Million Dollar Round Table

I am currently attending my eighth Million Dollar Round Table or MDRT Annual Meeting and I love it!?This year it is in Boston.?My first meeting I attended with my father in 2011 was in Atlanta.?I have been all over the country with other meetings in between including Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, Vancouver, Toronto, and Philadelphia.

What is MDRT??It is a premier international organization that only qualified financial professionals can join.?The annual qualifications vary around the world but in the United States the basic qualification is either $66,000 in commissions, or $132,000 in premium paid, or $114,000 in income.?The website that explains in greater details is??https://www.mdrt.org/join/member-requirements/

There are also two higher levels in MDRT:?Court of the Table and Top of the Table.?Their annual qualifications have the same three categories but are a factor of 3X and 6X respectively.?The certifying letter is filled out by supervisor at the beginning of each new year to determine qualification.?In addition to the production requirements, you must belong to a professional organization, demonstrate high ethical standards, and of course pay the dues.?You are awarded an MDRT Life Member status for 10 or more years of qualification.

MDRT was founded in 1927, so it is approaching a century of existence.?There are many life insurance salesmen legends such as John F. Savage and Ben Feldman who were inspirational industry drivers of sharing sales, practice, and whole person concepts.?Although they are no longer with us, many new generation inspirational leaders continue today the sharing of these concepts.?It is an honor to hear these colleagues share these ideas.?I aspire to be like them.

The MDRT experience includes listening to inspirational and motivational speakers, networking, cultivating friendships with other MDRT members around the world, and sharing many wonderful ideas.?For example, yesterday I listened to Manjit Minhas who was the Co-founder & CEO at Minhas Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries.?She is a true entrepreneur and started her business when she was 19 and is extremely successful.?She offered her nuggets of advice which I copied down and can later reflect upon and determine what areas I can improve for my business.?Today, I heard a recommendation from a social media marketing expert it is important to write articles in your Linked-In profile.?I was happy to hear that recommendation.

My father was in MDRT for many years and was proud to introduce me to this fine organization.?We had a couple nice memorable trips together before he retired from the financial services industry.?I have met many other multi-generational insurance and advisors that attend this meeting and appreciate the legacy aspect in this organization.?As I fly back to Green Bay on Wednesday night, I will try and come up with a few good ideas I can share with my colleagues back home and hopefully implement an idea that will improve the client advisor experience.?The MDRT Annual Meeting has given me a chance to “recharge my batteries” as I am inspired by some pretty amazing people who are invited to speak.?I urge any aspiring top tier financial services professional to seriously consider making MDRT qualification a goal if you want to take your practice to the next level.?I think your family, friends, and clients will appreciate it as well.

Richard A Balch, CFP, CLU, RICP

Woodmen Financial Resources

1234 S Ridge Road

Green Bay, WI?54304

1-920-499-8833 Ext 110

[email protected]

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.,

PO Box 64284, St. Paul,?MN 55164(800)-800-2638 Member FINRA, SIPC

Woodmen Financial Resources and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. are unaffiliated entities

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