March 6, 2013

You are what you read

It’s been said that twenty years from now, in a reflective moment of self-evaluation, it will occur to you that the biggest impact on your own personal growth and development resulted primarily from 2 things: the people you met and the books you read.

I make it a point to ask successful clients, mentors and other people I admire what books made an impact in their lives - and along the way some wonderful gems have reached the summit of my bookshelf.

When people ask me to recommend a good self-help book, I tell them about a great one that was originally recommended to me by a special mentor: "How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling".

February 21, 2013

Why I’m not an astronaut

Reading time: 90 seconds

People often ask me why I chose this profession. Truth is, it really chose me.

A short radio ad recorded with my client and friend Gord Stellick tells the story best. Listen here.

February 5, 2013

A Tale of Two Sisters - Powers of Attorney

Despite the fact that everyone knows the importance of having a current and up-to-date will and powers of attorney most people don’t think about their wills until the day before leaving on vacation. A recent survey of 544,000 Canadians with assets exceeding $1.5 Million reported that only 40% have a will and 80% of those wills are not up to date. Where do you fit?

In addition to the will, everyone needs to complete two (not just one) Powers of Attorney:

  • Continuing Power of Attorney for Property - You name someone to make financial decisions for you, such as paying your bills, managing your investments, etc.
  • Continuing Power of Attorney for Personal Care - You name someone to make personal care and health decisions such as where you live, what you eat or what medical care you will receive if you get sick or injured
January 22, 2013

W. Brett Wilson - the Dragon spoke!

Brett Wilson was the keynote speaker at a luncheon I recently attended in downtown Toronto. The event was hosted by Canoe Financial of which he is a principal. Do you remember Brett from Dragon’s Den? He was the mensch. (His personal website is refreshingly different and really interesting)

He shared his personal story and it turns out he is genuinely a self-made nice guy.

Brett’s advice to university students (and in all likelihood to us mature people J)  resonated with me on 3 key messages:

January 8, 2013

Jack's Story - Part 2

Happy and HEALTHY 2013

Here’s an update to Jack’s Story, a post from November 19th .

Jack’s three children don’t get along at all.  They live in different cities in the U.S. and Europe, with nothing in common but DNA. They are the very model of a dysfunctional family, unable to agree on anything, including the time of day.

November 30, 2012

Insurance for the UNinsurable

It’s no secret: the people who need insurance the most usually can’t get it.

There are many reasons for insurance underwriters to just say no: the applicant is too old, too short for their weight, has a poor personal or family health history, a criminal background, exotic travel, a passion for dangerous sports, etc.

It isn’t discrimination, just sensible business practice for the insurance companies who would obviously prefer to insure very healthy people in excellent shape with perfect genes who are least likely to get sick. They get to choose their risks, knowing they will lose money if they pay out too many claims.

November 19, 2012

Lost and FOUND - Jack’s Story

Back in the early 1990s, when I was just getting started in my career, Jack was already a retired entrepreneur and senior citizen.

We met through a mutual acquaintance (my late mother of blessed memory), and soon became friends. Jack was an active widower with grown up children and grandchildren who didn’t live in Toronto.

I remember accompanying him to his bank branch where he introduced me to the bank manager. They added me to the approved list for access to his safety deposit in case something happened.

August 10, 2012

Huge Changes

The life insurance industry in Canada is undergoing huge changes while attracting little mainstream news coverage.

 

RBC Insurance recently cancelled their distribution contracts with most of their Managing General Agencies (MGAs). They went from 83 MGAs to just 14.

June 27, 2012

What worries the wealthy?

June 8, 2012

Welcome to My Blog

I want to personally welcome you to my blog.  The purpose of this blog is to provide readers with my professional insights and observations coupled with the latest industry information to keep you informed.  This is where you can have your own questions answered to help you make well informed decisions to protect yourself and those you love.  

 To receive updates when I make a new post, please sign up at the top right of the page.  You can also socialize with me by clicking on your social media link of choice.  I look forward to communicating with you and helping you in the future.

Take care,

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