AFLAC

It’s no secret….one of the companies I work with is that popular company with the cute little duck.  Aflac, Aflac, AFLAAAC!  Yep, I am commonly called the “Duck Lady”.  I have gotten used to having people squawk out the Aflac sound when I walk into the room or to squawk it softly behind my back while I’m in line at W*M or a food court.  I just laugh and remind them that Aflac pays them cash which is the same as money.  I like being associated with a reputable company that generates a smile when you mention it.  Quite unlike the GM dealers these days.

When I started selling insurance about 20 years ago I had a very wise manager who told me that I should never work for a company I was ashamed to be associated with.  He told me that I should always work with companies that lived up to their promises.  I have tried over the years to remember his wise words.  Occasionally I have sold for a company that disappointed me but for the most part I have stayed with highly rated and reputable companies.

The highlight of my career has been the times that I have been able to help others during times of trouble.  Like the elderly couple whose water softener ruptured and spilled salt water all over their den.  Coach and I took a carpet cleaner over and pulled the water out of the carpet and set up fans to dry it out until the carpet people could get there.  They wrote a letter to the company thanking us.  Or the lady who had a car accident here and needed to get back to Minnesota.  She had no money and no way to get home.  I took her to OKC and got her a bus ticket home but in the meantime another couple gathered up some frequent flier miles and bought her a plane ticket home.  I still get Christmas Cards from her at Christmas.  Then most recently I had a man get electrocuted and after helping him gather up all his medical bills he receive a large check from AFLAC.  Having people call me and tell me that the checks they get from AFLAC have helped them pay their bills, buy groceries and make mortgage payments just thrills my soul.  For companies to live up to their promises is a rarity these days.  All too often we are given the feel good promise and then when the rubber meets the road we find that it was all talk.  What happened to companies being proud to live up to their word?  Why do so many companies look only at the bottom line?

I’m proud to work with this company and hope that our working relationship is a long one.  I may have to work until I’m ready to drop dead.  Until then I’ll stick with a winner.  (And I just love their commercials!)