Education is the Differentiator

Carter Lyons here – standing in for Bob while he finishes up more than two months that he’s dedicated to lobbying on your behalf at the General Assembly. Thank you for reading!

“In times of great change, the learners inherit the earth.  The learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” ~Eric Hoffer, American moral and social philosopher, author

This quote is posted in my office, in a spot where I see it multiple times every day. Considering not only my role at IIAV, but also that I’m enthralled by all things education, that’s probably not a huge surprise.

But I’d ask you to give the quote some thought. The world around us is changing constantly at just about every level. That’s certainly true of the insurance industry. The disruptors are everywhere and if we aren’t reacting to them, we’re trying to be them.

I agree with Hoffer. Education – both on a personal and a professional level – is the differentiator.

Continuing education requirements force you to seek learning opportunities. I hope that you will take full advantage and in doing so, not only set yourself apart from your competitor, but truly put your best foot forward in all that you do.

Learning is a different experience for everyone and therefore the strategies you might use are different as well. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Seek the unfamiliar. Find a course that focuses on something you have little or no experience with, that seems a little over your head, or that is outside your comfort zone. You’ll walk away with new information and maybe a new topic that you’re interested in learning more about.
• Learn what you already know. It may sound counterintuitive, but going back to the basics, revisiting content you know really well, has its advantages. If you’re an experienced professional, it’s easy to take for granted what you know. Take a course on a topic that you’re familiar with; you may be surprised what you learn, if not from the instructor, but from the others in the course.
• Use your pen. You are five times more likely to remember what you’ve learned when you write it down. Laptops and tablets make note-taking really convenient, but physically writing has tremendous power.
• Prepare and reflect. Prior to the course, read the description and objectives that we offer and determine what you hope to accomplish and what questions you have. After the course, consider whether those goals were met and questions were answered. In less than 10 minutes before and after learning, this is an opportunity to truly solidify your knowledge.

We’re excited to have you in our classrooms – here in Richmond, across the Commonwealth, and virtually as well. Thank you for allowing IIAV to be a part of your learning journey; we hope it is both enjoyable and fulfilling!

Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia