What has changed at First Protective by Steve Briggs
The holiday season is always busy – amidst Black Fridays and Cyber Mondays, packed turn lanes getting into the Summit in Birmingham and, often, rude shoppers who will almost take a product out of your hands so they can have it, you may find it challenging to see these holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s – as “a season of peace.”
When First Protective asked me to be a guest blogger I was highly complimented – and at the same time a little concerned about what I might say that might prove valuable and of interest to the advisors who read “Millers Musings.” So I glanced at the current issue and recognized quickly something that really brought a sense of joy.
It was a great privilege to have been involved at the creation of First Protective back in the 1980’s. The company was founded on principles of service and hard work, dedication – “doing the right thing,” as we used to say – always exhibiting a “servant’s heart.” And now, 30 years later, that really hasn’t changed at all – it is bedrock and has been so with the various leaders who have directed the company over the years – and Eric continues that tradition and is taking it even further to help advisors prosper in a challenging and changing industry.
So I paused and said a word of thanksgiving for a tradition that creates relationships that survive the volatility of the marketplace. After all, when all is done our relationships with each other and with our clients are what matter because our impact on people’s lives is our real legacy, what lives on.
Christmas is simply a special time in itself – a special spiritual season for Christians, but also a special time of giving for almost everyone – of taking the time to find that special gift. There is a Biblical reference that reflects so clearly both the spirit of this season and the spirit of the life insurance business itself – “This is true and undefiled religion, to visit widows and orphans in their distress.” How thankful we all can be that we work in a business that has such embedded value – and that we have chosen to take the time to help clients give a special gift to those they love.
Currently, I am engaged in a new venture – Longevity Quest – and the advisors at First Protective will hear more about our work in helping them discuss and manage longevity risk in the months to come. Some have been involved in our testing and development phase and we are thankful for their advice and patient support.
The New Year will provide you a new tool – to help you provide even sounder advice for life insurance, retirement, financial and estate planning – our longevity analysis. We are looking forward to introducing both the Complete Longevity Analysis and the Baseline Longevity Analysis to you soon.
So, even with all the noise around us, there is much to be thankful for, much to celebrate, and much to look forward to in the New Year. Here’s hoping that 2017 concludes as one of your best, that the holiday season proves to be peaceful and energizing, and that you look to 2018 as an exciting new adventure with new opportunities to explore.
