“What are you thinking??Just go ahead.Its one of the best offers you can get.Brand is great,money is decent and then it’s the best that can come from campus..just go an fill the form” sermoned my friend.The ‘stick to what I say’ look that came didn’t actually left me with any other option.I banged upon the placement office door,took a form and filled it;all ready to get the first brush with an insurance company!!You could see a halo of advice around my friend now;on second thoughts its not difficult to see that.For somebody who has notched a seat in one of the biggest FMCG brands with the highest package on offer on the campus and knowing very well that such an offer wont re-surface again, it’s a cakewalk to push someone in the lanes full of insurance guys when no other option is available!!
“Please be seated for the group discussion”screeched a voice.There enters Mr.HR and shoots out the rules.
I heard,“The topic is ‘Insurance-an indispensable requirement of present and future’”.’The plans yes but the job no’ was my reflex but then as a contender to an employment opportunity in an insurance company,I am not supposed to let my true feelings out.I thought hard,very hard and all this while my dear colleagues kept using emotional and business jargons and mind boggling statistics to support the statement.Nobody dared to oppose it.
“In my opinion Insurance is a way to tell your loved ones that you care for them. You can give them a life which can be enjoyed to the fullest because they are safe and secure and nothing can be reassuring than the fact the surety comes from the much appreciated plans of this company.People are very sensitive about their safety too. They just need to be made to understand how important it is for them to realize the dangers around and get insured.The more you convince them the more business you yield for the company”.Mr.HR looked up to this future manager who seemed so sure to count on emotions to get the business going.
Two more breakthroughs like this (coupled with statistics that I picked up from the discussion itself),perfect etiquettes of GD and I see my name in the list of candidates shortlisted for interview.
“Why Insurance sector?” came the question from an insurance guy who now accompanied the HR guy. ‘I donot know’ was the reflex again. ”Sir,Insurance is one of the fast growing sectors of economy.It has witnessed a growth of…..(borrowed statistics come to my rescue).With so many things coming under the purview of insurance(I only knew health and life;just fyi),it provides immense employment and growth opportunities”
“Which vertical will you be interested in?” bang- ’Can I know what are they’, reflex pinged. ”Sir I am open to any vertical. I feel learning the basics if of utmost importance and after that as per business requirement I will accept the decision.”
A few more questions and brilliant answers and I have the offer letter on the table. Then I faced it-the battle between mind and heart.Mind says,”Good Job!Go ahead”,heart says,”You cant sell insurance!!!You don’t want to be that!!”
I saw the salary annexure-Mind won!!
“This company has a legacy of grooming future leaders”..Induction calling!!I dream of my well furnished and equipped room in the office.
“Before you even think of being a leader learn the ground realities.Till the time you prove your mettle in the field,you can’t even dream of having a single relaxing moment in that corner workstation of yours.”said my boss.I see the reality.
“Sir,a car got hit by a submarine”.I looked up from my system.”Client had parked at the end of the slip where a submarine was to berth at the base.She shouldn’t have.Submarine hit the slip and car got rammed!!” Wow!! Do you ever get to hear that in an IT or FMCG set-up!!Welcome to insurance field.We insure everything!!
Its 2 years in the system now.My learnings:
- Its more than health and life to insurance(I still remember the submarine claim!!).
- It takes more than project research to understand and work on relationship building and business development. It takes quite a lot of time and brains to do that.
- Targets don’t seem to be the fruits hanging in your garden trees when dictates come from our mighty sector controllers. You still have to beat them.
- To tap emotions is important. We have plans and marketing strategies built around them but nothing beats business. Money has to flow in.
- Retaining good resources is of utmost importance. You cant let go of ‘cash cows’ easily and more importantly you have create more.
My wife says she can never win over me in any discussion or argument. I have become good at dissecting all her strategies(except tears!!)and coming up with new brainwaves My mother says I am the star of the family. Nothing happens in the entire family without me in picture. Reason-any travel plan-I have the contacts, any car to be purchased-I have the contacts, any market insight required-I have the contacts.Not to say others(I mean of other sectors) don’t but I definitely do.
Life doesn’t seem to be better without words like agents,banks,motor,fire,risk,operations now.If our Lord decides and doctors allow,they might get a new blood group –from my blood-Insurance +ve.For me now its either this +ve or all negative now.
What once started with a dilemma now runs in blood.I now know what it takes and means to be an Insurance guy!!Let the world have opinions but we will remain what this field has made us-hard core sales people!!and it cannot be undone!
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