Thought Leadership: Tech savvy suppliers are critical to success in 2023

Tech savvy suppliers are critical to success in 2023

Technology centred suppliers are critical to business success and, given that the large majority of companies use external suppliers for many functions and customer propositions, its vital firms change the way they think about choosing the right partners.

In our industry, suppliers are needed to provide the wide range of products and technological advancements in the last few years mean you now need to make sure your products, customer journeys and sales capabilities are taking advantage of the developments to keep you at the forefront of the market.

The right suppliers will help to drive growth using technology and data

Given how market conditions will likely squeeze the sector in 2023, it’s vital that businesses maximise every revenue stream and find progressive suppliers that are focussed on driving innovation and progression.

Leading suppliers offer real solutions to problems and will also be the ones to take on the responsibility of coming up with solutions to your business challenges.

Generally, the strongest suppliers have these five elements in common:

Expertise: Suppliers who haven’t just taken a traditional customer journey and made it digital, but ones who have completely reinvented how a product can be offered. This will mean they have a track record of creating technology from scratch, centred completely around customer experience to simplify user journeys.  

Innovation: Innovators are committed to staying at the forefront of technological developments and willing to bring new solutions to the table. In today’s marketplace, where speed and simplicity are necessities of any well-performing service, how your partners have innovated to not only plug a gap in your own offering but to improve the way your firm can do business is the high bar you should be reaching for.

Flexibility: Look for suppliers who can adapt to your company’s changing needs and are able to provide customised solutions. This will involve evaluating a supplier’s ability to scale and their willingness to work with you to develop solutions that specifically meet the needs of your customer.

Communication: Partners who are easy to communicate with and responsive are essentials as suppliers need to be integrated within your own team. Those that simply pitch to win business and then do the minimum to keep you happy aren’t the ones that are going to significantly contribute to your own bottom line. It’s worthwhile getting feedback from existing users of any supplier to paint a better picture of how they operate.

Cost: While cost shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision, it’s important to consider the overall value that a supplier offers so your customers get a great product that meets their needs at a competitive cost.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose a tech-savvy supplier who will be able to meet your company’s needs and help you grow in a year of challenge and opportunity. 

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Thought Leadership: Thriving in the ‘Now Economy’

The rise of the “Now Economy” has led to an increase in consumer expectations for quick and effortless transactions. If you’re a financial adviser, you sit at the cross section of a colossal data exchange between multiple parties, which puts you in a prime position to respond to these changing expectations. The key is to understand how to use this data and choose the right partners, so you can adapt your business to give your clients what they want and expect.

So what should you focus on first? Here are some strategies that your firm can use to succeed in this environment:

  1. Communicate relevantly: With all the marketing and spam flooding our inboxes and text messages, it’s important to send targeted, relevant messages that your clients will read and act on. Using data to send timely, relevant communications about mortgage applications, insurance renewals, and other financial products can increase conversions. For example, you can use data to send automated personalized emails reminding clients when their insurance policy is due for renewal or when their fixed rate is coming to an end.
  2. Use an omni-channel approach: Different generations and demographics have different preferences for communication channels, so it’s important to reach customers through a variety of platforms. SMS and WhatsApp are becoming increasingly popular for quick updates and have higher open and click-through rates than other forms of communication.
  3. Utilise technology to streamline processes: Automating tedious tasks can help financial services businesses provide a more efficient and seamless customer experience. By using data and choosing the right partners, businesses can make purchases such as home insurance effortless for consumers.
  4. Offer flexible payment options: In the “Now Economy”, consumers expect to pay for goods and services using a variety of payment methods. Offer options such as credit and debit cards, mobile payments, and online payment platforms to make it convenient for your clients to do business with you.
  1. Foster trust and transparency: Trust is more important than ever. Make sure to be transparent about your fees and policies and build trust with your clients by providing excellent customer service and being responsive to their needs (which can also be automated).

The biggest bit of advice? Lean on your suppliers and choose partners to do the hard yards. Give them your problems or needs and let them guide you with their expertise. They should be able to help you identify and implement the right technology solutions.

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Thought Leadership: You may think you’re unbiased, but these four questions will reveal the truth about your unconscious biases Thought Leadership:

The rise of the “Now Economy” has led to an increase in consumer expectations for quick and effortless transactions. If you’re a financial adviser, you sit at the cross section of a colossal data exchange between multiple parties, which puts you in a prime position to respond to these changing expectations. The key is to understand how to use this data and choose the right partners, so you can adapt your business to give your clients what they want and expect.

So what should you focus on first? Here are some strategies that your firm can use to succeed in this environment:

  1. Communicate relevantly: With all the marketing and spam flooding our inboxes and text messages, it’s important to send targeted, relevant messages that your clients will read and act on. Using data to send timely, relevant communications about mortgage applications, insurance renewals, and other financial products can increase conversions. For example, you can use data to send automated personalized emails reminding clients when their insurance policy is due for renewal or when their fixed rate is coming to an end.
  2. Use an omni-channel approach: Different generations and demographics have different preferences for communication channels, so it’s important to reach customers through a variety of platforms. SMS and WhatsApp are becoming increasingly popular for quick updates and have higher open and click-through rates than other forms of communication.
  3. Utilise technology to streamline processes: Automating tedious tasks can help financial services businesses provide a more efficient and seamless customer experience. By using data and choosing the right partners, businesses can make purchases such as home insurance effortless for consumers.
  4. Offer flexible payment options: In the “Now Economy”, consumers expect to pay for goods and services using a variety of payment methods. Offer options such as credit and debit cards, mobile payments, and online payment platforms to make it convenient for your clients to do business with you.
  5. Foster trust and transparency: Trust is more important than ever. Make sure to be transparent about your fees and policies and build trust with your clients by providing excellent customer service and being responsive to their needs (which can also be automated).

The biggest bit of advice? Lean on your suppliers and choose partners to do the hard yards. Give them your problems or needs and let them guide you with their expertise. They should be able to help you identify and implement the right technology solutions.

Are you sure you’re as open-minded as you think you are? Most of us like to believe that we’re unbiased, but the reality is that we all have unconscious biases – automatic stereotypes, prejudices and associations that can unconsciously influence our thoughts and actions.

In the business world, these unconscious biases can have a major impact on diversity and inclusion, leading to certain groups getting different opportunities or levels of support.

So, how can you identify and tackle your own unconscious biases? Here are some things to consider:

  1. Do you tend to surround yourself with people who are like you? It’s natural to feel more comfortable around those who share similar backgrounds, experiences, or interests. But be aware that this comfort zone can also prevent you from being exposed to diverse perspectives and experiences.
  1. Do you catch yourself making assumptions about people based on their appearance or background? We all have preconceived notions about different groups of people, whether it’s based on race, gender, age, or something else. Even though these thoughts might just occur in our heads, take a moment to consciously admit it and think about where these assumptions come from and whether they’re fair or accurate.
  1. Are you actively working to challenge and overcome your biases? It’s not enough to simply recognise your biases – you need to put in the effort to actively challenge and overcome them. This can involve seeking out diverse perspectives, having difficult conversations, or simply considering an alternative point of view.
  1. Are you creating an inclusive environment? Finally, think about your role in creating an inclusive environment for those around you. Do you actively listen to and value the perspectives of others, regardless of their background? Do you try to be welcoming and supportive of all employees, regardless of their differences?

By asking yourself these questions, you can start to identify and address your own unconscious biases. This is an ongoing process that requires a commitment to learning and growth. But by being mindful of your biases and actively working to overcome them, you can play a part in creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

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Uinsure awarded Defaqto 5 Star rating for the tenth consecutive year

Uinsure has been awarded a Defaqto 5 Star rating for its home insurance policies for a tenth consecutive year. 

Its BTL / Landlord products have also been awarded the highest Defaqto 5 Star rating for the ninth year in a row. 

The Defaqto 5 Star rating is integral as it gives advisers and their customers the confidence to know that they’re well covered should the unfortunate happen and they  

Defaqto, an independent body, rates policies based on all of the key features and benefits on offer, as well as any optional add-ons or extras, before giving an overall rating. 

The aim of the service is to ultimately give consumers an impartial and easy-to-understand assessment of an insurance product to help them weigh up benefits before purchasing. 

Advisers can utilise Uinsure’s Adviser Platform that has removed the complexities associated with GI to arrange Defaqto 5 Star rated cover. 

The hugely simplified quote and application process allows advisers to arrange one of the most comprehensive policies on the market in under a minute. 

To demonstrate value and quality of cover to your clients over price, use the Defaqto Compare tool here