NAIFA Membership: Your Key to Success

By Ayo Mseka

All of us are keenly aware of the attributes of highly successful advisors: They have an innate desire to help others, are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, and demonstrate great fortitude in the face of adversity.

These are all admirable traits, but there is something else that leads to success in this business. That something else is NAIFA membership, and let me tell you why.

As a NAIFA member, you have exclusive access to an impressive line-up of first-rate programs, including: Political Advocacy. NAIFA is second to none when it comes to protecting your interests. The association’s talented and experienced government relations team engages decision-makers at every level of the legislative and regulatory systems, mobilizing resources to achieve the most favorable outcome for you and your clients. As part of your membership, you also receive regular updates on major initiatives, clear explanations of how they will affect your business, and action steps for defeating programs that might harm you or your customers.

A key component of the NAIFA Advocacy Program is the annual Congressional Conference, which took place last month in Washington, D.C. At this important event, NAIFA members were given a platform to communicate their expertise and concerns to lawmakers and let them know about the important role the products they sell play in the lives of their clients.

Professional-Development Opportunities. You will soon have another opportunity to showcase your expertise by obtaining the new NAIFA LACP certification, which will be launched in June at MDRT’s Annual Conference. This certification demonstrates the ability of agents to evaluate client needs, problems, and resources; identify insurance solutions that are appropriate for the client’s situation; implement solutions in accordance with legal and ethical standards; and follow up to ensure that the client’s needs are met on an ongoing basis.

The LACP certification is the newest addition to the long list of professional-development programs designed just for you, including the LUTCF designation, the prestigious Leadership in Life Institute program, and other benefits that help you manage and enhance your practice. Just visit www.naifa.org and start putting them to work for you today.

The Annual Performance and Purpose Conference. NAIFA has a long history of recognizing needs and opportunities and meeting them with innovation—and this is what the Performance and Purpose Conference is all about. It is about bringing together the best minds in the industry to help attendees grow, enhance the financial performance of their practice, and discover new ways to thrive in a changing marketplace. Register for this conference today at www.naifa.org and secure your place at the industry’s most valuable educational event.

Advisor Today. As a NAIFA member, you also receive this magazine, which never fails to inspire and inform with sound advice for finding prospects, converting them into clients, and providing them with the products they need to secure their financial future. Whether your focus is on life insurance, annuities, financial planning, DI insurance or employee benefits, you will find something in this issue that you can use today to move your practice forward.

And don’t forget our popular Advisor Today podcasts, available at www.advisortoday.com. Designed for the time-pressed advisor, these short interviews feature industry heavyweights who describe the steps they took on their way to the top.

With all of these compelling benefits, it is easy to see why NAIFA membership is the key to success for so many NAIFA members. So renew your membership today if you have not already done so, and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same. This may be the most important step you take on your journey to success. g