by David Bell | Jan 10, 2025
Hey there, insurance agents! So, you want to find the perfect prospect for a Professional Employer Organization (PEO)? Great choice! PEOs are like the Swiss Army knives of business solutions—handling HR, payroll, benefits, and even workers’ comp (hey, that’s our bread and butter!). But how do you sniff out the ideal client without feeling like you’re speed dating the entire small business community? Let’s dive in!
- Know Your Type (Of Business, That Is)
Not every business is ready for a PEO relationship. You want to target small to mid-sized companies, typically with 10 to 200 employees. There are some products for smaller employers and even companies without employees. Generally, you should look for the prospects big enough to need HR support but not quite ready to build their own HR department. Think growing tech startups, construction companies, manufacturers, and healthcare practices. If they constantly complain about HR headaches or compliance confusion, you’ve found your match!
- Listen for the Right Complaints
Prospects won’t walk up and say, “I need a PEO!” (If only it were that easy.) Instead, listen for these telltale signs:
- “I’m drowning in paperwork.”
- “Our benefits are too expensive.”
- “I can’t keep up with changing labor laws.”
- “Payroll gives me nightmares.”
- “My workers’ compensation is too expensive.”
When you hear these, it’s your cue to swoop in with the PEO solution. You’re not just selling—you’re saving them from HR doom!
- Network Where the Action Is
Your next PEO prospect isn’t hiding under a rock—they’re networking too! Attend local business events, industry trade shows, and chamber of commerce meetings. Better yet, sponsor a breakfast event. (Who says no to free coffee and bagels?) Engage with business owners, and drop hints about how you can make their work lives easier.
- LinkedIn: Your Digital Wingman
LinkedIn isn’t just for job seekers; it’s a goldmine for prospecting. Join groups where business owners hang out, share insightful posts about HR trends, and slide into DMs—professionally, of course. A post titled, “Is Payroll Stress Keeping You Up at Night?” is bound to get some bites.
- Partner with CPAs and Business Consultants
CPAs and business consultants already have the ears of your ideal prospects. Form strategic partnerships where they refer clients to you when HR headaches arise. It’s like getting a trusted friend to set you up on a date—much warmer than a cold call!
- Be the HR Superhero They Didn’t Know They Needed
When pitching, don’t just talk features—tell a story. Explain how a PEO can help them attract top talent with better benefits, stay compliant with ever-changing regulations, and save time so they can focus on growing their business. Paint yourself as the HR superhero swooping in to save the day. (Cape optional, but highly encouraged.)
- Follow Up Without Being “That Person”
No one likes being ghosted—and no one likes a pushy salesperson. Find the balance. Send helpful resources, share industry news, or invite them to a webinar. Show you’re there to help, not to hound.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Selling, It’s About Solving
At the end of the day, finding the right PEO prospect is about listening, educating, and offering real solutions. You’re not pushing a product—you’re offering peace of mind. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want less stress and more time to actually enjoy their business?
Now go out there, charm those prospects, and help them discover the magic of a PEO partnership!
And remember—you’ve got this. (Super hero cape still optional.)
by David Bell | Dec 27, 2024
Ever set a New Year’s resolution and then immediately thought, “Well, that’s ambitious”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing—there’s no such thing as an unrealistic dream, just underwhelming follow-through. Here are five hilariously practical steps to make those dreams a reality:
1. Picture your dream like it’s the next blockbuster movie.
Close your eyes (after you finish reading this, obviously) and imagine your dream in IMAX—full surround sound, high-def detail. Write down exactly what you see, because science says so. Dr. Gail Matthews at Dominican University discovered that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them. That’s practically a superpower! So grab a pen and make it official.
2. Ignore the peanut gallery.
Your neighbor Bob, who hasn’t exercised since the Reagan administration, probably isn’t your go-to for advice on running a marathon. Instead, listen to people who’ve been where you want to go. The armchair critics? Leave them in their armchairs—preferably with a good view of you crushing it.
3. Find your dream squad.
Now that you’ve tuned out the Debbie Downers, it’s time to build your hype team. Surround yourself with people and stories that scream, “You can do this!” Whether it’s a friend who defied the odds or a podcast about epic dream chasers, fill your brain with their energy. You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so choose wisely—and maybe leave your cat out of this one.
4. Channel your future self.
Fast-forward to 90-year-old you. Are they sitting on a porch, telling epic tales of victory, or are they grumbling about all the things they didn’t try? Spoiler: Future You wants stories, not regrets. Even if you don’t nail everything, giving it your all will be the plot twist you’ll thank yourself for.
5. Get off the couch.
Dreams don’t come true through osmosis or Netflix binges. A bodybuilder doesn’t bulk up by scrolling through gym memes. Whatever your dream is, it’s time to take that first (possibly awkward) step. Yes, it’s work—but the good kind, like the feeling you get after finally cleaning out your junk drawer. Action beats intention every single time.
Now go forth, dream big, and make your future self high-five you through time.
by David Bell | Dec 9, 2024
Ah, the holiday season—the time of year when joy and chaos go hand-in-hand, like eggnog and questionable fashion choices. Sure, it’s merry, but it’s also a sprint through crowded malls, endless to-do lists, and the realization that you forgot to buy Aunt Susan a gift…again. But hey, it’s also the perfect time to sprinkle a little holiday cheer on your business and strengthen those oh-so-important customer relationships. After all, nothing says “I care” like a thoughtfully placed dose of festive branding.
Here’s how to make your business the holiday MVP while keeping your customers warm and fuzzy:
🎄 Deck the Halls (or Mailboxes): Send handwritten holiday cards to customers and prospects. Bonus points if you beat everyone else to it—early birds get the loyalty worms.
🍽️ Treat Your Customers: Drop a restaurant gift card in the mail. Because nothing says “we value you” like free food.
🎅 Show Up, Santa Style: Sponsor or join community events and sleigh your local presence.
🎁 Spread the Cheer: Host a charity drive or donate to causes that align with your brand’s values. Santa will give you a wink.
📹 Be the Holiday Guru: Create how-to videos or blog posts for holiday prep. Because who doesn’t love a good “wrap your gifts like a pro” tutorial?
🍹 Festive Festivities: Organize a happy hour or thank-you dinner for your customers. A little merriment goes a long way.
🎇 Shine Bright: Put up a dazzling light display or window decor to turn heads. Holiday magic = customer traffic.
🧦 Stocking Stuffer Giveaway: Surprise your customers with small treats. Delight is in the details.
🧥 Get Ugly: Host a virtual ugly sweater contest. Trust us, the uglier, the better. Share the hilarity on social media and your newsletter.
🎁 Wrap It Up: Offer gift-wrapping services to become every procrastinator’s hero.
🎉 12 Days of Deals: Unleash special bundles and offers like a holiday retail ninja. Promote it like Rudolph’s red nose—bright and everywhere.
The key to holiday success? Make a list, check it twice, and show your customers why you’re the jolliest business in town. A little investment now will come back to you faster than a reindeer on a sugar high. So go ahead, spread the cheer—and don’t forget the cookies for Santa. 🎅
by David Bell | Aug 28, 2024
All Syndicated and PayGo Plus offices will be closed for Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2024.
by David Bell | Jul 29, 2024
You’ve written your business plan, filed the appropriate paperwork, and set yourself up to manage your own business as an allied healthcare provider. You are accepting clients who pay for your specialty services from the get-go. You are well on your way to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
No matter what type of allied healthcare service you offer—from yoga instruction to massage therapy to social work—your focus is on creating, growing and expanding your business opportunities.
You keep reading all the lists to make sure you’re doing it right. Google has become your best friend as you research and absorb all the advice from the “Top Five Ways to Grow Your Business” to “Lessons for Independent Business Owners.”
There is so much to focus on when you run your own business, even if the only person on your payroll is you. Your checklist of things to accomplish is long. But you are confident and focused on creating a unique and genuine business model that is sure to succeed.
Your immediate reaction is to run out and find many clients as quickly as you can. At the same time, you need to create your website, print business cards, and find opportunities to market your services. As you seek opportunities to build your brand and customer base, you discover that you can offer your services by plugging in as a contractor through existing businesses.
Part-Time Opportunities Can Grow Your Client Base
There are many ways to grow your business opportunities as an independent contractor or small business with a handful of employees. Perhaps you’re a yoga instructor or massage therapist at your local gym two days a week. Or maybe you’re a nutritionist or life coach that provides counseling support one day per week at an existing clinic. You could be a licensed independent social worker working as a contractor at a senior living behavioral health center. You may create opportunities that connect your small team of employees with any of the part-time jobs.
Whatever the case may be, you’re on your own and experience the many freedoms of being your own boss. It is glorious to have the flexibility set your schedule and earn more money while you maintain a work-life balance. If you have a small team supporting you, you’re probably enjoying passing along work-life balance to them, too.
With the many freedoms you’re experiencing being your own boss, there is no reason you could fail. Or is there?
When you—or members of your small business—go work with other people you’re offering expert services to others. But no matter how carefully you or your team members work, there are risks that your business can encounter daily.
Liability Incidents Could Potentially Ruin Allied Healthcare Providers
Consider what could happen when you or your employees visit a client’s offices or use a third-party location for any business-related activity. Unexpected accidents, such as trips and falls, could result in unforeseen medical bills that you have to pay.
In today’s lawsuit happy society, you could find yourself needing an attorney because someone sues you for libel or slander. Without even trying, you could find yourself in uncertain situations which create unanticipated financial risks that could leave you bankrupt or at least in a world of hurt.
Most business owners are already aware of the hidden risks. So you shouldn’t be caught off guard when you are required to show proof of insurance to an existing business which you discuss offering your services.
Not convinced yet? There is proof in the numbers…
Small Business Disaster Facts & Numbers
You can have everything aligned for your allied health business to succeed. But, if you get sued or have to pay medical expenses, your business could unexpectedly close the doors. As an independent contractor or small business owner, here are some statistics to consider:
50% of small businesses survive five years or more (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2016)
10% of small business claims come from customer slips and falls (Source: The Hartford)
22.2% of small business owners experienced a client complaint or dispute. (Source: Insureon’s 2016 Survey)
If that isn’t enough, Insurance Journal cited the following top most costly liability claims for small businesses: reputational harm ($50,000), customer injury or damage ($30,000), customer slip and fall ($20,000), and struck by an object ($10,000). They went on to share that 35 percent of all general liability claims results in a lawsuit.
So what should you do?
Get Peace of Mind With A Cost Effective Easy Solution
Don’t become another failed business statistic because you didn’t take steps to protect your business. Get a general liability insurance policy so when a lawsuit or unexpected medical claim arises, your hard earned money isn’t at risk.
The minimum cost for a general liability insurance policy can bring you peace of mind and potentially save your business from financial ruin.
Are you an independent contractor or small business owner that provides allied healthcare services? You can enroll online in about 3 minutes and receive a policy by email the same day you sign up. If you’re still not sure, learn more here.
Are you a broker who wants to offer general liability to your clients? Learn more or get a quick quote. You can even add the application on your website.
by David Bell | Dec 14, 2023
The holiday season is a time of mixed emotions for everyone, as it can be both merry and stressful. However, it’s also an excellent opportunity to focus on building relationships with your customers and prospects while raising awareness about your business. By investing in your customers and prospects during this busy time of the year, you can help engender loyalty to your brand, which will pay off in the long run.
Here are some ways you can use the holiday season to build your brand:
– Send handwritten holiday cards to your customers and prospects.
– Stand out by sending your notes earlier in the season than others.
– Mail gift cards to restaurants as a token of appreciation.
– Participate in or sponsor community events to show your support.
– Organize local charity drives to give back to the community.
– Write helpful blog posts and create holiday preparation and “how-to” videos.
– Provide special insurance packages to your customers.
– Donate money to a cause that aligns with your brand’s values.
– Invite customers to festive happy hours to celebrate the season.
– Promote your donations or sponsorships to showcase your brand’s values.
– Host a customer thank you dinner to show your appreciation.
– Schedule a holiday open house to welcome customers to your business.
– Create a fun light or window display to attract attention.
– Give away stocking stuffers to surprise and delight your customers.
– Deliver gift baskets to your customers to make them feel appreciated.
– Organize a virtual ugly sweater contest and post the results on your website and social channels.
– Promote the contest and results in your newsletter.
– Offer holiday help, such as gift-wrapping services, to make your customers’ lives easier.
– Create 12 days of deals with special bundles to encourage holiday shopping.
– Educate and promote the benefits of your 12 days of deals.
By making a list of what you’re going to do to help your brand stand out during the holidays, you can take advantage of this season’s tremendous opportunities to build awareness about your business. While investing in others may seem daunting, it is sure to pay strong dividends over time.
