Topic Management
COVID’s impact on brokerage M&A: Myth versus reality
December 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to raise money from major banks to finance mergers and acquisitions, but well-run brokerages will still be attractive to buyers, suggests an expert in brokerage valuation. “When COVID hit, the banks…
The diversity and inclusion statement that hit home for Intact’s management team
December 9, 2020 by Jason ContantIntact Financial Corporation was holding focus groups on diversity and inclusion a few months ago, when a young manager of colour shared her experience with the insurer’s senior management. “She gave an example to us, which struck most of the…
Future workplaces
December 5, 2020 by Nick Novinger, Regional Manager (Quebec), Canadian Insurance Brokers Inc.Many brokers turned working from home into a success. What lessons can we take with us when we return to the office?
Western Perspective
December 4, 2020 by Greg Meckbach, Associate EditorMeet Clint Smith, chief operating officer of Manitoba-based Andrew Agencies Ltd., which recently acquired several brokerages in Saskatchewan. Smith gave us his take on the challenges brokers face in Western Canada, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the inside…
Who is funding many of these insurance mergers
December 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe industry continues to consolidate and pension funds are one major source of capital for insurers, a Montreal-based merger and acquisition expert observes. “One or two notable [carrier M&A] transactions per year has slowly transformed the Canadian landscape, including the…
5 must-haves for your brokerage data system
December 3, 2020 by Jason ContantBeing able to collect better data regarding sales and customer behaviour are obvious reasons to upgrade the data system at your brokerage, but there are other benefits, Vancouver-based P&C insurance consulting firm Smythe Advisory said in a blog published Tuesday.…
The best way for brokers to add talent
December 1, 2020 by Adam MalikInternal referrals made by successful employees are the top way brokerages are finding quality talent to add to their ranks, attendees of a recent webinar panel heard. When asked to discuss what strategies worked best to find talent, the three…
The advantage of merging insurers by telework
November 27, 2020 by Greg MeckbachWhen COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic nearly nine months ago, Jean-François Chalifoux was helping to lead the merger that formed Canada’s largest mutual insurer. “I was in Montreal March 12 [2020] and at 11:00 a.m. sharp, the [National Hockey…
The financial benefits of improving diversity and inclusion
November 26, 2020 by Jason ContantImproving diversity and inclusion (D&I) in insurance companies has a positive impact on the business above and beyond compliance and the reputation of the organization, speakers said recently at a virtual industry event. Some of the benefits include better talent…
How COVID-19 workplace risk advice has evolved
November 26, 2020 by Greg MeckbachAs the pandemic enters its ninth month, risk managers are seeing more emphasis on the length of conversations and the importance of wearing proper masks. “The key thing now is the length of contact with somebody else. Right now, if…
On the hunt for talent? Try looking in these places
November 25, 2020 by Adam MalikIf that restaurant server’s customer service stood out to you, maybe they’d be successful working in insurance. That’s one suggestion a brokerage leader gave at a recent convention as a way to find talent from other industries to fill needs…
IBAO’s stance on electronic termination of coverage
November 24, 2020 by Greg MeckbachInsurers should be allowed to terminate auto policies electronically if consumers consent, the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario’s CEO says. In its budget document released Nov. 5, the Ontario government said the next phase of its previously-announced “blueprint” for auto…