Around 30 practice managers from firms operating under specialist risk advice licensee, Bombora Advice, gathered in Melbourne recently for the firm’s Practice Managers & Key Staff Forum, which included a strong focus on the impact of AI in advice practices.
Bombora Advice MD, Niall McConville said his team had built the forum agenda around feedback from its practice managers around the country.
Attendees heard from Microsoft expert Daniel Anderson who presented on ‘The AI-Enabled Practice’ and who also offered insights on getting the most from the Microsoft ecosystem.
The forum also heard from Zurich’s Matthew Backman, who addressed ways to create efficiencies via the insurer’s Adviser Portal while TAL’s Nicole Fisk and Krystal Rhian discussed ‘Winning the Future Customer’.
Attendees also considered a number of other topics and issues raised by the practice managers and support colleagues, including:
- Offshore and outsourced support – what’s working and what isn’t
- Workflow and task management – what people are using beyond Xplan
- Claims – provider priorities, underwriting hurdles, and handling efficiencies
- New business and review processes
- Cyber security and data protection
According to McConville, one the outcomes that stood out from this forum was the willingness of Bombora’s practice managers and support teams to openly share ideas, challenges and solutions:
“The quality of discussion reinforced the value of bringing people together from across the country. Whether the topic was AI, operational efficiency, claims management or cyber security, the focus was on finding practical ways to improve the experience for advisers and clients,” said McConville, adding:
“Our practice managers play a critical role in the success of every advice business, and forums like this ensure they remain connected, informed and equipped to help their practices thrive in a rapidly changing environment.”
