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Nov 22, 2009 11:33 am

Ah, Im sure that this posting will get an absolute barrage of hits based on my title choice. 

  Ok here is my story, I am a 12 year vet.  The company has been great.  Incredible trips, great comraderie and its been alot of fun.  But Im finding myself questionning a bunch of stuff.  Much of this stuff Ive known over the years but I have just kept it buried.  Ive been on the Leadership Teams and I have done nothing but volunteer forever.  You name it, Ive done it.  Today, Im tired.  Ive busted my butt.  Ive traveled to Tempe, Ive traveled to St Louis.  Ive been a visiting vet, Ive been on the Sales Desk.....I have even done a few stints on their broadcasts.    Now, the easy thing is to say, "Hey, why don't you take some time off from the volunteer positions and take some time out for yourself".  Well that sounds easier said than done.  My region, like many regions has a very small number fo vets.  It is easily a 1 in 6 ratio.   I look at my numbers (300K in annual prod) and Im not happy.  I think that I could be so much higher if I had spent the past 12 years building a business rather than helping the firm.  A few years ago I made the mistake of doing a Goodknight.  I gave away 15 mil and then like clockwork the market took away another 30%.  My 65 mil went to 50 mil and then my 50 mil went to 35 mil.  Today its back up to 43 mil and I feel as though I am digging out of an incredible hole.  But that is after 12 years of hard work.  Thats hard work for Jones and not my business.   For the record, I do love Jones.  I love its people and it's culture.  I think Weddle has the ship in the right direction.  My kids are spoiled rotten from the trips and I cant imagine going anywhere else.  But maybe its time to explore the options.  Jones is great but it is becoming more of a company atmosphere.  The old time culture is fading.  It may be time to move on.   The biggest eye opener was when I told my family that I won another trip a few months ago.  They just stared at me, snickered and continued to watch TV.   Just bitching!   Bull
Nov 22, 2009 12:30 pm

Why don’t you just quit doing EVERYTHING the firm asks you to do for a year or two?  Nothing but focus on your business and building it back up.  Who cares if your RL isn’t happy.  Who cares if some d-bag from your home office calls you and spills kool aid on your desk about how Vets giving back is critical to firm success.  You sound like all you’ve done is build a nice business and take it up the rear giving it away.  15mm Goodknight?  WTF is that?  I thought they were 5mm?  I remember vets that were out about 12 years having 100mm and still not willing to give up anything for a goodknight.  Anyways, I think you should just shut down your firm charity work and focus on yourself.  If it makes Jones unhappy and they give you enough grief that it pisses you off, then I think you’ll get your answer on what you should do. 

Nov 22, 2009 12:57 pm

[quote=Bullwinkle] Ah, Im sure that this posting will get an absolute barrage of hits based on my title choice.



Ok here is my story, I am a 12 year vet. The company has been great. Incredible trips, great comraderie and its been alot of fun. But Im finding myself questionning a bunch of stuff. Much of this stuff Ive known over the years but I have just kept it buried. Ive been on the Leadership Teams and I have done nothing but volunteer forever. You name it, Ive done it. Today, Im tired. Ive busted my butt. Ive traveled to Tempe, Ive traveled to St Louis. Ive been a visiting vet, Ive been on the Sales Desk…I have even done a few stints on their broadcasts.



Now, the easy thing is to say, “Hey, why don’t you take some time off from the volunteer positions and take some time out for yourself”. Well that sounds easier said than done. My region, like many regions has a very small number fo vets. It is easily a 1 in 6 ratio.



I look at my numbers (300K in annual prod) and Im not happy. I think that I could be so much higher if I had spent the past 12 years building a business rather than helping the firm. A few years ago I made the mistake of doing a Goodknight. I gave away 15 mil and then like clockwork the market took away another 30%. My 65 mil went to 50 mil and then my 50 mil went to 35 mil. Today its back up to 43 mil and I feel as though I am digging out of an incredible hole. But that is after 12 years of hard work. Thats hard work for Jones and not my business.



For the record, I do love Jones. I love its people and it’s culture. I think Weddle has the ship in the right direction. My kids are spoiled rotten from the trips and I cant imagine going anywhere else. But maybe its time to explore the options. Jones is great but it is becoming more of a company atmosphere. The old time culture is fading. It may be time to move on.



The biggest eye opener was when I told my family that I won another trip a few months ago. They just stared at me, snickered and continued to watch TV.



Just bitching!



Bull[/quote]



What the hell is wrong with you? I do this out of tough love as a former Jones guy. You have done your best for that firm.



You can go on better trips wen you put another $100k in your pocket.



One word:



Independent. Get the hell out of there!
Nov 22, 2009 1:52 pm

[quote=Bullwinkle]

I look at my numbers (300K in annual prod) and Im not happy. I think that I could be so much higher if I had spent the past 12 years building a business rather than helping the firm. A few years ago I made the mistake of doing a Goodknight. I gave away 15 mil and then like clockwork the market took away another 30%. My 65 mil went to 50 mil and then my 50 mil went to 35 mil. Today its back up to 43 mil and I feel as though I am digging out of an incredible hole. But that is after 12 years of hard work. Thats hard work for Jones and not my business.





Just bitching!



Bull[/quote]



300k after 12 years?    



Im not throwing stones because i really dont know much about Jones except these threads



But WTF?    



Seems like you guys put up with a bunch of crap and weird stuff where you giving your souls to that place…to do 300 after 12 years?





Nov 22, 2009 2:53 pm

jones reps are not very bright. why would you do a goodknight when you can take those so called worthless accts. and convert them to fee based for added revenue. the ones that don’t convert then let go.

Nov 22, 2009 3:04 pm

Easy...

You make it seem so simple. And you hit the bullseye.

If you can imagine back when he gave away those assets they didn't pay him only split revenue. Now at least the GP's are paying the reps a little bit to give away those assets to newbies. I have a friend nearby he has 3 times the households and does the same revenue.That's insane.    I don't think jones reps aren't bright, they just have been directed to think a certain way. And they defend their firm (Spiff is a great example) at all costs. Rarely do they assess the landscape as Bullwinkle has, and they should. The amount of time you spend helping those for the good of the firm you are taking away from your business or family. Either makes no sense unless you are a philanthropist.
Nov 22, 2009 3:08 pm

I was at jones b4 experiencing a couple of wires. Easy to love the Jones concept…and no doubt good people in St Louis. I have seen some good commited, giving reps absolutley robbed of promises…and newbies winning lootteries. I HATE that. Opportunity costs abound, for the seasoned rep who is not rewarded as the brass pretends!

Nov 22, 2009 3:15 pm

300K after 12 years? Terrible…

Nov 22, 2009 4:07 pm

That chick should sue the idiot who did that to her.  God bless surgical enhancement, but that aint good.

Nov 22, 2009 5:36 pm

“Give back to the firm”??? In our business thats like saying “specken zee doitch?”

Its a foreign language.   Tell me you want to give back to the  younger reps. I can wrap my mind around that with ease. But please dont listen to anyone who tells you its important to give back to the firm. I've never been at Jones, but nobody can convince me that they, or any other firm gives a rats ass about their brokers, except for the fear of losing their assets.
Nov 22, 2009 7:01 pm

My wife prefers that I give back to her. Me too.

Nov 22, 2009 10:24 pm
borei:

My wife prefers that I give back to her. Me too.

Thats my point.
Nov 23, 2009 12:58 am

[quote=Bullwinkle]Ah, Im sure that this posting will get an absolute barrage of hits based on my title choice. 

  Ok here is my story, I am a 12 year vet.  The company has been great.  Incredible trips, great comraderie and its been alot of fun.  But Im finding myself questionning a bunch of stuff.  Much of this stuff Ive known over the years but I have just kept it buried.  Ive been on the Leadership Teams and I have done nothing but volunteer forever.  You name it, Ive done it.  Today, Im tired.  Ive busted my butt.  Ive traveled to Tempe, Ive traveled to St Louis.  Ive been a visiting vet, Ive been on the Sales Desk.....I have even done a few stints on their broadcasts.    Now, the easy thing is to say, "Hey, why don't you take some time off from the volunteer positions and take some time out for yourself".  Well that sounds easier said than done.  My region, like many regions has a very small number fo vets.  It is easily a 1 in 6 ratio.   I look at my numbers (300K in annual prod) and Im not happy.  I think that I could be so much higher if I had spent the past 12 years building a business rather than helping the firm.  A few years ago I made the mistake of doing a Goodknight.  I gave away 15 mil and then like clockwork the market took away another 30%.  My 65 mil went to 50 mil and then my 50 mil went to 35 mil.  Today its back up to 43 mil and I feel as though I am digging out of an incredible hole.  But that is after 12 years of hard work.  Thats hard work for Jones and not my business.   For the record, I do love Jones.  I love its people and it's culture.  I think Weddle has the ship in the right direction.  My kids are spoiled rotten from the trips and I cant imagine going anywhere else.  But maybe its time to explore the options.  Jones is great but it is becoming more of a company atmosphere.  The old time culture is fading.  It may be time to move on.   The biggest eye opener was when I told my family that I won another trip a few months ago.  They just stared at me, snickered and continued to watch TV.   Just bitching!   Bull[/quote] How can Weddle have the ship in the right direction yet the culture is fading?? Leave now..
Nov 23, 2009 4:17 am

I’ve been in the business a little longer than you, but manage around 150 million now.  I just recently started my first field trainer gig, and have been a mentor for a couple brokers.  My point is that I don’t do much, and flat out tell them no when they ask.  Focus on your own business.  However, at under 50 million in 12 years, I have a feeling that even if you didn’t do anything Jones asked you to do, it wouldn’t have made much difference.

Nov 23, 2009 3:24 pm
rankstocks:

I’ve been in the business a little longer than you, but manage around 150 million now.  I just recently started my first field trainer gig, and have been a mentor for a couple brokers.  My point is that I don’t do much, and flat out tell them no when they ask.  Focus on your own business.  However, at under 50 million in 12 years, I have a feeling that even if you didn’t do anything Jones asked you to do, it wouldn’t have made much difference.

C'mon Rank go easy on your own brethren. You know as well as I do that depending on the culture in your region you are made to feel like a heel if you don't do something when a RL asks you to do so. It's in the DNA. He obviously didn't say no enough to the RL and leadership team. That's his problem.....and also Jones problem as well.   
Nov 23, 2009 5:25 pm

This is not a “Jones” problem. It’s a “control your life” problem. Seriously man…if you want to spend your time doing something, then do it! Its YOUR time and YOUR life. Screw the firm.



When you’re lying on your death bed, the one thing that won’t keep going through your head isn’t: “I didn’t give Jones enough of my life.” Get focused, and move on…for your family’s sake at least.

Nov 23, 2009 5:36 pm

I would tend to agree.  In my region, we have WAAAAY to many newbies to be trained, and far too few trainers.  I was asked to be a field trainer after 2.5 years in the business.  That was a little off-putting.  I said yes, mainly because the trainer coordinator, or whatever his title is, was a good friend and needed help getting trainers.  But that’s the problem…it’s like dominos…one person volunteers, then they need “help” from someone else, and so on.  All good people, but they all get sucked into the vortex.