The team approach comes naturally to former high school football running back Paul Blanco, now managing partner of Barnum Financial Group, a Shelton based office of MetLife he opened in 1993. Sports analogies and metaphors come easily as he describes his management philosophy and employees.
“We’re in a highly competitive business,” he said, “and in creating the best team, my approach is like that of the NFL draft. If that top pick has already been selected and is not available, I do the next best thing – I select the best ‘athletes.’ Then, I find the role in the business that fits them best individually and build our success around them as a team.”
It’s a concept that works. In addition to being named this year to the Hartford Business Journal’s list of Best Places to Work in Connecticut — the second time since 2007 — Barnum Financial has been named MetLife’s number one agency nationwide for the past five consecutive years. The company boasts a retention rate of more than 50 percent in an industry that hovers around 9 percent, according to Blanco. And, even in today’s difficult economy, they’re still growing.
“We’ve been growing for the last five years by about 50 associates a year. The more advisors we add, the more resources we need,” Blanco said.
Scott Sokolowski, Barnum’s agency recruiting director, attributes the firm’s success to hiring the right people from the start.
“Most companies in our industry will hire a hundred advisors and see who makes it. We pride ourselves on selecting the best, cultivating them and making them successful. We’re a company that cares and we back this with resources to build a company culture that feels like a family,” he said.
“It all begins with an excellent achievement recognizing compensation package. It includes a 401K matching plan and pension, paid medical and dental benefits, lifetime membership at a nearby gym, a superior career track with constant training, development and advancement opportunities,” explained Jane Snaider, Barnum’s director of public relations and external affairs.
High performing employees are rewarded with special trips and awards and all employees enjoy periodic camaraderie building events, spontaneous get-togethers and planned parties, like last year’s annual holiday gathering, a weekend-long event in Manhattan, Snaider said.
A family atmosphere is no coincidence at Barnum, where Blanco’s wife Mindee works as agency sales director. Together, Paul and Mindee founded the Foundation for Life as a way to enable the company and employees to give back to the communities they serve. Employees participate annually in a corporate giving campaign to raise money for charities. Activities include an annual golf outing, bowling event, United Way food and clothing drives and more. Between the foundation contributions and corporate donations, the firm has contributed approximately $425,000 over the years to local charities. Blanco encourages employees to volunteer in their communities. Presently, about 30 to 40 employees serve on various non-profit agency boards.
“Like Vince Lombardi, who once described his approach as taking great football players and making them better men,” Blanco said, “ I believe in making my employees better people. We do this in our work, by helping in our communities and by taking care of each other during difficult periods. That’s what we’re all about.”
Type of business: Financial services
Connecticut employees: 450
Connecticut locations: 4
Headquarters: Shelton
Company contact: Scott Sokolowski, recruiting director
Top local executive: Paul Blanco, managing partner
Founded: 1993
