Issue No. 01 - January/February 2009
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Welcome to MDRT Asia Connect!
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the MDRT Asia Connect e-newsletter. MDRT is excited to provide this new bi-monthly e-newsletter created especially for MDRT members in Asia.

Asia Connect is just one of several new initiatives that MDRT will be introducing this year to enhance and deliver member programme and services to strengthen the MDRT community. More information about future MDRT initiatives will be announced in future issues of this e-newsletter.

With more than 20,000 MDRT members in Asia, there is tremendous potential for MDRT to use its knowledge and experience to help our profession throughout the region.
I am confident that MDRT’s full potential in Asia can be realised. In my 34 years as an MDRT member, I cannot recall a time when MDRT’s focus on productivity, professionalism and ethics made us more relevant than it is today to the financial services industry and the clients we serve.

For 81 years, members’ active participation in MDRT has sustained our mission. Therefore, as MDRT members and leaders in your profession, I encourage you to get involved with MDRT, contribute your ideas for inclusion in this e-newsletter and other media, and give your feedback to the MDRT member representatives in your area.
   In addition, the MDRT Asia Pacific office in Singapore is working closely with the MDRT Executive Committee and our U.S. headquarters office in Chicago to enhance member benefits and services while also strengthening the MDRT brand in Asia.

I would like to thank our industry partners in Asia and around the world who support MDRT and help to promote our shared values and principles for the benefit of the financial services profession. Together we make a great team!

Welcome again to Asia Connect. Watch for future issues in the coming months. I look forward to seeing you at the 2009 Annual Meeting, 7-11 June in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.


Walton W. Rogers, CLU, ChFC
2009 MDRT President
Get Acquainted with the Membership Communications Committee Regional & Zone Chairs in Asia
The MDRT Membership Communications Committee (MCC) is a network of dedicated MDRT members who form an important communication link between MDRT leadership and all its members. The MCC provides updates and information on membership, Annual Meeting and other MDRT initiatives to members, and will also be the voice of the members to feedback to MDRT their needs and concerns.

Let’s meet the Divisional Vice President of the MCC as well as the network of Regional and Zone Chairs in Asia. ross@rothgard.com.au eddy.cw.wong@inglife.com.hk jeannette.sulindro@gmail.com pawxj@163.com patric@netvigator.com lancia88@ms21.hinet.net jimukyoku@mdrt.jp mdrtkorea@hotmail.com amarie@pacific.net.sg
Membership Communications Committee Regions set for global outreach
The 2008–2009 year marks a new structure for the MDRT Membership Communications Committee (MCC) with the introduction of the Regional Chairs. The role of Regional Chair has been developed in response to the continued growth of our global membership and MDRT’s desire to stay connected with our members.

In the past, the Divisional Vice President (DVP) has served as a conduit among the 14 Zones, the MDRT Management Council and the Executive Committee. We have now developed the role of Regional Chair (five in total), who will be in constant contact with their respective Zone Chairs.

We envisage this will not only improve our understanding of the needs of our 40,000 members in the 85 nations and territories, but also improve the delivery of services to these members.

Meeting needs and providing advice and direction will be reflected in improved professionalism, production, efficiency and motivation of our members as well as the adoption of the Whole Person concept. All of these factors are of paramount importance to MDRT.

Given the vast differences between our member countries, with regard to the economy, the maturity of the financial planning/advice business and legislation, we face a tough challenge. But the best way for us to achieve our goals is maintaining effective communication channels with our members and our ability to implement the recommendations put forward through our Local, Company, Chapter, Area, Country and Zone Chairs.

The main objectives for the coming year for our Committee are as follows:

  • The drawing up of a well-structured succession plan for each Zone, ensuring that all members have the opportunity to serve MDRT on the Membership Communications Committee in the role of Chair.
  • The development of a comprehensive plan in each Zone to develop and promote MDRT membership.
 
  • The promotion of the MDRT Mentoring Program, ensuring that each country where MDRT has a presence has at least 20 participating mentoring teams. The Mentoring Program is unique to MDRT, enabling members to adopt an aspiring member to assist them in achieving qualification of MDRT.
  • The establishment of MDRT Days to be held in each country where we have a presence. MDRT Days will serve many purposes, not the least being an educational/motivational opportunity, for our members and aspiring members, showcasing successful local and international advisers.
  • The development of strategies to improve retention of our members. At present we have too many Members who join for one year, attend one Annual Meeting and never return. We are working on strategies to ‘engage’ our new members at the earliest possible time to ensure that they continue their membership and make the most of the opportunities that longer term membership and regular attendance at the Annual Meeting represent.

On a personal note, I am honoured and excited to have been appointed as DVP for a second year and to have the opportunity to work closely with our members to further enhance the benefits that this great organisation provides.

To all the members in Asia, I look forward to your participation in MDRT’s various programmes and initiatives that will allow you to grow both professionally and personally. I am confident that with the MDRT Asia Pacific Office, you will discover more opportunities to maximise the value of your MDRT membership.

MCC DVP Ross Vanderwolf, CFP (Ross@rothgard.com.au) of Brisbane, Australia,
is a 21-year member, seven years as Court of the Table.
Have You Submitted Your MDRT Membership Application for 2009?
The deadline to submit your MDRT membership application is 1 March 2009 if you want to avoid paying the USD 200 late fee. Here are 4 simple steps to take to ensure a hassle-free and smooth application:

Step One: Request for an application. Click here to make an online request or to download your 2009 application if you are a current or former MDRT member.
Step Two: Complete the application form. Answer all questions completely.
Step Three: Send the certifying letter(s) to your company(ies). You may make copies of the certifying letter form if you need to send one to more than one company.
Step Four: Return the completed application, certifying letters, and dues payment to MDRT in the envelope we provide. Send it by 1 March 2009 to avoid the USD 200 late fee.
  Keep in mind that faxed and emailed applications are NOT accepted. We strongly encourage you to send the application by registered air mail, certified mail or courier service to ensure you have a receipt showing the date the forms were mailed.

Submit your application as early as possible for quicker processing and approval. The Membership Services Department is eager to serve you during your application process. For further information, you may contact them at +1 847 692 6378 or membership@mdrt.org.
Make a Date with 2010 MDRT Experience in Seoul!
Mark your diary as the date is set for 2010 MDRT Experience to happen from 11–13 March in Seoul, Korea.

After 4 successful meetings in Asia – Singapore in 1998, Hong Kong in 2004, Bangkok in 2006 and Japan in 2008, MDRT is poised to replicate the same successful formula for the 2010 event in Seoul.

Look forward to cutting-edge sales techniques and motivational concepts that will help accelerate your production and enable you to qualify for MDRT membership.
  The MDRT Experience is opened to both MDRT members and non-members. Do not miss this event as it brings MDRT’s prestigious and extraordinary Annual Meeting experience to all financial services professionals in Asia and beyond.

Join our mailing list to receive regular updates on the MDRT Experience 2010.

Stay tuned for more details!
My Whole Person Concept - The 5-Ball Juggling Act
I believe that my life as a Whole Person is like a 5-ball juggling act put on by a circus performer.

The 5 balls represent family, health, spirit, friendship, and career

Family
I spend at least 2 evenings every week with my family in which I would usually go through school work with my daughter or attend concerts or performances with them.
Health
To remain healthy, I make an effort to do stretching exercises every morning and eat a balanced meal at the appropriate times.
Spirit
For my spiritual well-being, my faith lies in God and I go to church every Sunday. I also serve on the church choir group. Interestingly, the Korean words for insurance and gospel sound similar - bo-hum and bok-eum.
 
Friendship
I believe friends are important. I volunteer as a Secretary for my university’s alumni and high school class reunion group. This has allowed me to maintain regular contact with my old friends.
Career
I strongly believe that being a Financial Services Representative (FSR) is the perfect job for me. It is a job that I can create a win-win situation for my clients and myself.

Submitted by Won Seung Hyun, 2008-2009 MDRT Korea Zone Chair – Seoul, Korea
Why not visit your existing customers?
We usually view insufficient prospects as something negative.

However, if one chooses to look at the situation from a different perspective, you will appreciate that an empty appointment book offers you the valuable time to re-visit your existing customers. Re-visiting your customers will not only strengthen your relationship with them, but also increase the probability of securing future appointments with them.

When I re-visit my customers, my intention is not to introduce a new product or to clinch a sale, but simply a courtesy visit to find out how things are with them. More importantly, it is to confirm the current status of my customers.
   One will be surprised to find out that many of the customers would need upgrading of plan or additional coverage.

The point I am trying to highlight is that I do not visit them with an intention to sell them a product. I am merely finding out about their well-being and ensure that the visit is stress-free for them and me.

So when your appointment book is not filled up with prospects, do not fret. Why not take some time to visit your existing customers?

Submitted by Jiro Kato, 10-year Qualifying & Life Member from Tokyo, Japan
MDRT Membership Referral Programme
Share your wonderful experience as an MDRT member and encourage a potential member to join you in discovering the rich traditions and positive influence of MDRT.

MDRT’s Membership Referral Programme rewards members who refer the MDRT membership to their colleagues and industry peers. Once the membership application is successful, your name will be entered into a draw where you stand a chance to win a trip to the 2009 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, June 7–11 2009.

Click here to find out more.
Make a Difference. Be an MDRT Mentor.
The MDRT/GAMA International Mentoring Program has helped thousands of financial services professional increase their productivity. By being an MDRT mentor, you not only reap the personal reward of helping an aspirant reach MDRT-level productivity, but statistics have also proven that the mentor’s production level will also increase while helping an another agent.

It’s never too late to enroll for this program. Click here to find out more about MDRT’s mentor enrollment.
Invite an MDRT Speaker to your Corporate Event
If your company is organising a sales seminar or workshop, you may want to explore inviting an MDRT speaker to make a presentation at the event. MDRT’s Speakers Bureau has a listing of experienced MDRT-member speakers who can provide your event attendees with superior sales ideas, practical approaches to winning clients and immense motivation that will benefit them professionally.

To find out more, email your enquiries to Chester Chu, Regional Director, MDRT Asia Pacific at cchu@mdrt.org.
Call for Contribution
Do you have an interesting sales idea or a proven strategy to share with fellow MDRT members? We are keen to hear from you if your ideas are based on the following themes:

  • How to Approach Customers
  • How to Recruit Staff
  • How to Sell Multiple Products
  We are also interested in ideas relating to Whole Person Concept, viewpoint on challenges facing the financial services industry, and also case studies that can inspire other members to overcome challenges to win over a client or sell a particular product.

You can send your article or content outline to MDRT Asia Pacific at asiapacific@mdrt.org.
MDRT has launched the Simplified Chinese edition of the Round the Table magazine! Starting with the January/February 2009 issue, this edition will be distributed to all MDRT members in China.

The Traditional Chinese edition of the magazine will continue to be sent to members in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.
MDRT Asia Pacific Office

Tel: +65 6496 5505
Fax: +65 6336 6449
Email: asiapacific@mdrt.org
Web: www.mdrt.org