Exiting the Stage
By: Bob and Jan Fulwider
My first visit with you a year ago suggested my strong ties to the rural Midwest and what it has given me during my lifetime. As our year of leadership comes to a close, Jan and I look forward to resuming some of our favorite pastimes—and theater is one of them. One of our favorite playwrights is Ken Ludwig, famous for “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Postmortem,” “Leading Ladies” and “Twentieth Century,” among others. Our favorite, though, is “Moon Over Buffalo.”
In the madcap comedy tradition of “Lend Me a Tenor,” the hilarious “Moon Over Buffalo” centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950’s. When the curtain rises, they’re playing “Private Lives” and “Cyrano De Bergerac” in rep in Buffalo, N.Y. with five actors. About to be victims of a disastrous split caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee. If likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong. They receive a visit from their daughter’s clueless fiancé. And then hilarious uncertainty ensues about which play they’re actually performing, caused by Charlotte’s deaf, old stage-manager mother who hates every bone in George’s body.
If you’re like me, at times you too are uncertain about which play you’re actually performing on the agency stage. It seems our roles as agents continually evolve, but one thing remains constant—if we do our job right, there is no substitute for our presence.
Attempts in the past to call us “buggy whip manufacturers” have fallen on deaf ears. Unceremonious events that enable the insurance product to reach the consumer without the valuable advice we provide in the transaction have often failed. As I exit your Big “I” stage, let me leave you with one very valuable point: insurance cannot continue to be a successful business transaction without the presence of an agent!
I feel more strongly than ever about this fact after serving you. Jan and I have had the privilege over the past three years to visit more than 40 state associations—and we made multiple visits to some states. We have seen firsthand your work ethic, your perseverance and your care for others. We’ve witnessed your compassion to the sales process, your protection of a great industry and your desire to be as community-minded as humanly possible. The vast majority of you have followed Will Rogers’ manifest: “Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.”
We bring too much to the business relationship, in times of real need, to be replaced by a workstation, a fancy reptile TV ad or a mailing coupon. We probably won’t be doing business in the not too distant future the same way we do it now. But we will have a presence—a very valuable one.
Utilizing your association membership will certainly help bring this entire process to fruition. Whether you are a large agent in a major metropolitan area, or a small agent on Main Street, there is something for each of you in our association membership. Join, continue to live the brand and reap the harvest.
I sit back now and enjoy the fruits of our labors. You’re a unique and wonderful group of people. We proudly pass this association on to those who follow us. Brett and Nancy Nilsson assume the Chairman’s role this month and you couldn’t be in better hands. Following close behind are David and Janet Daniel as your Chairman-elect. Along with a dedicated Executive Committee—Mike Miley, Mike Donohoe, Bobby Bramlett and Tom Minkler—your association remains in excellent condition. Your national staff will continue to work its tail off 24/7 on your behalf. Outstanding programs are in place and cooperation between national and the state associations has never been better. Combining our efforts at the national, state and individual agency levels spells a bright future for us all. Please take advantage of everything the Big “I” has to offer—increase your personal involvement in your association and reap the rewards. It has been our pleasure to serve you and we thank you for the opportunity.
In the madcap comedy tradition of “Lend Me a Tenor,” the hilarious “Moon Over Buffalo” centers on George and Charlotte Hay, fading stars of the 1950’s. When the curtain rises, they’re playing “Private Lives” and “Cyrano De Bergerac” in rep in Buffalo, N.Y. with five actors. About to be victims of a disastrous split caused by George’s dalliance with a young ingénue, they receive word that they might just have one last shot at stardom: Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee. If likes what he sees, he might cast them in his movie remake of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Unfortunately for George and Charlotte, everything that could go wrong does go wrong. They receive a visit from their daughter’s clueless fiancé. And then hilarious uncertainty ensues about which play they’re actually performing, caused by Charlotte’s deaf, old stage-manager mother who hates every bone in George’s body.
If you’re like me, at times you too are uncertain about which play you’re actually performing on the agency stage. It seems our roles as agents continually evolve, but one thing remains constant—if we do our job right, there is no substitute for our presence.
Attempts in the past to call us “buggy whip manufacturers” have fallen on deaf ears. Unceremonious events that enable the insurance product to reach the consumer without the valuable advice we provide in the transaction have often failed. As I exit your Big “I” stage, let me leave you with one very valuable point: insurance cannot continue to be a successful business transaction without the presence of an agent!
I feel more strongly than ever about this fact after serving you. Jan and I have had the privilege over the past three years to visit more than 40 state associations—and we made multiple visits to some states. We have seen firsthand your work ethic, your perseverance and your care for others. We’ve witnessed your compassion to the sales process, your protection of a great industry and your desire to be as community-minded as humanly possible. The vast majority of you have followed Will Rogers’ manifest: “Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.”
We bring too much to the business relationship, in times of real need, to be replaced by a workstation, a fancy reptile TV ad or a mailing coupon. We probably won’t be doing business in the not too distant future the same way we do it now. But we will have a presence—a very valuable one.
Utilizing your association membership will certainly help bring this entire process to fruition. Whether you are a large agent in a major metropolitan area, or a small agent on Main Street, there is something for each of you in our association membership. Join, continue to live the brand and reap the harvest.
I sit back now and enjoy the fruits of our labors. You’re a unique and wonderful group of people. We proudly pass this association on to those who follow us. Brett and Nancy Nilsson assume the Chairman’s role this month and you couldn’t be in better hands. Following close behind are David and Janet Daniel as your Chairman-elect. Along with a dedicated Executive Committee—Mike Miley, Mike Donohoe, Bobby Bramlett and Tom Minkler—your association remains in excellent condition. Your national staff will continue to work its tail off 24/7 on your behalf. Outstanding programs are in place and cooperation between national and the state associations has never been better. Combining our efforts at the national, state and individual agency levels spells a bright future for us all. Please take advantage of everything the Big “I” has to offer—increase your personal involvement in your association and reap the rewards. It has been our pleasure to serve you and we thank you for the opportunity.
-Bob and Jan Fulwider
This month’s issue
The March issue is out now!
