It's so much easier to dish out advice than to take it...which is why I'm really proud of this anniversary.

My weekly email anniversary

A year ago I committed to consistently writing to my email subscribers every week. And while I toggled between Tuesdays and Thursdays, I did it EVERY SINGLE WEEK since last August.

Even when I was on vacation (thanks to automation) and when I had shingles (thanks to medication)...PSA: Get the Shingles vaccine if you're 50+. 

Now, if I could just get my a** on my Peloton and exercise for a year.

I consult with teams on creating contrast in their firm's offer. As important, however, is how they individually stand out and create a memorable impression.

Over the year, this process has provided me a platform to practice what I ask clients to do, including:

Be consistent & reliable. Keep showing up literally and figuratively.

Get started. The first email went to 24 people and half were friends & family. You...

Here's a soundbite of consulting advice recently dished out from my dining room.

"People aren't good guessers."

Not complex, but when digging into obstacles, this is usually at the scene of the crime.

Are you making your broker, client, prospect, or employee (or family member in our WFH world) guess what you need?

In the midst of a global pandemic? 

Pause and think about it. 

When you examine your to-do list, what do you need from another human being to make progress on that item?

How do you know that they know what behaviors and actions are required for mutual success?

"Take Action" is August's theme in the Account Executive Think Tank where graduates of the AE Academy collaborate 2x per month. We're hyper-focused on everything we can control by September 1st to be prepared for busy season.

Employee Benefits is a team sport, so preparation necessarily involves others. And no guessing.

I shared a short blog about expectations that...

It went like this.

"Mom, I know what you need to work on while we're sheltering-in-place."

I braced myself. 

"It's time for you to ride a bike, Mom."

It had been 30 years since I'd ridden a bike after developing a fear of being hit by a car. 

The consequence?

I'd never ridden bikes with my kids. Ever. It was a "dad" thing.

For decades I've cringed when I heard the expression "it's like riding a bike"...

I am happy to report that I have since ridden a bike. Twice.

The husband even rewarded me with a margarita when I made it to our favorite restaurant. Success!

Guess what I didn't do to get out of my own way and out having fun? 

I didn't watch a webinar.

You don't learn (or relearn) how to ride a bike by watching a guru opine about it.

Sure, we can get tips & inspiration from others.

Eventually, we have to stop watching, studying, and planning, though.

We've got to get to the doing (and improving) to move our business...

You're not that special.

Too candid?

But seriously. This year hasn't gone according to plan for anyone. Anywhere.

Your process to woo prospects and serve clients isn't so "special" that it should survive intact this year if you want to hit your goals.

I work with teams adapting to sell (and advise) virtually and see different mindsets even within the same company.

Some are pivoting faster than others. Have you?

People have business problems that you can solve. Their options?

1. Keep an inferior provider or solution and accept the consequences
2. Wait 6-18 months until you can take them to TGI Friday's or have a "proper" strategic planning meeting in a conference room before you solve the problem
3. You solve their problem over Zoom

Resisting change or being a bit snarky about 2020 makes you normal.

If you hear yourself saying that your prospects/clients won't adapt, call me. 

I'll remind you that you're not that special.

Then I'll encourage you...

Who needs to hear what you have to say, but needs to hear it differently? ‍

I took my own advice to test engagement and added a video to my weekly email last week.

Same message, but a different format, with super interesting results.

Slightly fewer people opened the email...but...

3x as usual engaged & responded about what was/wasn't working for them

Most weren't even subscribers who typically open the email. 

I find that fascinating and a good reminder to make sure you've tried multiple options before throwing in the towel and proclaiming that NOTHING is working.

It doesn't matter how many emails you're "pushing out"...

Engagement is the most important metric.

The second thing on my mind is the importance of alignment with your team. You need to clarify and verify what they need you to do "more of" and "less of" to move your collective goals forward.

Make it ok for them to tell you the truth by giving some options.

This isn't about anyone being wrong...

Who needs to hear what you have to say but needs to hear it differently? ‍ I took my own advice to test engagement and added a video to my weekly newsletter.

Same message, but a different format, with super interesting results.

While slightly fewer people opened the email...3x as usual engaged and responded in detail about what was/wasn't working for them. Most weren't even subscribers who typically open the email.

The top question I get from brokers and benefits solutions is about connecting and engaging with potential customers.

What's the best way to get "in" with a broker?
What technique works best with a cold lead?
What's better during a pandemic? Email? Phone? LinkedIn?

Are you wrestling with this and are frustrated you're not making progress? What can you try differently this week?

3 tips to get your energy and momentum back up:

Personalize and diversify your communications
Stop guessing and pay attention to what works
Get specific about the problems you can solve

Join the fun...

25 years ago I planned to go to a favorite broker's barbecue. A friend asked me to stop by the Union Street Fair in San Francisco on the way.

I met a guy in the margarita line and he sprung for the fancy signature glass. John and I have been together ever since.

Relationships between brokers and carrier partners take twists and turns and there are a lot of variables that go into effective partnerships. 

I've been intrigued (and encouraged) by how many brokers have been watching the replay of my latest Baffled by Brokers session. I suspect it's because they know it's hard getting the right product to the right customer at the right time. They're also curious what advice I'm doling out about them to benefits solutions. 

Missed it? Check it out here and let me know what stands out or what I've overlooked. 

Effective collaboration is more important than ever.

My advice? Stop assuming that there's one...

The following is an excerpt from my May 19th weekly email. I cautioned readers up front that it was a true miscellaneous thought download. Enjoy! Subscribe here

Navigating shelter-in-place and information (& emotion) overload feels hard because it's hard. May I present you a participation trophy?

In many ways, with no place to go, life's never been so simple.

On the other hand, I'm having a tough time turning my brain off.

So. Much. Thinking.

It's a different kind of tired than I used to feel 2 years ago when I was doing risky things like flying around the country meeting with people. 

This week's email is an all-you-can-eat buffet. I have a lot of thoughts that I need to download and test with you.

The positive? Something for everyone.

Downside? It might feel too long, chaotic and unfocused...like the feeling I get at brunch when looking at sushi, french toast and potato salad. 

Scroll for a glimpse of what's on my mind. And...

2020 goals hadn’t included running a consulting and crisis (and psychic) hotline out of my dining room…Consider me the EAP plan for the industry. This week’s pattern?

The novelty of shelter-in-place is gone.

Stress is as experts wrestle with how to guide customers without models, benchmarking and 5-year strategic plans.

My advice? Don’t waste energy worrying about what your client will think when they find out you don’t have all the answers in a global pandemic.

Nobody has done this before. Nobody has the “right” answers that can be audited and validated, today, when decisions have to be made.

Clients hire you to be led, and they fire you to be led.

They never cared as much about your whizbangcontrabulator risk machine as you did. They valued how you led them through the decision-making process. As you did confidently ... with your tools.

Now’s the time to rely on your skills and available resources. Walk the client through what you know,...

I'm checking in from the Bay Area where I'm "staying-in-place" for at least three weeks with the husband, kids (21 & 16) and 2 foster puppies.

We're already discussing the "family tattoo" we're each getting at the end of this adventure. Suggestions? 

I've been trying to decide whether to work or sanitize our canned goods. ‍Do people really need an update from the BenefitsLady in the midst of this chaos? I've rewritten this 10 times the last few days.

Here's my current thinking. Your clients are stressed. My clients are stressed. There are things we can do and offer that will help others. We shouldn’t hoard toilet paper or our talents. Now is the time to crowdsource ideas and positive energy in the employee benefits community.

It will be different, but let’s stay engaged and connected.

This morning I caught up with an industry friend for an hour for a casual Zoom coffee. I’m looking at my calendar and scheduling connections with people who...