The Ontario Broker - August 2019 - 36

BEING IN AN INDUSTRY
WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE
ARE HARD TO COME
BY, IT'S EXCITING TO
SEE HOW ONTARIO
IS EDUCATING AND
ENCOURAGING YOUNG
BROKERS

We have a lot of
experienced brokers
that have served their
time and are looking to
retire, but not a lot of new
blood. A big focus for
PYIB is to get into high
schools and universities
to talk to the students
about the potential and
opportunity of this
wonderful industry.

TR: Our mission
statement for the Young
Brokers Network in Manitoba states that one of
our goals is to foster a strong network of young
brokers. To do this, we must get more young
people into our industry. This past year we've
participated in career symposiums to get the
word out that a career as a broker is fulfilling and
filled with room for growth. We have to reach out
to people about our industry, whether that's going
to career symposiums or doing presentations at
universities and high schools.
HOW ARE COMPANIES RESPONDING
TO THE CUSTOMER AND TECH
FORCES DRIVING CHANGE?

AT: It's a slow response, but we're getting there.
Advances in telematics over the last three years
are a great addition to the tech side of insurance.
It'll be interesting to see what insurers do with
the data. The industry is coming together to
standardize Commercial applications and create
a tech aspect to Commercial insurance that will
speed up turnaround time and create more choice.
Companies are using social media to reach the
public on key educational issues like the severity
of water and flood risk, and the increasing cost of
vehicle repair. Bringing awareness to the public
helps promote understanding and gives brokers a
jumping-off point with customers.
DB: To me, the real change is coming from the
broker force. It's the brokers that are offering
portals, chatbots, eSignatures and other
efficiencies to clients. Most companies have
invested in new internal systems, a couple

AUGUST 2019

36

of which we've been introduced to this year.
I'm expecting we'll see advancements in their
abilities with the capabilities of these new
systems. I'm hoping their new capabilities will
be able to integrate and synergize with our
client-facing tech and provide us with backend
efficiencies.
TR: Tech changes have definitely caught some
companies off guard. Products and services aren't
up to speed with what consumers are looking
for. Companies are working extremely hard to
come up with solutions to better align with the
customer's needs.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED
ABOUT?

AT: The thought of real-time digital
communication with our insurer partners will be
a game-changer. The part that keeps me excited
about my role as a broker is the relationships-I
look forward to continuing to build these
partnerships with underwriters, adjusters and
stakeholders.
DB: Further innovation, disruption and
differentiation. We're smart, agile and successful.
I'm excited to see what new ideas the broker force
has in the works to further distinguish ourselves
from the competition.
TR: To see what the up-and-coming young brokers
are going to bring to the table and continuing to
make connections with customers-I still believe
people are better than robots when it comes to
helping and relating to customers.
IT'S 2040-WHAT DO YOU HOPE HAS
BEEN INVENTED?

AT: Some way to go back and experience life's best
moments over again from when you were young
to now, compacted in a two-hour experience.
DB: If movies have shown me anything-flying
cars, and of course, a way to profitably insure them.
TR: I'd love to cut down on my commute to
work-flying cars would definitely help with that.

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The Ontario Broker - August 2019

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