The Ontario Broker - Volume 22, Issue 5 - 30

WHAT'S NEW
THE MAN, THE MYTH:
LYALL BELL
Kevin O'Hare, Education Manager & Lead Instructional Designer, IBAO
Lyall Bell has been with the IBAO since 2008. In his 33 years of teaching,
he has taught over 25,000 people. He is also co-author of Becoming an
Insurance Broker, IBAO's amazing licensing textbook. At the end of this year,
Lyall is retiring from teaching to enjoy a well-deserved rest and retirement.
LOOKING BACK, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING TODAY IF YOU
DIDN'T GO INTO TEACHING?
When I started my career in 1979, I was a truck driver and started
as an underwriter to make my grandpa happy as he recommended
what he was doing for 40 of his 60 years in the biz. And we lived in
a house that he paid for. So, every roof I've lived under and all the
food on my table has come from the brokers' side. That's why I came
up with that slogan-Brokers Rock!
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE
PEOPLE COMING INTO THE INDUSTRY
TODAY VERSUS WHEN YOU STARTED?
Well, that is a loaded statement! At first,
we had to learn from bottom-up rating, but
today underwriters have package policies
that have made it simplistic even though
insurance is not. Learn your wording and
be able to explain coverage and concepts in
clear terms that people will understand.
WHAT DO YOU WANT EMPLOYERS TO
KNOW ABOUT TRAINING THEIR STAFF?
Your staff is your capital investment.
Invest in your staff's learning and promote
education like CAIB and then CRM
designations and you will increase your
business' equity.
IF YOU WERE TO MEET YOUR YOUNGER
SELF, BEFORE YOU STARTED ON THIS
PATH, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE?
Find a mentor, who will support you
professionally and personally in your life's
journey. These are people who know how
they got to where they are today and support people of like mind
and purpose. I'm here because of people who cared.
I HAVE TO ASK-YOU'RE FAMOUS FOR YOUR HAWAIIAN
SHIRTS, WHERE DID THAT STYLE BEGIN FOR YOU?
Some 20 years ago I started wearing them to be different from
other facilitators training insurance people who wore suits and
ties-boring! Make insurance fun!
On behalf of the Education department and the IBAO, thank you for all
you've done for the broker channel and for all IBAO's Members. Your
impact was wide and far, and you will be missed! Our best to you in
your retirement Lyall, it's well-earned!
30
THE ONTARIO BROKER
The Ontario Broker - Volume 22, Issue 5

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Ontario Broker - Volume 22, Issue 5
