The Benekiva Connects Podcast

In the Benekiva Connects Podcast, Ashley Oxholm interviews Keith Johnson and Brent Williams who discuss the importance of using data to personalize customer experiences. They also explore how generative AI can improve call center services, although this requires access to data and experimentation with different approaches. While some carriers face challenges due to incompatible systems, Keith and Brent believe that new technologies like AI offer carriers and brokers opportunities to innovate.

In the latest episode of Benekiva Connects, where host Ashley Oxholm and guest Ramsey Smith dive deep into the challenges facing insurance companies today. They'll explore the benefits of outsourcing and insourcing services, the importance of customer education, and the value of prioritizing customer experience.They discuss life insurance and the long claim cycles, making it difficult for companies to show their value to clients, and the need for carriers to prioritize customer experience.

Benekiva Connect is a podcast hosted by Ashley Oxholm and recent guest Ema Roloff that discuss how insurance carriers can revolutionize their businesses. As an example, they discussed the potential of cloud native solutions for policy administration systems to be implemented in 6 months with automatic updates. Additionally, Benekiva offers flexible integration potential and lightning-fast speeds which enable them to keep up with industry changes. They provide invaluable advice on making enterprise decisions strategically with a focus on customer experience as well as exploring new technologies to improve processes. Listeners can get more insight from Benekiva's website or request a demo of their software to stay ahead of the competition.

In this episode of Benekiva Connects, Ashley Oxholm and guest Kelli Eddy talk about the future of the Farm Bureau and insurance industry. Eddy suggests that companies need to disrupt themselves to remain relevant and adapt to the needs of the digital-savvy consumer. Technology is the key to closing the gap between the slow-moving industry and the quick, fast-paced millennial customer base. They also discuss the importance of partnerships and utilizing technology and software to  push growth.

Join The Benekiva Connects podcast featuring Ashley Oxholm and Meg Green, the startup program manager at MassChallenge. MassChallenge is a nonprofit accelerator connecting startups, experts, corporations, and communities to create meaningful change and drive sustainable growth. The organization is global and offers a network of resources and accessibility for founders. MassChallenge is zero equity and does not take any equity from startups, which empowers founders to own their own success.

In today's podcast, Ashley Oxholm interviews Steve Shaffer, CEO and President of Homesteaders Life Company, a 117-year-old mutual company focused on funeral expenses and insurance. Steve emphasized that providing immediate financial relief for beneficiaries is key for companies to remain relevant in this ever-changing insurance industry. He commends Benekiva for helping fill those gaps without requiring major investments in existing core systems.

Host Ashley Oxholm interviews Benekiva Connect's CEO, Brent Williams, and Jeff Russell, the CEO and President at Delta Dental. They discuss the challenges and changes the insurance industry will face in the next five years, particularly dental and vision.

Brent and Jeff discuss how companies can help educate their employees on preventive programs such as dental and vision care. Tune in to gain insight into the future of dental and vision care in the insurance industry!

The Benekiva Connects Podcast host Ashley Oxholm interviews Ema Roloff, who discusses the challenges and transformation of the insurance industry. They discussed the idea of girls being raised to be “perfect” versus 'brave,' and how this mindset often carries over into adulthood. Roloff affirms there has been a considerable turnaround in attitudes towards workers, and supervisors are now encouraging those under their wing. However, not everyone has shared this progress.

Host Ashley Oxholm of the Benekiva Connects podcast recently interviewed new team member Krista Eger to discuss how they are tackling challenges in the male-dominated insurance industry. Ashley and Krista discussed strategies for increasing diversity, both in leadership and throughout the entire organization, as well as actions that can be taken to ensure that underrepresented individuals have a platform to share their voices. They highlighted existing initiatives like mentorship programs, internships, and outreach programs that target diverse communities.

They also discussed their shared experiences in navigating the insurance industry and the unique challenges faced by female professionals in this field. Krista recounted her mentors and support networks that helped her navigate the complexities of the industry. Also overcoming obstacles, achieving success, and helping her realize her value within herself and the companies she worked with.

Lastly, Krista shared the need for more education and support systems so women can gain access to resources that will help them succeed in the insurance industry. Through her insights, Krista helps women realize their potential and create a stronger voice for themselves in this vast industry.

• When dealing with customers experiencing grief, strive to make the process of receiving benefits easier for them.
• Carriers should prioritize supporting women in the industry, offering fair wages, and   showing an understanding of life outside of work. 
• Claims processors should listen to frontline workers and empower them to put their ideas into place. 
• Don't neglect claims - prioritize them and make sure they are paid out efficiently.

AND MORE TOPICS COVERED IN THE FULL INTERVIEW!!! You can check that out and subscribe at https://pbp.li/tbcp07.

If you want to know more about Krista Eger, you may reach out to her at:

Tune in to this episode of Benekiva Connects Podcast and go on a journey with Dan Seyfried, CIO & Operations Officer at Sons Of Norway. Get the inside info from an expert about how dealing with smaller carriers can be genuinely enriching; you'll gain access to more personalized service options plus greater overall satisfaction compared to more prominent companies!

Smaller carriers are faced with the challenge of understanding how their customers will interact moving forward in a post-Covid world, as they rely on dedicated individuals and partners to manage complex custom software, which can be challenging to keep updated. However, Sons of Norway has successfully implemented an effective strategy through Benekiva that is modernizing its peripheral systems, transitioning from green screens into a more intuitive web-based one - enabling employees old and new alike to effectively service members' needs for life insurance policies or annuities with ease!

This shift has enabled Sons of Norway to provide a customer-centric experience regardless of age or technical literacy while ensuring everyone on their team is adequately trained on the new system. Additionally, this web-based platform has allowed them to keep up with customer expectations of convenience and efficiency in a post-Covid world. As a result, they have increased their engagement with members and prospects while decreasing the manual processing time - meaning more staff can focus on strategic initiatives.

• We get to know how Dan started in the insurance industry.
• Then, he explained the powerful relevance of fraternals to the insurance industry, a timely topic that's sure to pique everyone's interest.
• Dan dug into the dynamic transformation in the insurance sector over the next half-decade.
• He also recognized the need to move past manual processes and reduce NIGOs, ultimately seeking to provide fraternals with top-notch service.
• Lastly, Dan emphasizes how important it is to make the process as easy as possible for those grieving during this difficult time.

AND MORE TOPICS COVERED IN THE FULL INTERVIEW!!! You can check that out and subscribe at https://pbp.li/tbcp06.

If you want to know more about Dan Seyfried, you may reach out to him at:

• Website: https://www.sofn.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielseyfried/