10 Steps To Success A Commonsense Guide To Building A Successful Insurance Business

Posted In: Building Insurance

Antone Antrikin says...

I purchased the 15.5' 300 LB ladder for my job as a residential insurance adjuster. Prior to this ladder, I had used a 28' Werner extension ladder which I lugged around to each home I inspected. This ladder is much easier to carry, and extends fairly easily when you get the hang of it. As for pinching fingers, it could be easy to do if you don't watch what you are doing, but I have yet to get a digit in the way when collapsing the ladder. It feels extremely sturdy, even the portly roofers that I encounter are surprised at how sturdy it is. I still use the extension ladder for two story access in most cases, but this one can't be beat for ease of use and portability. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is due to the fact that it seems like it could be just a little easier to extend and retract, and the red stickers that tell you the ladder is not secure should be painted on, as about 6 or 7 have peeled off and have been lost, but there is a green dot that is painted on to tell you that it is secure.

Posted on March 27, 2011

Floy Kakos says...

I bought this ladder for my solar site assessment business so I could reach 1.5-story roofs, and even get up to a higher perch on 2-story homes, even if I can't reach the roof.I actually bought it to replace my Little Giant, which was too heavy and klunky for me (I'm 5'2"" / 105#).



It is definitely way better than the Little Giant.Much lighter, although I still prefer my 12' Xtend&Climb 770, and I use that one whenever it's sufficient.The 785P is obviously heavier than the 770, and its sections come down faster when you're folding it up, especially after lubrication (when it gets sticky or dirty, I apply WD-40).I've slammed my fingers a few times, so now I lay it on the ground for the last few sections, or if I have a helper, I ask them to hold up the top so it comes down more slowly.



My biggest pet peeve on this ladder is the thumb slides.They are thumb-shaped, which would be fine if I had infinite friction on my thumbs.But I much prefer the slides on the 770, which are a bit more rectangular, so I can get some force behind them.I really wish the mfr. would have stayed with that design for all their ladders.



It is a sturdy ladder, and I haven't found a better one in this length.

Posted on March 27, 2011

Josephina Kleifgen says...

I have owned several different Telescopic Ladders.This one by far is one of the best I have ever owned.It is the strongest, most sturdiest telescopic ladder I have used.It is a little heavier than the others but well worth it.I can honestly say I feel just as secure on it than I do on fiberglass ladders.Even though it's at 15.5 feet you do not get the bend you normally would get when half way up the climb.



The rubber feet on this one is strong!I have found on others that the rubber feet end up getting torn through with the weight you put on it.The strap is a very nice touch if you will be having it laying in the bed of a pick-up truck.It won't open up on its own with your turns.



The only downfall I can find (only reason why I give it 4 stars instead of 5) is how difficult it is to completely collapse it.To not injure yourself you have to use your thumbs to collapse it.Because of the weight of the ladder this becomes a strengthing task.The last two rungs are fairly difficult. I have found that laying it down and collapsing it is the way to go but this is just a heads up to the rest of you.

Posted on March 29, 2011

Nikole Schieffer says...

Thirty six pounds doesn't sound like much, but for an 80 year old trying to extend it isn't easy.This seems like a heavy duty ladder, but not for home use.I find it difficult to use for only 8-10 feet.If you extend it from the top section, then you have the lower portion still blocked.If you extend it from the bottom, you need to raise all that weight.Also not easy to retract since the weight binds the catches.On second thought, I'd give this item only two stars.

Posted on March 29, 2011

Edra Mundell says...

This is a good book for anyone who owns an agency. Its short, simple, to the point, and is a motivator.

Posted on March 29, 2011

Lonnie Bitting says...

This book is the entrepreneur's guide to success, both in business and family.A must read for anyone in business on their own, or wanting to do so.

Posted on March 30, 2011

Layne Conda says...

The great thing about this ladder is that one can place it in the trunk of your vehicle rather then being forced to place it on the roof of the vehicle.Fully extended it is a little flexing... You must pay attention when collapsing it or your will suffer a rather painful pinched finger.Its a fine tool for when you need a ladder to clean the gutters on a ranch house or reach a high wall where there is a vaulted ceiling in side the house.Expensive somewhat justified when the convenience is considered.

Posted on March 31, 2011

Hye Wickett says...

I don't know who came up with the K.I.S.S. principal, but this book personifies it. For those who don't know what K.I.S.S. stands for "Keep It Simple Stupid." A quick search on this principal will tell you the following from Wikipedia: "When dealing with a problem, there exists a frequent tendency toward complication that can lead toward solutions that are far more burdensome than the problem, or clever solutions that don't handle unusual cases within that problem domain. In keeping with such problem solvers, Computer Systems Analysts in times gone by were defined to be those persons who could complicate a simple problem beyond all recognition."



That is the genius of Mr. Fowler's book. As a business man and a community leader, my experiences have revealed to me that keeping it simple is the key to success. As soon as you start to complicate matters, the sooner you will find yourself in a mess.



The subtitle of the book says it all, "A commonsense guide to building a successful insurance business." The product details clearly state that the book is only 54 pages long. It would have to be some pretty thick paper to make it look like a novel.



A smart consumer is a well informed consumer. When I buy books, I generally know what I am going to get before I buy it.



Bottom line. Sometimes we need some common sense in our lives to help us succeed. Just ask Thomas Paine.



I love the book and recommend it to anyone looking for a way to create simple order in their lives; which more often than not leads to the success so many of us crave.

Posted on April 1, 2011

Vanda Gobeli says...

This book shows the problem with internet book orders. I bought it off the title and cover. When it arrived, not only was it extremely thin (think comic book thin) but it is just pure drivel.



It is just the author wanking away about how he has had a happy life. It covers nothing at all about the insurance business. You could get more information just doing a Google search.



I give it one star because it makes a good coaster for my Dr. Pepper as I read books that give much more real world knowlege...like The Dilbert Principle.

Posted on April 3, 2011

Patrick Berthelsen says...

I loaned my 16 Foot Aluminum Extension Ladder to a friend to get up to an air conditioner that was being replaced on top of our condominium.Foolishly they tried to lower the air conditioner through the hole with a rope and it fell, crushing the ladder.That is how my possession of this Telescoping Ladder began.I never liked the size of the aluminum ladder leaning on a wall in my condo but it was the only place I could store it.Since it was in two pieces, it was 8 feet long when closed.I always wanted a telescoping ladder but felt the price prohibitive.Now I had an excuse to buy one and I am glad I did.It arrived within two days and it is perfect for my needs.The trick is that you really have to concentrate on how you extend it and HOW YOU COLLAPSE IT.It only took my first time to get a little part of my hand caught between rungs, luckily it had not been extended very far, it was just a wake-up call.You really have to extend it carefully and even more carefully collapse it.It is very sturdy and well built.For the person who is methodical and thorough it is a perfect ladder; if you are in a hurry and used to just leaning a ladder against a wall, well, you might think twice.It is great how little room it takes, not obtrusive at all.It is also a ladder you would not loan out since it does take quite a bit of effort to use it correctly.Certainly nothing you would allow a child to use.I highly recommend it to people who are not in a hurry!

Posted on April 3, 2011