Broker-Focused Briefings Teach Tech in Business Speak
SureSkills and the IBA teamed up to deliver complimentary executive briefings to help brokers to future-proof their firms.
During the final quarter of 2016, IBA members were treated to the first two of an ongoing series of complimentary executive briefings aimed at showing brokers the business benefits of technologies like cloud computing.
SureSkills, an Irish-owned provider of technology, knowledge and learning solutions, partnered with the IBA to develop the hour-long seminars. As Mark Feldman, Senior Business Development Manager at SureSkills explained: “From discussions with the Irish Brokers Association, we know many members are concerned about rapidly changing technology trends, and they’re wondering how to get the best out of their IT.”
The high-level presentations were delivered by experts from some of the leading names in technology including Microsoft and Dell, who demystified the issues in a non-technical setting.
The first briefing covered how cloud technology gives brokers the potential to transform their business while keeping their important data secure. The audience heard how Office 365 lets staff work the way they work best, both in and out of the office, using trusted and familiar business applications like Microsoft Word, Excel and email.
The briefing also showed how brokers can improve productivity and reduce unnecessary travel for internal and customer meetings by using Skype for business. Gerard Luiten, IT and facilities manager with Dolmen Insurance Brokers, was at the event. “The content covered gave you a real flavour of how Office 365 can enable your business and empower your staff to work more efficiently,” he said afterwards.
The second briefing, delivered by Dell, looked at how brokers can equip their teams with technology tools such as tablets, laptops, smartphones, and convertible 2-in-1 devices that enable mobility, productivity and security.
Graham Hohn, Operations Director with LHK Insurance Ltd, commented: “We as insurance brokers need not be afraid of investing in technology. Our customers are doing so – why shouldn’t we? SureSkills understands the technology demands and issues required of running an insurance broking business and therefore I found the briefing session very informative and enlightening.”
As an extension of the partnership between SureSkills and the IBA, SureSkills exhibited at the IBA Annual General Conference in Croke Park, and at the MyIBA CPD Blitz roadshow in November.
Some highlights of those events from left to right: Helen Murphy, Director of JDM Insurance Services collecting her prize, a Dell Venue 8 Tablet. Eoghan Murphy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, eGovernment and Public Procurement trying out Dell’s VR kit that was on display at our stand. Our very own Mark Feldman addressing attendees at the MyIBA Blitz Dublin around the partnership of SureSkills and the IBA.
Looking ahead to the New Year, SureSkills is developing more executive briefings. The first of these will cover cybersecurity. “This issue has become a major concern for brokers in recent months and they want to know how to protect themselves from attackers,” said Feldman.
A separate event in the New Year will be dedicated to the impending EU General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR]. This upcoming legislation will directly affect brokers as it gives individuals the power to ask for data that an organisation holds about them. “There’s a big focus in the insurance industry on EU GDPR so we can work with our technology partners to explain how SureSkills technology solutions can help brokers with technical challenges,” said Mark Feldman.
A repeat briefing about Office365 is also planned, as interest about this technology remains high among many IBA members.
Many of these topics affect a wide range of companies and that is why we are making group and one-to-one workshops available to all businesses. Get in touch below to see how one of our topic focused workshops can benefit your business.
