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Rakyat Post
17 hours ago
- Business
- Rakyat Post
The Career Pivot You Didn't Know You Needed (Until Now)
Subscribe to our FREE After 16 years in banking—including a stint as Assistant Vice President managing mortgage ops in the northern region—Lim Wern Shern decided to do something most people wouldn't dare: he left the corporate world to become an insurance agent. Yup, you heard right. In 2017, Wern Shern swapped KPIs and corporate targets for more human interaction. Less chasing quotas, more helping real people make real decisions . But don't get it twisted—this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment leap. It was a calculated career pivot built on years of planning (and an actual Certified Financial Planner license he got way back in 2010). 'I didn't see it as a risk,' Wern Shern says. 'I saw it as an opportunity to expand my impact. My day-to-day was becoming monotonous, and I wanted to engage with clients in a more meaningful way.' And engage he did. Just two months after joining AIA, he hit Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) status (a global recognition for top-performing financial professionals)—the fastest to do so at the time. Clearly, Wern Shern didn't come to play. From Banker to People-Focused Problem Solver (Credit: Lim Wern Shern) Coming from a finance background, Wern Shern brought with him serious chops: financial literacy, data analysis, and the kind of relationship-building skills you can't fake. But more importantly, he understood what his clients wanted— real solutions , not sales talk. 'These are highly educated individuals. You can't sell them concepts—you need facts. You need to be a solution provider, not a product pusher.' That's why he meets each client three to four times a year, discussing everything from medical protection to retirement planning. 'I don't want to be just an advisor. I want to be the person they call before making any major financial decision—whether it's buying a house or writing a will.' Why AIA? With zero background in insurance, Wern Shern did his homework before making the jump. AIA stood out for a few reasons: corporate solutions, mortgage integration, Private Retirement Scheme, and AIA Vitality, their propriety health and wellness programme. He praises AIA's digital-first infrastructure , including paperless processes , real-time dashboards , and remoteless submissions , which streamline operations and enhance client servicing. 'It's efficient, client-friendly, and allows me to focus on building relationships rather than managing paperwork.' Adding to that AIA's continuous product innovation, estate planning workshops , soft skills training , and Customer 360 platform —and you've got a solid ecosystem for anyone serious about this line of work. 'AIA doesn't just train you to sell—it trains you to serve.' Leadership With Standards (Credit: Lim Wern Shern) Today, Wern Shern leads a team of nine—most of whom hold Registered Financial Planner (RFP) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certifications. And he doesn't believe in shortcuts. 'I'm all about quality over quantity. I want people who are mentally prepared and committed to the profession.' He's also a strong supporter of the AIA Elite Academy , which gives new Life Planners the right tools, structure, and support to start strong. 'The starter bonuses allow them to build a solid foundation. The structured training enables them to focus on learning. It's a future-proof programme that cultivates entrepreneurial leaders.' Recognition That Actually Matters Forget trophies. For Wern Shern, the most meaningful recognition is trust. 'When they share their financial data with me, when they call me before making life decisions—that's when I know I've made a difference.' He's helped people sort out estate planning, will writing, even mortgages. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about money—it's about life. Discipline > Motivation (Credit: Lim Wern Shern) If you're thinking of making a similar move, here's a reality check: you need discipline . 'The flexibility of being a Life Planner is great, but you can't take it for granted. You need to stay focused and committed.' As an AIA Double Millionaire Challenge achiever and consistent MDRT qualifier, Wern Shern's results speak for themselves. But for him, success comes from reconnecting with your why —the reason you chose this path in the first place—and that's what he constantly reminds his team to fall back on. Thinking of a Career Pivot? Wern Shern's advice? 'Ask yourself how much you believe in the value of financial planning. What value will you bring to your clients? If you're committed, AIA Elite Academy will give you everything you need to succeed.' So if you're ready to build a career with purpose, flexibility, and real impact—maybe it's time to pivot too. 👉 Learn more about the Share your thoughts with us via TRP's Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Straits Times
04-08-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
The subtle, yet impactful role financial representatives play in times that matter
Whether it is managing medical claims, end-of-life decisions or building an education fund, these Prudential Singapore financial representatives bring empathy and clarity at every step From left: Prudential financial representatives Wang Ying, Jean Guan, and Zhang Yun Hao help clients build confidence in planning for their health and wealth. What began as a routine chat about a savings plan became a life saver for a young woman. She bought a medical insurance plan which covered her treatment when illness struck five years later. Ms Wang Ying, 31, a senior executive wealth manager at Prudential Singapore , remembers the case clearly. The customer, then in her mid-20s, was healthy and just starting her financial journey when she approached Ms Wang to grow her savings. But something was missing. 'She didn't have any hospitalisation coverage. I told her, before anything else, she needs to have an Integrated Shield Plan as it builds on her MediShield Life coverage,' says Ms Wang. 'I have customers who have benefitted from having a Shield plan as they have a wider range of healthcare options and are better protected against large medical bills in times of unexpected medical emergency.' The client took her advice and purchased the medical insurance plan. Today, she is in remission, married and has bought her first home. 'It's been incredibly heartening to see her moving forward with such strength and positivity,' says Ms Wang. 'One of the biggest misconceptions is that health insurance can wait. In fact, it should be the first plan you consider, especially when you're young, healthy and likely free from chronic illness.' Start with health, then build wealth Ms Wang Ying, a senior executive wealth manager, has been with Prudential for almost 10 years and credits her growth to comprehensive product trainings and meaningful hands-on experiences. PHOTO: PRUDENTIAL SINGAPORE At Prudential, financial representatives (FRs) are trained to take a health-first approach, ensuring their customers are adequately protected for hospitalisation and critical illness before building their wealth portfolios. 'Health insurance provides peace of mind. When customers know they are protected, they are ready to plan for the future,' says Ms Wang. With that foundation in place, she then guides her clients towards personalised financial planning strategies tailored to their goals. Ms Wang has been with Prudential for nearly a decade. Since 2018, she has been a member of Prudential's President's Club – the company's top honour for excellence – and has achieved the Top of the Table (TOT) accolade three times, the highest tier of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) benchmark. MDRT is a global association of top financial professionals in the insurance and financial services industry. Members are expected to uphold strong ethics and professionalism and often mentor others while supporting their peers' development. Ms Wang credits her growth to Prudential's product trainings and the hands-on learning that comes from walking customers through real-life claims. 'Experience is the best teacher,' she adds. Impact in every step As a financial services director, Ms Jean Guan champions Prudential's MDRT culture of sharing and guides her team to navigate challenges and discover purpose in their work. PHOTO: PRUDENTIAL SINGAPORE For Ms Jean Guan, 39, the interest to prioritise insurance is personal. At 16, she lost her father in an accident. He had no health coverage. 'The emotional toll was heavy, but the financial strain made it even harder,' says Ms Guan. 'I've spent my entire career trying to make sure other families don't have to go through what I did.' That early loss has shaped Ms Guan's approach to her work throughout her 16-year career at Prudential. When a close friend passed away overseas during a trip, Ms Guan found some comfort in being able to support the grieving family – handling the claims process and ensuring they had the financial relief they needed during a difficult time. For her, moments like these are a powerful reminder of the value behind the work that she does. Today, Ms Guan is a financial services director who has achieved 5 TOTs and 15 MDRTs, and leads a team of 13 FRs at Prudential. She describes her leadership style as empathetic and someone who walks the talk. 'I believe in mentorship through action. I lead by doing – attending joint appointments with my FRs, sharing knowledge during trainings, and planning ahead,' she says. Her leadership is grounded in what she calls 'heartwork': Guiding others to grow through discomfort, stretch beyond their limits, and find fulfilment in serving with sincerity and purpose. Ms Guan is also a strong advocate of Prudential's MDRT sharing culture, where top-performing FRs across agencies come together to learn, grow and exchange best practices, raising the bar for customer service. She frequently attends global MDRT conferences and brings insights back to mentor her team. 'This career is not just about numbers. It's about creating impact,' she says. 'I fight for dreams, protect legacies, and remind people they are worth planning for.' Nurturing the next generation Ms Guan's commitment to mentorship reflects a broader culture at Prudential – one that values growth and collaboration. One rising star who embodies this growth mindset is 23-year-old senior financial consultant Zhang Yun Hao, who became a Court of the Table (COT) achiever just two and a half years after joining Prudential straight out of university. The COT accolade is a higher level of recognition within the MDRT, awarded to top performers in the global insurance and financial services industry. A business graduate, Mr Zhang was first drawn to Prudential after attending a networking session for potential recruits, where he met his future team. Their warmth and sincerity left a lasting impression. It is a quality he now brings to his own client relationships. 'I always start by really understanding my customer's goals, responsibilities and concerns,' says Mr Zhang. Senior Financial Consultant Zhang Yun Hao reached Court of the Table status in two and a half years, thanks to Prudential's strong training ecosystem and mentorship. PHOTO: PRUDENTIAL SINGAPORE He once assisted a customer who was planning for his daughter's future education in Italy. Although the customer was uncertain about the types of plans he needed, his goal was clear – to give his daughter the best support possible. Mr Zhang guided him through the entire process, from estimating education and living expenses, to mapping out timelines and discussing whether his daughter might return to Singapore after graduation. 'My customer reviewed his financial plan and optimised his investments to ensure his daughter's education is well funded while maintaining his own financial stability for the future,' he adds. Mr Zhang credits his rapid growth to Prudential's strong training ecosystem. Programmes like the enhanced Management Associate Programme and Financial Consultant Induction Programme provided him with deep product knowledge, strategic planning skills, and opportunities to shadow senior financial representatives during high-net-worth (HNW) client meetings. One day, Mr Zhang hopes to take on a managerial role, guiding the next generation of financial representatives to achieve MDRT, COT, or TOT status early in their careers, while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service. 'Just a year into my career, my agency leader drew up a career plan for me to ensure it's aligned with my aspirations of becoming a leader. I see myself growing with the company and helping more people get the protection they need to be financially prepared for the future,' says Mr Zhang. Mr Rom Lee, Prudential's chief agency officer, says the stories shared by Ms Wang, Ms Guan, and Mr Zhang embody the MDRT culture of sharing and reflect the company's guiding principles – empathy, trust and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in people's lives. 'Their dedication to protection-first planning, mentorship and long-term customer care exemplifies the company's vision of being a trusted partner through every stage of life,' he says. 'When they live these values and inspire others to do the same, they strengthen the driving force behind our agency's impact, ensuring every customer feels valued, supported and cared for.'
India.com
02-08-2025
- Business
- India.com
Raj Kapoor's daughter was once mocked because she worked as…, later her name was included in Guinness World Record for…, Amitabh Bachchan is her…
In a family celebrated for cinematic brilliance, academics were never the strongest suit. But Raj Kapoor's eldest daughter, Ritu Nanda, broke away from both film and comfort-zone expectations. Married to Delhi industrialist Rajan Nanda, she could have easily led a life of quiet luxury. Instead, she chose to work, first as a LIC agent and later as an insurance company owner. Early ventures and a bold comeback Before her insurance success, Ritu dabbled in the kitchen appliances business with her company, Nikitasha, which unfortunately failed. Rather than stepping away, she turned lessons from that setback into the foundation for her next venture, an insurance career that would soon put her name in the Guinness Book of World Records. Breaking records and making history With her firm Escolife, Ritu stunned the industry when she sold an incredible 17,000 insurance policies in a single day. This achievement not only broke records but also earned her a place in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) — a global network of top insurance professionals. She made history again as the first Indian woman invited to address the MDRT's elite gathering. A life celebrated in words Her inspiring journey is chronicled in the biography Being Ritu: The Unforgettable Story of Ritu Nanda, written by Sathya Saran and published by HarperCollins. Released on October 30, her birth anniversary, the book features heartfelt tributes from Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, and members of the Kapoor family. Bachchan called her 'ever giving' and 'gracious.' Family ties and legacy Ritu was the mother-in-law of Shweta Bachchan, married to her son Nikhil Nanda. The couple also had a daughter, Natasha Nanda. Through Shweta and Nikhil, Ritu was grandmother to Navya Naveli Nanda and Agastya Nanda, continuing the family's legacy into the next generation. After a prolonged battle with cancer, Ritu Nanda passed away on January 14, 2020, at the age of 71, in New Delhi. She left behind not just memories in the Kapoor-Bachchan family tree but an enduring example of determination, resilience, and independence.
Malay Mail
28-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
AIA Hong Kong continues to lead the insurance industry with the most market No.1* in Q1 2025
Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 July 2025 -AIA Hong Kong has once again led the industry with the most market No.1 in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Provisional Statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong Long-Term Insurance Business*., said, "The continued achievements would not have been possible without our team's daily commitment to putting our customers first. We are also deeply grateful to our customers for their long-standing trust and unwavering commitment to customer centricity is the cornerstone of our sustained leadership in the industry. We are fortunate that AIA is powered by a remarkable pool of talent driving our growth. This was recently reaffirmed by the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) rankings, where AIA Hong Kong not only secured the No. 1 position in MDRT, COT, and TOT locally, but also achieved four global No. 1 rankings—including top honours in both MDRT and TOT. We will keep going beyond for our customers and inspire communities to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives."These achievements underscore the strength of AIA Hong Kong's Premier Agency strategy and the unwavering dedication of our financial planners, who consistently go above and beyond to serve customers with professionalism and care. Moreover, they stand as a testament to AIA Hong Kong's innovative and comprehensive propositions, which provide holistic solutions across health, wealth, and MPF—supporting the diverse needs of both individual and corporate Hong Kong's customer-first mindset is also reflected in the digital experiences it delivers. The AIA+ mobile app continues to lead the trend, driving innovation in customer engagement. With millions of downloads and the highest mobile app ratings among key Hong Kong insurers, AIA+ is fostering stronger connections and deeper trust with our customers first also means caring for the broader community. As a purpose-led brand, AIA actively empowers individuals and communities to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. Programmes such as AIA Vitality and the AIA Healthiest Schools Programme are enhancing health literacy and fostering long-term wellbeing across the community continues to face rising medical inflation, AIA Hong Kong took the lead in convening cross-sector stakeholders at the inaugural Healthcare Financing Summit to explore collaborative solutions that make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and sustainable—for both the community and future Hong Kong is also finding creative ways to deepen public understanding of the insurance industry. A recent example is the sponsorship of the TVB drama 《中年好翻身》, which uses the insurance profession as a backdrop to explore themes of resilience and personal growth—highlighting the professionalism and meaningful role our financial planners play in customers' ahead, AIA will continue to bring international experiences to Hong Kong. On 31 July, AIA will lead the first-ever North London Derby at the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025, as the Global Principal Partner of Tottenham Hotspur. AIA Hong Kong is also proud to be the title sponsor of G.E.M.'s I AM GLORIA World Tour – Hong Kong stop, further enriching the city's cultural As the Insurance Authority is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the scope and criteria for collecting policyholder information for non-local policies, it will not release breakdown statistics related to Mainland visitors until this work is completed. Therefore, the Insurance Authority has not published the relevant provisional statistics for both local and non-local segments. The current set of statistics does not include figures for Number of Local New Business Policies, Number of Non-Local New Business Policies, Local Annualised New Premiums, and Non-local Annualised New Premiums."AIA Hong Kong has once again led the industry with the most market No.1" refers to its top position in the following categories: Number of Inforce Policies**, Number of New Business Policies, New Office Premiums from Agency Channel^, Annualised New Premiums from Agency Channel^, Number of New Business Policies from Agency Channel—making up the highest share among the 11 key metrics compared to other market statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business from January to March 2025. The policies refer to Direct Individual New Business and Direct Inforce Business of Participating Business, Other Businesses (Excluding Group Business) and Linked Long Term (Class C). "Agency channel" refers to "Agents" as classified by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority under Distribution Channel.** Refers to AIA International Limited, AIA Company Limited and AIA Everest Life Company Limited.^ "Annualised New Premiums" represents 100% of annualised first year premium and 10% of single premium. "New Office Premiums" represents 100% of annualised first year premium and 100% of single of June #AIA #友邦 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About AIA Hong Kong & Macau AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have about 18,000 financial planners1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers. 1 As at 30 June 2025 2 Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau's individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as at 30 June 2025)
Zawya
28-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
AIA Hong Kong continues to lead the insurance industry with the most market No.1* in Q1 2025
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 28 July 2025 - AIA Hong Kong has once again led the industry with the most market No.1 in the first quarter of 2025, according to the Provisional Statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong Long-Term Insurance Business*. Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said, "The continued achievements would not have been possible without our team's daily commitment to putting our customers first. We are also deeply grateful to our customers for their long-standing trust and support. Our unwavering commitment to customer centricity is the cornerstone of our sustained leadership in the industry. We are fortunate that AIA is powered by a remarkable pool of talent driving our growth. This was recently reaffirmed by the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) rankings, where AIA Hong Kong not only secured the No. 1 position in MDRT, COT, and TOT locally, but also achieved four global No. 1 rankings—including top honours in both MDRT and TOT. We will keep going beyond for our customers and inspire communities to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives." These achievements underscore the strength of AIA Hong Kong's Premier Agency strategy and the unwavering dedication of our financial planners, who consistently go above and beyond to serve customers with professionalism and care. Moreover, they stand as a testament to AIA Hong Kong's innovative and comprehensive propositions, which provide holistic solutions across health, wealth, and MPF—supporting the diverse needs of both individual and corporate customers. AIA Hong Kong's customer-first mindset is also reflected in the digital experiences it delivers. The AIA+ mobile app continues to lead the trend, driving innovation in customer engagement. With millions of downloads and the highest mobile app ratings among key Hong Kong insurers #, AIA+ is fostering stronger connections and deeper trust with our customers. Putting customers first also means caring for the broader community. As a purpose-led brand, AIA actively empowers individuals and communities to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. Programmes such as AIA Vitality and the AIA Healthiest Schools Programme are enhancing health literacy and fostering long-term wellbeing across generations. As the community continues to face rising medical inflation, AIA Hong Kong took the lead in convening cross-sector stakeholders at the inaugural Healthcare Financing Summit to explore collaborative solutions that make healthcare more accessible, affordable, and sustainable—for both the community and future generations. AIA Hong Kong is also finding creative ways to deepen public understanding of the insurance industry. A recent example is the sponsorship of the TVB drama 《中年好翻身》, which uses the insurance profession as a backdrop to explore themes of resilience and personal growth—highlighting the professionalism and meaningful role our financial planners play in customers' lives. Looking ahead, AIA will continue to bring international experiences to Hong Kong. On 31 July, AIA will lead the first-ever North London Derby at the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025, as the Global Principal Partner of Tottenham Hotspur. AIA Hong Kong is also proud to be the title sponsor of G.E.M.'s I AM GLORIA World Tour – Hong Kong stop, further enriching the city's cultural landscape. Notes: * As the Insurance Authority is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the scope and criteria for collecting policyholder information for non-local policies, it will not release breakdown statistics related to Mainland visitors until this work is completed. Therefore, the Insurance Authority has not published the relevant provisional statistics for both local and non-local segments. The current set of statistics does not include figures for Number of Local New Business Policies, Number of Non-Local New Business Policies, Local Annualised New Premiums, and Non-local Annualised New Premiums. "AIA Hong Kong has once again led the industry with the most market No.1" refers to its top position in the following categories: Number of Inforce Policies**, Number of New Business Policies, New Office Premiums from Agency Channel^, Annualised New Premiums from Agency Channel^, Number of New Business Policies from Agency Channel—making up the highest share among the 11 key metrics compared to other market peers. Provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business from January to March 2025. The policies refer to Direct Individual New Business and Direct Inforce Business of Participating Business, Other Businesses (Excluding Group Business) and Linked Long Term (Class C). "Agency channel" refers to "Agents" as classified by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority under Distribution Channel. ** Refers to AIA International Limited, AIA Company Limited and AIA Everest Life Company Limited. ^ "Annualised New Premiums" represents 100% of annualised first year premium and 10% of single premium. "New Office Premiums" represents 100% of annualised first year premium and 100% of single premium. # As of June 2025. Hashtag: #AIA #友邦 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About AIA Hong Kong & Macau AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have about 18,000 financial planners 1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers 2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers. 1 As at 30 June 2025 2 Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau's individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as at 30 June 2025) AIA Hong Kong
