NAILBA Perspectives Fall 2020 | Page 14

ID 20 WINNERS — Q&A Dashboards Q&A from page 13 and in the future due to the changes that came about because of COVID-19. I think many agents and BGAs who initially resisted the technological innovations over the past few years now see them as effective tools they plan to continue using as we reach a more stable business climate. I’m very encouraged by these changes at the industry level and see the tech-enabled BGA and agent as the way forward. Moore: While nearly 100% of our work is done via the world wide web, technology has advanced substantially over the past 15 years since I started Wink, Inc. Today, we leverage technology that gives us more efficiency to move forward in ways that weren’t possible back in 2005! Pinney: I see the industry in a better place today and in the future due to the changes that came about because of COVID-19. Still recognizing the heart of the business Hagelman: As an elder statesman, I remain fascinated by the advance of technology. I suspect the location of the buying decision may have moved, but I believe the necessity of the human touch will remain immutable. Ross: Until computers can have hearts, and until they can love and be loved, talking to people will continue to be our most important responsibility. Ross: Improved access to information and automation of processes are great, but at the end of the day, life insurance is about face-to-face conversations with people. Computers and technology don’t sell insurance… people do. That was true before the pandemic, and continues to hold true now. In today’s pandemic, computers are being used differently than they were just a few months ago. Prior to March it was almost unheard-of that a financial advisor would have a video-call with a client to present an idea. Today it’s commonplace. The biggest challenge agents will have during this pandemic is not using the technology… it’s optimizing it. Life insurance is a matter of the heart, driven by love. Until computers can have hearts, and until they can love and be loved, talking to people will continue to be our most important responsibility, and computers can’t replace that… at least not yet! Pam Sheehan Senior Director, NAILBA ID Media Network [email protected] 14 Perspectives Q3 2020