Table of Contents

• COMMITTEE REPORTS
  • MEMBERSHIP REPORT
  • SOCIAL REPORT
  • SPEAKER COORDINATOR REPORT
  • TREASURER REPORT
• LEADS
• NOTABLE MENTIONS
• QUESTION OF THE DAY
• MAIN SPEAKER

Committee Reports

Membership Report
(Click here to go to the Membership page)

[membersonly/archives/applications/submitted_applications.htm]

Yesterday Gus Dekavallas completed part 1 of the membership application for Mark Howard of Arizona Ag. Marketing.  Today, Mark visited our group.  We will post part 2 of his membership application as soon as it is received.  If there are no further objections, Mark will be invited to join our group.

Social Report
(Click here to go to the Social Event page)

The holiday party is on December 3rd.  Payments were due today.  If you did not already do so, Althea Bussert would like those signed up to complete the form asking for the names of all guests that will be attending.

Speaker Coordinator Report
(Click here to go to the Speaker Schedule)

• 11/26/04     No Meeting
• 12/03/04     Chris Curran
• 12/10/04     Andy Jensen
• 12/17/04     Roman Okonowski
• 12/24/04     No Meeting
• 12/31/04     No Meeting

Treasurer Report

1st quarter billing for 2005 will be mailed out in 2 weeks.  Look for yours in the mail and make sure to pay it promptly.

Leads Report

46-44, 29-10, 12-18, 26-19, 26-22, 24-26, 10-26, 10-22, 07-25, 07-13, 07-21, 07-05, 30-35, 21-25, 11-40, 22-16, 22-41 (x2), 22-42, 35-26, 03-19, 03-22, 04-27, 04-38, 40-21, 40-37, 40-32, 19-40.

In an effort to increase the focus on leads, we are going to highlight three members each week.  Please keep the following member's in mind as you go about your daily business...

Reg and Jean Batt

Amy Ahrensdorf - Amy is now concentrating on team building through cooking.  She is the only one that does this with a qualified psychologist.  The psychologist observes the group as they cook and then gives feedback at the end.  You can refer any type of organization to her included non-profit groups.  Of course she still provides service to the culinary-challenged that are tired of take-out and want to learn how to use their kitchen.

Jim Bache - There are two sides to Jim's business.  But it is hard to advertise probate so he focuses on estate planning.  Anyone you touch is a candidate.  But if you want to be more specific, think about people you know that have recently had a life change  - death, births, marriage or divorce.  These events require revisions to existing plans.  Of course, if they don't have a plan, they are a very good candidate.  

Notable Mentions

There is no meeting next Friday.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday. 

Question of the Day

What makes your business successful?  And if you haven't crossed over that hump...Just tell us what's on your mind.

Paul Kavanaugh - A company named "Nationwide" Van Lines is being sued.  I have to explain to people calling in that we are not the same company.  We are "National" Van Lines.  I also have people complaining that our quotes are twice as high as the competition.  If they are determined to go with the low bid, I challenge them to call me back and tell me about their experiences.  They do call back and tell me about their horror stories.  You get what you pay for.

Althea Bussert - Businesses in shopping plazas need to include the name of the shopping plaza and the corner they are on when advertising.  These plaza's don't have numbers on their buildings (at least not where they are easy to see) so it is hard to find you with just a street address. 

Greg Stewart - Did you hear the big story about Wal-Mart adding five more "killer categories" to their stores.  They are expanding into  gasoline, jewelry, big name women's fashions and furniture.  Toy's 'R Us is in bad shape because of them.  All of this makes me not want to shop there anymore.  They don't have the same ethics that Sam started the store with.

Mike Whalen - They've run American businesses like Rubbermaid out of business with their tactics.

Dave Spiess - There is a lesson to be learned.  Sears and K-Mart are merging so they can continue to compete with Wal-Mart.

Jim Bache - Take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves.  I agreed to speak at seminar for a friend that was starting a pre-lien service.  This was not my area but I agreed.  Because of that speech that I did not want to do, I have a client of 18 years that pays $20,000 in fees annually!

Greg Stewart - A lot of people see the "no soliciting" signs but still come in to give their sales pitch.  You don't want to be rude to them because they could be potential clients from your neighborhood and a good source of referrals if you treat them right.

Lisa Wolfe - I can help you out with these solicitors and those unwanted phone calls.  The best part is, it doesn't cost you a dime even if you are not a client.  Tell them that I take care of this for you and give them my number.  As I get to know each of you better I will know what to toss and what may be good for you and your business.

Gus Dekavallas
AnDek Financial/MetLife Securities

Today's scheduled speaker was Gus Dekavallas.  For those of you that don't know his background, Gus was born on a small island in Greece.  His dad was an artist, professor and sculptor.  After retiring he wanted more opportunities for his children so Gus's father moved the family to Detroit.  They lived there only a couple years before moving to Arizona. 

Gus loved sports.  He was good at baseball.  The Giants drafted him but he decided to go to college first.  Then he was drafted into the Vietnam War.  When he returned from service he finished school and went to work for American Express.  He left to open his own furniture store. He grew this business, sold it and retired to play golf for a few years.  It was during this time that he met Connie. 

Gus decided to retire from retirement and get into the financial industry.  He spent 12 years with New York Life.  Then a head hunter started calling.  After 6 months of negotiations, he moved over to MetLife. 

MetLife has over 40 million clients, most of which are institutions.  They are the number one carrier in dental and long- and short-term disability.  They are also right up there with life insurance.  And they now offer 401k's.

Gus brought in a guest, Wayne Kandas of 1510 KFNN radio.  Wayne discussed a type of investing called Air Bags.  To hear more from Wayne, tune it weekdays at 8am.

[directory/old/dekavallas.htm]