Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. (CG&C), a national outplacement firm, recently issued a news release that indicates the pace of downsizing and job cuts has slowed significantly from 2009 totals.  According to CG&C, employers announced 297,677 job cuts in the first six months of this year, compared to 897,675 reductions in the first half of 2009.  That may be good news for the overall economy, but it won’t put any bread on the table for those 297,677 who lost their jobs.

Recently Merck, the pharmaceutical giant, announced plans to lay off approximately 15 percent of its work force, or 15,000 employees.  Wells Fargo has announced it plans to cut 2,800 employees from its 14,000 person Wells Fargo Financial Services unit.  And on top of that, the “government check” is not in the mail.  The Associated Press has reported that “Hundreds of thousands of workers unemployed for more than six months started losing their weekly unemployment checks in June and it’s not clear when they could resume.”

Does this sound like “gloom-n-doom”?  Try “forewarned is forearmed,” or knowing about something in advance is helpful in preparing for it.  In this case forearmed is counting on yourself to put bread on the table.  If ever there was a time for Americans young and old to consider starting their own business, surely this is the time.  At Pre-Paid Legal Services we have helped thousands of people bake their own bread and enjoy it.

Here’s how some have done it:

Mark/Tammy Smith Report – Mark reports that both the Super Saturday and the business briefing this past weekend were successful.  For the current week, Mark and his team have putting “massive promotion” into the Thursday, July 15 business briefing in Palm Desert, California, where I will be the guest speaker.  The team is hoping to generate attendance of a thousand associates and guests at this event.  According to Mark, SoCal will finish out July with more than 200 individual sit-down presentations led by EDs, Platinums and Ring Earners. 

Frank/Theresa AuCoin Report – South Carolina held a strong series of events this past week, beginning with Thursday and Friday presentations and events in Columbia, culminating in a Super Saturday with Larry and Doni Smith as the guests speakers.  Frank says Larry provided an insightful presentation on PPD and an excellent training program.  Doni offered her “story presentation,” which Frank says is one of the most compelling among PPD associates.  Jim Merritt of Merritt, Flebotte, Wilson, Webb & Caruso, PLLC, our SC provider firm, also participated in the event.  In addition to this news, a new luncheon is starting up in Columbia this week and the Hilton Head meeting is restarting.

Hal/Susan Faresh Report – This week, Hal is meeting with regional managers to develop plans for additional growth in the California market.  This past week Hal was in Santa Rosa (meeting with Judy Samson) and in Sacramento (meeting with Rick Dumont, Gayle Lamm, Kwame Anku and Aaron Gonzalez).  Up in the Seattle/Portland area, Dave Savula led a series of three regional events.  According to Gene Leider, Dave drew several hundred people to each of the three events.  Hal was scheduled to meet with the Portland leaders on Monday of this week.

Darin Kidd Report – Last week, Virginia held a Super Saturday, which Darin says is the best he can recall.  PPD Co-CEO Randy Harp and Larry Framme of the Framme Law Firm were guest speakers.  Randy provided an inspiring presentation that highlighted the stability of PPD and Larry also excited attendees with his presentation on the power of the Pre-Paid Legal Services membership.  For the current week, Darin will be in Lynchburg on Tuesday night and then he will leave for the SoCal event in Palm Desert.   While in California, Darin plans to participate in events in Fresno on Monday and Tuesday.

Ross/Cindy Chantrel Report – Last week, there was a group school in Kansas City led by Thomas Owens and a small business training with Dan Stacy.  Ross says that on Tuesday, Mike McCoy did a great job as the guest speaker for the statewide conference call.  For the coming week, Rabu Gary will be the guest speaker for the statewide conference call and he will also serve as a featured speaker the Midwest Regional event in St. Louis, July 23 and 24. Ross’s personal activity for the past week included: a business opportunity presentation in Overland Park on Monday; an evening business opportunity presentation in Kansas City; a luncheon and PBR in Kansas City on Wednesday; a luncheon in Overland Park on Friday; and participation in the group training event on Saturday.

Brooks Werkheiser Report – Otis Clark, Jr. is helping to expand the rural markets in Carthage and Walnut Grove, Mississippi and the first business briefing was held there on Thursday.  Over in Alabama, Mrs. T. K. Cox was the guest speaker for an event in Birmingham.  Shreveport, Louisiana held an event last week that included Scott Hamontree and Russell Jordan.  Russell is also starting up a new meeting in Ruston, Louisiana this week.  Brooks personal schedule for the week includes: a stop in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on Monday; Covington, Louisiana on Tuesday; Montgomery, Alabama on Thursday; and a Super Saturday in Foley, Alabama.

Ron/Norma Crutcher Report – Ron says the statewide tool blitzes on July 10 paid off with more than 500 tools being distributed.  For the coming week, Ron and Norma will lead a training session in Columbus on Thursday. On Satuday, July 17, Charlie and Loraine Backus will lead a small business training.  Ohio is also preparing for a major Super Saturday event in Toledo, which will feature ED John Abrams of Cleveland and Don Thompson of Cape Coral, Florida.

Kevin Montville Report – New Hampshire just held a Super Saturday event with special guest, MCM Alex Franqui of Weston, Florida.  Kevin says that Alex provided an “amazing” program.  Kevin is also planning and promoting the August 7 event in Maine that will feature Jeff Olsen and Steve and Kim Melia.

Jack Bufkin Report – Jack and his team are busy preparing for the Super Saturday in Nashville on July 17.  The program will feature author Robert Shemin, who is also a successful PPD associate.

This week, I’m looking forward to being in Palm Desert, California to address a gathering of PPD associates and their guests.  The centerpiece of my presentation concerns value of business ownership and free enterprise.  I am on a mission to share this message to all who will “listen.”  In my opinion, the “calling” has never been more important.
 
Cordially,

Harland C. Stonecipher

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ABOUT THE GREEN LIGHT:  The Green Light is a weekly showcase of activity as reported to the Chairman of the Board of Pre-Paid Legal by successful associates across the United States and Canada. Results vary and depend on skill, persistence, and a variety of factors. This report is for recognition, motivation, and informational purposes only.