FDLIC Corporate Officers blog about current issues in the preneed industry and in funeral service, providing insight, commentary, and news updates.
The Growing DIGicon Revolution
Friday, January 27, 2012
The trade journals, newsletters, and blogs are filled with Chicken Little-type warnings about the impending impact of the aging Baby Boom generation. The vast majority of writers agree that something must be done. But just what this something should be remains a mystery to many.
The question we've been asking our customers lately is this: "What are you doing to prepare for the next generation of funeral planner?" Mostly, our question is met with either a blank stare or an "I don't know. Do you have any ideas?"
This doesn't surprise me. My own mortuary science education, my insurance education, and my continuing education options have not adequately prepared me to answer this question either.
At FDLIC, we've been hard at work answering this question and are actively preparing our customers to more effectively relate with the next generation of funeral planner. Our WeCareTM sales interview process was designed from the ground up to speak to the heart of the Baby Boomer. Our lead generation and aftercare programs have been improved to more readily resonate with Baby Boomers, and we are continuing to develop new and exciting ways to help our customers do something to better connect with and to serve the next generation of funeral planner.
One area that has been completely revolutionized is how our funeral directors and sales professionals submit their preneed funeral contracts to us. Last year, nearly 24% of the preneed contracts sold to consumers were submitted to us electronically though our DIGicon Sales SystemTM. This year, the percentage of DIGicon contracts is expected to be close to 40%.
Sharply increasing numbers of our customers are seeing the value of doing business in an electronic, paperless format. They see how a properly designed system can help them stay focused on relationships during the sales process. DIGicon is easy to use, accurate, and fast.
But more importantly, these customers recognize the baby boomer generation expects the businesses they patronize to offer the latest and best technologies that help baby boomers go about their business with ease, speed, and professionalism.
Exciting things are on the horizon with DIGicon! This spring, version 3.0 will be launched. Version 3.0 will include additional features designed to improve the usability and look and feel of the system. Later this year and throughout next year, funeral directors and sales professionals will see their productivity improve as we add customer relationship management functions to the system.
If you have any questions about joining the DIGicon Revolution or have feedback as a Revolution participant, we would love to hear from you. Please contact our DIGicon Support Team at 800-692-5125 or digiconsupport@dig-inc.net or email me at tcarlson@dig-inc.net.