Posted On: April 19, 2004, 3:16 am CDT

Posted By: Matt

Lets face it folks, we live in the business world, it's not a wealth distribution system. A business is not a "Soup Line" When I was a CSR, I worked nite and day to make my Producer and the Agency more money. If I hadn't I may not be in the business as a producer today. I bit the bullet and paid the price. Sometimes, the price looks too high. When the market tanks or goes soft, the top line shrinks, and the shortage falls to the bottom line. The operating expenses, equipment purchases, training, payroll, taxes......all go up, not down. I don't disagree that "CSR's" in general are under compensated, but many are over compensated for the "actual" value (that's Money) that they bring to the agency. Many people are being paid "Exactly" what they are worth, not a penny more. Many have not taken the risk to go out on their own or showed a profitable (Monetary) reason for their compensation growth. We are in a "percentage" business. It is very easy to measure what a person is worth. How much do they actually bring into the door (new commisions). Does their "non sales" assistance allow the producers to "Produce" more. How many people do you see "not" pulling their share ? If we are talking about Money, the conversation must go "Both" ways. Ask yourself about Money brought in the door, Money kept in the agency, Cross selling, Asking for the referral.... Remember the Producer/Agent is paying the final bill, paying the costs of the "under proformer" as well as the "over proformer", it comes from somewhere folks....As an old manager used to say, your raise becomes effective when you become effective. I don't mean to be too insensitve, but if the shoe fits............move on. Success is not limited to being a CSR. Maybe some other calling may allow for what you really want to do in life. If you are being under compensated, you are free to "take the plunge". It's funny, people who complain about "Lottery" winners usually do not even "Play" the game. Try out the business, see what it is like from both sides, not just one side. Then form an opinion. If you fight this fight, maybe your CSR package (cost and benefits) may not look sooooo bad.

LOL,

Matt