While Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company has always been known for its market leading corporate risk and surety solutions, it will now also be associated with exemplary employee relations and a robust corporate culture.
This is because Trisura recently became a Platinum winner in
Aon’s annual “Best Employers” competition. The accolade reflects the insurer’s 92% engagement rate, as calculated through a survey that encompasses 20 factors and is completed by every employee in the company.
The company credits its discerning hiring process for that accomplishment, as it believes that employees work the most effectively when their individual values are closely aligned with those of the business.
“The single biggest thing is that we hire the absolute best people, and we refuse to compromise on that,” said Cindy Grant, vice president, human resources, Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company. “For us, fit is an absolute requirement, so we’re incredibly selective of who we bring in.”
Some of the characteristics that the company actively seeks out in its applicants include: an eagerness to be responsible and accountable when working with our broker partners, an entrepreneurial spirit that appreciates innovation and contributing new ideas and an appreciation for the company’s value proposition that emphasizes integrity, sense of urgency and giving back to the community.
In reciprocation, Trisura capitalizes upon its relatively small size and remains nimble enough to respond quickly to any changes in staff priorities.
“We’re driven and agile, which allows us to make decisions faster than larger organizations can, because we have fewer hoops to jump through,” Grant said. “Similar to how we encourage underwriters to find solutions for our brokers, we always try to find solutions for our employees by saying ‘yes’ more often than ‘no.’”
Some of the initiatives that helped with such an amazing engagement score include:
- Flexible work arrangements
- Generous vacation policies
- Performance management based on continuous coaching and learning
- Award and recognition programs
- “Fireside chats” between CEO and every employee once a year
- And a general culture of teamwork
Still, Grant reiterates that obtaining remarkable employees is the base that allows for these HR strategies to be successful, and advises other insurance firms to also have high standards for new entrants to their own organizations.
“You have to bring in the best people and avoid the temptation to compromise,” she said. “Be prepared to hold out until you’re really excited about the person you’re bringing in.”
