Meet & talk to people.

In my last 27 years of selling life insurance, I attended countless agency and company meetings. All trainers would tell their agents...to be successful in this career is to see enough people. They applied motivation and inspiration but the bottom line is to see the people and see more people. If it doesn't work, the next easiest way is to offer tempting carrots to the agents. The carrots come in the form of incentives to tickle agents to see more people and to get more sales.

Is logical to gain more sales is to to see more people. This statement is easy spoken and written but how to see people and continue to see people endlessly is the most difficult task. To see people you know is easy but to see strangers is difficult. Is also easy for trainers to instruct agents to see more people but to show an easy way to see more people isn't shown. Perhaps they do not know as well.

I think the right way to see people is first to enjoy seeing people. Are you the type of person who like to talk? Next...to you enjoy talking to entertain your listeners? If you have these two qualities in you, seeing people is as easy as ABC. Most agents fail in our business is because they only know how to talk on the products and services, and do not have the ability to interact to make people like them. Nobody like to listen to your sales. Everyone loves to be entertained and be amused. So if you could make people laugh and have fun out of your talk, seeing people is definitely enjoyable. The only way to learn this art of talking is to practise in the open. Go to the parks or shopping malls, pick any strangers you feel comfortable and just keep talking until they become your friends. I assure you, in no time talking and seeing people are such a wonderful hobby and interest to you. Who knows...you might meet your ideal man or woman while talking there!!

There is a short Chinese phrase spoken- "Have a sweet mouth that talks until birds could come down from the tree". That's how I sweet talk my little darling who flew to me.

Mobile phone can cause misunderstanding.

Can you live without a mobile phone? I think....I can't! And I believe you can't either. It is supposed to be a communication tool for the world but it can create a nuisance and at times could cause more harm than good. For instance...if you are not careful with writing proper text messages...the receiver might misunderstand your meaning in words. Many thoughts and feeling could easily be sent but to write meaningfully and being understood might be difficult. Many times had I offended someone without me realizing myself. I had on several occasions quarrelled with little darling on text messaging not properly expressed in texting on my handphone.

Each time when we call someone on handphone, we expect the other parties to answer. If for some reasons, the calls are not responded, most likely we tend to feel uneasy. Some might even call again for few times, wondering why their calls are not picked up over on the other side. There could be many reasons...the main reason is...the caller at that time is free but the receiver might not. The fact is...nobody is at this moment not doing anything...everyone has to do something. So when a mobile rings...it depends whether the receiver is free at that minute of time.

When I am on urgent business or discussion, I usually change my handphone to silent mode. The purpose is to avoid distraction and to concentrate on my work with those who are around me. However sometimes it might cause confusion with callers who wondered why I wasn't picking up their calls. Especially from my little darling when I did not answer her caring calls for a longer period. The misunderstand disturbed her emotion and could cause anxiety for no reason. Many business opportunities could be affected and many romances could be broken if the usage of mobile phone is not properly understood.

I hope all my friends, clients, relatives, loved one and little darling know...when I don't pick your calls immediately...I am actually on urgent matters and definitely I have not forgotten you all. All calls are very important to me coz I know...when you call me...you are already thinking of me. Just give me a bit of time...I rest assure you...I promise...I will return the calls back to you later.

Though the mobile phone might create some nuisance and misunderstanding, in proper usage it offers more convenient and benefits than without. It looks like whether I like it or not..it has to be with me for the rest of my live here on planet earth. Don't you think so???

Food for the thought - "There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it." - Dale Carnegie

Confused in love..spiritual & physical.

YF is a divorcee in her mid forty with two teenage growing children. She is a successful self employed attractive and intelligent professional. At the moment she is caught in between the spiritual and the physical world. She loves her religion and follows strictly by its rules and at the same time she is in love silently with a man who is married. The man is loving, understanding, caring with all qualities to be worthy for her. Except he is married with all his children already grown up. To love him whole heartily, she is guilty of herself and to forget him is painful. Not doing anything is also difficult because the thought would always be there for holiness and him. Though she looks happy to others but in actual fact she is unhappy and frustrating. Some friends discourage her to drop the man and some said yes. The different opinions confused her more. More so the man is patiently waiting for her without forcing her in any way if she is not ready. They are currently good friends without intimacy involved. However deep down in YF heart, she needs a man to hold and hug her tightly because she has plenty of love to give. After all no intimate love is "complete" without the warm of a man and woman. She is crying and wish there is an answer to her sorrow. This is a true story between spiritual and physical love.

Perhaps there are someone out there who may be able to enlighten YF. Your comment is most appreciated. Food for the thought - "When people are taken out of their depths they lose their heads, no matter how charming a bluff they may put up." - Source Unknown

Cold calling is hardwork but it helps.

All successful salesperson start with the cold calls first. It takes a lot of guts and courage to do it! Without starting from this strange and scary approaches, no salesperson could understand what is selling. I started with cold calls in my first job in selling 40 years ago.

Two days ago while I was having dinner with little darling at an open food court, a young girl at the most not more than twenty years old, was trying to sell her products to us. She was carrying a light bag, both hands holding packets of sock. Her face showed she was scared and shy. I gave her some encouragement and persuaded her to talk. We were trying to listen her presentation but she was fumbling nervously and not a word could be heard. We gave her time to finish her words and we politely told her we really don't need those products. Although her selling wasn't successful but for sure I could see, it was a real achievement for her. Perhaps it was her first cold call sale, when someone allowed her to complete her talk. She might not know, she had made the mistakes of not speaking confidently and clearly, but at least she had the braveness to see strangers which matters most in selling. Deep down in my heart, I knew she would make it if she continues to see more strangers persistently.

In selling and marketing, it's not how much you know on theory and knowledge, it's on how much you understand the practical part of it. Theory and knowledge could be taught but the practical has to be done by yourself. Most salesperson fail in selling because they have not overcome the fear in cold calls. Especially selling life insurance which needs total mastery in selling. I am glad, I started cold calls before venturing into the natural market, which later developed me into an effective life insurance agent. For those who are currently selling life insurance and have not done cold call before, I suggest is good you should try it now.

A poem... "Hardwork Helps"

Hardwork is like the stairs.

Luck is like a lift.

Lift may fail sometimes,

But whatever may be the occasions,

Stairs will always get u to the top.

Luck might help u once,

Hardwork helps always.

All ladies must read.

On Nov 29 2008, my title was..."All men must read". One reader, RL suggested for women as well. Perhaps this one might sound good for today..."All ladies must read".

In the world of romance, one single rule also applies to ladies. Make us, men happy. Do something he likes, and you ladies get points. Do something he dislikes and points are subtracted. You don't get points for doing something he expects. Sorry, that's the way our game is played. Here is a guide to the point system and hope all women like them:

Simple duties

You get up first, and let him sleep longer (+5)

He gets up first, and you sleep longer (0)

Breakfast is ready when he is awake(+10)

He has to prepare breakfast (0)

You eat together with him (+1)

He eats alone and you do your thing (-1)

You listen his morning chat (+10)

You talk more than him before he leaves the house (-1)

You hug and kiss him (+5)

You smile (+1)

You do nothing while he leaves home (-5)

Social Engagements

You stay by her side the entire party (-1)

You stay by her side for a while, then leave to chat with the surrounding (+1)

You stay by her side for a while, then leave to chat with a male (-2)

Named David (-4)

David is a playboy (-6)

David is single and is handsome (-10)

David is your ex-boyfriend (-500)

You dress attractively with admiration (+2)

You dress attractively and speak confidently with his friends (+5)

You hold his hand while socialising with male friends (+5)

You introduce him as your sweetheart to males (+10)

His birthday

You forget his birthday (-1000)

You take him out to dinner (0)

You take him out to dinner and listen to his stories (+10)

Buy him a present (+5)

Add a smile, hug & kiss (+10)

Plus Sex included (+500)

A night out

You take him to a movie (0)

You take him to a movie he likes (+4)

You take him to a movie you hate (-10)

You take him to a movie you like (+2)

Plus holding his arm while watching the show (+10)

Whispering in his ear...Thank you & I love you (+100)

Before the show ends...promise him sex is later (+1000)

Enjoy the "big" question

He asks, "Are you happy with me?" (Yes +10)

You hesitate in responding (-10)

You reply, "Now?" (-35)

You reply, "Yes, especially on bed" (+1000)

Communication

When he wants to talk about an issue, you listen (+10)

You listen, for over 30 minutes (+100)

You listen without interrupting (+500)

You change his subject (-1000)

Now what chance do you have???

Man is man!! We have difference characters, emotion and feeling. Just for the sake of laughing, let me share these with the ladies. Five Rules For Men To Follow For A Happy Life:

1. Get a woman who helps at home, cooks and clean up.

2. Get a woman, who can make you smile and laugh.

3. Get a woman who you can trust and who does not lie to you.

4. Get a woman who is good in bed and who likes to be with you.

5. It is very important that these four women do no know each other.

Remember...Its just a joke ladies!!!!

Ineffective communication causes misunderstanding.

Yesterday early morning, Jennifer, one of my client called. She wanted to make sure I am still alive and are still selling life insurance. According to her, her husband Mr Yim received one of our company telemarketing call, informing him that I had expired. The word... 'expired' could either mean I am dead or my contract with my principle company has expired. I was shocked to hear her news and she felt so relieve to know I am still around. I could not believe, my company would say such uneventful and meaningless statement. I was very upset and without ado, I immediately confronted the relevant parties in the office.

All our telemarketing calls are recorded whenever a telephone call is made. Upon checking and verifying, this was what happened and transpired. The telemarketing teams were trying to promote some new products for our existing clients. Randomly they picked names and called our clients. As most of the telemarketers are young and inexperienced, they spoke with scripts pre-written without the natural flow of words.

One part of the script lines were written as... "We are calling you sir, because the agency promotional month had expired.....". Instead the telemarketer said..."We are calling you sir, because the promotional agent had expired...". Her voice lacked confidence, not clear and the flow was uneven. She made mistakes without realizing herself. There is a lot of difference between "agency promotional month had expired" and "promotional agent had expired". She had missed out the word, month and twisted those few words accordingly.

From the recording, they could hear and listen to their own mistakes. Although it might seem a simple error but the poor communication caused ill feeling, misunderstanding or miss interpretation, anger and frustration. If unaware and not corrected, in the long run, it might lead to more damages to all parties concerned.

I am glad those whom I had spoken to like, Yen Ling, Rachel Ong and Ann Lim from the marketing team, took the initiative to investigate the above matter seriously. I could be upset for a short while on this error of communication, but certainly I would not blame them for this unintentional mistake because no body is perfect in this world, moreso they are still young and are inexperienced in work. Especially speaking on phone to a stranger. It takes a lot of training and assistance before one can master the confidence. In order to help my colleagues, I offer myself willingly to a half day talk on effective communication with them.

This is the letter written by Rachel to her boss Ann Lim....

Dear Ann,
Just spoken to Mr. Robert Foo, I have apologised to him and Mr Foo shared some of his findings and experiences for our better improvement. Meanwhile, I have called Mr. Yim and apologised on this matter also. Mr. Foo shared some of his tips which can help to get better attention from customers over the phone. We will brief all TMR again on how important it is to speak to customers with proper language and the meaning of the words. We need to ensure our TMR maintain their professionalism. If possible, I suggest that we can invite Mr. Robert Foo to come over our call centre again for his sharing. I found his sharing is quite useful.
Thanks & Regards, Rachael Ong

Ann Lim had invited me to talk with her staffs on the 9th January 2009. Yes! Shine or rain I will be there because effective speaking and communication is important in life.

Specially for the marketing team - "Your ability to communicate is an important tool in your pursuit of your goals, whether it is with your family, your co-workers or your clients and customers." - Les Brown

An interesting life till death.

I have more younger friends than the older ones. In fact I feel more comfortable talking with those younger than me. They listen and easily get excited with my sharing all the time. To talk with the older one I need a lot of patience and understanding. Otherwise I would be lectured easily by them.

Just like this particular incident when I last visited an old childhood friend. He is Steven who runs an old sundry shop in PJ. We grew up together and studied in the same school. When he was young, he was an active and a jovial person. However as he grew older, he became self-centred, arrogance, stingy, unfriendly, unloving and lonely. The shop of 30 years he owns, did not change a bit but rather looks very run down. I hardly saw any customer buying from his store when I was in his place. There was no assistant and he practically had to manage his business all by himself. He still drove the same Madza saloon car which was bought new 35 years ago. Although he is still married with his same wife but she is not staying with him. Reason...she could not tolerate his character. He has four children and non wants to follow his footstep. He claimed he works everyday, from Monday to Sunday but yet business is bad and unproductive. The only breaks he took was the Chinese New Year when he might visit some near relatives. He had never gone for any holiday since 30 years ago.

While in Steven shop, I shared with him my life. Though I am of his age, I feel like I am 37 turning 36 only. I look forward to the world with challenges. Everyday is an exciting day for me coz I like to be playful with fun. Not only I have many young male friends but I have countless dears, honeys, darlings and one sweetheart out there. They are all my secret admirers who respect and adore me. I love them and they love me as well. I enjoy every moment of my life without regret.

Before I could finish my sharing with Steven, he interrupted me with force. This was what he said..."You are a disgrace of the old. As we age, we should age gracefully and not be playful and naughty like before". Added with ###@@@**** which were not pleasant to listen.

He claimed he is a wise person whom I should listen. I scratched by head with puzzle from the advices he had spoken. Should I follow his wisdom, when I should live an uninteresting life or life should be interesting no matter what age I am!!! In the car my driver asked..."Boss! Is Steven your uncle?" Thanks God! I am not Steven.

Food for the thought - "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore dreams" - Mark Twain