Stay ahead in the RMI landscape with expert insights, practical tips, and innovative solutions designed to help you elevate your career and drive organizational success.
Adam Carmichael, CPCU
The entire risk management and insurance landscape is in the middle of a significant culture shift as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes traditional workflows and decision-making processes. Not only is it changing business operations and efficiencies…
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The Power of Recognition for Employee Engagement and Performance
By Diane HanlonEmployee recognition is essential for cultivating a positive work environment and a thriving company culture. By regularly acknowledging and rewarding employees for their contributions, your organization can boost employee engagement, performance, and retention.
Recognition can take many forms, from public shoutouts on social media, to financial incentives for hitting professional development milestones, to quarterly awards for high performers. The key is finding what best fits your organization and makes your employees feel valued.
Read on to discover why you should leverage the power of recognition and actionable tips to get you started!
Investing in a culture of recognition is vital for making your employees feel engaged with your organization and its mission. Gallup research shows that 70% of workers today are disengaged, and this number is even higher for employees under 35. And with a potential leadership gap looming in the risk management and insurance (RMI) field, it’s more important than ever to engage your emerging talent.
A recognized employee, on the other hand, is five times as likely to be connected to company culture and four times as likely to be engaged. This engagement leads to enhanced job satisfaction, a greater sense of belonging and loyalty, and an increased motivation to contribute to team goals.
If you’re looking for inspiration to enhance employee recognition efforts in both the short and long term, try implementing these tried-and-true methods.
Provide clear goals for your employees to work towards, and then celebrate them when they achieve important milestones. For example, if you have structured learning pathways, your employees will understand how to progress in their professional development and which credentials are most valued for their career path.
This structured approach also brings equity to career advancement and shows your employees that commitment to development and performance will be recognized and rewarded.
Explore our guide for sample learning pathways covering the entire RMI employee lifecycle: from onboarding, to technical development, to strong leadership.
You should make a commitment to celebrate wins both big and small. When an employee in your organization completes one of The Institutes Designations, for example, do they earn a bonus? Is the credential worked into promotional criteria?
Financial and promotional incentives are powerful motivators, but you can celebrate hard work in other ways too. Try highlighting accomplishments in a company newsletter, all-hands meeting, or social channel. You can use this recognition graphic template to quickly create images that can be shared to enhance your employee recognition program.
And for everyday wins, encourage managers to show appreciation on a more personal level. A quick email or message acknowledging a job well done can make a big difference.
When you develop a culture of recognition, your employees will begin to cheer each other on as well. Encourage team members to share their learning achievements with their managers, peers, and social networks.
You can use this communication template to inspire employees to proudly share their accomplishments. And when they do, be sure to interact with their posts from your organization’s accounts to fuel excitement and motivation!
Recognition is most powerful when it’s delivered close to the achievement. Set reminders or a consistent schedule to recognize and celebrate employees within your organization who achieve a major goal or milestone, like earning a designation.
Remember that if you’re a corporate client of The Institutes Knowledge Group, you have access to detailed reports on exam statistics and designation completers, among others. Explore our Key Person Resources Manual for step-by-step instructions on viewing and exporting reports, reviewing student scores, and more! Then, use this information to recognize your high achievers.
The power of recognition influences every aspect of your organization, from motivating employees to boosting profitability. Start putting these recommendations into action and get more tips and tools by subscribing to our Key People Resources today.
To learn more, contact Sales@TheInstitutes.org.
How to Study for Professional Exams While Balancing Work and Life
By Angela Pilotti, CPCU, AReEarning one of The Institutes Designations is a great way to enhance your professional skills and your career. It’s a signal to your employer, peers, and clients that you’re committed to gaining and maintaining expertise in the fields of risk management and insurance.
When you start your journey towards a designation, it’s important that you’re aware of all the study resources available to you so you can take advantage of them. In fact, our research shows that students who complete their course content and use the exam prep resources score, on average, two to five points higher on exams.
Here are three tips to help you prepare for your exam while balancing your professional and personal commitments.
Course materials from The Institutes Knowledge Group are designed for the busy adult learner and are accessible whenever and wherever you need them. Whether you’re fitting studying in over lunch, in the evenings, or even between rounds of pickleball on the weekend, you can learn at your own pace.
When you’re preparing for your exam, remember to make the most of the digital resources available to you, including assignments, study outlines, flashcards, quizzes, and a simulated exam—all designed to help you build new skills.
Remember: Use these resources as a part of your overall study plan to boost your chances of success!
Creating a daily study routine is a great way to stay focused and maintain progress when preparing for professional exams. It's not just about putting in the hours; it's about making a plan, setting goals, and using your time effectively.
According to PWC research, people who set at least four daily goals per week were 34% more likely to hit their targets than those who didn’t. Try setting goals around your exam prep and integrating study sessions into your daily routine to help you stay on track.
To get started you can use this personalized study plan. There are even two formats depending on your preferred study style!
Keep in mind that effective time management is essential in this process. Start by identifying your peak productivity hours and schedule focused study sessions accordingly. Whether it's early morning or late evening, choose a time when you're most alert and ready to absorb information. Set specific goals for each session, such as completing a certain number of assignments, to keep your progress steady and measurable.
Lastly, it’s important to maintain motivation and accountability throughout your exam preparation process. One effective strategy is to partner up with a study buddy—ideally someone who’s also working through similar course material. You might find a study buddy by connecting with other colleagues or connections who are working towards the same designation.
A great place to find support is The Institutes Chat Facebook group. This group offers a space of encouragement, study tips, and success stories.
Additionally, remember to communicate your commitment to your study goals with colleagues, friends, and family to help you stay accountable. And when you’ve achieved a goal you’ve set for yourself, be sure to celebrate the milestone: share it with your colleagues and manager, post about it on social media, and find a way to treat yourself and reflect on the progress you’ve made.
Balancing work, life, and prepping for professional exams might feel like a juggling act, but don’t worry—you’ve got this! With these study tips you’ll be ready to tackle that next exam with confidence.
Make the most of The Institutes Knowledge Group's study resources, and don’t forget to celebrate and share your success when you pass your exam. Your dedication to continuous learning and professional growth is setting you up for success as you navigate your career in risk management and insurance.
