Ben has been in-charge of and overseeing all the past editions of the Asia Trusted Life Agents and Awards in the search for extraordinary agents and advisers who go beyond their job and fulfil a wide range of duties that contribute back to society.
As a seasoned judge on the panel, Ben has seen a large share of agents and advisers across the entire Asian region and has played a major role in selecting the past 45 winners from 21 companies, 11 markets across the past four years.
He remains committed to the search for excellence in this year’s 5th Awards, and here’s what he has to say:
Q What qualities would you be looking out for in selecting winners?
The winners that emerge must be those the insurance industry as a whole would be proud of to recognise as role models and ambassadors of financial advisory.
These qualities must include competence and professionalism, but more importantly, qualities of the heart such as putting clients’ priorities at the centre of everything, the willingness to share and mentor to raise the bar in the company and industry, and beyond work, contributions to society.
Q Why should the industry participate actively in the Asia Trusted Life Agents & Advisers Awards?
This is a wonderful platform to showcase and trumpet the good that the industry does.
There are plenty of misconceptions about the insurance industry and the role of agents and advisers in the eyes of the public. This Awards brings to the fore financial practitioners and companies that are great ambassadors of the whole industry. That can only help in raising the image and standing of everyone in this industry we are so passionate about, and ultimately help to narrow society’s protection gaps.
Beyond that, firm friendships have formed among past finalists and winners that have resulted in mutual learning and exchange on best practices across the region.
Q How do you see distribution in the insurance industry evolving in the years to come?
Face-to-face advisory will continue to play a huge role in persuading and prodding consumers to take actions to safeguard their family’s financial future with proper financial planning.
Insurance and financial plans are not just about access. Oftentimes, people require empathy, counselling and coaching to sacrifice today’s wants for tomorrow’s needs. In this aspect, nobody and nothing play the role as well as a professional adviser.
Q What must advisers do to continue to stay relevant?
The successful adviser of the future would be one who marries the efficiency of technology with the empathy of human touch.
There is no lack of information and self-proclaimed experts on the internet. To stay relevant, an adviser must be able to synthesise information to help a consumer discern fact from fiction, and through the art of asking questions and listening, understand a consumer’s desires, which he may not even realise, to design a suitable financial blueprint. This must be coupled with the willingness to embrace change, and the efficiencies and scale that technology brings.
The Awards
The 5th Asia Trusted Life Agents & Advisers Awards (“Awards”) is unlike any Awards in Asia for the insurance industry as it goes beyond production to focus on values such as persistency, moral and ethical code, integrity, giving back to the community and professionalism.
In order to identify true excellence within the insurance community in Asia, the Awards is made up of close to 30 esteemed judges, comprising of CEOs, Presidents, senior executives and industry leaders. The judging process is independently audited to ensure transparency and impartiality across the competition.
This year’s search for the best professionals in the insurance industry to honour and recognise them is on.
Nominations end 31st March. Submit yours today.
For more details on how to submit your nominations, please reach out to
Mr Mohamad Hyqel
Awards Administrator, Asia Insurance Review
lifeawards@asiainsurancereview.com
The Awards is organised by Asia Insurance Review and Asia Advisers Network with LIMRA as co-organiser, AIA as strategic partner, and strong industry support from leading insurance associations and organisations.
Check out the Awards website here: https://www.asiaadvisersnetwork.com/awards2020
Want to read stories on past winners of the Awards? Here you go:
My satisfaction comes from the success of each member in my team - Jason Chu, Rookie Insurance Agency Leader of the Year
Digital Agency Leader of the Year - Calvin Lee
InsurTech of the Year 2019 - Goalsmapper
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