Modern Woodmen Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Modern Woodmen full-time for less than a year

Pros – Great support form everyone, the support we receive to give back to communities is awesome. Technology is up and coming, lap top with everything needed.....so much more

Cons – No financial support until you receive your license and become an active agent. Need several successful appointments to qualify for Financial support every month.

Advice to Senior Management – Once agent passes exam and finger printing Modern Woodmen should really give at least a couple grand to agents to help for at least first 6 months, and training should be done at home office as soon as we are licensed not months later. It would really make a huge difference.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Modern Woodmen full-time for less than a year

Pros – Good training and support. The office where I was at has nothing to do with how the company as a whole is ran. I actually went to home office had a personal lunch with Kenny Massey, and he and the other home office staff were all great people.

Cons – You need to have a lot of money to back you, so when you have to spend it on advertising and tons of other expenses. Although I was a top producing Agent and in our monthly magazine, it was still a hard financial burden topped with a lie of family life balance.

Advice to Senior Management – Learn to help your new agents more, stop worrying about the people who kiss your ass to get on you good side, as they talk down about producing agents and try to back-stab them. I left due to this, and I busted my ass putting my family on the side and worked 80hr weeks and worked Saturday and Sunday. All the time. Good place to gain, but not to thrive from.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Modern Woodmen full-time for less than a year

Pros – Very rewarding. Amount of effort put in equals the amount of rewards you reap. No salary cap, great benefits, very caring colleagues. There is always someone willing to lend a hand to help. Genuine people that truly believe in the company's core values and principles. Work environment is very different, but positive and motivating, compared to traditional companies. Teaches you to be approachable, but also how to effectively communicate with others. Very flexible schedule; you set your own.

Cons – Hard when first starting to build your network and business. Initial out-of-pocket expenses may be higher. Business expense tax write-off only counts for the following year. Lots of travel is involved. Must set own appointments.

Advice to Senior Management – For managing-partners, stay supportive to your own representatives. For regional directors, stay supportive and offer words of encouragement to those who work under you. Always work as a team and share experiences to help each other.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Modern Woodmen as a contractor for more than 10 years

Pros – Excellent reputation in communities. Meaningful Fraternal benefits to members.

Cons – Not always competitive on premium rates and product selection.

Advice to Senior Management – Less focus on management and more focus on the sales force. Too many Regions that produce next to nothing for the company. Resources allocated to Regional Managers do not directly impact or benefit sales force. Reduce # of Regions and use those funds to support agents through better HO service, and admin assistance in Managing Partner's offices.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Modern Woodmen full-time for more than a year

Pros – Modern Woodmen rewards good, honest, intelligent effort. I was tired of working for organizations who took advantage of the value that I brought to their business. With Modern Woodmen, I have a great opportunity to better my community, help my clients, and be paid what I am worth. In addition, Modern Woodmen has given me all the tools and training that I need to run a successful business. Having been exposed to several advisors in other regions and the staff at the Home Office, Modern Woodmen is truly an organization that lives up to the high character I expect out of an employer.

Cons – Good, honest, intelligent effort is hard to identify. It is a fact that this career path is not for everyone. Within the first few months, our advisors are personally challenged. How one responds to that challenge says a lot about an individual. Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to take that first step.

Advice to Senior Management – Who you attract is not determined by what you want, but determined by who you are. Continue to lead with integrity, character, and energy.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Modern Woodmen full-time

Pros – Great benefits. Great to build relationships with clients and co-workers. Success falls on one's own shoulders. No one can cap my income. Gave me the tools to succeed. Has great training program and benefits as compared to other companies in the area. That fact that MWA is a fraternal organization is awesome.

Cons – Hard to get started. You have to use own money for necessary business expenses. Takes awhile to be officially appointed with MWA.

Advice to Senior Management – Be quicker on new technology.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Modern Woodmen as a contractor for less than a year

Pros – You are rewarded for success.

Cons – The older experienced representatives farm young talent to grow the business and then cut them loose when they have gotten every dollar out of you.

Advice to Senior Management – Give new employees a stable work environment.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Modern Woodmen as a contractor for less than a year

Pros – --Great company values
--Extra (fraternal) benefits
--Gives back to the communities
--Unlimited potential
--Set your own schedule, be your own boss!

Cons – Even though Modern Woodmen is a great company with a long track record, it is insurance first, investments later. In other words, you may be able to take on the function of an advisor and sell securities, but the insurance will always come first (that's how benefits, contracting, etc are determined). If you're an insurance salesman, Modern Woodmen's insurance is pretty competitive. But if you want to be a little more "rounded" or want to focus on financial planning and/or advisory services, you may want to consider looking elsewhere.

Advice to Senior Management – Come up with a compensation/contract structure that allows financial planners/advisors to flourish a little more. You've got an awesome company, but the advisory/planning services aren't on par with brokerage/advisor firms.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Modern Woodmen

Pros – no ceiling. Chance to really make a difference in people's lives, not just make money. Community service. Great and supportive work atmosphere.

Cons – No ceiling but also no floor since it is all commission based. Not a well known company and its not for profit so at the beginning there is a lot of cold calling.

Advice to Senior Management – Management is always there and can be relied upon. Management people also started right where everybody else did so they always know exactly what you are going through.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Modern Woodmen

Pros – No Experience or Education is required to come on board. You go through 3 tiers of interviews, but as long as you don't have a felony, you will be offerred a job. They will work with you every step of the way to ensure that you pass the state exam (about a 1-2 week study-cram). Then you are given a rebate (refund of exam and licensing fee) when you pass. Your computer, business cards, and other incidental biz expenses are credited to you and taken out of your paycheck, gradually.

Cons – Must have abouth a 6-month business expense to live on. It will be at least a month before you will start receiving income. So you must pay for transportation and supplies. Leads are cold (luke-warm at best). Low name recognition of "Modern Woodment". Extensive 1-week District training in Rock Island, IL, is given after you have been on your own for about 6 months. The training was good, but very late.

Advice to Senior Management – Give the District training immediately after the agent passes the state exam and BEFORE having the agent selling, unsupervised.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend