Are You Seeing the Small Opportunities?

The other day I saw a penny on the ground and picked it up. And, I got to thinking…

Who picks up a penny anymore?

I mean, it’s value is only one cent. And yet, in 2017 it cost 1.82 cents to make a single penny, according to the U.S. Mint.

Not many people carry cash any more. Even less people actually use a penny.

So, why did I pick it up?

Because of the opportunity it represented.
 

Human beings have the remarkable ability to turn nothing into something. They can turn weeds into gardens and pennies into fortunes. ~ Jim Rohn

Am I going to be able to retire or put my kids through college with that one penny? Of course not.

But even small amounts add up exponentially over the years. That’s why I keep my eyes open for opportunities to put money aside, no matter the amount.

The same is true in business.
 

Seemingly Insignificant Tasks Play an Important Role

How your team answers the phone may seem like a small detail that doesn’t matter much. But, when you add it up with all the ways clients interact with and experience your agency, it plays an important part in the bigger picture of your brand. Bottom line? Everything is marketing.

Writing, or skipping, a single blog post may seem like it won’t make a big impact on your marketing efforts. But, when you’re consistently blogging, it creates opportunity and you earn traffic.

Developing a training plan or documenting a process may seem like tasks that take up time. Time that might seem better spent reacting to clients or selling insurance. But, having a formal training plan and documented processes, bring efficiency and consistency to your agency. And that can save you time in the long run. Not to mention improving your operations and bottom line.
 

Mindset is Everything

The difference lies in how you look at these small tasks. Do you see them as small and insignificant? Or, do you think of them as what they could mean for your long-term success?

Consider the people you admire for their ability and success. In the insurance industry and in other industries.

Those who are successful don’t see these seemingly small tasks as unimportant. They see these tasks as crucial to achieving their long-term goals.
 

There is no elevator to success; you have to take the stairs. ~ Zig Ziglar

Do You See Opportunity?

There are two types of people in the world.

The people who see a penny on the ground and think how they can’t buy anything with it today so why bother picking it up.

And the rest of us who see a penny and seize the opportunity for growth and future success.

Which are you?

About the Author

As senior vice president of sales and marketing, Becky Schroeder oversees ITC’s sales and marketing departments. Her specialties include creating and documenting processes; establishing metrics for managing those processes; developing content strategy and generating leads; and driving the overall company sales and marketing strategy. Becky was named an Elite Woman in Insurance by Insurance Business America in 2016. She has a master’s degree in integrated marketing communication from Emerson College in Boston and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Texas A&M University. Becky is a big Texas A&M football fan and enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her husband and their three daughters.

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