Headquarters: Calgary, AB
Website: sharpinsurance.ca
What 2020 accomplishments are you most proud of?
[It] was a really tough year for all of us, but we came together every single day and worked tirelessly to create plans and to make decisions together as a leadership team – decisions focused on keeping our employees safe, first and foremost. We were able to go completely remote in 48 hours; that is a huge feat. Through hard work, dedication, creativity and grit, we were able to grow in 2020.
What made 2020 a banner year for your brokerage?
Realizing the potential there is for our brokers working remotely. Being able to offer that flexibility and safety for all our people made us realize that we can continue with some kind of work-from-home policy indefinitely. It’s all about work-life balance, mental well-being and being able to take time so we can be the best version of ourselves at work and at home.
What did you do differently last year?
Communication. We communicated more than ever before. We became closer, more transparent and more coherent as an organization because we had the sense of all being in this together – whether it was through daily huddles or weekly all-staff updates. The power of open and honest communications should not be underestimated.
What’s the biggest challenge facing brokers in 2021?
The pandemic caused an immediate shift in how we transact with our clients and how we build relationships with our peers. Most things have to be done online now, and this trend will continue to be the norm in 2021 and beyond. We need to learn how to build trust and relationships and sell insurance primarily in a digital way now. That can be really tricky to do, but when done right, it can lead to incredible growth.
