Recently, the passing of a couple of prominent leaders saddened our industry. Former PPAI board member and 1997 PPAI Hall of Fame inductee, Gene Cesario, MAS passed away August 2, and senior vice president of Summit Group and member of the PPAI Board of Director’s Class of 2007, Janelle Nevins, passed away August 9.
These industry veterans have had a prominent impact on many people’s lives and careers. We offer condolences to their families.
Perhaps not so known was Diana Jane Barliant, the wife of popular west coast multi-line rep Nowell Wisch. Diana passed away July 3. Nowell is a bit of a wordsmith and we offer some of his thoughts on the recent challenges he has faced following his wife’s passing. His comments about the importance of being prepared are shared here with his permission.
Since my wife died, I’ve spent time with lawyers, bankers, insurance agents and Social Security representatives. For 28 years I had a wife who took care of every financial decision in our life…
Nothing that even hinted of “money” ever intruded on my blissfully ignorant existence. She held the reins to the financial coach and drove it with verve, alacrity, and consummate skill. I felt lucky to have such an accomplished mate and that she didn’t take offense in the reversal of the usual roles in marriage.
Fast forward to the day the world spun out of its orbit and the future changed. I had thirty-two thousand dollars in funeral expenses to pay and no idea what the checkbook looked like nor where it was kept! Talk about being taught how to swim by being tossed into the deep end of the pool… not the best way to learn.
At the SAAC Show, an amazing Regional Association event, four weeks after my personal loss, we were informed of the death of two of our industry icons. I found myself in discussions with people who had experienced similar tragedies in life. I soon realized that my experience is far from uncommon. Many of our friends and colleagues live in a blissfully ignorant condition of the details of their financial status. This is both on a business level and a personal one. What a sad state of affairs.
Perhaps the fact that I am in my 60s colors my perceptions. However, what I now know is that over the last three decades I should have learned more about how our family and business finances and how the greater world worked. I was completely unprepared to move ahead with life and manage my money and financial responsibilities.
How many of us are in a similar situation? In almost every partnership, one is the financially responsible driver while the other is just riding the bus. Given the potential for a personal tragedy to one or the other it is something we should address and the sooner the better.
Most of us have had someone who has had a positive impact in their life, in or out of the industry. We invite you to share about this person on the FreePromoTips Facebook Wall. This can be a memorial, or something inspirational that will benefit others. Three posters win an iTunes card, brought to you by our friends at AIA. Post through Thursday August 30. The winner will be announced Friday August 31.
This Rant is about being prepared which affects both our business lives as well as personal. Fire, earthquakes, floods and technology failures can disrupt our business. But so can the loss of spouses, co-workers, business partners, and friends. How prepared are you? How prepared can you be?
Natural or man-made disasters are also often devastating. In response, RAC (Regional Association Council) has launched “15 for the Fund,” a Business Recovery Fund to help our industry colleagues get back in business should they be affected by a disaster. This is one of the great things about our industry. We help each other!
TRUE CONFESSIONS!
I confess. I’m burnt out. Taking time to go on the “Sail to Success” cruise to the Bahamas seems crazy, but I know this will be a productive time. You STILL can join us on our 4-night Norwegian Cruise Line trip that leaves from Miami September 17. Life is short. This is going to be an awesome trip that’s affordable. I’m looking forward to being away from the office! Click here for more information.
Make it a great day!
Jeff Solomon, MAS, MASI is affiliated with a large distributor company. The FreePromoTips.com website and e-newsletters he publishes are packed with beneficial information and exclusive FREE offers from a few forward-thinking supplier companies. Don’t miss out on what’s happening! Opt in to receive their e-newsletters! LIKE their page on Facebook and follow them on twitter. Jeff can also be found on Linkedin.
