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Risky Business A U.S. and Bermuda Under 40s (Re)Insurance Collaboration Inaugural Edition |
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Let’s Connect By Alycia Kiley
Interactive technology for many people, particularly young professionals, defines their communication relationships. These relationships are no longer limited to simple e-mail communication, and now include additional methods such as text messaging, blogs and online social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook. These new methods of communication are the networks of personal and professional choice for millions of people. However, our industry has yet to embrace interactive technology as a basis for professional development, business information and communication, regionally, nationally and globally. Senior executives in the industry often have professional networks that are inaccessible to young professionals. Rising stars in our industry, such as you, the members of the Under 40s Groups, often communicate on a personal level using web 2.0 interactive technologies. My question to you is, could these same mediums provide the basis for your professional networks and career development? Over the last year, I have spent time looking for a viable virtual network for our industry and even though I suggest we need to dust ourselves off and catch up with the technology, I have been impressed with how many new on-line ideas are being tested. In addition, I have learned that a number of our industry’s largest companies are exploring how interactive technology can reinvigorate their own goals – whether it is an internal stimulus for peer education or an external resource to position the organization with clients, community or future employees. In comparison to other industries, the insurance industry is behind the times and we have an opportunity in front of us to not just catch up, but lead. It is not a secret that most of us did not go off to college to study insurance, and yet we find ourselves in a profession rife with opportunities far more dynamic than most of us would have ever expected. But we are also limited by the traditional silos of our business, the technical and mundane nature of the learning curve and instilled competition with our peers, particularly regional colleagues. So why can’t we change how the information about our industry is presented? At the same time, we could remove some of the barriers to networking, particularly on a national and international stage. Although I believe the insurance industry has the slogans and the intent, I am concerned that our message is not penetrating the right people. Creating an interactive insurance community will push us to start communicating in a new and more contemporary way, engage our audiences differently and maybe reinvigorate ourselves along the way. If my 62 year old father can be jazzed by updating the twitter community about his daily professional activities as a way to connect with a broader array of his membership, who else out there can find a way to mentor or share their expertise in an effort to give back and help reshape our industry? An interactive network would help promote business interests, career development and access insurance related information. This type of network may open lines of communication that have traditionally been unavailable. There are good ideas out there, but plodding along in our usual way just is not good enough. This requires some creative thinking and momentum now to have a positive long-term impact for our industry. I am proposing the creation of a professional network that we can all embrace, but the end result and success will be a reflection of you - the end user and rising leaders in our industry. I have begun working with Brian Green and Spencer Conway, the President and Chairman of the U.S. and Bermuda Under 40s Groups, respectively. While this conversation is in its infancy I invite you to check out http://insurereinsurenetwork.ning.com/ as a possible platform and let us hear from you.
About the author: Alycia is a Vice President in RCM&D’s Washington D.C. office, where she works with association and nonprofit clients. If you have any questions, you can contact Alycia at akiley@rcmd.com. |
