BMP - Business Made Personal

"It's natural to be nervous in certain circumstances, but you have to be fearless at the same time."

When Kerryn moved from a country town in Victoria to Melbourne at the age of 21, she knew she would have to prove herself. Kerryn has seen her career grow and develop by focusing on a positive mindset, educating herself, learning from mentors, and listening to podcasts. 

"We're here to serve, and you serve by leading, but you also lead by serving."

Moving from South Africa at the age of 12, Richard always believed that resilience was at the core of his survival. Speaking of life’s challenges, Richard says, "What you can control is how you respond, and what you can control is how you prepare."

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand something. What's important is that you want to understand it!"

Adapting constantly to change since the age of 2 has given Oren Jacobi a unique view of what is required to become truly resilient. His career journey highlights just that and is also reflected in what he feels is essential in his personal life. He states his purpose: "I realized years ago also that I was put on this earth to help people. It’s a fundamental part of who I am.”

"I’ve seen favouritism in businesses before, and it acts like a virus!"

Meg Long has firm views on what Diversity should and shouldn’t mean, what Ai is likely to do to the industry and why she loves seeing people build their businesses within the business she works in. 

"Purpose and passion are important in anything you get to do, whether it's your work role or a side interest."

Paul's desire for financial independence started early—at the age of 14. He started in insurance at 18 and, in addition to his day job, is a huge influence on the insurance community when it comes to making a difference for the LGBTQIA+ and other diverse communities through his involvement as co-chair at InsurePride.

"So (ESG) is not all about minimizing the risk; it's actually about seeing and seizing some of these opportunities, and that needs leadership that sees beyond the quarter-by-quarter reporting cycles."

Having worked in various areas, including market research, teaching English, TV ratings, local government, ethical funds manager, and elite sportspeople, and having spent time in Rural Ireland, Dublin, and Japan, Ciaran decided his employment passion really was in the environment. Moving to Australia, he aimed to become a wildlife ranger, but the world had bigger plans for the kid who grew up on a dairy farm in Ireland.

"When I started out originally, I said to myself, ‘How awesome would it be to be in every major state I wanted to be in?’."

By his own admission, Franz Du Plessis has made quite a few mistakes in the last few years, but that has not stopped him from acquiring multiple businesses in various industries. Driven by his mantra of just being happy and enjoying what he and his team do and learning every day, something new, Franz believes that if you fail, you see that as a lesson - you learn quicker, and you just start up again.

"How do we get out of our own way so we can be transformational leaders?"

Speaking of the insurance industry, Lyle Steffensen says, “We're an industry of mavericks. We're an industry of people who don't fit other places”. She follows that up with, “But I don't think I've met many people who know that.” It is clear that Lyle has a passion for the insurance industry, but it isn't the usual ‘I fell into it and loved it’ story.

"I've never been good at being a specialist at anything so I became a generalist at everything."

Like many people in this podcast series, mine is a migrant's story infused with the generous support of so many people, particularly from within the Insurance Industry. The ability to develop relationships and create a career working across so many diverse sectors of the insurance industry has ensured that I have had massive opportunities to learn, grow, and develop.

"I look back now, and I think this (insurance) industry has made me a better person. That, to me, is the value of this industry; it gives as much back as you put into it."

An accounting background allowed David Cook to work in retail. In his words, “Accounting wasn't for me. It just didn't suit me and my style. I loved the retail side of it, but sitting down there crunching numbers wasn't for me.” Joining a premium funder was the start of his love affair with insurance.