Apr 7, 2014 | News
To succeed in business today, industry leaders say employees need to better communications skills in order to articulate their message to customers, co-workers and employers. To meet this growing need among professionals in all industries, ILScorp has launched a new online course: “Secrets for Exceptional Speaking.”
Using the trade-marked Hendrie Method, this online video course teaches an innovative approach to public speaking, presentations, and communication skills.
With this course, exclusive to ILScorp subscribers, students will:
- discover techniques to apply to different communication and interpersonal situations
- know how to bring your words to life with appropriate emotion
- sound conversational and connected in several different styles
- be able to communicate any information and connect with any listener
- enhance your reputation, improve your self-confidence and advance your career!
In an interview with Marty Hughes of HUB International, Mr. Hughes told ILS what advice he gave to a group of new insurance industry professionals:
“Get comfortable talking in front of large groups, and learn to be articulate. If you can speak well, and you are comfortable in front of groups, you are more than halfway there. It is amazing to me the people out there who are not articulate enough to present their thoughts and express them to people in a coherent fashion. Not everybody is going to be a great speaker; I get that. And not everybody is comfortable speaking in front of a large group—I know I wasn’t. But you make yourself get good at it.”
After completing the Secrets for Exceptional Speaking course, which includes practice exercises and worksheets, students will be confident speaking to large and small audiences on a variety of topics.
Whether it’s speaking at your brother’s wedding, presenting to the board of directors, addressing a lecture hall, or updating your coworkers at a weekly meeting, the Secrets course will help you share information confidently and communicate effectively.
This course will give you techniques that you can apply to different communication and interpersonal situations. By the end of the course, you will be able to communicate any information, know how to bring your words to life with appropriate emotion, and sound conversational and connected in several different styles.
“My performance as a speaker greatly improved. I felt I could be me, at last, and know that my talks will be effective, that my audience will be attentive and retain the key message. I have referred this course to many of my colleagues and they too have experienced extraordinary results. The Hendrie Method has my highest recommendation. Its simplicity and profound impact are astounding,” says John Westman, Former President, Bank One, Arizona & CFO, Bank One Corp.
This course is used by executives from Fortune 500 companies to train themselves and their employees, and is now available to you exclusively through ILScorp, online, to work through at your convenience.
Purchase the Secrets for Exceptional Speaking course from ILScorp today for only $309. This includes unlimited access for three months! Purchase online or call us at 1-800-404-2211 for more information.
Apr 4, 2014 | News
Did you know that ethics training courses are a mandatory part of insurance education in Saskatchewan, and are also recommended for insurance agents in other provinces? ILScorp offers a three-part ethics course, which is now included as part of our General Insurance, and Life and A&S subscription bundles.
These courses are approved by the Insurance Councils of Saskatchewan and allow insurance professionals to complete their mandatory ethics courses as well as their continuing education hours at the same time. The ILScorp ethics courses are also accredited for continuing education hours for insurance agents in BC, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. Ethics courses are also available for Quebec approved by the Chambre de la securite financiere (CSF).
Covering a variety of critical topics for today’s professionals, the ILS ethics training courses can be completed online, anywhere you have an internet connection. Complete your mandatory insurance training hours on your own schedule. A reminder for B.C. and Manitoba agents – your CE deadline is coming up on May 31!
The ILScorp General Insurance Continuing Education subscription provides access to more than 180 accredited courses (more than 400 CE hours) for six months, for $185. The Life and A&S subscription includes 75 courses (184 credit hours) for $260 for six months of access. The Life ethics three-part course is also available on its own for $185.
For more information on these and other online insurance training programs offered by ILScorp, visit our website or contact us today at 1-800-404-2211.
Apr 3, 2014 | News
Canadian drivers say they are unmistakably open-minded about purchasing usage-based auto insurance (UBI) policies, or “pay as you drive” insurance, according to a new survey by global professional services company Towers Watson. Towers Watson’s UBI Consumer Survey results are fairly consistent with other global markets and a clear indication that UBI is gaining momentum in the Canadian marketplace.
More than half (56%) of Canadian drivers said they have a strong interest in buying a UBI policy. Drivers’ acceptance of UBI programs deepens when they are asked to consider the possibility of enrolling in UBI programs. An overwhelming majority (85%) said they would be open to such programs, and that percentage increases to 94% should insurers guarantee that drivers’ premiums will not rise.
“The Canadian UBI market has quickly developed into a rapidly changing landscape,” said Robin Harbage, global lead for Towers Watson’s UBI practice and DriveAbility service offering. “Until recently, UBI in Canada was limited to just a few programs, but over the past year new entrants have entered the marketplace and increased the range of products available.”
The survey also assessed consumers’ take on value-added services, which can be bundled with a UBI policy and enabled by the underlying technology. Nearly two-thirds (65%) indicated they are willing to pay for these services, and when asked which services appealed to them most, drivers chose vehicle theft tracking (86%), automated emergency call (85%) and vehicle wellness reports (79%). Drivers said they would be willing to pay for these services, as well, with 56% prepared to pay between $3.75 and $7.50 a month.
“Canadian drivers’ indication that they acknowledge the usefulness in purchasing UBI-related, value-added services is an important signal to insurers,” said Harbage. “These services can help insurers differentiate and de-commoditize their products. They can also help them focus on a brand-new consumer base to grow new business and improve retention.”
Notably, nearly half (48%) of the respondents said they would be willing to change their driving behavior if UBI technology was installed in their car. When asked how, sticking to the speed limit (65%), keeping a safe distance from other vehicles (45%) and driving more considerately (45%) were the top changes.
Consumers said their primary concern with UBI revolved around the possibility that their premiums might increase (47%). Privacy issues were another leading worry, with specific misgivings about the sharing of consumer data (46%) and apprehensions around using data to invalidate claims (46%). “These concerns, while understandable, are not really significant enough to hinder the many benefits that UBI offers drivers,” said Harbage.
Excerpted from Canadian News Wire.
ILScorp.com offers auto insurance courses for insurance agents in Ontario and B.C. Courses include Ontario Auto Expert and two ICBC Autoplan courses. All of the courses are accredited for Continuing Education Credits and are available to you completely online.
Apr 2, 2014 | News
Continuing Education deadlines are fast approaching for insurance agents in BC and Manitoba (May 31 is now less than two months away!), and Alberta’s requirements must be met by June 30 this year. And in Saskatchewan, your deadline varies based on your license renewal date. Now is the time to get working on your mandatory CE hours and avoid the last minute rush.
ILScorp is ready to help, with continuing education catalogues feature hundreds of hours of accredited courses that you can complete anywhere you have an internet connection.
The ILScorp general insurance catalogue offers more than 300 hours (160 courses) of accredited Continuing Education training, so you’ll find courses that are of interest and relevance to you and your business. More than 50 courses have recently been updated and re-accredited. Six-month subscriptions, which provide access to the entire general insurance catalogue are only $185. Discounts for groups of five or more are available.
ILScorp’s Life / A&S course catalogue includes more than 75 CE courses (185 hours). A new online Professional Liability course: Introduction to Errors and Omissions Exposures Insurance for Life / A&S Agents, which is also included in the subscription option. Individual Courses start at $85. Six month subscriptions to the entire Life/A&S CE course catalogue are $260.
Advantages of the ILS continuing education course subscriptions:
- Once you purchase your subscription, you can begin taking your courses immediately! If you are a new subscriber, you will receive an automated username and password by email.
- Access more than 180 accredited general insurance training courses in both text and streaming video formats, including personal lines, commercial lines, auto, farm, professional management and personal skills courses.
- Access more than 75 accredited life/A&S insurance training courses in both text and streaming video formats including errors & omissions insurance, money management planning process and insurance and estate planning.
- Have a digital record of your completed course work, which we keep on file for up to seven years.
- Save time by completing your general insurance continuing education requirements entirely online, no paperwork or commute.
- Courses can be accessed any time and you can log in and log out as many times as you wish during the course period.
- Quizzes and Final exams are offered in most of our courses to help you retain the information.
- Should you require any assistance at any time during your course work, we are here to support you 5 days a week, 0800 – 1700 PST.
Join the more than 22,000 Canadian insurance professionals who develop their skills with ILScorp each year! Visit ILScorp.com today to get started, or call 1-800-404-2211.
CE with ILS – Fast, Easy, Done!
Apr 1, 2014 | News
Are you getting ready to write a CAIB exam this spring? Make sure you’re registered with your provincial body before the upcoming deadlines. The registration deadline for BC’s May 7 exam is April 11 and Manitoba’s May 14 exam is April 4. Alberta’s May 14 exam has an April 14 registration deadline.
With ILS’s CAIB exam prep courses you can be confident writing any level of CAIB exam. Learn the fundamentals of working in the insurance industry, and prepare to write your CAIB 1 licensing exam with the Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker Level 1 exam prep course from ILS. Looking to earn your CAIB 2, 3, or 4 designation? ILS can help you prepare for those exams as well!
ILScorp offers insurance training programs including exam prep courses for CAIB 1, 2, 3, & 4, via online video training, virtual classrooms and live immersion classes. You still have time to complete the online prep course for the May exams.
With ILS’s interactive, online CAIB Exam Preparation video courses students enjoy ease and convenience of online learning at their convenience. Each CAIB insurance training course contains streaming video, and is divided into easy-to-manage chapters. Numerous exercises and mock exams help to reinforce knowledge retention.
With ILS you can study online with 24/7 access to the program, allowing you to work on your own schedule. Online self-study is a proven way to successfully prepare for insurance licensing examinations. Study at your own pace – stop the program at any time and return when you want. Review challenging concepts as often as you wish.
Through ILS’s online courses, you’ll receive the same instruction as students who attend classroom sessions. Preparing to write the CAIB level 1, 2,3 or 4 examinations has never been easier! More than 80% of students who prepare to write their CAIB exams with the ILScorp CAIB tutorial courses are successful. Once you’re ready to write the exam, contact your local insurance council to arrange your exam.
CAIB textbooks can be purchased through your provincial brokers association. Contact your association directly for more information.
And remember when it comes to CAIB, ILS wrote the book! Our founder and past president Steve Hawrishok developed and wrote the CAIB course.
Call 1-800-404-2211 or visit ilscorp.com today for more information.
Mar 31, 2014 | News
Transitioning from employee to manager can be challenging, but understanding how to be a good manager can make all the difference for your own and your department’s success.
Research shows that a positive relationship with your manager directly influences your job satisfaction. The way you manage your projects and employees affects the productivity of your entire department and company — so mastering management skills is crucial. Entrepreneur.com’s expert teachers from lynda.com recommend the following five things to focus on:
1. Pick the right management style. There is a range of management styles and all are a blend of three key behaviours: how much task direction you provide through instructions and training; how much autonomy you give employees in making decisions; and how much you invest in building relationships through open communication, coaching and engaging employees.
We all have a natural style of management, but it’s only going to be effective part of the time. It will be the perfect fit for some of your employees, and they will thrive under you. But if you want your entire team to thrive, you must be willing to become versed in more than one style. More importantly, you need to know when and how to switch between them.
2. Become more persuasive. Dr. John Ullmen, a professor of management and organizations at UCLA, notes that “our passion to persuade often exceeds our ability to convince,” because we only use a narrow range of tactics, focusing on the ones that would convince us. To become more persuasive, expand your toolkit.
Ullmen believes there are 12 tactics you can use in varying combinations to create success. These range from the informational, such as rational analysis and citing credible sources; the strategic, aligning with high-level goals or with key values; to the interpersonal of leading by example. Become versed in all 12 tactics, and choose the combination that will best convince your intended audience.
3. Get clear about accountability. Part of your role is to hold people accountable for results. However, it’s highly unlikely that your direct reports are actually working on the right priorities. Scott Blanchard, co-author of Leverage Your Best, Ditch the Rest, conducted a study asking managers to make a list of priorities for each employee. Then employees were asked to make their own list. The average agreement between them was only 21 percent.
Clearly communicate your expectations to your employees and check in periodically to ensure you’re still on the same page. Only hold people accountable for the issues that really matter and be a role model for accountability yourself.
4. Engage your employees. Employee engagement is a key contributor to increased retention and productivity. According to MBA professor Todd Dewett, engaged employees feel emotionally attached to their work, and identify with the whole organization. Yet studies show that 70 percent of U.S. employees are disengaged.
Common mistakes that managers make are confusing engagement with motivation, assuming that their employees share their own level of engagement, and using the same tactics with every employee. Your efforts will be most effective when you tailor them to each employee individually.
5. Resolve cross-department conflict. Working across functions and teams is a normal practice in modern business. Eventually, every manager faces cross-department conflict. Simon T. Bailey, author of top business book Release Your Brilliance, believes that conflict occurs when there is a fight for resources, a weak relationship and a lack of communication between departments.
He recommends first, build rapport and connection with the other team. Learn more about their goals and their challenges. Next, be willing to give to get. Focus on how you can help them achieve a win. Then later, have the courage to ask for their help in return. Work together to focus on what is best for the company and put the integrity of the brand before individual or department goals.
By using these effective strategies, you’ll be a better manager, enhancing the success of your company and accelerating your career.
Excerpted from Entrepreneur.com
Still looking to develop your communication skills? ILScorp has launched a new online course: “Secrets for Exceptional Speaking” to meet this growing need among professionals in all industries. This online video course teaches an innovative approach to public speaking, presentations, and communication skills, using the trade-marked Hendrie Method. This top-rated program is now available online exclusively in Canada through ILScorp.
