Technology has been at the heart of the RCCAQ's communication and conference activities for the past several years. More and more members wanted us to take things further in this regard given the RCCAQ's central role in defending brokers' interests.
With that goal in mind, former RCCAQ chair Jean Bilodeau was asked to set up and lead our technology committee. Mr. Bilodeau first consulted with brokerage managers and insurers, as well as with organizations involved in the insurance sector, to discuss the issues facing the committee and its potential mandate. A group of managers and representatives of different business models was then put together and the committee was set up. What did these people all have in common? A keen interest in innovation-related questions (which are of interest to all firms, regardless of size) and a desire to work together to keep the industry moving forward.
The committee's mission is quite clear: to show leadership and to bring stakeholders together with a view to capitalizing on technology-related opportunities and ensuring that the brokerage insurance sector's distribution network becomes more efficient and known for the quality of the client experience.
"Our members had been looking forward to the creation of such a committee for some time," said committee chair Jean Bilodeau. "Through the committee's efforts, the RCCAQ wants to take on a leadership role. The RCCAQ is seeking to propose concrete recommendations aimed at improving process efficiency thanks to technology and, ultimately, to facilitate transactions by avoiding double registration. The goal is to mobilize industry actors and to develop a consensus around concrete solutions. The RCCAQ is already taking part in initiatives spearheaded by various Canadian organizations, including the CSIO and IBAC's technology committee. It will be important to reflect on the outcomes of these meetings and to ensure that our committee benefits from the developments underway and has a hand in influencing future events."
Shortly after taking over as the RCCAQ's executive director, Éric Manseau said that he was very pleased that the committee had been set up. "We often tend to view technology as a threat. But it's really an opportunity for us to become better, to offer a better client experience and to be more effective for our clients. As a result, our performance will improve as well! I am delighted that the committee is working towards those goals. Indeed, the emphasis is on adapting to technology rather than on protecting ourselves from it. Technology is here to stay and we all see its benefits in our day-to-day lives as individuals. It helps us to go further."
The committee has already met two times and is busy formulating recommendations drawing on the resources of all stakeholders so the industry as a whole continues to progress in the area of technology. According to Mr. Bilodeau, its solutions will be realistic and easily implementable by all firms. "Brokerage managers, regardless of the size of their firm, are facing enormous challenges. This committee intends to help them and to move things forward, not to add any constraints or impose poorly thought-out solutions, " he said.
"We are also aware that not all firms have the same resources or the same profiles. Our committee will be proposing solutions, as well as considering the best ways to address these transformations taking into account best practices in the area of change management."
