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Photo: Jodene and John Anderson. Top Photo: Jim Shepis,
E. Dennis Zahrbock, Rachael Zahrbock, Ben Focht. Bottom
Photo: Jim Louwagie, Bruce Downey. |
THESE
ARE SOME OF THE BEST 1999 SKIP-A-DAY REGRETS
"I
was going to come, but somebody hired me to sue some yahoo neighbor
of theirs for putting an old John Deere tractor in their front
yard" - Anonymous
A.
Demutualization ate my invitation.
B. The new contracts don't permit me to skip a day.
C. A virus ate part of my address book starting with
Z.
D. If I drink another bottle of SKIP?A?DAY wine, I won't
get any work done." - BW
WE
WON'T ACCEPT THESE FOR SKIP-A-DAY 2000!
3.
"1 regret
that I can't attend ? I'm busy working on your cases! We love
you anyway" - TF
4.
"I'm preaching a sermon. REALLY!" - WD
5.
"Was unable to cancel a meeting with Jessie Ventura to counsel
the governor about cultural sensitivities" - JM
A
REAL LIFE EXAMPLE OF FINANCIAL EFFICIENCY (SEE
TIPS FOR TEENS BEFORE READING THIS)
Both
client "A" and client "B" have been people we've known and advised
for over twenty years. Client "A" is now 70-80% efficient and
are millions of dollars ahead. Client "B" is 20-30% efficient
and is a few hundred thousand ahead. Both were 20-30% efficient
when we met. So why the difference? Client "A" had financial
aptitude but recognized they didn't have all the answers. They
have sought our advice on Accountants, Attorneys, Life Insurance,
Estate Planning, Business Succession Planning, Retirement Planning,
etc. If you asked client "A" they could not name one idea or
suggestion that made them millions, they could, however, say
that twenty years of little ideas has made a mega difference.
They have recognized that our firm has generally been compensated
by product sales versus fees. They know that the products we've
recommended are the best solutions to their problems.
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If
you asked client "A" they could not name one idea or suggestion
that made them millions, they could, however, say that
twenty years of little ideas has made a mega difference.
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On
the other hand, client "B" has never comprehended the true use
of professionals. We have observed their changing Advisors several
times for better "deals," would they be product or services.
We
have advised this client on pension questions that saved the
company six figures, and yet we were never allowed to handle
their pension plan. We were hired by the client to analyze a
lifetime of insurance policies. We were paid our agreed upon
fee. We observed that we could "save premium" dollars by making
insurance company changes. A "commodity" decision was made and
we placed some product, but just as the last agent was replaced
due to price, we fully expect that we also will be! We saved
the client six figures in interest expense by helping them find
a new bank. We pointed out that the 401(k) could likely be improved
... you guessed it, the client again treated it as a "commodity"
and chose "cheaper" versus the total relationship process.
Client
"A" has achieved 70-80% efficiency and client "B" has remained
the same. We as Advisors are always looking for new ideas and
new ways to help client "A." On the other hand, we are not forgetting
client "B," but he is by no means going to be the first client
on our list to receive new and innovative ideas.
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WHAT'S
HAPPENING?
By E. Dennis Zahrbock, CFP
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Since my
last column much has indeed been "happening," here are some
highlights: Way last June I had the professional honor of a
lifetime. I was honored to speak from the main platform to over
7,000 attendees at the 72 d Annual Meeting of the Million?Dollar
Round Table. My long time friend Steve Rothchild, CLU WGS was
my assistant in demonstrating a very simple, but very effective,
Estate Planning concept.
This was
followed in July by one of the greatest honors parents can be
bestowed. Our oldest daughter Stephanie and our new son?in?law
Greg Loxtercamp were married in Portland, Oregon.
Just so
we don't forget to mention my Tractor Hobby. My 1948 R Moline
took "Best of Show" for the fourth year in a row at the Hungry
Hollow Steam Show ... of course, yours truly is the only judge
and I'm the only one (until now) that even knows I've done it
four years in a row! Well, Roger Groves, my Ferrari friend,
can you top this? Some sadness occurred in October when I sold
three of my 40-50 year old green machines but Joy arrived quickly
with a new 20 year old (fully restored ... looks like new) replacement.
It took three tractors with six cylinders to get to one tractor
with three cylinders.
 On
the sportsman side, I learned how to catch Trout in a local
stream and enjoyed some great Northern, Walleye, and Lake Trout,
fishing in early Fall with my two son in?laws, Steve Bowman
and Greg Loxtercamp, and of course, we also included my future
potential, possible, maybe son-in-law to be, Ben Focht. Thanks
to long time friend, Jim Eidsvold, I'm now a member of the Decoy
Inn, a hunting lodge about 50 miles west of Winnipeg. The duck
season was great. Lately I've been mastering the art of "tip
up" fishing on the frozen lakes of Northern Wisconsin.
And who
can forget that our Primary Vendor General American was wounded
and near dead last August. But a miracle drug injected by our
dear friend Snoopy at MetLife breathed new life. Today our Vendor
is bigger and better than ever ... Is that a miracle of modem
medicine? A miracle of modem finance? A miracle that only God
could do?
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BULLETIN BOARD OF
CURRENT EVENTS
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February
2000
Dennis,
Sarah and Lisa attended a four day educational event at General
American. Dennis had industry speaking engagements in Anoka,
Minnesota, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
March
2000
Sue
and Dennis head for Mission Jamaica for the third year in
a row.
Sarah
and her husband, Darvin, head for a weekend in Deadwood for
a little high stakes poker.
Dennis
and Sue travel to New York to help a friend install some new
cabinets custom made by K. Paul Stotts at Dura Supreme.
April
2000
Sue
and Dennis take a "true weeks" vacation and head to Palm Springs
to link up with friends Jim and Anne Eidsvold.
May
2000
Dennis
is a featured speaker at MDRT day for the Minnesota Association
of Financial Planning Associates.
Skip-A-Day
XVI is May 22, 2000, be sure to reserve this as your day to
skip work.
June
2000
Our
summer hours begin. Office closes at Noon every Friday.
July
2000
The
3 rd annual MasterPlan Study Group will take place in Cumberland,
Wisconsin.
August
2000
Sue
and Dennis travel on a trip to Ireland and Scotland in a business/pleasure
combo trip.
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Newest
Advisory Board Members
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SHARON
NELSON,
R & S Litho, Inc.
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Q: How
did you first become acquainted with Business & Estate Advisers?
A: Through
Copeland Buhl & Company - Dennis Buhl.
Q: During
your association, what has Business & Estate Advisers done
for you?
A: They
have really enhanced our benefits package and keep us with
new products. They have also seen to our personal needs without
just selling us something. They look for the need and then
offer a filling of the need to fit each company or person's
situation.
Q: What
has your service on the Advisory Board meant to you?
A:
It has broadened my scope of other issues, which are specifically
different but still create the "universal stress" syndrome.
Q: What,
in your opinion, makes Business & Estate Advisers different
from other financial services firms?
A: They're
above and beyond service. It is not just a motto. You can
also see there is a genuine caring.
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DEBBIE
WALTERS,
General
American
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Q: How
did you first become acquainted with Business & Estate Advisers?
A: Through
my A association with General American Life Insurance Company
as an executive in the Pension and Annuity Division of the
Company' In my current role as Vice President of Individual
Operations, I now work with Business & Estate Advisers on
issues related to servicing Life Insurance policyholders.
Q: During
your association, what has Business & Estate Advisers done
for you?
A: Denny
Zahrbock has provided valuable insight and suggestions related
to company issues such as product underwriting, customer communications
and services.
Q: What
has your service on the Advisory Board meant to you?
A:
I am looking forward to my term on the Advisory Board as it
will expand my knowledge about the small business market and
business issues confronting small business owners. My company
has made a significant commitment to the small business market.
My participation on the board will enable me to hear first
hand the issues facing business owners as they plan for their
future.
Q: What,
in your opinion, makes Business & Estate Advisers different
from other financial services firms?
A: This
organization has a genuine interest in serving their customers
and helping each individual or company find solutions which
will be meet their short and long-term.
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