Though it seemed quite hectic, the past few weeks have provided some key highlights of the semester for the IRMA group. We were fortunate to visit a couple of organizations, continue our speaker series with industry leaders, and complete a reading that sparked a lot of good discussion in our book club.
Here is a brief overview of what we’ve been up to since the last newsletter:
Encova
Encova, a strong partner for the academy since inception, once again opened their doors to us for a brief visit and conversations with key leaders in the organization. The visit featured lunch with leaders of their respective departments within the company, including Application Services, Claims Operations, Commercial Lines, and more. Encova’s leaders shared their wide range of personal experiences, the endless amount of opportunity within the industry, and overall advice to our students. It is very evident that Encova has built a strong culture that has contributed to a positive work environment.
Experiencing what the industry has to offer firsthand is always a valuable experience, and we thank Encova for being so welcoming and helpful to our students. IRMA is grateful for Encova’s partnership and continued support over the years, and we look forward to continuing this for years to come.
White Castle
The most difficult part of this trip was not grabbing a slider off the line as soon as it was ready. Don Desender, the Risk Manager for White Castle hosted our group at one of their assembly facilities in Vandalia OH. We witnessed firsthand the risk elements that are associated with running part of this corporation’s operations as well as steps that Don must take to ensure the continued success of the company. Seeing this corporation in action helped bring what the students are learning through the IRMA program to light. White Castle demonstrates a strong responsibility to maintaining strict protocols to secure safe and organized product manufacturing. IRMA greatly appreciates Don’s support and dedication in providing these valuable hands-on experiences.
Guest Speakers
- Tim Buren- it’s always a treat to have Tim back on campus to engage with our group. As the visionist behind the IRMA program and one of the key players in getting it together, we never pass up the opportunity to hear from Tim about all of his experiences in the industry. Tim’s awareness on the importance of understanding your “why” connected deeply with the students, showing the importance of having a clear sense of purpose in guiding impactful career decisions. Tim’s time and commitment he continues to show to the program is always greatly appreciated. His stories motivate us to reflect on our own paths and encourage us to chase our passions with purpose and dedication.
- Andy Smith- The estimated value of the cost of Insurance fraud is about $308 billion annually which trickles back down to the consumer (you and me). That’s one of the metrics Andy Smith shared with our group as he discussed the effects of fraud in the marketplace and the steps that he and his team are taking to try and combat it. As the Director of Shared Services for Encova Insurance, one of the areas that Andy works with is the SIU team for the company. There were some interesting stories that Andy shared with us on the lengths bad players will go to defraud the system. We are incredibly grateful for the partners who support us in providing these learning opportunities, helping our students develop a deeper understanding of the industry’s challenges and solutions.
- Mike Strakhov– This was the 3rd time we’ve had Mike over to ODU to engage with our group and as always, he provides a lot of great information for us to consider. Mike’s current role as the SVP Agency Banking Market Leader at Westfield Bank showcases the vast opportunities in our industry. We appreciate Mike’s continued engagement and support for our program and look forward to having him back on campus.
Good to Great:
Lastly, we wrapped the month discussing Good to Great by Jim Collins which explores what makes some companies go from good to truly great, identifying key factors such as the “Hedgehog Concept” and the Level 5 Leadership. Collins’ research shows the importance of focusing on core strengths and building a strong work environment. At IRMA, the students read and discussed these principles and how to make a great leader in the future. We explored concepts like how disciplined leadership can be applied to improve performance, drive innovation, and ensure long-term success in the industry. The insights Good to Great offered a foundation for helping organizations transition from good to great.