The THiNK Blog

These days it seems we are constantly hearing about the latest technological innovation or life-changing product. I’m sure a few brands even come to mind for you. Perhaps Apple or Tesla? But how many B2B companies or services do you think of when you hear the word innovation?  There isn’t quite that same association, yet, is there?! However, many B2B companies are making huge strides to deliver innovative solutions to their customers. Over the past ten years, innovation has been top of mind for me, despite being in a B2B industry where the idea of innovation is only recently being adopted. While my experience for pushing innovation has been in the world of insurance, I believe what I’ve learned can be applied to any B2B company striving for continuous innovation. 

To sum it all up, here are five ways B2B companies can have continuous innovation: 

*Disclaimer: This is a modified version of the article that appeared in EIF's brochure: Change Agents in the New World of Insurance*

I recently attended the European Insurance Forum which brought together industry leaders to discuss the resources needed to deal with the future landscape of insurance and risk. Today, thanks to technology, the insurance industry is changing rapidly with no signs of slowing down. In order to thrive in the new world of insurance, companies are and will be continuing to invest in strategies for effective adoption of new trends and technologies.

This is no easy task for an industry that has been accustomed to tradition, as opposed to innovation, for so many years. So how do you navigate through today’s insurance world that is at the tipping point of massive change? Our goal is to make the journey simple for you.

When someone says ‘I.T.’, what comes to mind?

• ‘Wikipedia says it stands for Information Technology’
• ‘Those are the guys who got me a new mouse when mine died….’
• ‘Ugh!  Whenever I have a problem, they ALWAYS tell me to restart!  That’s all they say!!’

So yes – I.T. does, in those moments of need, provide a replacement mouse when required.  And yes, sometimes we tell you to reboot your machine [an explanation is coming later in this post].  The reality of working in I.T. is that there may not be any constant waves of praise coming our way, but that’s okay!  When things are working, we typically don’t hear from anyone, which conveys that all things are working well.  When something’s not working?  That help desk phone does not stop ringing, but I.T. is there to help!

A few weeks ago I released Part I of my blog series on protecting your computer. In there, I shared with you the importance of backing up your PC, the intricacies of antivirus and software updates as well as how to avoid threats to your computer. As I continue this series, I invite you to have a look below at the next four ways YOU can begin to better protect your computer and company information.

Scenario 1: You're a reinsurance analyst, sitting at your desk and you're busy calculating premiums and sorting the data in your spreadsheet. Next thing you know, your computer crashes!

Scenario 2: You're part of the underwriting team at your office and you have a client visit that day. Lunch time rolls around and as you step out for lunch with your clients, lo and behold you forgot to lock your computer!

Scenario 3: You're hosting your monthly management meeting and have invited the executives to join in. As your PowerPoint presentation loads, you get an alert - virus warning, computer will reboot in 10 seconds!

When you think about it, the most valuable thing on your computer or network is the data you have saved. After all, that data is the reason for having the computer and network in the first place--and it's the bits and bytes that make up that data that are your first priority when putting protective strategies in place.

Exposure of your personally identifiable information such as social security number, credit card, and bank account information could subject you to identity theft. Company documents may contain trade secrets, personal information about employees or clients, or the organization's financial records. By now I’m sure you can appreciate the importance of protecting your computer as well as your company’s private information!

The other morning as I sat drinking a cup of coffee, I watched a featured story called, “Medical Websites You Visit May Sell Your Search Information” on the local morning news.  This topic immediately grabbed my attention because I will be representing LOGiQ³ and moderating the panel on the future of data privacy and security in reinsurance this year at RAPA, Reinsurance Administration Professional Association’s fall meeting. 

As the Sales & Marketing Coordinator for LOGiQ³, you can imagine that I'd have my nose in the latest publications on anything marketing, digital & sales... and you'd be right! I would definitely be classified as an early adopter for many things, as I love to keep up with the latest in industry trends. To say that 2014 was a big year for marketing & technology would definitely, be an understatement.

Toronto, ON, August 29, 2014 – Expert provider of life insurance and reinsurance consulting, outsourcing and training services, LOGiQ³, officially announces the name and brand of its subsidiary corporation: APEXA Corp., the solution for higher standardization, connectivity and confidence in contracting and compliance for the Canadian life insurance industry.

The APEXA initiative is an industry-led solution that has partnered with several bodies including Canada’s largest life insurance carriers and brokerage managing general agencies, independent advisors and companies as well as the nation’s provincial regulators. Working closely with the Canadian life insurance community in order to deploy its industry standard solution, APEXA will provide secure communication channels, verified life insurance advisor data and standardization for compliance and screening.