September 12, 2006

Randy Elsass

St Marys Rotarian and Edward Jones investment representative addressed the club for the weekly program.  He shared some thoughts about sales strategies and about an upcoming political debates to be hosted by the St Marys Rotary club in October. 

As for sales ideas, he noted that it is important to know that different aged people receive and input information in different manners.  People over age 80 are effected by the great depression and as such, they don't spend down principal.   People 60 and up have been influenced  by WW II and Korean war while the baby boomers had to deal with the Vietnam war, and war protest.  Younger people don't have the extensive life experience and depend more on number analysis and they have been impacted by 9-11 and Katrina.  He noted that if your conversation with a
26 yr old is the same as that with a 66 yr old,  your approach is totally wrong. Another key in sales is avoiding some deadly mistakes.   If, for example, you have not personally experienced the loss of  spouse, you can not tell a recently widowed person that you know how they feel since in reality, you do not since you have not been thru that situation.  You can, however empathize with them.  He feels that sales is just good common sense and to follow a basic set of rules: do what you would like some one to do for you and know that honesty always works.

Randy also shared some questions that he had for the candidates in the upcoming Jordan vs. Siferd debates.

1. The Shorans-Oxley is a broken law over last 2 yrs.  Of the worlds 25 largest IPO's, only 1 was off a U.S.A. based exchange.  Reasons? Over regulation.  Excessive cost.  Effects of legislation reaching down to private corp., and not for profit.  What is the proposed solution to fix this law?  

2. The government jobs turnover rate is at 1/2 of that of the private sector... why?  Maybe the answer is that the government pay structure is at 1 1/2 time private sector same job comparison? 

3. What about the government's unfunded pension promises?  Forget GM, Ford, what about the promises made to public employees?  

4. With Adams vs. Ward, the state pays Medicare bills.  That rate is due to be cut.  Not for profit organizations being in a position to know how the not profit is responding, which is to raise the lowest paid positions to increasing what they have to pay for or health insurance. How do you change that effect?  

5. What do they plan to do about Ohio's high tax rate vs. other states.  Current state rules put up many road blocks to better elder care.  Would you be willing to not pass any law without taking two laws off the books?       

For the county debates between Ted Vorhees vs. Doug Spencer.  

1. What is the county doing in the nursing home business? 

He closed by sharing that Rotarians are successful people.  We have learned the art of sales.  Now we have to be responsible community citizens and ask the tough questions of those that want to make our rules and regulations on public office.  As such, he encouraged the members to be active participants in the upcoming debates and the election process.

Hosting Rotarian:  Doc Riebel