5 skills insurance pros need in a more virtual world
June 30, 2021 by Adam MalikEveryone in the insurance industry today must have a minium of five skills, and companies need to hire and manage to these skills, according to an insurance executive. Digital skills, emotional intelligence, resiliency, people-centricity, and being a team player are…
Communicating with clients: Ditch the emojis! LOL
June 9, 2021 by Adam MalikDitch the emojis and shorthand — use proper language when communicating to clients in writing, an insurance executive urged during a recent webinar. Insurance professionals would be wise to make the extra effort to be clear to clients when communicating…
In a virtual world, don’t lose your humanity: insurer exec
June 1, 2021 by Adam MalikAs the world gets more and more virtual, don’t forget how to be human, an insurer executive urged during a recent webinar. Technology should be used to enhance the industry’s relationship with clients, rather than act as a replacement, explained…
Tips for accelerating your insurance career
March 17, 2021 by Jason ContantIf Ernest Mashingaidze has one piece of advice he could share with his early career self, it would be to not fear the mystical creature. “How many times have people looked at a job application and it says you need…
Why you need to define your personal brand early in your career
March 16, 2021 by Jason ContantDefining your personal brand early in your insurance career path can pay dividends in the long-run, viewers attending an Insurance Institute of Canada webinar heard recently. Three-quarters of lifetime earnings are defined within the first 10 years of a person’s…
Licensing exams now offered in a virtual format
February 9, 2021 by Jason ContantLicensing exams for Ontario’s brokers are now available in an online, virtually-proctored format, the result of a partnership between the Insurance Institute of Canada and Ontario’s broker regulator RIBO (Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario). “This is welcome news to many…
A new way to make insurance for high-risk homes in flood plains affordable
November 14, 2019 by Adam MalikAmphibious architecture could be the key to mitigating flood risk and making insurance affordable for those living and working in floodplains, according to one expert. The technology allows structures to float as water levels rise. Amphibious construction and retrofitting of…
How new equivalencies for Alberta broker wannabes will work
October 30, 2019 by Greg MeckbachFor Alberta brokerages, the ability to use a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation won’t necessarily make it easier for brokers to get licensed, but it will probably provide a better learning experience, officials with the Insurance Institute of Canada suggest.…
What’s changed about Millennials in the workplace?
October 17, 2019 by Adam MalikMillennials aren’t necessarily job hoppers, but they don’t want to feel stuck. So if you want to keep your young, talented staff – and attract new ones – make sure you’re showing them how the insurance industry can offer stability…
Want to attract young talent? Here are some tips
October 15, 2019 by Adam MalikThe old saying “It’s what’s on the inside that counts” is something insurance leaders need to take to heart when trying to get young people interested in their company, experts told a recent conference. Plastering your company name on the…
Watch out for these ‘nefarious’ ways of eating brokers’ lunch
August 28, 2019 by Greg MeckbachBrokers could be in for a nasty surprise if the concept of bundling auto insurance with vehicle lease or purchases catches on in Canada, a Symposium West speaker warned last week. An auto manufacturer is “not a traditional competitor” in…
Thoughts on industry consolidation from a retiring CEO
August 26, 2019 by Greg MeckbachConsolidation in the insurance industry is reducing consumer choice and putting more pressure on employees, Steve Smith, president and CEO of Cambridge, Ont.-based Farm Mutual Reinsurance Plan Inc., said during his second last week on the job. “To me it’s…