February 23rd, 2007 → 11:32 pm @ terry
Today brought some new information and a new challenge. I actually was able to complete my route of seventy six inspections while on the phone for hours. I worked one of my most densely populated areas where the assignments are almost at every other turn and the majority are no contact bankruptcy inspections which you can imagine go much faster than any type of contact inspection.
Just for your information and because I often comment how much I am on the phone, I use a headset apparatus which keeps both hands free. Hands come in real handy for driving a car and filling out inspection forms.
I only had two conversations today but each was very long. The first was with a person considering the field inspection business as a new career. After discussing his background and plans, I was convinced this person needed to look into an insurance underwriting field service called “High Value Inspections”.
I recalled how several years back I was paid very well for the high value inspections that I got. I also realized that I had not done any of these inspections in years and began to analyze why that may be. I remembered the pay as being high enough to warrant investigation into the matter.
Our conversation ended with an agreement that both of us would research this particular niche and get back with each other.
I immediately began my research by calling some of my contacts in the insurance underwriting business. I found that the high value inspection service is still not nearly as common as other insurance related services. It also appears that the big bucks I used to receive are no longer the norm.
I wound up talking with a contact that has over twenty years of experience in the insurance underwriting industry. The information I got from this person pretty much convinced me that jumping up and down with excitement was probably not going to happen. We both agreed, however, that it may be possible to concentrate on this particular corner of the industry and build a relatively good business.
I guess you can figure out what I did what I got home. I started doing some pretty intense internet research and will be digging into this quite a bit. I have added a couple of pages of information to the manual and will be adding material as I am able to contact knowledgeable sources.
I also received a commitment for some articles to be published at The Rep Reportâ„¢.
Work is slacking off a bit but my weekend is already planned. In order to keep up I will be working all day Saturday and it looks like late evening Sunday will involve some drive-by’s. I can’t say if there will be a post before Monday or not – I’m still quite busy.
TheSuperSecretCodeForTodayIs (76•6.50)
February 22nd, 2007 → 11:02 pm @ terry
All companies keep track of your contact ratio. The contact ratio is simply the number of times you contact persons compared to the number of times you do not contact anyone. Of course, this ratio is determined only for the types of inspections where contact is requested.
I know many reps that put little or no effort into contacting anyone. The most common remarks are “time is money” or “they don’t pay enough for me to do that”. Both of these remarks fall into the category of very poor business strategy. What these reps fail to realize is there is a computer somewhere that can report that rep’s contact ratio in a matter of seconds.
Suppose for a moment that a company we work for is notified by their client, say a mortgage company, that they are having far too many foreclosures and they would like to avoid this as much as possible. Then the client asks “are you pretty sure your field reps are contacting the customer”? What’s going to happen next? The computer is going to be programmed to send the majority of work to the reps with the better contact ratio.
If you are bashful or maybe even fearful of contacting other people, just remember one thing, you really are doing them a favor. The lender is sending you out to contact this person in hopes that communications can be established and, if possible, steps made to prevent foreclosure. The lenders do not want to own real estate. They do not want to foreclose and you are a vital link in the process. Lenders that make loans for consumer products don’t want the boat, car, jet ski, TV set, etc. They are seeking completion of a contract entered into in good faith.
What is the ideal contact ratio for a bankruptcy inspection – 0%; no contact inspection – 0%; personal interview – 100%; face to face interview – 100%; delinquency interview – 100%.
Keep your contact ratio up. You will actually meet some very nice people and you will be helping your business while you help them. If you run across a sour person, just avoid them later – leave a call back card instead.
No phone calls today. I hope that means everyone is busy working. I only called four companies today to get updates for the manual. Mario is still at American Risk Control and it was a pleasure talking with him again. If you are looking for insurance inspection work, visit American Risk Control’s site.
I have added several new sections to the manual this week and I really think it will benefit all who read it. The phone calls and e-mail I get really helps a lot so keep it up.
Today (67•7.50). Tomorrow, out at sunup, back at sundown. Later
February 21st, 2007 → 10:12 pm @ terry
On a scale of one to ten, today was about a ten. I was distracted enough by callers today that I did not pay too much attention to the muddy, slippery roads. Thanks to Bill, Ben, and Gabriel for keeping me company today.
“Unleashing the Idea Virus” was on my Amazon Books Wish List. I appreciate the surprise book gift and my thanks to whoever sent it. This was an important book on my list. I’m almost through with the first reading. Very interesting stuff from the author, Seth Godin.
In addition to the calls I had from the field, I made a few calls myself. I try my best to maintain some type of relationship with the companies I mention here or in the manual.Â
Often I do not get the opportunity to talk with the owners or officers of a company but at least I can insure that the companies I mention are answering their phone and still using the services of independent contractors.
My first call was to A&M, the very first company listed in the manual. If anyone has current information on this company I would appreciate an update. I’m not going to say they closed up because I really don’t know yet. However, the automated telephone operator says the numbers are non-working numbers. It might be something just as simple as an area code change. Anybody know anything?
I made a second call to A2Z Field Services. I had to leave a message for the inspection department supervisor and I have not got a return call yet – maybe tomorrow. I did have the opportunity to talk with the preservation manager and we had a pretty nice conversation once we got over the hurdle of who I was and why I was calling.
You should realize that TheRepReport™ is quite a unique item in this industry. I call companies primarily for interviews and information to put in the manual and report on at TheRepReport™.  A lot of the information I pass on to you here is an off-shoot of work for the manual and TheRepReport™.
Anyway, it appears that everything is going well at A2Z. Maybe I will luck up and get an interview with the inspection supervisor. If you are interested, check out A2Z’s web site at www.a2zfieldservices.com.
Advanced Field Services is still doing well. I asked for clarification of some information I use for the manual and it appears I can remove some of the information since Advanced Field Services main telephone number is sufficient for field reps to call in on. They do not accept calls from reps seeking work. All reps must use the online application at www.afsweb.com.
I’ll continue to pass along information I gather during my calls. Maybe it will help you find extra income.
I’m sure you know what today is if you have been reading the blog for a while. It’s the 21st and our work seems to peak on the 21st. Hundreds of orders came in today so I’m sure I’ll be working some long days for a while.Â
My total for today is forty seven which is very, very good considering the rain and the mud roads.Â
If you will, visit TheRepReport™ and fill out the survey. I need your input to help direct the site.  Later.
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