You’re new to the insurance industry. How can you find a mentor who can help you succeed?

Be specific as to what do you want to find out and don’t be afraid to only have a meeting once. Sometimes a one off mentoring is also great!

Even if you do not yet know your long term goals, if you know what position you want to get to next, use this as your goal and find out what you need to do to get their. Ask those who are already in that position to find out how they got there. Speak to your line manager and agree set milestones you need to achieve.

Si eres nuevo en seguros, comienza definiendo tus metas, como especializarte en una rama o liderar equipos. Identifica las habilidades a mejorar. Para encontrar un mentor: Explora tu red: A menudo, el mentor ideal está más cerca de lo que piensas. únete a asociaciones de seguros: Lugares perfectos para conocer a profesionales con experiencia. Asiste a eventos del sector: Excelentes para hacer contactos con potenciales mentores. Utiliza LinkedIn: Encuentra profesionales que admirás y que reflejan la carrera que aspiras tener. Al comunicarte con un posible mentor, sé claro en tus objetivos. Esto te ayudará a conectar con alguien que comparta tus aspiraciones y pueda guiarte efectivamente. ?Tienes dudas? Sígueme y yo te guiaré.

Different mentors can bring different things - and unless you are very lucky the time they will have for you is finite, so pick the one area you think they can most help you

Objectives should be very clear, but my advice, as a mentor for agents and insurance brokers, is to choose a mentor "who is one of your own," meaning someone who has already gone through what you are about to experience. For example, it’s not the same to have a football coach who has been a player as one who hasn’t. Also, pay attention to their expertise, whether their system or methodology is unique, and if they lead by their own evidence, achieving positive results for their mentees.

I like to encourage insurance newbies to get involved in industry organizations and events to get exposure to the different career roles and opportunities that they may find interesting. This is also a way to meet potential mentors, once you've identified a vertical or type of role you would like to explore in insurance. I have always had what I like to call my personal board of directors in insurance, each person serves a different purpose and is at a different level in their career path as well.

The insurance industry is a sociable one and there is always an event on somewhere. Whether it's an insurer promoting their services, providing training or a committee running event. Getting out face to face as much as possible will benefit you looking for a mentor. The more people you get to know and speak to will help identify a match to suit what you are looking for.

When approaching potential mentors, ensure you express what you admire about their career and how their experience aligns with your learning objectives. Look for Thought Leaders: Identify thought leaders in the insurance space. These are professionals who write articles, give talks, or share insights about industry trends. Many of them may be open to mentoring up-and-coming talent.

Insurance as an industry - especially in London - is a very tight knit community so you should look to use word of mouth rather than purely online platforms

Definitely be polite and understanding, but critically, be specific and be bold. Most mentors are very busy - they need to be curious about your approach and rapidly clear on why they might be a good match

Choosing a mentor is crucial for your professional development, and a free diagnostic session is an invaluable first step. This session allows you to assess your compatibility with the mentor while gaining insights into your current situation and areas that need improvement. A good mentor will quickly identify your strengths and weaknesses, offering personalized strategies that align with your goals. It’s also a chance to understand their methodology and see if their approach fits your needs. Don’t underestimate the value of this initial interaction; it can significantly impact your journey as an insurance agent or broker.

When reaching out be honest and tell them why do you think they are the person you want to speak too. What did you find interesting, relatable or inspiring. Be clear what question you want to ask and propose when you can meet.

People will usually be delighted to be approached to ask for advice on how to help someone new in the industry progress their career. Is there someone within the organisation you have joined that inspires you? If so, I'd start there. If I was starting out in the industry, I would look to see what industry events I could attend. Look into professional body events such as the local CII, BIBA or similar bodies. Often they host mentoring events which would be a great place to start.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to potential mentors. Be open and clear with your aspirations and outcomes to which you are aspiring. Be calm, listen to a potential mentor, check with them to see if any modifications need to be made to the plan, and work towards that one.

One great way to ensure mentorship is a win-win is to offer your time and effort in exchange for some guidance and insight. If you can offer to take some things off of your mentor’s plate they are more likely to deeply engage and educate you on the intricacies of how and why they have become so successful. Best of all you help them serve their clients and create a positive experience!

Setting clear expectations with your mentor is essential for a successful relationship. When you find a mentor, it's crucial to discuss key aspects: the duration and frequency of sessions, communication methods, topics to cover, and responsibilities of both parties. Establish a feedback process and define confidentiality boundaries. Additionally, set specific and realistic goals for the mentorship. I want to emphasize that the mentee's commitment is vital. I offer a 60-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked, as long as the mentee follows my advice. If no action is taken, no refund will be issued. This ensures everyone is on the same page and moving in a clear direction.

Additionally, I think routinely checking in with your mentor to see if there are ways you can help them in any other area goes a long way. For example, do you have tech tips for them or ideas about how to effectively market and connect with your “generation” or other group that you are a part of? You may not feel like you have much to offer them but the simple gesture shows appreciation and that you do not take them for granted.

After the meeting, make sure to email and thank the person. If you wish to follow up again, ask if you can. And if you get a result thanks to their advice make sure to let them know!