Starting with One: Recent Episodes
Robin Bailey
Business partners Al & Robin relate countless stories that started with either one phone call, one conversation, or one meeting. With each episode they will be exploring topics that matter to you. Their goal is to provide interesting, relevant information on Canadian Healthcare, Financial & Estate Planning and Running a Business, tailored towards both business owners and HR leaders. “We enhance the lives of many, and it all starts with one…”
How do you create "magic" in your corporate culture, and how do you actually get employees excited and talking about their benefit plans? Tune in to hear how today's guest did just that, and in a fairly short amount of time to boot! James Malliaros is the Managing Director for myWorld Canada. A self proclaimed "citizen of the world", it is quickly evident that James' global career has prepared him well to implement best practices that he has encountered on his journey. In a world where companies are fighting for talent, it's easy to see why employees at myWorld have embraced their new program. I enjoyed this conversation immensely. I hope you enjoy it. RB
What have you always wanted to know about Group Retirement Plans but have been too afraid to ask? Well, let me introduce you to your new best friend, Alex Bertola. He has been Account Executive at Manulife for the last 13 years. Alex has had exposure to both U.S. as well as Canadian programs. As such, his experience has made him a great resource to both advisors as well as their clients. Be sure to tune in to find out what types of plans exist today, as well as the pro's and cons of each. We also chat about the "right time" to implement a plan and what's in it for both employers and employees. Finally, you'll hear us joking around about putting Alex in a boardroom with a whiteboard, trust me, you want to see the magic in person. He's certainly one of the reasons I enjoy this industry so much....you meet some great people along the way. I hope you enjoy it! RB
As Head of the Group Life & Health business at RBC Insurance, Julie leads a team with overall responsibility for the product development and strategic direction for RBC Insurance's Group Benefit Solutions. With a focus on innovation and thought-leadership, her team is committed to differentiating RBC through product and service enhancements that make it easier for clients to lead a healthy lifestyle, manage their benefit programs, and return to health if faced with a serious medical condition. This is an episode you won't want to miss. From learning about Julie's unique journey in wellness and healthcare, to current innovations in employee benefits, to where she feels the industry as a whole is headed in the near future. I had such a great time chatting with Julie. I hope you enjoy it. RB
Julie Ford is the founder and Principal Consultant at Glance Marketing in Toronto. Glance is a full-service agency that gives businesses access to a wide range of marketing strategies, services and skillsets that help them achieve their goals. This episode was a walk down memory lane for me. Julie is the person I reached out to when I was trying to build the new Aria Benefits brand. Listen in as Julie walks us through her unique approach with clients (me), and how that translated not only into an incredible brand story to tell, but also a wonderful friendship. I really enjoyed this conversation with Julie. I hope you do too! RB
What have you always wanted to know about Health Spending Accounts but have been too afraid to ask? Well, here's your opportunity to listen in and hear it from two of the top minds in the industry. In today's episode, we have a great conversation with Tim Kane and Steve McEwan of myHSA. These two are really fun to speak with and you'll hear us discuss everything from HSA's, PSA's, WSA's...don't worry, we break down what all these silly letters mean and how they can help your company. The folks at myHSA are doing some very cool things in our industry, so it's been amazing to watch their growth and development. This one was a lot of fun to do. I hope you enjoy it. RB
Ever meet someone at a function and be so impressed by their passion for what they do? This was certainly the case when I met Marie-Chantal Cote or "MC" as she's known to her friends and colleagues. MC is the VP Market Development at Sun Life, Group Benefits. In today's episode, we discuss some of the innovation initiatives currently under way at Sun Life. MC gives us some insight on how clients can "Bend the Benefits Cost Curve". She further explains that there is a strong digital component at play which is helping employers and employees alike manage their claims costs. Finally, we talk about how using data analytics and artificial intelligence can be used to help educate plan members and thus, improving the overall employee benefits experience. I really enjoyed this conversation with MC. I hope you do as well. RB
Aly Dhalla is the CEO/Co-Founder of Finaeo, a venture-backed insurtech company building the digital fabric to power the life insurance industry globally. In today's episode we sit down to discuss what shapes corporate culture, how and why Finaeo is changing how advisors are doing business, and what clients get out of all this. Finally, we discuss the future of employee benefits in Canada. If you've never heard Aly speak, then make sure you tune into this episode, you won't be disappointed. I hope you enjoy it. RB
I'm sure you've heard all sorts of things about telemedicine and virtual healthcare, but where to begin?? Today's discussion is with Michael Dunne of leading virtual healthcare provider Dialogue. During our chat, we discuss the evolution of virtual healthcare and how the landscape looks today. Next, we look at the future of these platforms as well as possible integrations with other wellness providers. Finally, we discuss why companies are beginning to implement these programs, and what to look for when choosing a Virtual Healthcare provider for your organization. Michael hails from one of my favourite cities to visit, Dublin Ireland. Like that of his countrymen, his charm and enthusiasm for life are contagious. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did. RB
The CPA association has a new television ad out saying that CPA's are anything but boring, and I'd have to agree after my conversation with this week's guests. Join me as I sit down with CPA's, Gus Patel and Igor Kostioutchenko to talk all things accounting! We look into their move into entrepreneurship, discuss the importance of client engagement and there's even more talk of robots! We finish up discussing the Gig economy and when someone should be reaching out to people like Gus & Igor for help. This discussion reminded me why I love working with people like these two. They love their business, care about their clients and have an enthusiasm that is contagious. I hope you enjoy it. RB
This is it folks! The last episode-our 2018 wrap up show! Tune in to hear Megan Vallis and I review the top developments of the year. Meghan is the Senior VP of Consulting at Apri Insurance Services Inc. As one of the industry's brightest stars, it was amazing to hear her thoughts on these topics. We cover everything from National Pharmacare, Pharmacogenetics, Virtual Care, HSA's and even give you a warning that the Robots are coming! Finally, Meghan lays out her predictions for 2019. It's been a great year for the podcast. I hope you have enjoyed it! RB
Katie Denis is Director of Human Resources at Bennington Financial Services Corp in Oakville, Ontario. In this episode, we dig into the role HR Professionals play in business and how that position has changed over the years. Listen in as Katie shares how she grew her own position from the ground up and challenges she faced along the way. This podcast has been a long time coming, and I definitely was not disappointed by some of the gems that Katie shared during our conversation. This episode was a fun one to record. I hope you enjoy it. RB
So we've heard the insurance carriers talk about the value of Pharmacogenetic Testing for several months now. But what about physicians? What do they really think about this topic? I decided to find out. In the episode, we speak with Dr Angus Franklin. Not only is Dr Franklin a practicing physician, he's also a Ph.D in molecular genetics. Tune in as we take a deep dive into this topic, along with a few others for good measure. I had a great time speaking with Dr. Franklin. I hope you enjoy it! RB
Dan Henry is the Regional Vice President, Central and Atlantic Canada for Sun Life Financial. He is accountable for developing and delivering Sun Life's value proposition-innovative benefit solutions and exceptional customer experiences. In this episode, I sit down with Dan to find out what the folks at Sun Life have been up to. Listen in as Dan talks to us about Sun Life's new Personal Spending Account (PSA) and why it's already garnering attention across the industry. We also chat the company's key strategies to continually recruit and retain exceptional people. Dan is passionate about the industry and it comes through in our conversation. I really enjoyed my conversation with Dan. I hope you enjoy the podcast. RB
Stacey is a woman of many passions. She is a business owner, teacher and mother of two. Through her business' she has won the Hamilton Spectator Reader's Choice Award and has been recognized with a 40 under 40 business award. Most recently, she was featured as 1 of 20 women in the Suffragette City photo exhibit to recognize female leaders, role models, mentors and creatives shaking things up in Hamilton. In an effort to bring more balance to her client's lives, Stacey has recently become a meditation teacher and opened one of Hamilton's first Float Therapy studios, Zee Float. Tune in as we take a deep dive (pun intended) to see what floats her boat (also intended). My conversation with Stacey was both interesting and fun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. RB
Ken Bowman is the Head of Claims at RBC Insurance. I knew after seeing him speak at a recent event that I had to have him on the podcast. Ken has a real passion for helping clients through partnering with organizations to create innovative solutions that drive better outcomes. In this episode, Ken shares with us some recent innovations at RBC Insurance. He talks about how the ONWARD program is making a real difference in the lives of people struggling with mental health issues. Next, he explains how the Medical Confidence program is getting employees back to productive employment much more quickly. Finally, Ken introduces us to a new Pain Management app that is sure to help both patient and doctor find treatment much more efficiently. You'll hear the passion in Ken's voice as he speaks about these initiatives and you can tell he cares. For this reason alone, it was a great pleasure having Ken on the show. I hope you enjoy it. RB
What does it take to be a top performer? How can one achieve elite levels of success while raising up others with you? These are some the things I dig into with Rory McDonell, Head Coach and Owner of Para Bellum MMA. Rory has an incredibly varied and interesting story. Tune in to hear what makes a winner persevere when everything is taken away, how every connection you make is important, and how process can help you to win 90% of the time. Whether you're a fan of martial arts or not, every person running a business will see the parallels between Rory's story and your own. Success leaves clues, and Rory's story is no exception. I found the conversation fascinating, I hope you enjoy it. RB
Barb Martinez is the National Practice Leader, Drug Benefit Solutions, Great-West Life. Barb supports sales offices across Canada on prescription drug management initiatives. She plays a key role in supporting advisors and their clients, including designing and managing drug benefit plans with Great-West Life Drug Solutions. Barb's knowledge and strategic thinking make her one of the most sought after speakers and contributors in the employee benefits industry today. Tune is as we discuss issues such as rising drug costs, pharmacoeconomics, specialty drugs as well as biologics and how they are adding to these rising costs. Barb also dives into the SMART program that Great-West Life has rolled out. Whether you are a business owner, plan sponsor or a plan member, this is an episode you'll want to listen to. I had a great time speaking with Barb. I hope you enjoy it!
Wow! Was this ever a fun podcast to do with Dean Benard from Benard & Assoicates! Dean is an investigator, mediator, coach and entrepreneur who has had quite an eclectic career. Believe me, this is not your typical investigation firm. Dean and his team are experts with the background to prove it! The team at Benard & Associates offer multiple solutions for managing conflict and addressing workplace issues. Dean is living proof that there are no mistakes, that every phase of your career helps you form the successful person you are meant to become! We hear why Dean pursued a slightly different path when it came to offering an employee benefit plan and the challenges he faces as a business owner. You won't miss Dean's enthusiasm for all things in life in the podcast. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. RB
Managing Cannabis in the workplace is a big topic these days, so we we're very happy that employment lawyer Rich Appiah returned to the show to do a deep dive on the subject. In this episode, Rich talks to us about employer concerns, accountabilities and considerations. He goes into issues around work safety, workplace performance, the human rights code and disability and how it relates to cannabis in the workplace. We also hear some great advice on drug & alcohol policies as well as key take-aways. As always, Rich provides valuable examples that help explain the topic in greater detail. Finally, we get a peak into what Rich has learned since his jump into entrepreneurship. I hope you enjoy it! RB
Can you believe we're at 10 episodes already? Ok, number 10 is a special episode as we have on Chartered Accountant Louis Isabella. Louis' career spans over 20 years and he has significant expertise in working with small-medium size businesses. In this episode, Louis talks to us about areas business owners need to be on the lookout for, his proven process he uses with his clients, and some ways for businesses to mitigate risk within the company. Finally, Louis shares his thoughts on why he went the non-traditional route with his employee benefits program and why he couldn't be happier. I really enjoyed this conversation and I hope you do too. Enjoy! RB
In Episode 9 we speak with James Guest of Sun Life. During the show, we explore a very hot topic being Medical Cannabis and how Sun Life became the first major carrier in Canada to provide coverage through an employee benefits program. Sun Life will be releasing a Bright Paper on this topic shortly so we've included links below. We also chat about how artificial intelligence (AI) is helping Canadian employees lead healthier lives with the help of a digital benefits coach named Ella. Finally, we hear about a new program that Sun Life is offering called the Rotational Leadership Development Program. James is a clear example of how well the program is working to develop future leaders in our industry. (links below). I had fun recording this one with James. I hope you enjoy it.
https://www.sunlife.ca/ca/Careers/Student+and+new+graduate+programs/Rotational+Leadership+Development+Program?vgnLocale=en_CA
http://www.sunlife.ca/Canada/sponsor/Group+benefits/Group+benefits+products+&+services/The+Conversation/Bright+Papers?vgnLocale=en_CA
In episode 8, we sit down with Gary Mitchell, President of GroupSource. Gary has a really interesting background in the employee benefits industry spanning 30 years. If you don't know Gary, or haven't heard of GroupSource you'll definitely want to know both after this podcast. As a business owner himself, Gary's perspective on running a company and offering a benefits plan is quite insightful. I really enjoyed sitting down with him to learn his thoughts on the industry. I hope you enjoy it as well.
In episode 7 we hear from Howard Kettner of The Benefits Genius. Howard is the reason I am podcasting today so it was a thrill to sit down with the man himself to see where it all started. I chat with Howard about how and why he started the Benefits Genius Group, and why it's important. We further delve into what challenges face both broker's and their client's in today's marketplace and what both parties should be doing to prepare themselves. Finally, Howard shares with us a few apps that have improved his daily life. Enjoy.
How does someone with a mathematics/actuarial background become the National Sales Leader for RBC Insurance? In this episode, we chat with Matt Butters of RBC Insurance. We learn a bit about Matt's background and how he found his way into employee benefits sales and why his education in the U.S. made him realize why he had to return to Canada. He further fills us in on what he sees as challenges in the industry and how RBC Insurance is uniquely positioned to address some of those challenges. I had a great time listening to what Matt had to say and I hope you do too. Enjoy! RB
In this episode my business partners Al McDonald and Joe Ferreira join me on The Benefits Corner. Al speaks to us about his role at Life & Legacy Advisory Group that includes Financial Planning, Estate Planning and as well as a new tool that he's using with his clients. Joe fills us in on what Living Benefits are and why they're important. The guys also talk to us about how they've created lifetime relationships with their clients.
Dave is the President and Founder of the CGIB (Canadian Group Insurance Brokers) Association. He is passionate about the employee benefits industry and is a recognized leader and contributor to various Industry publications. Listen in as Dave talks about the 800 pound gorilla, what the CGIB is all about and what advice he offers to new entrants into our industry. Finally, we learn a bit more about who Dave is and why he'll certainly be a return guest on our show. Enjoy!
In Episode 3 of The Benefits Corner we sit down with Kyle Dennis, Director of Sales for La Capitale. Kyle fills us in on why he thinks the employee benefits industry is the most exciting place to be. He further outlines what he sees as some of today’s biggest challenges in the industry and how to approach it. Finally Kyle lays down what it takes to be successful. Kyle is easily one of the most engergetic, positive and dynamic people in our industry. If you’re looking to get charged up and motivated, this podcast is for you.
In episode 1 of The Benefits Corner we sit down with Rich Appiah, principal of Appiah Law | Employment + Labour Counsel. He provides expert strategic counsel and legal representation in the area of human resources law to small and enterprise scale businesses, as well as to managers and senior executives. Rich freely shares his thoughts on employment law, the legal implications of employee benefits administration, and the most important lessons he's learned in pursuing professional and personal success. If you're a running a business, this podcast is for you.