One of the IIG’s key pillars focuses on Education; and promoting educational expertise for members personal growth. This value was front-and-centre for the most recent webinars hosted as part of the #WisdomWednesday series. Covering two unique, and extremely relevant topics, this month, the themes touched on macro-economic and geopolitical outlooks, as well as individual career management for professionals in the industry. This month saw even more registration and participation, another record-breaking month for the IIG Insights webinar team with over 4 500 participants.
As the insurance sector continues to adapt to rapid global change, the two webinars painted a clear picture: resilience emerged as the central theme; for the industry confronting global tensions and trade uncertainty, for organisations navigating change in these times, and for individuals “Insuring” their careers through continuous learning.
Macro Outlook: Global Tensions – Markets between tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty
Delivered in partnership between The IIG & HDI South Africa, the first webinar was presented by Dr. Lucas Kramer (Senior Investment Strategist) from Ampega, focusing on Macro Strategy & Tactical Asset Allocation. This session kicked off with a deep dive on Macro and Market Scenarios across the globe, a detailed look at United States Trade policies and tariffs historically, and the tensions that exist between the global trade policies and the impact on the global economy. Also covered in the webinar were forecasts for macro-economic growth, and inflation both in the USA and the Eurozone, and the potential impact on commodities like oil price over the next financial year. Additional insights covered were on current developments on global economic growth and Central Banks Policy Rates in key markets.
The discussion concluded with a snapshot of US & Eurozone GDP growth forecasts, and headwinds through US tariffs and tailwinds through German fiscal stimulus. The speaker also touched on South Africa “at a glance”, mentioning that GDP growth had reverted to a pre-pandemic trend, and highlighting that economic recovery was being hampered by tariffs, but inflation remained within target range and no more rate cuts from the South African Reserve Bank.
In reviewing the world of debt globally, the speaker closed the session with a synopsis of the Fiscal policy, commenting on the dramatic rise of government debt post the global financial crisis in both developed and emerging markets, and that monetary policy had reached its limits.
Learning as your Metaskill!
Taking a step back from global trends and looking internally, the second webinar had Career Management as its focus area. Delivered by Eva Cruz (Human Capital: Senior Learning Manager) from Old Mutual Insure, this discussion centered around tools, tips and insights on managing ones career and developing the skills of adaptability, resilience and continuous learning as necessary to remain relevant and engaged in career development.
The agenda took shape around 6 sub-sections:
- Career Management in this New World of Work – a paradigm shift between the traditional career ladder of progression versus the newly relevant career lattice that encourages individuals to gain skills and experience laterally and vertically, both inside and external to their organizations. Also ensuring the relevant skills are honed for applicability in their current domains, and adjacent departments.
- Insure your Career: Risk Management principles – this reviewed the principles of risk management (identification, assessment, mitigation, transfer, acceptance, and monitoring & review), and applying these same principles to career management
- Meta Skills – a comprehensive look into the foundational and overarching abilities that support the development of other skills linked to developments (eg. Tech/AI, job specific, and general). This with the intention to make individuals more versatile and capable of continuous learning
- Top 5 risks of not embracing and developing Technology / AI and Human Meta skills
- Step into your Power – Learning as a key Meta Skill
Lastly the session concluded with a Career Management Toolkit that prompted participants with 7 key actions:
- Do a Skills and Learning Audit
- Explore Your Career Agility and Opportunities
- Work on Your Personal Brand and Visibility
- Build your Network and Relationships
- Do Career Risk management
- Revisit your Values, Purpose and Wellbeing
- Compile and track your Personal Individual Development Plan
These webinars equipped participants with practical insight and foresight, strengthening resilience and reinforcing #YourIIG’s role as an industry thought leader.
#Insurance #ContinuousLearning #YourIIG #WisdomWednesday
Nande Nqoloba | Head: Operations South Africa – Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
