March 5, 2009

Finally, our first full day of Dynamics.   Rise and shine to a wonderful client breakfast in Mangroves Restaurant.    We schedule activities that our clients have told us they enjoy.  Early risers are the golfers. Gotta get those early tee times in order to return to for early afternoon workshops.   Next to rise are the kayakers,  who enjoy a refreshing paddle through the inlets and mangroves led by experienced naturalists who describe the plants, birds, fish,  and animals on the route.  Finally,  the clients of leisure,  the spa peoples  rouse for their facials, manicures, and pedicures.

Lucky me, one of the spa peeps cancelled her facial,  and since I have to go on stage,  my boss insisted that I take the appointment to get my mug camera ready  Oh……..but this is a whole ‘nother story.  .  Let’s just say I am exfoliated,  hydrated,  oxygenated, aromatherapied, and radiant looking.

Our opening session is Jerry Lynch, CEO of New England Asset Management.   He described a money manager as someone who manages other people’s money until it is gone.  Pretty accurate lately.   Jerry spoke here two years ago,  at which time he mapped out and described in great detail exactly how and why our economy would implode.  Talk about a bullseye.   Today he described what will unfold.  

Are we in a recession?  Yes

Will it last a long time?  Yes

Will it change people’s attitudes about debt and spending?  Yes

At the end of the day, the only wild card is “Will all the efforts Central Banks around the world serve to stabilize the financial system and give us a firm footing from which to rebuild?”  Jerry believes the answer is yes,  but he does not know for sure and he does not know when.   My advice?  Hold on to your jobs for dear life and build a cash cushion.

Jerry’s uplifting lecture was followed by six excellent workshops.  I attended a session hosted by a broker and a group work together and who have developed a very successful formula for partnering.  Basically,  they give before they take.  And most of what they give is information,  education,  solutions, and good advice.   And they learn how to give what is perceived as valuable because they listen first, then speak.    It’s an iteration of one of Coveys’ Seven Habits “Seek first to understand,  then to be understood.”   Pretty basic. Pretty effective.

The sponsor hospitality hour was wonderful.   So many of our guests were mingling with the exhibitors,  making new contacts,  renewing old contacts,  and learning more about the latest in services for the insurance industry.  

And after that, a wonderful dinner by the pool sponsored by Fineos.    The weather was beautiful and our guests were delightful.

Gotta bed to bed now and rest for that ridiculous 6AM ‘fun run’ Mariski hosts every year.   Just tell me,  how does dragging my sorry butt out of bed at 6AM to dodge alligators and school buses in the dark get characterized as fun?  That my friends,  is marketing.