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Broker Value and Valuing Your Broker. Strima 2008 Allen F. Hyman Bickmore Risk Services. The Macro Perspective. 46 years experience with government As an employee 13 yrs. Parks, Recreation & Spec Facilities 13 yrs. Safety, Risk, Pool Administrator As a broker and consultant to government
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Broker Value and Valuing Your Broker Strima 2008 Allen F. Hyman Bickmore Risk Services
The Macro Perspective • 46 years experience with government • As an employee • 13 yrs. Parks, Recreation & Spec Facilities • 13 yrs. Safety, Risk, Pool Administrator • As a broker and consultant to government • 20 years
The Micro Perspective End User Account Executive Legal Broker Procurement Underwriter Constituents Wholesaler Competitors Specialty Professionals
What is “Value Added?” • If you hired one person to place your insurance who provide no other services until the next renewal, there would be no “added value.”
Where’s the Beef (Value) ? • Brokerage Organization Infrastructure • Market Knowledge/Leverage • Marketing Specifications • Collective Expertise/Placement Pros • Program/Policy review • Contract Review • Certificates • Technology • Specialty Professionals • Account Team • Claims Resources
Zoom In • Benchmarking losses and costs • Industry knowledge • Tech resources • Actuarial review • 360 perspective for gapless program • Solution modeling and alternatives • Market clout • Terms conditions and policy analysis • RM consulting
What is a Broker ? • Defining the “broker” and brokerage team • Broker • Agent • Client/ Account Executive • Placement Professional (s) • Client Service Representative (s) • Senior Relationship Manager • Industry Practice Specialists • Claims & Loss Prevention Specialists
What are a Broker’s Objectives ? • Brokers want the best possible deal for the client related to terms, conditions and price. • Underwriters expect a negotiated solution with profitable pricing and a partnership. • Pricing and terms are always negotiable. • Application & historical data review are critically important.
Broker’s Bidding Challenges • Obsolete documents • Boilerplates • Requirements (unreasonable?) Performance Bonds • Co-named on E&O • Cut and paste errors, redundancies and contradictions • Unnecessary/voluminous requirements • Poor data • Open claims • Commoditized purchase attitude • Buyer lacking necessary understanding • Time constraints • Insufficient opportunity for negotiations • Open market offerings • Unclear objectives/service expectations • What and who to include in the oral presentation • What is driving the award
How are Brokers CompensatedDoes compensation drive deals? • Commissions • Used to be sufficient to cover all costs & profit • Where does commission come from? • Negotiated with underwriters • May still be in the clients best interest • Impossible to determine true net quote • Should be disclosed from all sources • Historically range from 5 - 25+% • Front end/back end issues
How are Brokers CompensatedDoes compensation drive deals? • Fees • Client budget line item • Create internal issues in brokerages • Can generate skin and bones service • May lead to front end promises/ back end non-delivery • Fee/Commission offsets • Change in Scope of Services • Duration issues
High Bidder versus Low Bidder WHY? WHY?
Broker Behind the Scenes • Historical Perspective • Perception of Government Procurement • Pricing of Services Committees • Team brainstorms • Fee Models • Profitability/ Opportunity Cost • SWAGs • Size of the book • Service expectations • Dividing the pot • Competitive environment • Value Added • Internal preparation of proposals • Market relationships • Incumbent advantages • Many important questions are not asked in pre-bid meetings.
When Price Drives…. • Insurance solution may be diluted • Services may be limited • Internal charges often affect services • Underwriters do not believe a relationship exists • For many reasons, underwriters want time with a insured
When Service Drives • Bottom line does not steer the proposal • But it is factored in • Underwriters feel differently • Broker feels partnership is stronger • Client expectations need to be clear • Performance measures should be created
Recommendations • Decide what you are buying? • Review the bid documents in advance of release. • Clarify drivers and priorities in the offering. • Take the time to create scope of services – even one year out. • Understand market conditions before bidding. • Create the best possible package of data. • Consider needs and desires of sellers. • Coach procurement well in advance of offering. • Demand disclosure. • Consider stronger relationships with all component players. • Making an RFP complex does not assure a better outcome. • Conceptual proposal vs. conceptual/creative section