New SMA guest blog by Megan Bock Zarnoch, Founder, Boundless Consulting Group —
Boston, MA (Oct. 20, 2020) – We recently conducted an industry survey, and 80% of industry executives expect underwriting to be significantly different in the next five years. 94% expect it to be significantly different by the end of the next decade. Essentially, we all agree that it’s changing. The question then becomes, what will different look and feel like? And how ready are we?
I was encouraged by the answers we got to that very question. Certainly, industry leaders are aware of the drivers of change and demands that must be satisfied – data, efficiency, profitability, automation. However, words emerged that evoke a different feeling for the underwriting organization of the future – dynamic, creative, innovative, intuitive, and evolved. This paints a picture of change – both the “look” and the “feel” that we can all get excited about. Deb Smallwood and I believe that the key to effective transformation – bringing those words to life – is to embrace them through an intentional framework of both strategic planning and change readiness.
When we think about 2030, the next years are full of open possibilities. There will be opportunities to rethink and redefine underwriting to achieve organizational goals or corporate digital transformation strategies. But there will also be opportunities to fulfill the company mission internally and externally, satisfy employees, and make a difference in the community. These goals can be achieved incrementally, starting wherever you are today. The first step is getting a clear vision of the future state. Paint your own picture, choose your words wisely, and start with an outside-in view. Who are your customers and what do they think, feel, and desire?
Starting from that end goal, your organization can work backward to precisely select the digital enablers and strategic initiatives that will optimize your resources to deliver that vision. You’ll redesign the roles and processes in advance to ensure you capitalize on the new technologies to really transform your organization. And you can hire and upskill for them in advance. You will also be able to effectively lead the change by creating cultural readiness and bringing your people with you on the journey.
Organizational Culture underpins and supports the ability to address all of these critical areas in a cohesive and forward-looking way – so that leaders and team members throughout the organization are both contributing to the ideation and growth continuously and are ready and able to adopt change quickly and regularly. You’ll find your teams are collaborating across silos and developing solutions to customer or business challenges that create wins for all areas. This ideal state could be described as a culture of courage, in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It forms an ecosystem that is self-sustaining in terms of both fulfilling the company vision and attracting and retaining the talent necessary to achieve that on an ongoing basis. While it inevitably starts at the very top, employees at all levels are engaged, empowered, and contributing their unique and diverse ideas to solve business challenges or make good decisions on an individual basis. This engagement and risk-taking are rewarded, solutions are developed, and employees are further incented to perform as they see their contributions clearly aligned with the company vision.
Each organization, using strategic focus and big thinking paired with tangible action steps – the “what” and “how” – can redefine their future and bring it to life. This will enable the big change that our research confirms industry leaders know is coming, allowing it change both the look and the feel of underwriting. We believe the best way to get there is to flip the lens and let the business and people lead the effort, updating processes, with all of it enabled by technology. Creating a culture of change readiness and innovation today pays dividends immediately and is the best way to accelerate this journey toward the future.
SMA and Boundless Consulting have authored a research paper on this topic and designed a framework to guide organizations on this journey. Click on the links for more information.
About SMA
Exclusively serving the insurance industry, Strategy Meets Action (SMA) is an advisory services firm offering retainers, research, consulting, events, and innovation offerings to both insurance companies and solution providers. Learn more about SMA at www.strategymeetsaction.com.
SOURCE: Strategy Meets Action (SMA)
