VU Resources

The Value of Making Mistakes

What’s the best thing you can do to make your customers happy? Screw up! Yep, that’s right, make a mistake…then fix it. According to one study, customers who had experienced…

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The Retention Myth

In The Odyssey, Homer tells the famous story of the three Sirens leading sailors astray. Insurance agencies have their own insidious Sirens leading them astray and one of the most…

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The 10 Commandments of Customer Service

Below is a reprint of one of Al Diamond’s most popular articles. Nothing else needs to be said…just read and obey!

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A Cultural Shift to Service

Most companies claim to be service oriented. Everyone “says” that their people are their greatest resource. Everyone “claims” that their customers are king. But how often do we, as consumers,…

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Excellent Service…A State of Mind?

When asked, “What is your greatest strength?”, 90% of insurance agents will claim “Excellent Service” as the answer. Yet if all of the agents who claim excellent service actually provided…

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Do You Want Fries with That? The Art of Cross Selling

Have you ever escaped McDonalds without being asked of you wanted fries or a drink with your purchase? “Would you like a hot apple pie with that?” Why do you…

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Focus on the Future…the Customer

I’ve never met an agent who does not claim to concentrate on the customers’ needs. However, most agents have tried to define the customers’ needs without input from the customer.…

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What’s So Special About You?

Wherever I go lately, I find myself talking about value. The equation. The whole thing. Not just the “Is-it-a fair-price-for-the-quality?” value. Enduring value, the kind that builds loyalty. The more…

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What’s All This Talk About Value?

In all my years of teaching (almost 20), I am continually amazed by the term “creating value.” It’s what every company says it does and wants and can do better…

The All Important Why

When I can imagine all the positive benefits of working out, walking and eating a lot of vegetables, it’s easier for me to do those things. When I lose sight…