Aflac Reviews

Pros

Advanced first year commissions ensure that you are getting the most money you possibly can out of the policies that you sell. After a few years, renewals help to subsidize some of your income with little additional effort. Years into this position, once you have built a relatively large book of business, you are able to afford a comfortable lifestyle.

Cons

Unfortunately I have many to list. I don't think that Aflac is a horrible job, but you definitely need to be the right kind of person to stick with this position. The only way to make this work is if you intend for Aflac to be a long term career for you as it takes many years before you start to make a decent living. First year agents can expect to make from 10-20k max. Management will tell you in your interview that you can make up to 40k but they are WAY inflating the numbers; and it wasn't just me, none of the first year agents I worked with were anywhere near on their way to making over 20k. The reason it takes 2-3 years to get yourself to the $30,000-$35,000 mark is because after those first few years of opening new accounts you start to accrue a number of renewal payments which basically are just customers renewing their policies and you getting a little slice of the payments. The more business you open, and the more customers renew their policies, the more money you make.
   This brings me to my next point. Your job as a new agent is solely to open new accounts. What this means is that you will be cold calling businesses all over your region. If you've never done cold calling, believe me, it is not fun. In some cases it is downright depressing. Because every new agent in your district is doing the same thing, with no system in place to cross check who has called on what businesses, what you end up with is an area of businesses that is over-saturated with Aflac agents. Many companys that you call on will be angry with you because they have already had several Aflac agents call on them and they have to keep telling them no. The only way to avoid some of this abuse is to call on businesses in person, as most people talk a tough game on the phone but will treat you with at least some respect if you are face-to-face. I would like to say it gets easier as time goes on but even the agents that have been there for 2-3 years are still in the office daily making cold calls. If you are going to Aflac with a career in mind and you are okay with taking verbal abuse and don't mind the constant rejection then you may be alright in this position, but for those of you that are looking to Aflac as a way to pad the resume and make a few bucks before your next career move DON'T DO IT. You will not make nearly enough money to make it worth your time.

Advice to Senior Management

Management does not give a crap about you unless your are opening new business. That aspect I am actually okay with; if you aren't making the company any money then what good are you to them. But I did not expect to be completely ignored in my first week on the job. Before I even had the opportunity to open any new accounts I was not getting the training I needed, and was told I would receive. So, be prepared to figure this out on your own until you finally start making sales and can get your manager to answer your emails. The wash out rate is high in this job and they wont bother wasting time on you until they think you might stick around.

Pros

Flexible work hours are great especially when you have children. They have very nice rewards when you hit milestones and your income has no celing.

Cons

You never really get away from the demands of clients. Income has no floor and varies from month to month.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat all the agents with fairness and equality. Be consistant with the guidelines that all the agents need to follow.

Pros

It all depends on your managers, but a large majority of managers are competent and want to see you succeed. They give you a great opportunity to make it in and if you can whether a year without much income this is a great place to work.

Cons

Training is something that can be put on the back-burner. You get 4 days of training and then you're on your own for doing the hardest part, getting appointments. Bad past experiences also make it difficult.

Advice to Senior Management

Seeing people go through the steps and succeed is paramount in the success of a new agent. Take new agents prospecting so they can learn the toughest part of the business.

Pros

Flexibility, you write your own schedule
Excellent residual income
Good product advertising
Good management support
You are responsible for your own success

Cons

It is outside sales
You are responsible for your own business, leads and all
It takes a while (at least weeks) to get a pipeline built up
Cold calling is a fact of life

Advice to Senior Management

Keep up the good work

Pros

There is a need for these products, especially in today's economy. You can work your own schedule and like any sales position, your earnings are a direct reflection of your work ethic.

Cons

Limited Training
In reality there is little Compensation
To survive, many reps have to take the upfront pay but then a majority of this is charged back to you when the company or policyholder cancels.
Management will hire anyone, and they will sell you on why you should work for Aflac.

Advice to Senior Management

I think the company is being run at an "above average" level from Georgia. The real issues lie at the state and regional levels. These managers really need to select the right candidates for each position in lieu of just hiring anyone that is willing to show up. Aflac's business model from the field force level is elementary at best and there really is NO desire to bring Aflac into the 21st century in terms of training and client development. Once again, I say these issues lie at the respective state and regional levels and not at the corporate level. I truly believe Mr. Amos has each policyholder's best interests at heart but the product in the end is laughed upon in the marketplace due to the marketing and sales tactics of the field reps.

Pros

Because the amount you make will depend on your own efforts. You make what you earn, and how much you try.

Cons

If you are not an independent player, this might be hard for you. There is not much guidance for those who have no experience.

Advice to Senior Management

To create a better training program. Just implement a better system to help people sell with more confidence. Show them how to do it.

Pros

Great products and strong brand recognition.

Cons

No benefits - you're on your own.

Pros

Aflac IT was one of the best companies at balancing the work/life mix. I never felt pressured to surrender my time with family to the company.
The people on my direct team were amazing to work with. Other teams were hit or miss.

Cons

Aflac IT has a tendency to promote externally. To get promoted, either threaten to quit or actually quit and come back in a couple of years. This is not a rule but an observable trend.
Senior management can be very demanding and at times, acidic. Cover your boss, and you'll be fine.

Advice to Senior Management

Within IT, promote people. When you have amazing talent, work on retaining it.
Allow the lower ranks the freedom to complete their jobs.

Aflac (the business side) was awesome.

Pros

set your own schedule for working

Cons

very over saturated, no benefits, hire unqualified people that ruin your deals

Pros

Work life balance -- the parking lot is mostly empty by 5:30p.m.
The brand looks great on your resume.
The company makes a significant investment in IT, particularly as it relates to the field force and new business.
Long-term senior leadership that has high integrity and commitment to the community.

Cons

Professional talent is underutilized.
Lacks some of the sophistication one would expect at a Fortune 200 company.
ROI-based decision making is infrequent.

Advice to Senior Management

Explore why talent recruited into the organization at considerable cost has left in just a few years.