Take the First Step . . . to Becoming a Successful Financial Representative Since 1857, Northwestern Mutual has been helping people protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The Stein Group is a Michigan Centennial Business, located in the heart of Troy, Michigan, and a provider of quality financial service to the Metro Detroit area since 1883.
The Stein Group has additional offices in Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Brighton, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Flint, Grand Blanc, Port Huron, Monroe, Mt. Pleasant, Saginaw and Southfield.
The ambition of Managing Partner, Paul Stein, CLU is to make a positive impact on all associates and their clientele by creating an environment of desire, confidence, consistency, and positive results.
Paul Stein was an early believer in lifetime financial preparation and believes this vision was important for the group. “This means being able to do a broad and thorough job for all our clients,” he says. The Stein Group has evolved from an insurance office to a broad network of services and people, which includes specialists in many areas.
The Stein Group was innovative in its use of specialists and in providing a range of services. According to Paul, “This commitment to quality and expertise is the foundation of The Stein Group.”
With 137 representatives, The Stein Group is a strong, growing business as evidenced by its most recent financial highlights.
The mission of Paul Stein and The Stein Group is to provide its clients with expert guidance and innovative solutions that are right for each client. Whether focused on personal finances, business needs or both, they help clients understand their financial goals and ensure they are providing them with the right guidance and products to meet their needs.
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network brings together the skills of representatives, the expertise of advisors and the technical know-how of a number of financial specialists to provide solutions for clients' financial goals and help you gain access to the products and services of a wide variety of organizations—each of which has a comprehensive understanding of a specific aspect of financial services.
And through The Network and The Stein Group, here are just a few of the products and services available to your clients:
Our Expertise
Just as your clients trust and rely on you to provide needs analysis and innovative solutions, you can trust and rely on Paul Stein, The Stein Group and the Network to provide sound products and services for your clients.
You might conclude that no one person can be an expert in all financial matters. We agree. That's why we provide you and your clients with access to a nationwide network of representatives, advisors and specialists who will work with you to provide a full range of services.
Diversity
At The Stein Group, we are committed to reflecting our community and seek talented individuals who share our core values. As part of our overall growth strategy, we are committed to building and fostering a diverse organization of network representatives and specialists. We do so without regard to gender, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or age.
We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our entire community can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers we offer. We will continue to be committed to reaching all segments of our community in which we live and conduct business.
Meet Managing Partner, Paul Stein
Paul Stein has been with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network for more than 35 years after graduating with a degree in finance and management from Southern Illinois University in 1966.
He began his career in Ann Arbor in 1969, serving as a College Unit Director and Field Management Director before becoming the Managing Director in 1979.
Paul was appointed Managing Partner in 1985, and he is only the sixth managing partner in the office’s more than 120-year history.
Paul has been married to Margie for 20 years, and they have two children, Nathan and Hilary. Paul has a pilot license and can be sighted on the golf course as early as 6 a.m. during summer weekends.
An Opportunity to Succeed
Successful financial representatives with The Stein Group experience tremendous pride and satisfaction in building a practice from the ground up. Their success is not a factor of luck or chance; it's the result of a productive work ethic, strong relationship skills and a level of professionalism second to none. A mission of doing what's right for our clients is the thread that weaves together our organization.
The goal is not to simply sell products, but to discover clients' needs and help to meet them. That means taking the time to understand each person's financial situation, values and goals.
This career offers:
The ability to meet new people and positively impact families, businesses and communities as you help to achieve their goals and dreams
An entrepreneurial opportunity to own your own business
A high degree of support and training, plus ongoing curriculum for educational growth and personal development
The flexibility of a career that allows you to focus on things of importance to you
Earnings where you are directly rewarded for your efforts
A strong team culture and the opportunity to work with a variety of specialists and advisors
Exclusive access to a variety of world-class solutions and services, including life insurance from Northwestern Mutual
Leadership and development opportunities
Your Development
You'll have assistance in developing your business and marketing plans, extensive training and coaching from certified trainers.
New representatives receive initial industry and sales training as well as mentoring and joint work programs for hands-on experience. They have access to on-line education resources for polishing skills and keeping up to date on industry information as well as exposure to opportunities for ongoing career education and advanced professional designations to increase their knowledge and reputation.
Your Business
We know that building your own business is difficult without help. As a financial representative with The Stein Group, you will be in business for yourself, but not by yourself. The Stein Group will provide you with support in your training and development, so you don't have to do it alone.
We take pride in our unique strengths and the expertise we share with our clients. Our communities can benefit from our expertise and can be rewarded with the advantages of the careers offered through the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.
If you're ready to be your own boss, set your own hours and make a positive impact on people's lives everyday, then turn your dreams into reality and find out what a career as a Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Representative with The Stein Group can do for you.
Discover your potential when you join our team. Recruiters, Marcy Tucker (left) and Judy Wood (right) look forward to receiving your application.
The Benefits of Your Success
Your career as a financial representative is what you make of it. You have the freedom to balance your hard work and determination with your personal goals. In the beginning of your career, it takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and commitment to earn the flexibility and financial rewards you will enjoy later on. You can achieve financial independence and have a positive impact on your clients, your family and your own community.
Income
A financial representative's income potential is virtually unlimited. Earnings are directly related to sales results and client relationships. Financial representatives are compensated through commissions, renewals and bonuses.
Our top producer group, The Forum, had a median gross income of over $410,800 in 2004.
First-year, average gross income during 2002-2004 for financial representatives ranged from $38,900 to $83,900.
Benefit Package
Whether you are single or married with a family, Northwestern Mutual's benefit package will address the various stages of a full-time financial representative's life. These benefits include: Comprehensive Medical Coverage, Retirement, Flex Programs, Childcare/Eldercare, Maternity Leave, Group Life and Accidental Death Benefit, Disability Income Insurance. Your local network office can provide additional information.
Lifestyle
When you invest the time and hard work necessary to build a successful practice as a financial representative, you can enjoy the rare and envied reward of balancing work with your personal goals. You can arrange your schedule so you may have three or four appointments a day, and still have time to participate in your children's school programs, community involvement or leisure-time activities.
Build a business that allows you to schedule meetings to accommodate your clients' schedules and your own.
Impact
The goal of the Network is not to simply sell products, but to discover clients' needs and provide solutions to meet them. That means taking the time to understand each person's financial situation, values and goals. Every solution you implement may help secure the financial future of your clients, their families, their businesses and your community.
You can experience the rewards of a career in which you can have a daily, positive impact on people's lives, including your own.
Meet some of the members of our Team
Successful financial representatives with The Stein Group experience tremendous pride and satisfaction in building a practice from the ground up. Their success is not a factor of luck or chance; it's the result of a productive work ethic, strong relationship skills and a level of professionalism second to none. A mission of doing what's right for our clients is the thread that weaves together our organization.
Career Opportunities
Through The Stein Group, our financial representatives have advancement opportunities into management and specialist opportunities. Learn more about some of our team members:
Brad Seitzinger, CLU, ChFC, Assistant Managing Partner Brad Seitzinger was appointed Managing Director of The Auburn Hills office in Michigan in 2005 and will succeed Paul Stein as Managing Partner.
Brian M. Duggan, CLU, ChFC, Field Director Brian Duggan assists in the recruitment and selection process of candidates in order to build a cohesive unit of productive full-time Financial Representatives.
Nancy Boari, Long-Term Care Specialist Nancy Boari helps individual and corporate clients understand their long-term care insurance needs.
Ernest P. Moosherr, MBA, Sr. Investment Specialist Ernest Moosherr provides expertise in helping individual and business clients with their wealth accumulation and wealth preservation needs.
Douglas A. Moffat, College Unit Director Douglas Moffat leads a group of energized college interns.
Douglas Hugh McDonald, Annuity Specialist Douglas McDonald provides expertise in helping clients create an approach for financial security in retirement utilizing both wealth accumulation and retirement income strategies.
Marc James Lasceski, Employee Benefit Specialist Marc Lasceski prepares a comprehensive analysis of a client´s employee benefits program, and then offers solutions to meet the unique needs of that company.
Career Insights
Read what some of the members of The Stein Group have to say about their careers:
Carol Hoffer has been a Financial Representative since 1988.
For 20 years I was a Clinical Social Worker, then I shifted into marketing for an environmental engineering firm. During a downturn in the economy, my position was eliminated. I then served as the Director of the Jewish Community Center during a very exciting time; we had the chance to raise money to buy a building and bring 11 different organizations under one roof. After 18 months in this position, I began to look for my next career.
Plenty of Rewards
I like the flexibility of this career; it has allowed me to customize the balance I desire for family, community service and work. I began this new career opportunity when my children were in high school and have been able to travel extensively while maintaining my business. I work very hard when I am in town so that I can take time regularly to see my grandchild and my family who are scattered all over the country. I recently returned from celebrating my 40th wedding anniversary on a two-week safari to Kenya and Tanzania.
On a daily basis, I enjoy the variety of things that are required of me: meeting new people, solving problems, effectively motivating people to take care of important areas like disability income, protecting their family, saving for retirement or preparing for long-term care needs.
Some Challenges Too
The greatest challenge has been to stay focused in making this a successful business. I have to remember the need to cover overhead when I am diverted by technology problems or client procrastination. I have to remember to make the required dials and then the target number of appointments to meet my financial goals. Early in this career, there were so many new things to learn that only by doing joint work and working very hard did I succeed. Wonderful colleagues to help me from the Home Office were only a phone call away. Coming from a career in social services where bureaucracy was an obstacle and not a partner, I was truly blessed to have all the support I ever needed from the home office and from my district agency.
My biggest challenge has been to generate a referral system. Instead I have relied on personal introductions from my community activities: Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, sitting on community boards of directors, volunteer activity and networking. This appears to work for me, as I am in my eighteenth year with Northwestern Mutual but I always feel referrals should be coming more frequently than they do.
Solid Career Advice
This is a career that requires your full commitment. You need to have your family’s support in this decision, as the income can be slow in coming and erratic. You can work hard and still have a case rejected in underwriting. It offers you creativity in figuring out how to get the challenges of procrastination turned into action. You can select to work with interesting people every day. It offers you the chance to be mentored by people you select. Joint work is a great way to get your learning curve going. It is a great way to bring excellent service to your clients throughout your career. You can choose your mentor according to the needs of the client.
Financial services provide the backbone of stability to a family. Learning how to save and prioritize for the future are not skills everyone brings to the table. No longer do people have a job for a lifetime with one company. Corporations are breaking promises made to retirees. What you plan for yourself and what you control is what you can rely on. There are so many choices our clients can make. Having a financial professional is one of the best decisions they can make. We are on the same side of the table with them, reaching for their goals and objectives. Even though the products change and emphasis shifts, the Northwestern focus is on risk-based products of life insurance, disability insurance and annuities.
Internships
Whether you know where your college education is taking you or you're still keeping your options open, you owe it to yourself to see if Northwestern Mutual Financial Network's Internship program with The Stein Group is right for you.
As you learn by doing, you'll find that the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Internship Program is an intense and according to our alumni -- unparalleled learning experience. Expect the process to be rewarding, educational and an opportunity for you to narrow your career search.
Our internships provide a great chance for students to combine what they've learned in the classroom with a real-life look into what they could truly make of themselves. You'll have the chance to work in a real-world business environment and earn performance-based compensation.
The ambition of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Internship program has been less to sell our financial products than to develop people. As a Financial Representative College Intern, you will enjoy the benefit of working with The Stein Group where you'll receive outstanding guidance, superior support and quality expertise.
As full-time college students, interns generally work 15 to 20 hours per week developing business- and client-building skills. In most ways, our interns follow the same process for establishing their careers as our Financial Representatives.
Our internship offers you invaluable business experience that you will take with you far into your career. But that's just the start of the impact this can have on your future and your present.
Consider these benefits:
Practical guidance in your career selection process
The chance to develop your networking and business relationship skills
Flexible work schedule
Securities license, state licenses for life, health and accident insurance opportunities and a head start program for a career as a full-time Financial Representative
Compensation in the same manner as a full-time Financial Representative.
Actual business experience for your resume.
Test drive the Financial Representative career.
Regardless of what you do after graduation, you'll have a foundation of skills and knowledge to build your career upon. One out of three former interns becomes a full-time Financial Representative upon graduation. These graduates have built a solid foundation for immediate and future career success.
The two-thirds who choose other career paths benefit as well. They launch their career with stronger business-building skills and a clearer sense of where they want their career to take them.
After completing the internship, the knowledge you have gained, coupled with the opportunity to work for The Stein Group as a full-time Financial Representative, can lead you to a profitable and fulfilling future.
The Northwestern Mutual Advantage
Northwestern Mutual exists to help policyowners and clients protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The company, with its subsidiaries and affiliates, offers insurance products, investment products and advisory services that address client needs for financial security and protection, capital accumulation, asset distribution and estate preservation.
With more than 350 offices across the United States, 3 million policyowners and clients, $18 billion in annual revenues and $133 billion in assets, you can count on Northwestern Mutual to help you build strong financial futures for your clients.
The company's tradition of "doing the right thing" has been honored and nurtured by successive generations within Northwestern Mutual and recognized in the industry and media.
World's Most Admired--Northwestern Mutual is the "World's Most Admired" company in its industry, according to FORTUNE magazine's annual survey of industry executives and analysts. For Northwestern Mutual, it is the seventh year as the top life/health insurance company in the magazine's global survey.
First in Customer Satisfaction-- For the third year in a row, Northwestern Mutual has earned the highest customer satisfaction score among U.S. life insurers, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index's (ACSI) survey. Northwestern Mutual's industry leading score can be found in the ACSI's fourth quarter of 2005 consumer study, focusing on retail trade, e-commerce, banks and insurance.
America's Most Admired--According to the March 7, 2006, FORTUNE magazine survey, Northwestern Mutual has been named "America's Most Admired" life insurance company for 23 years.
One of America's Top Ten Internships for 2006--"Northwestern Mutual Financial Network has made our Top 10 list for ten consecutive years, proving its internship program to be consistently among the best." Internship Informants™, Vault, inc., 20006.
Selling Power's 50 Best Companies to Sell For--Northwestern Mutual was ranked as the 2nd best and 4th largest service company (November/December 2005).
Financial Ratings--The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (Northwestern Mutual), the nation's largest direct provider of individual life insurance, according to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, has always received the best possible insurance financial strength ratings from the four major rating services: Standard & Poor's (AAA), Fitch Ratings (AAA), A. M. Best (A++) and Moody's (Aaa).
Top 100 Employers--Ranked 22nd in The Black Collegian's "Top 100 Employer and The Majors in Demand" for the Class of 2005.
Largest Direct Provider of Life Insurance--According to statistics compiled from A. M. Best data, Northwestern Mutual is the largest direct provider of life insurance.
Community Support--The Northwestern Mutual Foundation supports nearly 1,500 schools and nonprofit organizations each year. Last year, the Foundation contributed nearly $13 million ($12,534,005) in national and Milwaukee-area grants.
2006 Dividend--Northwestern Mutual's overall dividend payout to policyowners for 2006 is expected to be $4.27 billion, an increase of $360 million, the largest single increase in company history. This ongoing success, fostered by the company's tradition of "doing the right thing," has been honored and nurtured by successive generations within Northwestern Mutual.
Since 1857, Northwestern Mutual has been helping people protect against financial risk and achieve financial security. The Stein Group is a Michigan Centennial Business, located in the heart of Troy, Michigan, and a provider of quality financial service to the Metro Detroit area since 1883.
