American Income Life

W. Somerset Maugham once said: "Dying is a very dull, dreary affair. And my advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it." That is something we never want to think or talk about. Regardless it will happen to all of us one day. The question is: "Are you prepared?" If you really want to have "nothing whatever to do with death" you just need to take one responsible step and never think about it again.

Getting a life insurance policy usually means a very important event is about to, or already, happen(ed) in the family. That may be a beautiful wedding, child birth, becoming a home owner, etc. For most of us there comes the moment when we realize how important financial security is for our closest people. Because no matter how convinced we are that "this can never happen to me", at some point death is inevitable. Having a life insurance policy means your family won't need to suffer from the loss of your income because they are already devastated enough that something bad happened to you.

Think about the people you love the most and make sure to pick the right protection for them. To learn more about American Income Life's insurance products see our official site or if you are interested in becoming an agent and helping others gain security, please see our careers site!

Usually people start to consider life insurance only after something bad happens to a family member or friend. And still they procrastinate on buying the actual policy. Regardless if you think that "nothing bad can happen to you" or that you cannot afford life insurance or maybe you are just scared to think about it, American Income Life can help you with some useful tips.

1. Have a life insurance policy on time:

You've heard people saying "better late than never". At American Income Life we believe in "better early than late", because you never know when an accident may happen to you. Getting life insurance coverage means your family is protected at any given moment.

2. Protect your children:

Of course the last thing you want to think about is something bad happening to your child. That is why very few people buy life insurance for their kids. Just think for a second - buy it now and they will have a solid financial head start no matter what the future would bring them. It is a very precious gift which they will appreciate at a later stage of their lives.

3. Life insurance saves money:

Usually people are not that prepared when an accident occurs. Not always we are able to cope both with the loss of a loved one and all the final expenses. Having life insurance can not only save you money but also prevent your family from going into debt.

4. It is not that complicated to get life insurance:

Most companies require a health exam before they consider you as a qualified individual, but there are others who allow you to apply by filling a simple form online or through the mail. Just do your research. It is also a good idea to have all your policies with the same company to avoid too much paperwork and other complications.

5. It is not that expensive to get life insurance:

There is at least one life insurance policy out there that will fit your family's needs and will suggest an affordable payment plan.

If you have more questions on life insurance see American Income Life official site.

If you are looking for a career and wondering if you will prosper in a sales environment, we would like to help make up your mind. We are going to share a few stories from American Income Life agents and their point of view about working for the company.

Jessica Wilihte from the Hogan office of American Income Life says:
"My journey began in May of 2008 when I graduated from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business. I moved to Atlanta for an internship with a major retail chain hoping to be offered a position when it was over. Before the internship ended, I was offered a position with the company but had to relocate to Savannah Ga. So I packed my bags and headed south. In Nov of 2008 my position there was eliminated(as well as 600 others across the southeast) the week before Thanksgiving. So back to the drawing board%u2026%u2026.. I received the call to interview with The Hogan Agencies in December and 18 months later I am now Master General Agent and run this office. I couldn't be more blessed. I truly feel that the Lord moved me to Savannah to work for American Income Life, it was never to work in retail."

Steve Friedlander - State General Agent in New Zealand says:
"I started with AIL at age 19.
I saw an ad in the newspaper and applied. Before I knew it I was making more than all my friends combined. Thirty one years later, I am still more excited today than when I started.
Who would imagine that we are the best company still breaking records, still in business and financially secure. You would be either crazy or dead not wanting to work with AIL or NILICO. It is the business and company where all your dreams become realities!!!"

And the last story for today is coming from Canada:
"My name is Byron Alejandro Paz Moran, I was born and raised in Guatemala city, Guatemala. I emmigrated to Toronto, Canada in Febraury of 2000. Having completed post secondary school in my country, my hope was to become an engineer one day. I attended high school in Scarborough, Ontario. Graduated there in 2001 and later found out I couldn't attend university or college. Not because of low grades, but because I had arrived to Canada as a "refugee claimaint" and had to pay international student fees to be able to attend University. Coming from a divorced family, my mother at the time had the choice to pay for my tuition fees or pay the rent in the apartment her, my brother, my sister and I lived in. It was the summer of 2001 and I had to find a job. Started working for Crystal Springs Bottled Water(now Canadian Springs Bottled water). Withing a few months I realised it was not going to be a career for me and decided to look for something else. Put my resume online in the summer of 2002. By the way, my resume was not very impressive, it had one entry and only high school education. 4 months went by without one company contacting me. I then saw an add by American Income Life. Sent my resume. A week later received a phone call and on Nov/14/2002 attended an information session conducted by then and still until today State General Agent, Mr. Joshua Chalom. After the session, I was very excited about the opportunity and joined AIL. Went out and obtained my insurance license and hit the field selling life insurance for AIL on Feb/28/2003.

That year I qualified for convention on personal production. Could not attend convention due to immigration status (I was still a refugee and could not exit Canada, convention was in Atlantis, Bahamas). 2004 qualified for convention again as a producer. Attended convention in Cancun, Mexico in 2005. That same year I became an MGA (Master General Agent), and have been until today. Having attended since 5 company conventions I can say American Income Life is truly opportunity unlimited.

I bought my first home at only 23. Bought my second property 2 years later. I drive a german made (MB) sports luxury vehicle and vacation twice a year to a new place in the world.

Since 2006 until now I have been in the top 20 MGAs of the company, and have been offered twice to become a State General Agent. I am making a great living for myself and my future family. I am soon to be married and happy of the future I will be able to provide my wife and unborn children.

Today I am also proud to say I have led the number one agent in the history of AIL, Miss Roghie Hassanloo to record breaking sales and continue to lead her to bigger and higher goals.

I'm also proud to say I have a team of great people and continue to dream higher and higher with this career.

American Income Life can truly change your life. It will take hard work, dedication and 100% commitment to make it work. It's not easy. Like many I have thought of giving up because that is the easiest thing to do.

One of the company's greatest leaders. Mr. Eric Giglione once told me: "Make sure you outlive everyone and you will SUCCEED". True words could not be spoken.

Join this great company. Commit yourself to be here and listen to those who have blazed a trail and pretty soon, you'll be able to write a chapter in the AIL story%u2026

Thank you God for putting this company in my life.

Thanks to all who have helped me:
Thanks to my mother for not letting me quit,
MY SGA: Josh Chalom.
Thanks to Bernard Rapoport for having a dream,
Thanks to Roger Smith for keeping BR's dream alive
everybody, thank you

Byron Alejandro Paz Moran
RGA
Toronto, Canada."

For more comments and success stories you may visit American Income Life company blog!

Have you ever thought about a career in sales? Maybe like most people you are convinced that sales is not for you and it is a numbers game? Based mainly on successful sales agents, American Income Life is a stable "A" Plus rated company by the A.M. Best - one of the oldest and most trusted insurance rating organizations. And that success doesn't come from numbers only. The key is in proper management, planning, working hard and most importantly - caring about the client and the family's needs. It all depends on you - everybody gets the same 24 hours a day, however how are you going to use them is entirely up to you!

There is nothing complicated in the sales process. The first thing you need to do is map a plan and write it down. Working hard, making more calls, arranging more appointments, seeing as much people as you can, will definitely pay eventually. However mapping your efforts into a clear path will pay much faster. Don't waste your hard work, make sure to get a 100% reinstatement. Always have a purpose - what is the reason to be in business? Is it money or do you feel good by helping others? Because there are lots of people out there who need somebody to point them the right direction. Write down your goals and what are you aiming for. Outline the steps leading to completing those goals. Don't let yourself get distracted by insignificant things. Another great idea to support fulfilling your goals would be to create a schedule and outline the most important steps and deadlines for their completion. Of course no business would be successful without proper tracking of the activities that bring results. So track, measure and adjust. Don't waste your time doing things that won't bring you closer to your final goal. And remember - a man learns until he is alive, so ask, read, demand knowledge and training. Learn from the ones who have been there already.

Act like a winner, don't just wait and hope - grab your career in your own hands and decide on your path. Don't listen to anybody telling you sales is a numbers game and you will never be successful. You can be as prosperous as you want to be!

"If you are looking down on somebody, make sure it's while you are helping them up." - Rev. Jesse Jackson

American Income Life values and culture are ones each and every employee is proud of. Giving and helping working families is in the heart of the company. Every month we donate to many non-profit organizations and create different fundraising events and campaigns. We truly believe in making the difference in the communities we live.

Food for Families
In November of 2010, when the call to action came to participate in the Central Texas Food for Families, American Income employees made it their mission to participate. Fundraising events included a soup kitchen that served a simple meal to employees, and employees with musical talents transformed into "street performers," who collected donations for their efforts. The Waco office collected more than 7.5 tons of non-perishable food items, for which they received the Chairman's Cup Award. The Company was the largest contributor in the insurance category, and the third largest in all categories. 2011 Food for Families fundraising events are running at the moment and we are expecting even greater results than last year!

Habitat for Humanity
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many families were left homeless. American Incomers rolled up their sleeves, donned tool belts, and used their collective talents to help build two houses in the area most devastated by the storm. They worked side-by-side with the families who would be living in the houses. Taking part in the rebuilding of the community was a rewarding experience for all who participated.

Relay for Life of McLennan County
We are no strangers to how cancer touches the lives of those we love and our neighbors in the community. American Income Life employees attend this annual event to join in the celebration of the lives of cancer survivors, remember those who have lost their lives to cancer, and to raise funds and awareness to combat the disease. To emphasize that cancer never sleeps, the Relay is an overnight event. Each team keeps a representative on the track at all times during the 12-hour event.

Since 2002, American Income Life employees have raised more than $49,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Socrates believed in the inner excellence of the person created success. Everyone has their own definition of what it means to be successful. Here's a guide created by American Income Life agents to help you realize your own definition.

If you were to ask everyone you know for their understanding of success, no two answers would be exactly alike - nor should they be. My personal definition n is: Success is the daily realization of predetermined worthwhile goals, worthwhile both to me and to others.

When we give precedence to the inner, both inner and outer fall into place. When we follow the opposite course, emptiness will result. Success as I define it begins with something in the inner life of thought, feeling, imagination, and judgment. Success as I define it resonates deeply with our innermost needs and values, which then naturally manifests in the outer world. Only then can we attain the harmony and balance necessary for true happiness and true success.

The quest for success should be an exciting and fulfilling adventure, where the joy is in the journey. I've said it before: one should not approach the road to success as one on which we travel today to reach success tomorrow. Aspirations to succeed and excel need to drive us every day. Or, most days, anyway!

What do you want?
We need a clear conception of what we want, a vivid vision, a goal or set of goals powerfully imagined. What do you want to be? What do you want to do? Are you becoming it now? Are you beginning to do it already, if only in a small way? If not, why not? What are you waiting for? If you are moving in a general direction you feel good about, are you making the sort of progress you think is appropriate?

You can do it!
We must have confidence that we can attain our goals. When we set ourselves high goals, we always face a challenge. The great Harvard psychologist and philosopher William James said that we need to learn to banish unhelpful doubts and cultivate beneficial self-confidence. Whenever we set new goals we believe in, higher goals we aspire to, and whenever we face new opportunities for growth and development, it is easy for doubt to rush in and catch up with us.

Focus!
Dreamers can live within the confines of condition and often are unable to accomplish anything in the real world. Their imaginations are in gear, their visions are vivid, but they are unable to make the leap from their dreams toward their goals. We need to focus on making things happen; what it takes to get from A to Z, if you will.

Commit!
We need an emotional commitment to the importance of what we're doing, and to the people with whom we are doing it. This is a commitment expressed not in a single action, nor even in a number of actions over a period of time, but in an entire way of life. It means committing one's very self to being a "successful" person. In the immortal words of Vince Lombardi, "The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."

Finally, remember that how we define success defines us. How do you define success? How does the world define you? Read more success stories at the American Income Life official blog!

With out-of-character tenderness, Ben Stein dropped his usual dry demeanor for a moment to write about his experience with life insurance. The article begins with the reason why he's so fond of life insurance: his wife.

Ben Stein also mentions that anyone who cares about their partner should want to get life insurance for them. Because if you find the person who completes you (whether you call them your soul mate, or your better half), then you want to make sure that person doesn't have uncovered expenses if something happens to you.

As a long-time actor, Ben Stein and his wife have grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle. In Stein's own words they don't "Drive Bentleys, or wear tiaras or Rolexes," rather, they live comfortably. But as the main provider for the household, Ben Stein reflected on what would happen to his wife if he died before her. Stein decided that the only thing he can do for her, after he passes, is help her with financial support. With life insurance and other investments, he plans to leave her with enough money to live out the rest of her life with less financial worry.

Doesn't everyone want a spouse with this level of devotion? Stein refers to it as a "Moral duty for husbands to do something like this for their wives and minor children." To help husbands accomplish this, Ben Stein then discusses the people who make this happen: life insurance Agents. He refers to Agents as people who provide "The most basic freedoms of human beings: freedom from fear, and freedom from want."
That being said, it's easy to see that sales don't motivate the best Agents, people do. Successful insurance Agents understand that they aren't just providing a benefit, they're helping maintain the legacy of the insured. To quote Mr. Stein again: "If husbands could take a moment to foresee what their potential widow's lives would be like without their regular paycheck, their very next call would be to their insurance Agent."
Think about insurance and your loved ones.

To request information on supplemental life insurance, visit the American Income Life official website. Our Representatives would be happy to discuss products that can provide financial protection for you and your loved ones.

Source: http://www.newsmax.com/BenStein/Ben-Stein-lifeinsurance-family/2010/10/25/id/374784#ixzz1WjR3IETM

If you're a salesperson, you've met a lot of people. You've also probably checked out the competition. Have you ever met a depressed, unhappy, successful salesperson? That's because they don't exist.

Successful salespeople are optimistic and enthusiastic people. They have something called a 'winning edge'. This allows them to make a sale when another salesperson may not. It's not anything you can see or touch, it's all about attitude.

But don't worry, anyone can get a winning edge. It's just changing the way you think about yourself (self-concept), your customers, and the world in general. It's a pretty big adjustment, but completely worth it.

Your self-concept is made up of three parts. Let's illustrate with this example:
If you grow your self-image (how you think of yourself) toward your self-ideal (how you'd like to be), it improves your self-esteem (how you feel about yourself). Did you get that? If you view yourself in a positive way, you'll start to become positive, and feel positive. Pretty soon other people will pick up on this and perceive you in a positive way! So if you want to be the top salesperson in your company: look, act, talk, and dress like you already are the top producer.

Get that winning edge and become the salesperson you've always wanted to be!

To see the epitome of an amazing self-concept in action, consider joining American Income Life in a sales career! You can learn about the insurance industry from a respected company with strong financial strength ratings. To learn more about life insurance and available sales careers, visit the American Income Life careers page.

Sales have changed quite a bit in the last 10 years. But some things haven't, like the qualities needed to make a sale.

Friendly and Patient: Speak to your customers about their personal lives and interests. Also, make sure you answer their questions in a timely and affective manner. Talking with your customers on a personal level helps you find out what they need. Your customers will appreciate you for it!

Professional: Never lose your professionalism with a customer. Appearance, attitude, and product knowledge can get your foot in the door. Professionalism can also put reluctant customers at ease, and ultimately make the sale.

Knowledgeable: Be sure you're familiar with what you're selling. When you don't know the answer to a question, be sure to follow up with the answer later.

Attentive: Pay special attention to the questions your customers have.

Honest: Build the trust by giving an accurate and honest representation of what you sell. It constructs a solid business relationship.

Pleasant: Be pleasant! Even if you don't close the sale - your customer may change their mind in the future.

Trustworthy: Establish a trusting relationship as soon as possible. If trust is not present from the beginning, a sale won't be either.

Concerned: Don't sell the product - show the need for it. Show your concern for your customer's well-being to help your customer realize the importance of financial protection.

For really talented salespeople, consider a career with American Income Life! The Company has earned the A+ (Superior) Financial Strength Rating from A.M. Best Company (as of 6/11). To learn more about life and supplemental insurance or to read sales tips, visit the American Income Life official blog.

Max DePree wrote, "The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor. That sums up the progress of an artful leader."

Over the past few years, I've been doing a great deal of reading and thinking about the concept of "servant leadership," and I must tell you it has changed me! I think it has made me more effective. Of course, only time will tell, but if anything, I feel better about my role at American Income Life, about myself and, most importantly, I feel better about the people who look to me for leadership.

I believe as leaders we need to think hard about managing and leading, not because we want to be great, charismatic or well-known leaders. We need to do this because as DePree wrote, "The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers."

Here are some questions we should ask ourselves to lead us in the right direction:

1. Are your Producers and Managers reaching their potential?

2. Are they learning?

3. Are you and your Agency serving your target markets to the best of your ability?

4. Do you and your Agency accept opportunity and change with grace?

As we continue our journey, let's focus on a couple of things:

To serve.

It has become human nature to want to be served. Let us rise above and be determined to serve our fellow man, not be served by our fellow man. Let's change the way we think about leaders and the role of leadership. Try to think about a leader, in the words of the gospel writer Luke, as "one who serves."

To work as one.

If we, individually and collectively, work toward the highest-level of leading, I guarantee we'll be blessed with personal and professional success - beyond what we can perceive at this moment.

In closing, I think Robert Greenleaf said it best when he wrote: "The best test is: Do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants?"

American Income Life sales and leadership tips can be found at the official company training site - AIL Academy.

Here's a question for anyone who's ever sold insurance: has a customer ever asked you to physically show them life insurance? Insurance isn't something people can look at. At American Income Life we believe it is based on mutual trust.

Build trust by listening intently to your prospect. Show them you are genuinely concerned about their needs. (Successful sales people always do more listening than talking.) Once they trust you, you can begin to show them how products can help solve their problems and improve their lives... with little risk.

First, ask 'situational' questions to learn the prospect's current insurance situation.
- "What coverage do you currently have?"
- "Is it adequate for your family's needs?"

Then dig deeper. Ask 'meaning' questions to pinpoint exactly what the problem is.
- "Why is this a concern for your family?"
- "What do you hope to achieve by purchasing another policy?"

People do things for one reason - to be better off after they do it. Show your prospect that buying from you can help make their lives better.

Also explain how your product can help satisfy their emotional need, like provide them with a sense of financial security for their families. Remember, it's not about you; it's all about them!

If you're especially skilled salesperson, consider contracting with American Income Life!

If you work in sales, you know to always be thinking about ways to improve! Run through this list of helpful sales tip and check to make sure you're doing them!

- Are you making full use of your resources? Get new ideas from a magazine article, or the Internet. Try making a small change to see how it works out. There's no harm in trying something new. You can also review the American Income Life leadership messages available on the official company blog!

- Always think about what you can do to make your next sale more successful than your last. Be constantly evaluating your sales technique.

- Any sincere compliment can only increase your possibility for success. Look around your customer's home or office. Notice pictures, plaques, and artwork. People love to have their families and personal success acknowledged. Remember, people buy from people they like!

- Build your customer's trust the moment you walk in their door. Start with small talk to put your customer at ease before you begin your presentation.

- If you've had a successful day, pat yourself on the back and get ready to do it all again tomorrow. If you haven't had a great day, pat yourself on the back anyway and determine to make tomorrow more successful!

What are your sales people doing in order to be successful? Please share some of your sales tips!