Hi, this is Ronnie James with Tidewater Management Group reaching out to you today with a little bit of information I want to share about Medicare appointment safety. I want to say that I thought about this for some time before actually shooting this quick little video for a couple of reasons.
Number one, I know that in the the politically charged world that we live in, we sometimes are overly concerned about being politically correct. Number two, I personally do not believe in operating in a spirit of fear, nor do I try to scare anyone in this industry in any way.
However, I do want to say that I think we need to be wise about things. We need to protect ourselves whenever possible. I wanted to give just a few little thoughts as we prepare to go into the annual enrollment period.
We want to primarily focus on our female agents. I have a mother and a wife. I respect women, and I respect the fact that they have the innate ability to have a 6th sense that sometimes we men don't have. Or maybe we're just not smart enough to realize that we have.
Medicare Appointment Safety Tips
I've got some new agents that I've been working with and talking with and just wanted to put a couple of things out there that I've observed through the years. I especially think women need to be aware of and prepared so that when they go out into the field, they're safe, they're smart and they're prepared. As a woman, if you are planning to go out into the field, meaning you're going to run in home appointments, there are a couple medicare appointment safety tips that you should always try to be aware of.
Number one is your surroundings. Just remember, we all want to make sales, but safety comes first. If your Spidey senses start tingling and it tells you that something just doesn't seem right, remember, no sale is worth any type of injury or death. Get out, drive by the appointment. If it doesn't feel right, you call someone and have them go along with you. I've told agents in the past, just make a phone call to the consumer and tell them that you are running late or you need to reschedule. Let them know that you're not going to be there.
Protect yourself during appointments
The second thing I would advise is whenever you go into an appointment as a female, carry hairspray, mace, or some type of protection up to an, including concealed carry, because unfortunately, we don't know what we're walking into. You want to make sure that you protect yourself, especially as a female. If you're going into a a single male home apartment, you just don't know what you're walking into.
The third thing I would say is when you get into the appointment, regardless of where it may be and how safe you may feel, always try to select a seat that is closest to the door. If you had to make a very quick exit that you need to be able to do so without being hindered, without being blocked in a corner, without having to work around the consumer to get to the door again.
Be aware of your surroundings
We hope those types of things don't happen, but be aware, because sometimes we can be naive about things and it gets us in trouble. Next thing I would say is when it comes to being in the home, you know, we're invited guests and this will apply to anyone. Maybe take a bottle of water in with you to an appointment. A long time ago, someone once told me that if you're in someone's home and they offer you something to drink, take it because of the moment that you don't, you're now an outsider. You're not a guest anymore.
Well, if any of you running home appointments and you've been in some of the homes that I've been in, I've probably put my lips on a few cups that I wasn't so sure about. I had an agent that tell me the smart thing to do is to carry a bottle water into the appointment with you and just say, I hope you don't mind, but I brought my own water. I do a lot of talking throughout the day during this busy season, so I get parched. I just like to bring a bottle water in with me.
Better safe than sorry
Number two, it keeps them from offering you that bottle of water or that drink or that cup out of the refrigerator you're not so sure about. It also keeps you from insulting the consumer. We want to be there and we want to do business, but we want to do it the right way. Those are just some things that came across my mind here lately as I'm talking to agents.
Public Information and Consequences
Another Medicare appointment safety tip has to do with advertising. If women in particular, want to run car magnets on their vehicles, that's totally at your discretion. However, I warn you that if you're going to put your cell phone number on a magnet and have it displayed broadly across your car, just be aware that there are going to be some creepers that are out and about in the world that may very well call you while you're out on the road.
I had an agent that had an experience where someone actually called them while they were sitting at a stoplight and said, I see you, and it freaked her out.
Be aware that if you put your phone number out there on a magnet, the whole world sees it. If you have an office phone or a different line, that may be a better number to use on your car magnets, as opposed to that cell phone.
Unless, of course, you're willing to deal with that on occasion. You know, by and large, we run very smoothly out in the field. Most of our customers are very happy to see us. They treat us like family. There's no hanky panky.
Take these tips with you to appointments
There's nothing to be afraid of out in the field, but there's always that one in a million. As a training director, I don't ever want that one in a million to be one of mine. One of ours, one of the Tidewater family. I give you these few tips to hopefully help you to be smart in the field and be aware of your surroundings.
I want you to have a long and prosperous career. I want you to be happy, and again, I appreciate you taking a few moments to sit with me and watch this video on a topic that is not really something that I like to talk about. However, it may be my one opportunity to offer you some advice that can help you out in the field. It may not ever help you make a sale, but it can help keep you safe.
As always, I wish you the best. For more Medicare appointment safety tips or if you have any questions, give us a call at 888-622-9122.