Building a Successful Insurance Business
The Building BITE Podcast
Season 1, Episode 3
May 23, 2021
Featuring Gary Kaplan, President of Construction at AXA XL.
Special Guest
Gary Kaplan
President of Construction at AXA XL
Learn how Gary built the best vertical risk solutions team, partnered with only the top contractors, and sought to provide what customers wanted. Gary shares the importance of qualities like strength, agility, creativity, relationships, and asking good questions to offer innovative products and services. Gary encourages listeners to develop a model on how to lead, plan, and execute. A consistent process for implementing change and engaging your team is crucial to success. His talent scouting emphasis works to track roots and find the best people upfront to differentiate his company from others in the industry.
Tune in to this episode of The Building BITE Podcast, as we hear from industry experts about key topics to help you be successful. In this episode, Peter Duggan and Mike Diercksen welcome the leading expert in construction insurance, Gary Kaplan. Listen in as they discuss building a successful insurance business. Gary talks about his journey in starting from scratch and how he got to where he is today.
The conversation shifts to discuss the Rapid Results Institute and operational planning. The Rapid Results Institute is an initiatives project process that works to get changes in management right. Being results-focused, this process provides the steps for successful change as it boosts morale, organizes communication, tests hypothesis, and so much more. Gary also touches on the importance of delegating tasks, as the opportunity for ownership of a project or realm drives empowerment in people. What project was most formative for Gary? Listen as he discusses the most challenging project that was handed to him in response to 9-11. While doing projects is a powerful way of implementing change, it requires intense leadership and tapping into the talent pool available.
The episode draws to a close as Gary shares a piece of advice for young professionals. Take risks to reach success and eventually get noticed. With risk comes a great opportunity for success that’s necessary for rising professionals. Gary leaves the listeners with one action item to implement—work on your decision-making.
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Links:
Follow AXA XL on LinkedIn
Email Gary at [email protected]
Connect with Peter Duggan
Connect with Mike Diercksen