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mshort68
USA
138 Posts |
 Posted - 02/25/2003 : 21:24:36
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How do you break the good ole boy network? Does it matter how good you are? How productive you are? This industry has alot of new blood just waiting to prove ourselves, but we have to get the opportunity to do it. Sure, there are alot of us who may not make it, but how will we ever know unless we get the chance.
I suppose here pretty soon we'll get our chance so we had better run with it. It is time for a changing of the guard, and remember change comes quickly! |
The grass is always greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed! |
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KileAnderson
USA
875 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2003 : 21:58:58
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| Well, maybe you have finally figured it out. In the lean times it isn't always what you know, it's who you know. If you were the one in charge, and you had 200 names on a list and could only choose 10 to send out to work. Aren't you going to choose the ones you know? |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 02/25/2003 : 23:14:16
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You raise an interesting topic, Mike.
Sticking with your "new blood waiting" idea, it doesn't matter how good or how productive a person may be; because they haven't had the opportunity to prove that yet, as "new blood".
Kile raises a good point, worth exploring by everyone who is "new blood" - that is, the vendor choosing the 10 they know from their list.
What process does 99% of the "new blood" use to "get known"? Likely, it is sending out 5, 10, or 30 resumes to vendors with one or more certifications attached - that is it. That makes it pretty hard to ask, 'how do you like me so far'; because that doesn't do a good job of getting you 'known'.
"New blood" has to network! You are an independent contractor, you are a 'business', you must market your business; which is you!
Take a look at some comments on this - go to page 2 of the "General Forum", and click on the "Suggested / Planned CADO Convention 2003" thread. It is all worthy of review, but my post of Dec6th @ 23.58 leads up to a great post by Dave (Katadj) on networking and its importance to you and your success. Dave's post was Dec 7th @ 14.28.
Therefore, I believe it is each of us individually, who must break our own barriers. We must become more than a name on a resume, we must meet and introduce ourselves to all the vendors we can; and meet and introduce ourselves to all the other adjusters we can.
I know there are quite a few among us who owe appreciation to our seasoned and experienced veteran adjusters in our community, who 'cast' favorably to their trusted vendors - they have meaningful relationships with - about some of 'us' when a vendor has mentioned a name and that adjuster had met and got to know that junior adjuster a bit.
Be all you can be, but it is up to each of us to convince others; that we are worthy of that opportunity.
A resume may get your name on a 'list', but it is the vendor with the pencil and a memory of their impression on meeting and talking with you; that will assist you in the penetration of that barrier. |
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Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2003 : 08:27:48
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| I agree, marketing is the key. You may remember my "Kansas City Boys" marketing ploy. What we were able to do is get our feet in the door and build relationships. Relationships with other adjusters, adjusting firms and insurance companies. Our 'purple ink' attitude is what got us the return work. After those initial days we discovered CADO and began to build friendships here. All of this has been extremly helpful. I understand the 'good ole boy' thought. I have not experienced it. I have traveled across this country more than once with only the promise of a few claims. Believing that I had the 'stuff' to get more work. I suppose in the beginning I didn't 'know before you go'. I only wanted to get my foot in the door. I think it was successful. Maybe the times were easier then? I left all my pre-conceived ideas and suggestions at home. I know that many here (including myself) have encouraged and assisted many getting their foot in the door. I believe the more good adjusters I could introduce, the more solid and credible my position would be. |
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
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olderthendirt
USA
370 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2003 : 10:58:11
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| Is there any vendor that has enough good ole boys for anything but the smallest of cats? |
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Jportillo
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2003 : 14:14:50
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| Ah yes the good ole if someone would just give me a chance speach. I know it to well. I I hear it all day long from our sales and marketing staff. I am constantly being told how hard it is sometimes to get their foot in the door. Well as true as it may be, those big guys had to start where you and I started. They did not happen overnight. the only they difference is they refuse to give up and take no for an answer. If I had a penny for every NO that I heard when I started my company a few years ago I could have lived a happy life off that money. It doesn't work that way. I personally stayed strong refusing to give up. I prayed all day long asking GOD for that one job to put me on track, to get me going. I'll tell you what that job never came until many months later after I started listening to GODS word and not to the negative words of people around me. It clearly states in GODS word that we shall prosper and over come all things with Christ. His promise to us is true and no one can take it away from us. Keep on knocking on doors, flood those vendors with your resumes, brochures, phone calls etc. sooner or later they will give you chance just ask and you shall recieve. This is a hard business to be in, but if we are willing to help each other out it becomes easy. Remember what goes around comes around. Help someone out and someone will help you out. Put someone elses interest before yours and you will see the rewards that you will get for not being sellfish GOD will reward you abundantly. May GOD Bless all who read this and their families. |
Edited by - Jportillo on 02/27/2003 11:28:39 |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2003 : 14:35:01
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JohnJay, I disagree with one of your thoughts and find another objectionable.
I'm tolerant of people talking of religion, but in no way will religion and your professing of it, help an independent contractor 'break barriers' in their quest to be known and in turn be deployed.
What I find objectionable is your statement, ".... how the big guys have every adjuster on their kick back list ....". In fact, by association, I consider that a libellous statement by you.
This thread was started by Mike to explore ways for an adjuster, as an independent business contractor, to penetrate the IA vendor barriers between the 'known adjuster' and the 'unknown adjuster'. The shady workings and dealings of restoration contractors, to which you refer; should not be splashed on the rest of us. |
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mshort68
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2003 : 21:38:24
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| We aren't talking about a kickback list or anything like that. If you ask me, this mold thing got way out of hand and all it did was cost the average consumer double and some in premiums. The only ones who benefited were lawyers and "remediation co.'s" or whatever that is. I'm referring to the guys who are searching for a chance to show themselves and have a chance to make whatever they are worth. Getting paid for your performance is what is all about. Just give me a good hail storm and I'll show you! |
The grass is always greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed! |
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TomToll
USA
87 Posts |
Posted - 02/26/2003 : 23:11:04
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| Mr. Portillo. Please review your comments as many of us will find them very offensive. |
Tom Toll |
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Darryl
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - 02/27/2003 : 09:52:01
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| I also find the "kickback" remark objectionable. The only "kickbak" we expect is for the adjuster to do a good job when given the opportunity to work. |
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Darryl
USA
36 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2003 : 13:48:19
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| As someone who has been educated in the parochial grammar school, high school and college arena, along with a (very brief) stint in the seminary I have been around my share of well intending religious. I am more concerned with the daily actions of an individual than the words he speaks. I have all the respect for someone who feels that his religion has helped guide him in life. In this forum I see no problem with an individual expressing his personal view. When I do have a problem with it is in the business setting. |
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Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2003 : 14:04:49
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Darryl,
In general, I would agree. I do admit there have been times when the need of the Insured has allowed me to offer solice. Never evangelistic but I have encouraged folks in there search for answers. |
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2003 : 15:39:48
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Picking up on Darryl's last post, and Don's that followed, and I agree that I am also off topic; I see no need nor place for the expression of religion in the business of claims.
Relative to these threads in the CADO forums, if the thread is not of a religious nature; any preaching and expressions of religion are irrelevant and off topic, in my opinion.
Jportillo's edited post in this thread of 2/26, is nothing more than a glorified religious sermon, which takes 11 of the 18 lines of the post. None of those 11 lines have anything constructive to add to the opening post.
I understand what the "Almost Anything" forum is for, and in that regard, perhaps this "Breaking the Barriers" thread (as per the opening post intent) was better suited for the "General" forum. This thread has now gone 'south', due to religious expression.
Religion plays no part in the adjustment of losses, not even losses to Church property. |
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Dadx9
USA
143 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2003 : 21:29:15
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| I would disagree, if it is important to the Insured. |
Don
"To be held in the heart of a friend is to be a king."
Bruce Cockburn |
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fivedaily
USA
258 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2003 : 22:01:47
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Oh guys... I don't think there is anything wrong with JPortillo's post as I read it in the edited version. The question was, "How do you break the barrier?" His response was, "prayer."
What's the big deal with giving this answer? When I made a post that the only reason I got into adjusting is because of a message from God, no one freaked out...
Let JPortillo have God as his means to "break in" It is just another option for someone to consider.
That being said... if you want a response from me you may have to wait a few weeks... I am going to Serbia next week.
Jennifer |
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CCarr
Canada
1200 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2003 : 22:34:06
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Jenn, you be careful over there, and come back safe and healthy with your big fella.
You did however trigger the issue that I was trying to get across.
There is a big difference between praying and preaching.
Whether it is your 'message from God' as you state, or anyone else seeking whatever from prayer, that is a personal undertaking; quite distinct from imposing unsolicited religious preaching to others unrelated to the topic at hand. |
Edited by - CCarr on 02/28/2003 22:46:03 |
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Breaking the Barriers!
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