Having a designated space to work and be productive is essential for independent insurance agents.
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There are going to be advantages and disadvantages with deciding whether or not to acquire an office space outside of your home. The question of whether it’s a worthwhile investment and if the pros outweigh the cons will vary from agent to agent.
Pros
First, let’s examine why having a designated external office space can be a great benefit.
Designated Workspace
An office away from your home will help separate your work and home life. Some independent agents can find it difficult to really disconnect from work during time designated for family, when their office is only steps away. Also, having a workspace outside of the home will lessen feelings of isolation or loneliness that can come from working at home. During the “off season” you’ll still have the opportunity to go out, see people and interact.
Room for Growth
Having a workspace also allows for your Medicare insurance business to grow. If you want to acquire some downline agents, you’ll have a place for you all to work together. Being together in one workspace will help you build relationships with your downlines, be an active part in their selling process, help them overcome obstacles, and so much more.
If you’ve never considered expanding your business and recruiting downline agents, it’s something worth considering. It’s definitely an involved process, but it can pay off and be a great investment of your time. Our Ritter agents benefit greatly from the knowledge and assistance of our Agency Team. Register with Ritter today for free and benefit from the support and cutting-edge technology we have to offer!
Having a workspace also allows for your Medicare insurance business to grow.
Less Distractions
Imagine you have sat down at your desk, ready to go over your schedule or call some clients when the dog starts barking, your doorbell rings, and it’s FedEx at your door with a package. You get up and answer the door, calm the dog down, open the package, because of course you’ve been waiting for it arrive, and there goes at least 20 or 30 minutes of your workday. If you work out of your home, this is a very likely scenario. Working in an office space can eliminate distractions like these. Now sure, there are plenty of distractions in a workplace, too, but the environment can be more controlled.
Cons
Now, let’s take a look at a couple of the negative aspects of having a physical office space outside of your home.
Expenses
Of course, if you’re going to have your own external office space, you’ll need to pay the purchase price or monthly rent. Whichever workspace you choose, whether it be a building, a suite, or a single office, you’ll need to consider its cost in your budget. Then, there are other purchases you may or may not need depending on the amenities you wish to have. Items like desks, chairs, a Keurig or coffee machine, office supplies, etc. will need to be budgeted for too.
Commute
There will also be a commute to anticipate. Depending on where you live, rural or suburban, and where your Medicare client base is located, will dictate just how far of a commute you will have to your office. Some people don’t mind a commute to work while others dread even the thought of it. On average, people in the U.S. drive 16 miles to work each way, with their daily commute totaling roughly an hour round trip. If it seems as though this could be your fate, this con can definitely be a big drawback. That is time you could spend connecting rather than driving. And with a significant amount of driving daily comes the expense of filling up your gas tank.
It is also worth noting, many Medicare appointments are done in the clients’ homes to cater to their schedules and mobility. So, once Annual Enrollment Period begins, you could be looking at a 20-minute drive to the office, only to leave for multiple Medicare appointments in your clients’ homes each day.
Choose a Layout Type
Should you decide to go ahead and purchase an office space, there are different types of office setups you can choose from if you’re looking to expand your business.
Open Layout
The open workspace has become increasingly popular in the last few years. An estimated 70 percent of businesses in the U.S. were using this type of layout in 2018. If you plan to recruit downline agents, this layout is more cost effective and can build a stronger sense of comradery. You’ll be able to better assist and mentor all of your agents and keep an eye on their sales processes. Though, with open space can come the distraction of too much socializing and non-work-related discussions can cut into productivity.
Private Layout
Having a more private office layout of personal offices or cubicles is also another way to go. This layout allows for a more controlled environment for less interruptions and provides privacy for handling clients’ confidential information. Along with the privacy can come isolation, which for some is welcomed, while others find they thrive in a more collaborative and social environment.
Having a physical office space outside of your home could be a game changer for your business. The decision really comes down to what will be best for you and your sales process. Weighing the pros and cons can help when making any decision, and especially decisions that will affect your business. There are also other unconventional office spaces to look into if acquiring a designated office space is something you are interested in doing.
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