Your Questions About Direct Marketing News
Jenny asks…
Seeking All Disgruntled Altig International / A.I.L. Employees?
A reporter named Kathy Tomlinson, with CTV National News, is looking for information from any Canadians who have experience with the above multi-level marketing (MLM) company. She is looking for people with direct experience working for this company, who are willing to be interviewed on camera about their experience.
I’ve agreed to speak with Kathy regarding my experience as a Hiring Manager with this MLM company. It would also help her story to hear the agent’s perspective. If your personal experience resembles the experiences posted on the threads “American Income Life Is A Scam” and “American Income Life is a Fraud” on www.scam.com, or the reports on www.ripoffreport.com, then don’t be afraid to come forward. You aren’t doing anything wrong. In fact, you’ll be helping a lot of people by making the public aware of this company’s MLM tactics.
Kathy is nearing her deadline, so please respond to her as soon as possible. She can be reached at 416-313-2486 or at whistleblower@ctv.ca
Jere answers:
No responses here.
Either people are really scared of this firm.
Or, they are so ashamed of their mistake, that they don’t want to have anything to do with this company.
Or, they are not a bogus firm after all.
William asks…
Help with Financial Calculation?
Hi,
I am in need of a “calculator” or set of calculator that helps me make a decision on my personal situation. Here is brief:
I am planning to refinance my house. Trying to decide 15 year mortgage vs 30 years. I have already completed about 4 years of mortgage.
Now here is dilemma:
If I do it for 15 years I save about 160K in additional interest payment. So that is a good news. However, it sets me up with 800$ per month extra in payment. Now, IF I go for 30 years ( which frees up 800$s ) — and if I consistently invest in stock/funds etc and assuming ( 6% on average return, 8% is too aggressive!! , OR I want to see various returns % ) and at the same time I save in taxes for additional 15 years. Which is better 160K I saved OR 30 year option.
Also, consider that after 15 years I would have freed up the whole mortgage payment so I could very well invest those money for additional 15 years. But then tax benefit for last 15 year would go away. Also, I might need to factor in inflation as well.
Any calculators on the market OR any direct help from the community would help me determine this ? I am just trying to do various What-IF scenarios to make up a decision.
Thanks
— Jignesh.
Jere answers:
Go with the 30 and pay extra principal each month as you are able.
Daniel asks…
How do I find the news story reported about Pacific Health care denying so many claims.?
Several times since yesterday I have seen this news story about how Pacific Health care has denied numerous covered procedures. Someone doesn’t believe me, and I’d like to find an article writtten up about it. When I type in Pacific Health care under a search nothing is coming up about this. All that comes up under them is hoping more people sign up for their insurance that is no good.
Jere answers:
Here’s one:
“Calif. Slams PacifiCare for alleged claims violations
Posted On: Jan. 29, 2008
By Gloria Gonzalez
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—California regulators have assessed a record $3.5 million fine and are seeking up to $1.3 billion in penalties against a UnitedHealth Group Inc. Unit for allegedly violating state regulations governing claims payments.
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has launched an enforcement action against UnitedHealth’s PacifiCare unit in response to market conduct examinations that identified 130,000 alleged violations in the company’s handling of claims and provider data.
Each violation has a statutory penalty up to $5,000 for a nonwillful violation and up to $10,000 for a willful violation—meaning that if all the violations are shown to be willful, the penalty could be as high as $1.3 billion.
The California Department of Managed Health Care assessed a $3.5 million fine, which it said is a state record, and outlined steps PacifiCare must take to correct the claims payment problems, including an independent monitor to oversee changes and additional staff.
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PacifiCare is accused of numerous violations, including: wrongful denial of covered claims, incorrect payment of claims, lost documents including certificates of creditable coverage and medical records, failure to timely acknowledge receipt of claims, multiple requests for documentation that was previously provided, failure to address all issues and respond timely to member appeals and provider disputes, and failure to manage provider network contracts and resolve provider disputes.
The two regulatory organizations launched a joint investigation last year after receiving hundreds of consumer and provider complaints about claims payment problems by PacifiCare, particularly after its December 2005 acquisition by Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth.
In a statement, UnitedHealthcare said the issues were largely administrative- and provider-related and that most have no direct effect on PacifiCare members. The company also attributed some of the issues to a provider network transition that had to be completed six months earlier than anticipated due to the acquisition.
In addition, the company said it has largely resolved processing errors involving point-of-service claims, which were the primary focus on the DMHC examination, and is making good progress on ensuring the timely and accurate resolution of provider disputes.
The company also said it has resolved the majority of the claims payment issues identified by the California Department of Insurance and made systemic changes to help avoid them in the future. It also said it has hired additional staff, including a newly appointed vp of transactions oversight, to oversee its performance.
Meanwhile, the CDI is considering similar broad reviews of other health insurers, although a spokesman declined to identify any insurers. ”
http://www.businessinsurance.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?post_date=2008-01-29&id=12118
Maria asks…
What are some marketing methods for promoting my nonfiction book?
My book is nonfiction and is probably considered a “how to” book. I need to come up with promotion and marketing ideas…things I’ll do to get the book “out there” when it is published. I have come up with a few obvious ones: facebook, myspace, twitter, personal e-mails, word-of-mouth, and some local appearances. What else is there that is relatively inexpensive? Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you!
Jere answers:
You sound self funded so this will be kind of hard for you.
First you need to analyze your demographic. I don’t know what your book is other than it’s non-fiction and maybe a DIY so it’s hard to help you figure out who to try to sell it to. From there it is easier to figure out your outlets. Lets just say your book is about how to be a better runner. You would probably want to search free demographics online, there are some mediocre sites but you will get a general idea of where to target locally for advertising.
Facebook has a very dynamic advertising system but like all online advertising it is pay by click which can get costly.
Locally, I would recommend placing an ad in you news paper, possibly direct mail (more people read them than you think), and maybe a radio ad since those are relatively cheap and 2 of the 3 deal with print which is obviously a trait of your target market.
I would then suggest trying to get someone (i.e. Newspaper columnist) to review you book and write about it.
Also, you can talk to you local book store owners about advertising, selling through them, and maybe having a book reading or some kind of promotion in the store.
Good Luck!
Charles asks…
What are some ways to market / gain new customers in steam cleaning?
I will be starting a steam cleaning business. The business will be a “green” business. I am interested on ideas that others will have to market the idea of steam cleaning. I will be targeting businesses, offices, restaurants etc. I will also be doing graffiti removal and gum removal. Any ideas on how to market/ advertise would be much appreciated! As well as ideas on how to push my company into the doors of a business that already has a cleaning company.
Jere answers:
Join professional trade organizations, chambers of commerce, BBB, etc.
Build a website and update it frequently.
Market your services online with pay-per-click campaigns.
Use social media, facebook, twitter, etc.
Create a referral program and let your previous/existing customers sell your services and send you leads.
Direct mail still works, buy a targeted list of potential customers and send out a postcard mailer.
Cold call.
Go door to door handing out fliers and business cards.
Use news releases.
Provide free demonstrations.
Use before/after photos of your work in your advertising.
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