These are the differences between The West and The East. U can laugh but that's the true facts of life. 

To outwit the evil, you have to be smarter....

During the last school holiday, my eldest grand son, Brandon visited his father who is working in Shanghai. Brandon is an intelligent student who is 14 years old, and studying in Singapore. Being an independent child he is capable to move around most of the time by himself. 

While he was in Shanghai, something devastated happened that broke his heart badly. He was taking a taxi to visit his friend. Upon arriving there, he gave a one hundred note to pay for the fare. And the taxi driver told him that he had no small change for the hundred. He suggested to the boy to change it from the nearby shop and instructing Brandon to put his hand phone in the taxi. He said he would wait for him there. Without hesitating Brandon rushed out to attempt changing for those loose change as a favour for the driver. However when he came back to the same spot, that taxi wasn't around any more. No driver and no taxi!!! He was shocked. He couldn't believe that the driver had drove off. He waited! Finally he realised, the driver had cheated him. The driver had taken his expensive iPhone, a present the mother had bought for him only 8 days ago. A gift he wanted so much for doing well in his studies. He was so upset, he would not even care if he died that minute. He cried walking home and the entire holiday wasn't a happy one.

Later I was told about this episode and of course I felt bad and sad for my grandson I love so much too. I could only say to him... Brandon, for anything to happen, there is always a reason. Try to take it as for a good reason. You could have been a nice boy, and being naive, you tend to trust everyone, especially the adults. But the world isn't that as rosy as you thought. There are the good and the bad people around. From the outside they look good, but if you could see them from the inside, they are the worst off people you could not believe. Yes! You might have been cheated by a man, but that sad experience was a teaching you would not forget as long as you live. I'm sure you are going to be more careful in trusting people from now onwards. You can be smart but there are smart people who might be evil and cunning. So to avoid those evil smart, you have to be a greater smart person to outwit them. Books can't teach you but the mistakes you encounter in life will make you stronger and greater in smartness. Yes! You will be because you are my grandson. 

Food for thought - "A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them" - John C. Maxwell.

Jewish Deal Maker..................

An Old Jewish man is walking down the street one afternoon when he sees a woman with perfect breasts.

He says to her, "Hey miss, would you let me BITE your breasts for $100?"
"Are you nuts?!" she replies, and keeps walking away.

He turns around, runs around the block and gets to the corner before she does.
"Would you let me bite your breasts for $1,000?" he asks again.
"Listen you; I'm not that kind of woman! Got it?"

So the little old Jewish man runs around the next block and faces her again.

"Would you let me bite your breasts, Sandra - just once - for $10,000?!"

She thinks about it for a while and says, "Hmmmmm, $10,000... Ok, just once, but not here. Let's go to that dark alley over there."

So they go into the alley, where she takes off her blouse to reveal the most perfect breasts in the world. As soon as he sees them, he grabs them and starts caressing them, fondling them slowly, kissing them, licking them, burying his face in them - but not biting them.

The woman finally gets annoyed and asks, 'Well? Are you gonna bite them or not?'

"Nah," says the little old Jewish man... "Costs too much!"

"If God would have wanted us to live in a permissive society He would have given us Ten Suggestions and not Ten Commandments." ~ Zig Ziglar

A Good Boss motivates his staffs.....

Wong is a 70 years old business man, whom I have known for more than 40 years. From a big engineering company many years ago, he has down sized his operation to less than 10 workers. Being a hot tempered  man, nobody darns to tell him his wrongs.

Over a coffee chat with him, he poured all his anger over his working staffs. Complaining that they are insincere, not working hard, stupid and worked without cooperation among themselves. At the rate he works, I am afraid my friend might fall sick, and if worst off he might even get a stroke for his stressfulness in his face. 

Directly I told him.... You are a grumpy old man, prideful and stupid yourself. Just imagine, if all your staffs are willing to work independently, intelligence and smart, they would have been a boss to themselves already. Why are they working for you? Because they do not have those qualities as a boss! Being that you are a boss, rightfully you should be motivating them. A good manager inspires his workers to work harder, giving encouragement to instil enthusiasm and offering incentives to create excitement. You did nothing, except scolding and more scolding. 

Three Golden Rules for managing people. Either by threat, incentives or the heart. Wong only knows how to apply the first rule... Threat all the way and he has failed.

Food for thought - "By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be a boss and work twelve hours a day" - Robert Frost

Is money the most important thing in life.....

I can sleep, can you?

Continue from yesterday title. 

After advising Ho in the rest room, we could see two of our fellow club members, Mike and Henry were sleeping beside the spa pool. Both Mike and Henry are in the early sixties, semi retired and spending most of the afternoon exercising, steam bath and finally dosed off on the cement floor with towels covering part of their bodies. I showed Ho how peacefully our friends could sleep. Mike was only a factory manager and Henry was a bar captain with the Hilton before they retired. They are ordinary people with no creed in them. They are satisfied with what they have and they live a very simple life. They carry no hatred of others and they live happily with no worry. Unless you have peace and calmness, you would not be able to sleep in the afternoon like both Mike and Henry.

Ho is rich and successful in business but find it difficult to relax or even sleep. On the other hand, Mike and Henry are not but they could doze off any time of the day. Ho is stressful and sad, while Mike and Henry who are much older are healthier and their faces shine brightly. 

Moral of the story - Is money that very important in life??? You have to decide yourself.

Eleanor Roosevelt said...

"He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more; He who loses faith, loses all"

Good overrules Evil......

While getting ready to workout in the gym, I saw Ho who didn't look good. I used to see him cheerful and always loved running on the hill. Lately I could see he wasn't smiling and had lost a lot of weight. Instead of walking into the gym room, I sat down with him in the rest room to listen to his problems.

Ho is only 52. A very intelligent man who made himself a multi millionaire within the last 20 years in business. He started with only $100,000 and partnership with another friend, who is a sleeping partner. From his sheer hard work and smartness, he built their company to a value of $30 Million today, and is still expanding. But being rich they are currently, both the two partners are having conflicts. The sleeping partner who is holding the share of 55% is suing Ho who is the key person of the company. He is the one who built the millions while his friend slept all these 20 years. He couldn't believe his good friend and partner could take him to court. He is extremely frustrated, sorrowful and painful in heart. 

By listening I understood his dilemma. To enlighten him I shared with him the 'Good & The Evil' forces all of us have to face on earth. For a evil person to gain his energy, he has to practise all the bad deeds of life. No evil person would enjoy being good. The more he cheats, the more he loves it. Whereas a good person gains his energy by practising all the sincere and good things of life. No good person would like being evil. The more good thoughts and sincere intentions he gives, the more he feel nice and wonderful. Advising Ho I said... for you to win, never challenge your friend. Be forgiving, tactful, friendly, willing to loose and to give, never show your anger but rather smile as much for him. The more you play the good role, the more you would feel better. Otherwise you face frustration and stressfulness, which in the long run might affect your well being. A lighter heart is always calm and peaceful my friend. 

Food for thought - "The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naïve forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget" - Thomas Szasz

The Best Way To Save.......

In the course of my selling of life insurance, we always talk about the important of saving. I made things simple for my clients. The question is... "If given time, which would be the fastest way to save with more returns... A wooden box locked up in the house, preferable hidden below the floor or A bank?"

All the replies were the bank because banks offer interest and dividend, whereas a wooden box gives nothing extra. I said wrong! If you could save diligently for twenty years, the coins or notes that you put into the box would be more than from the bank. All my friends were puzzled!

The reason is... In my 30 over years selling life insurance, those who had saved in the bank had very little left over in term of saving. When they had seen some cash in their account, they would easily take them out again, especially when they were in the shopping malls.With ATM machines at almost every corner, one could access to cash instantly. If they could had saved money in a hidden box, cashing it out is going to be tough. Though there is no extra interest earn over from the box, in the long run they find that there is much money kept hidden in the box. Sound funny! But it works that matter.

Otherwise if you don't have that magical wooden box in your house, the next alternative is to save with us... Life Insurance. We don't provide you the ATM machine, and we make things difficult for you to cash out. And if I happened to be your agent, I would bug you like mad whenever you withdrawal your fund without a good reason. All my clients who have saved with me, are all cash rich in Life Insurance. Indirectly I am the wooden box for them to save. Understand?

Food for thought - "Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful" - Warren Buffett

Chasing girls......

Karen is a 52 divorcee who wanted me to introduce to a boyfriend. Preferable a rich and a handsome man who could take care of her. Chee is a single 66 years old male friend, who out of lonesome requested me to link him to another female partner. Preferable a young sexy attractive lady.

What a request both wanted? She is demanding, not romantic, not elegant and yet wanted a Prince Horse. He... worst still? Never bother to take care of his personality, he looked haggard and unpleasant. He is stingy, possessive and not a gentleman. Mind Oh Mind! He asked for a young lady, unmarried before.

Well since both really have never met before, I mentioned both their names to one another. I gave Karen's number to Chee. I didn't tell the truth of both their characters but rather I painted a rosy picture of both of them. Curious I am to see what is the outcome of their telephone conversation.

The last two weeks, Chee claimed that he had spoken on phone three times with Karen. Each attempt he failed to invite the lady to come out. Wondering why she refused though I know she is desperate to meet her Prince Horse! The last three days, Chee was getting angry because Karen didn't pick his calls for two times. Instead he called to show his temper to me. 

Out of pity, I advised my good friend Chee. A patient man who has the understanding of courting another female needs time and effort. If he wants to win over the lady, even a hundred times call would not deter him from calling. What more when he made only two unsuccessful telephone calls lately. Chee! Unless you change your manner, you wound not be able to get a woman in your life time. Out of my pressing with a raised voice on him, he softened his words and promised he would continue to call Karen again. Good luck to them!!!

I was told - "A woman likes a man best who has a Will of his own - made out in her name"

THE BROTHEL...................

The madam opened the brothel door in Winnipeg and saw a

rather dignified, well-dressed, good-looking man in

his late forties or early fifties.
"May I help you sir?"

she asked.

The man replied,

"I want to see Valerie." "Sir, Valerie is one of our most expensive ladies.
Perhaps you would prefer someone else"

said the madam.

He replied,

"No, I must see Valerie."
Just then, Valerie appeared and announced to the

man she charged $5000 a visit.

Without hesitation, the man pulled out five thousand dollars
and gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs.

After an hour, the man calmly left.

The next night, the man appeared again, once more demanding to see Valerie.

Valerie explained that no one had ever come back
two nights in a row as she was too expensive.
"There are no discounts.

The price is still $5000."
Again, the man pulled out the money, gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs.

After an hour, he left.

The following night the man was there yet again.

Everyone was astounded that he had come for a third
consecutive night, but he paid Valerie

and they went upstairs.

After their session, Valerie said to the man,

"No one has ever been with me

three nights in a row."

"Where are you from?"

The man replied,

" New Brunswick ."
"Really," she said.

"I have family in New Brunswick ."
"I know." the man said.

"Your sister died, and I am her attorney."

"She asked me to give you your

$15,000 inheritance."

The moral of the story is that

three(3)things in life are certain:

1. Death

2. Taxes

Past, Present and The Future....

Talking to a young man who was attempting to change his prospective of life. He considered himself as a failure because he hadn't achieved anything, though most of his friends have done well in business or in career. He was mixing with the wrong group since as a teenager, when he took up smoking and drinking. Not strong minded was he, when he could see only the bad part of life. His personal drive was weak and had a negative perception of everyone he met. Though he needed attention and was hungry to be loved, he didn't know how to express himself to his family and to those who were closed with him. His heart was sad when he had to cry silently in the late night by himself. He saw the world as ugly because his heart wasn't happy at all. Wherever he worked, he found it difficult to interact with his colleagues and the surrounding.

Thanks The Almighty Universe. I was given a chance to speak with him lately. As a preacher without any particular faith, I managed to reach up and touched his sorrowful heart. I spoke with softness and logic, understanding his mind and sadness. When a heart speaks with another heart, it usually speak the truth of life. I was amazed that this young man finally accepted my blessing, and is prepared to change over a new leaf of life. From rock bottom, he is willing to change and is prepared to climb the obstacles of life again. From a mind of negative, I inspired him to think positively. Motivating him to think only the brighter part of life. 

Taking him as a son I said... To be a good Angel, one has to understand what is a Devil. And to understand what is good, one has to experience what is evil of life first. In view you had seen what was hell, and had tasted the forbidden apple, you are now capable to understand the entire life of good and bad. Son! It's definitely not late for you to prove yourself that you can do well in life. In fact, I believe you can do better than those who had never experienced what you had gone through in life. I was one before. I was a rascal, good for nothing, not good in studies, a lone ranger, playful and a mischievous boy. BUT! With the so called as an unpleasant start in life, today the past had made me a stronger person who could understand the good and the evil of what life is. Yes! I strongly believe you will succeed in life. 

Food for thought - "If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present" - Lao Tzu 

Overcome cold calls on phone.....

Selling tips...

Speaking on phone is important on any sales calls. The one who could speak with confidence plus a pleasant voice would be a winner. Whether is a cold call or friendly calls, the conversation has to be effective in order to please our listeners. The one who has the smile at heart and calmness in the mind would definitely speak well with anyone.

If you are a starter in sales, and are nervous in making telephone calls, the best way to overcome these cold calls is to speak in front of a mirror while talking on the line. Have a big mirror place on your working desk and look at your handsome face. Are you satisfied with that person in the mirror? If you are afraid of him, don't make those cold calls yet. You won't be impressive to speak your voice. Play along with yourself, smile at yourself, laugh if you can and if you are ready, dial the number and speak your heart. When the other side pick your call, smile and keep smiling. When we smile, we speak better because the smile soothes our heart and calms our thought. Believe me, it works. I have been doing it ever since I was a salesperson 45 years ago. Today, I not only smile when I speak with my clients, I laugh aloud with humour. And my clients could feel my confidence and everyone likes to deal business with the one who could speak well confidently. I hope this sharing could be useful. 

Food for thought - "Words have incredible power. They can make people's hearts soar, or they can make people's hearts sore" -Dr. Mardy Grothe 

Respect non living things.....

I was driving a relative to the station when he heard me murmuring to myself. He asked whether I was talking to him or???

I told him I was talking to my car. He was surprised to see my weird look! I explained, I take all things, including plants and creatures as living things like us. Each time when I go inside my car and before I start my drive, I will pat the car steering and talk to her... "Hi my darling Honda, morning. Let's have fun again today. I  would drive carefully to take care of you, and please do take care of me as well. Okay?"

To many people, they think car is just a car but to me she is a real living thing with life like us. I respect her and feel for her, and I believe she would react the same. Ever since I bought her a couple of years back, she has been taking good care of me. Rain or shines, she covers me. In danger, she shields me and she is prepared to rough out all the journeys with me without complain. Similarly I have to be faithful and kind to her at all time. Believe me, I have never encountered any accident while with her. Thank you darling Honda.

My relative was shaking his head. I wonder whether he believed!!! What about you there?

Moral of the story- Respect all living and non living things around us. 

My children are my best friend......

I have not seen my eldest son for a year, except on phone and constant text messaging. We are meeting up this Chinese New Year. Being a good son he is, he sent me a message....

Alvin.. "Hi" How are things dad? All good?"

Though he is my hero son, I treat him more like a good friend. See how I replied him here on text...

"Dad is always on top of the world".

"No matter where I'm. Standing at any place or at any position, I'm always on top of the world".

"Coz I have three wonderful sons and they are my best friends".

"Plus six and a half grand children. All considered to be my little brothers & sister".

"One fantastic wife, unaccountable dears, many honeys, few darlings and one sexy lovable sweetheart. How not on top of the world. Right?"

"Plus a super hobby selling life insurance. Talking rubbish all the time and yet people still believe me. How not on top of the world."

"Writing crazy stuffs on blog with admirable readers asking for more. How not on top of the world?"

"Have I answered you son?"

Alvin laughing all the way... "Perfect answer though a long one".

Specially for my children and the little brothers - "Treat your kids like a darling for the first five years. For the  next five years, scold them. By the time they turn sixteen, treat them like a friend. Your grown up children are your best friends" - Chanakya

Start the day by making others smile....

Starting the day with happiness is the best thing to do. I do it every morning to make my friends smile.

Today is Dato Ramli's birthday when I sent him a message. I said..."Young man, you are a special Angel sent from Heaven to travel this earth and to be my friend. Hope you enjoy the journey and live a long  life full of fun and laughter. Happy Birthday".

Ramli who is 61 years today responded.."Thanks my friend for the birthday message and not massage".

Robert... "Please pamper yourself a good massage too. And send me the bills. What is good friend for!"

Ramli... "My group is going to Jakarta for golf outing next week!"

Robert.. "You need this massage today coz you are a birthday boy. Next week is another beautiful week".

At the same time I sent the same message to Ter who is celebrating his birthday today too.

Ter who is 51 years young today replied... "Thanks Robert".

Robert... "Good day to date your darling wife for a candle light dinner. Send me the bills. What's a good friend for!"

Ter.. "Thank you for the offer. Can you include the air ticket and hotel room in Paris?"

Ter is a millionaire. Happily I relied him... "If that could make this couple happy. Why not? Go ahead and send the bills to me". 

Indeed it was a fun morning, when I could make two of my good friends laughed. Though I could not see them, I knew they were also smiling in their heart.

Food for thought - "Smile, it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart." - Anthony J. D'Angelo

Exciting 69...

After an excitingly hot 69 position with his girlfriend, Jerry remembered he had a dentist appointment. He was afraid that the dentist would smell pussy on his breath so he brushed his teeth 7 times, used dental floss 8 times and on top of that gargled 1 liter of Listerine.

As he arrived at the dentist he sucked 2 strong mints. His turn came up & the dentist told him to take a seat. 

Feeling confident and relaxed, Jerry opened his mouth wide. 

The dentist got close enough and said,

"Man, did you have 69 before you came here?" 

Jerry said, "Does my breath smell like pussy?"

The dentist replied, "No, your forehead smells like shit."

Seven Rules To Be Happy.........

In the course of selling life insurance, I encountered endless medical problems of my clients. The age group between 45 and 55 is the highest rating of clients suffering from diabetics or hypertension. If they could pass through the age of 60 and above, and not having either of these two sicknesses, they stand a good chance of not having them for the rest of their lives. 

I could relate the above possibilities is because I saw them grow from young to the older age. Between the age of 20 to 30, their physical is always at peak. This is the time when they gather their working experiences, without any fuss over their health. Around 30 and above things change a bit. They could have got marry, trying to raise their young families or perhaps chasing for their financial dreams during this age gap. Their time management is poor, and their expectation and desires are strong, leaving very little time for them to take care of their health. They are stressful due to heavy load of responsibilities. Or most of them could have taken up smoking and drinking, either for personal satisfaction or for entertainment obligation. With no rest and calmness, while facing constant abuses over their physical, without them realising the silent killers of diabetics and high blood gradually creeps into their system. Externally they  look normal, but internally they are sub standard lives. And by the time they reach 55 and above, they no longer have the steam and drive to pursuit for their final dreams. 

For those who survive above 60 and have been responsible, discipline, health conscious, constant exercise and live a rounded life, very seldom they would have diabetics and high blood. Untreated diabetics and high blood might lead to other more serious diseases. Thanks The Almighty Universe, I'm 65 today and are still playful and kicking strong. 

Want to know my Seven Rules to be Happy. Please read on ....

1. Never hate

2. Don't worry

3. Live simple

4. Expect a little

5. Give a lot

6. Always smile

7. Have friends like Robert Foo

Are you in love...........

The girlfriend asks her boyfriend..."Would you be jealous if you see me with other male friends? Or if I came home late, would you be angry?"

Most young men would say, "Yes. I would be jealous and angry as well".

What about me? Perhaps when I was young like them, I could be the same too. Even I might not tell the truth to my girlfriend, my heart would still be heart broken. 

Today is a different story! I will tell my sweetheart... No! Go ahead to meet your friends, be they the ladies or the gentlemen. And if ever you were late coming home, I'm sure you have a good reason. 

Why I could say no to my sweetheart is because I trust her from the bottom of my heart. The first step in loving someone is TRUST. Without trust, no relationship could last. To have trust both parties have to put effort to build a close and a beautiful relationship. Both need to be patient to learn and to understand each other. One has to be a loving giver and the other receives whole heartily. 

A confident lover is one who possesses kindness, not boastful, not proud, not rude in behaviour, not self seeking, not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. He/ she is generous, fun, interesting, intelligence, smart, loving, caring and always willing to give. If you have these qualities of being a good lover, you would not be afraid of another person courting away your love.

However, if there is another gentleman who possesses all these qualities and love my sweetheart twice more than me, and also manage to win her from my arm, I would sadly have to give way to this rightful man to love  her then. Sad and sorrowful I will be but when you love another person truthfully, you have to accept the defeat when she has found another better person in her life. So! The only way to avoid such happening, a good lover will not take things for granted. I personally will make sure I won't fail to love my sweetheart. 

I hope these little pointers on LOVE could be useful to those who are in love. 

Specially to my little darling - 

May our relationship last forever.

May I sail upon your sea. 

May we go through life together. 

May there be always be a WE.

I feel honour to be a life insurance agent.....

Selling tips...

Most life insurance agents would be thrilled and happy if they could be closing cases. As long as sales are there, agents are happy, the agency managers are also happy and the entire company is even more happier for them. But the fact is... Life insurance is not a tangible product. It cannot be seen nor touched but can only be felt. Right? 

To me... Are we happy because we are securing sales or are we happy because we have created the 'piece of mind' to our clients who bought our unseen and untouchable product? In sales are the figures which come along with money, benefits, commissions and incentives. Are we happy because those figures excite us or we are happy because we are saving lives and giving hopes and promises to those who believe in us. Is really very subjective in these questions!!!

My past experiences tell, most buyers or consumers seldom believe or trust in sales people. They assume most sales persons sell for the sake of making money, they sell for their benefits and they might not be truthful in their sales. Unless one could prove that he is honest, sincere and has integrity, that particular salesperson might not last very long in his profession.

I have been selling for 45 years, and wish to relate... The best and most happiest time isn't the time when I close the sales but rather is the time when those sales finally ended. The period term when those sales conclude could be when the policy matures in 20 or more years later. Handling those maturing cheques to those deserving clients were honourable. Seeing their children grew when those needed money was there to provide for their education. Or giving those retirement fund to my ageing clients. These were moment I will never forget. It thrilled me more than the sales I closed.

The last one week, I had three clients who were admitted to the hospitals. One had to go for his brain tumour operation, one was having a heart failure and the last went for her ovaries removal. I was there to self heal them, giving them encouragement and making sure that all medical expenses will be paid by us. I felt great that I could assist because fighting a sickness requires confidence. They need a strong mind and no worry in finance and I was there to give the assurance in the finance part. Sad to know they were sick but proud that I could help.

The same week, I had three friends who had passed away. Nothing much I could do when they had to depart this world but on their behalf I promised that those needed insurance money will be paid to their survivors whom they loved so much. I stood tall among their friends and relatives because I was the only one who could bring them hopes with the insurance. Thirty years ago when they had bought their insurances with me, today I'm still around to fulfil my promises that I will deliver my products. I didn't deviate, remain faithful, focus and more so still alive to conclude the sales professionally. Yes I'm sad my friends had departed, but deep down my heart I felt honour to be able to assist their sorrowful families.

Yes! Sales are important but to gain the happiness out of selling, is to see the end result of the sales, Life Insurance.

How to stay long enough in the life insurance business...

Selling tips... Specially written for rookie agent Rexmond and another agent Pee who is in the business for 18 years.

When I was a rookie agent 30 years ago, I got excited with the business mainly because of the income. Sky was the limit they said. There was no barrier to stop me in earning as much as I liked. I controlled my own destiny and I chose my own fate to do well or not. Sounded simple but it wasn't that easy as I wrote now. I had to learn the trade and had to work extremely hard at the same time. There was no day or night, nor any weekend break or public holiday for me. I was like a bulldozer, moving from one prospect to another. I hardly had the time to eat with the family, and I felt bad to have neglected my best time with my growing children then. When I  awoke in the morning, my children had left for school and by the time I returned home, it was always late in the night when the children had already gone to bed. I did very well in securing many cases as rookie agent by working hard and prepared to accept rejections endlessly. Yes! I was highly motivated to work by the income and incentives given then.

For Rexmond who might be reading this title today, I ask..."Are you prepared to give your best shot and are willing to give sacrifices to this new found career?" If your answer is an affirmative Yes, then I'm sure you would succeed.

Pee who is not a new comer in our business is a little sad recently. She had repeatedly qualified the company's Million Club incentives for the past 18 years. But last year out of some confrontation, she failed to make it to the league. She felt very embraced when she was asked why she didn't qualified. 

For Pee I sincerely advised her. To stay long and be fruitful in our business, one cannot depend mainly on motivation by money and rewards all the time. Money alone could be evil, it leads to temptation which might change your character. Forget the rewards and the challenges given by the company. As a true professional, you sell because your clients need your integrity and honesty. Not because you need those sales to earn your pride and recognition. Learn to have fun out of your selling, enjoy meeting and solving people's problems, understand what is true love, develop the passion in your career, be a giver rather than to be a receiver, be kind and sincere, be an entertainer to make people laugh and smile, be humble and nice to everyone you meet, including those who aren't your clients, be generous and have the heart for everyone and remember to smile with a happy heart even when you are down. These are the secrets to last in our business and not by thinking of qualifying incentives given by the agency or the company events. 

Rexmond and Pee... I speak from my heart here.

How true this proverb - "There is no greatness without a passion to be great, whether it's the aspiration of an athlete or an artist, a scientist, a parent, or a businessperson" - Anthony Robbins

Superstitious belief came true......

When I was a little boy, I made my mum angry. Mischievous and playful, I hurt my emotional poor mother. She said several times to me. Warning me, a disobedient child would be punished later in life. Tit for tat, I would be irritated by my own child when I have my own children one day. It was just superstitious belief and I didn't bother to listen.

Later when I got marry and my mother had already left the world, her story came true until I had to write this belief for my readers to believe. Out of my three sons, my first son gave me the hell of life when he was a young teenager. He was intelligence but was very mischievous and even more playful than me when I was his age. He kept me worried all those years and I had to sacrifice a lot of time, effort and money to bring him up.  Thanks God! Today he is my hero of my heart. He is smart, kind and full of richness in heart. I bet you! All of you will like him.

Next! Today he is married and has three children. His eldest son is 14. This child beat the two of us in term of behaviour and character. He isn't afraid of the father and the father is too soft to use the cane. I have to help by offering my encouragement to my son. I kept reminding him, son, though you are a super salesperson that could almost sell anything on earth, you are at lost in selling love to your boy. Be patience and have tolerance, shower him as much with your fatherly love and the magic of love will appear gradually. 

I can be motivating him with words but deep down in my mind, I still remembered my mother's story. A disobedient child would be punished later in life by your own children. It's called 'Tit for Tat' and believe it or not, it had happened in my family. From me to my grandson now, a three generations episode that is beyond my control. I wished... I should have listened to my mum. "Mother I am sorry! Can you forgive me and let my son and grandson to be able to live happily together".

Flat stomach Joke ....

Sunday Laugh....

A little boy walks into his parents' room to see his mom on top of his dad bouncing up and down.

The mom sees her son and quickly dismounts, worried about what her son has seen.

She dresses quickly and goes to find him.. 

The son sees his mom and asks, 'What were you and Dad doing?' 

The mother replies, 'Well, you know your dad has a big tummy and sometimes I have to get on top of it and help flatten it..' 

'You are wasting your time,' said the boy. 

'Why is that?' the mom asked puzzled. 

'Well when you go shopping the lady next door comes over and gets on her knees and blows it right back up again!!

Faith healing......

Yesterday I visited two good friends who were admitted to the hospital. The first friend is himself a Medical Specialist, who is only 47 years young. His wife called me earlier, telling me he was admitted to the ICU for heart failure. Luckily he was treated much earlier and currently his condition is more stable. During the five minutes with him, I gave him a pep talk to motivate him. I reminded him doctors can get sick too if they don't take care of themselves. Right in front of his face I said, "Young man, I'm sure you will recover. When you discharge, please love yourself more coz everyone needs you at home, including your patients. I'm going to see you for another 30 years together. Deal?" In his low tune he replied, "Yes Mr Foo!"

After I left him, immediately I drove to another hospital to see Albert. He is a real estate agent and is only 51 years young. Two days ago in his sleep, he was attacked with a fit or an epilepsy which he had never experienced before. On admission, he was found to have a small tumour in his left brain on scanning. Without further delay, he was advised to be operated two days later. Over the phone with him earlier, I could sense my friend was rather worried. The operation is going to take five hours. Upon reaching his room, I told myself I have to help my friend. I was given the privacy to talk personally with him. I told my good friend, the world has two types of energy. They are the positive and the negative forces. If you had the positive thought, the believe of recovering will be strong, but if the thought is negative, then the hope of making it might be weak. I hold his both hands when I kept repeating to him that he will make it. I asked him to promise me that he would see me again. I am already 65 today, and I am prepared to walk another 25 years with my good friend. Promise me you would? Albert raised his voice and said, "Yes! We meet for coffee soon."

The next day at 6 in the evening, Albert's wife called me on the phone, informing me that his operation was a successful one and he was able to murmur a few word to his wife. I said... Thanks God for helping my friend.

Though I'm not a doctor, I think I am pretty good a faith healer. When one's heart is pure and sincere, words  spoken has power in healing. 

“I will bring back your health and heal your injuries,” says the Lord,” - The Bible, Jeremiah 30:17a (NCV)

Poor child not happy........

Each birthday, Christmas, Chinese New Year or any festivals, "B" will insists gifts from his parents or from his near relatives. B is only a young child of 14. To him a present will be the best way to make himself happy. But mind you, it has to be expensive items, otherwise he might not even want them. He tells everyone, if you love me, buy gifts I like. Can't really blame him because he was brought up in a broken family. The father and mother were separated when he was only two. And both parents remarried and are staying apart, leaving the poor child alone most of the time. To him, he felt the world owes him, blaming both parents for not loving him enough.

My belief... "The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched but can only be felt from the heart". 

So sorry for "B"! To this poor child I know, his most beautiful things are those he needs to see and to be touched. And these are temporary happiness which might not last long. In order to chase for his happiness, B has to continuously seek for presents and gifts. I only wish if his both divorced parents could understand and are prepared to spend more time with him. What he really needs isn't those seeing or touching but the true love of being wanted. Perhaps the three magical words of "I Love You" could be the most beautiful things for him, if only the parents could translate the feeling to his aching heart. The three of them are equally very close to me. I wish his parents could be enlightened by this post. 

The first kiss has magic.......

Shirley from Manila, a relative visited my home recently. A sweet charming lady of 77 with a lot of love. When her husband was alive, she was a devoting wife who showered her man with romance. I always termed them as love birds till death. During her stay here she quoted three meaningful expression of "kiss" to our family.

What is kiss? 

The first kiss is magic

The second kiss is intimate

and so sad the rest is merely routine all the way till the end.

Our first kiss to our lovers is always magical which leads to intimate and romance. I wonder how long this intimacy would last. Gradually the following kisses are just routine in nature, trying to make our partners happy for the short moment together. Agree?

Happy New Year 2013

HandBOOK 2013 :

HEALTH :

01. Drink plenty of water

02. Eat breakfast🍌like a king,lunch like a prince an dinner like a beggar.

03. Live with the 3 E's--Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

04. Make time to pray.

05. Play more games.🚴

06. Read more books  than you did in 2012

07. Sit in silence🙉🙊 for at least 10 minutes each day.

08. Sleep for 7 hours.😴

09. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

PERSONALITY:

10. Don't over do. Keep your limits.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

13. Dream more while you are awake.😇

14. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

15. Forget issues of the past. 😑Don't remind your partner 

with his/her mistakes of the

past. That will ruin your

present happiness.

16. Life is too short to waste

time hating anyone. Don't hate others.

17. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

18. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

19.Smile and laugh more.

20. You don't have to win every argument,😐Agree to disagree

SOCIETY:

21. Call your family often👪

22. Each day give something good to others.

23. Forgive everyone for

everything..

24. Spend time w/people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6..

25. Try to make at least three 😇people smile each day.

26. What other people think of you is none of your business.😑

LIFE:

27. Do the right thing!

28. GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..

30. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

31. The best is yet to come..

32. When awake in the morning, thank GOD for it.

33. Your Inner most is always  happy. So, be happy.

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST:

34. Please Forward this to

everyone you care about,

I just did.