B: So George, we get to do the blog this week! How does that feel?
G: Damn, I thought I could have escaped without having to do any blogging. How does it work?
B: Well, you just say what’s going on in your life and hope that people reading it will find it interesting.
G: What about what’s going on in their own lives – wouldn’t that be more interesting?
B: That’s not how it works! So come on, what’s happening, what have you been up to and what are you going to do next year?
G: Ah, I get it. Well, I’m busy shredding and deleting stuff that I’ve accumulated over the last decade at Aviva. When I look back at all the plans and objectives and all the strategies what strikes me is that our industry in many ways is vastly different to when I joined 32 years ago – and in many ways it is still the same!
B: So what’s different?
G: I thought this was a joint blog? What have you been getting up to?
B: We’ll get back to that …
G: OK. What is different is distribution – to a point. The big difference is the emergence of aggregators and consolidators and the use of the internet for Personal Lines business. Isn’t this all a bit boring?
B: That’s up to you …
G: What has remained the same is the handshake.
B: Are you saying you are a Freemason?
G: You’ve been reading too much Dan Brown. What I mean is that no amount of technology – telephone, internet, blogging, tweeting etc can replace a meeting between people to build a solid business relationship, do business together and have a good time along the way. A handshake is both a literal manifestation of that as well as being a pretty good metaphor for how I like to do business.
B: And what are you going to do next year when you retire from Aviva?
G: I’m glad you said “retire from Aviva” – you could also have said I’m too young to retire …
B: Ok – you’re too young to retire … what are you going to do?
G: I’m not telling you on the grounds that it is too boring …
B: That’s not fair …
G: I know. Now what about you, what’s happening in your life Bridge? I can call you Bridge, can’t I?
B: It’s Brigid, George. I’m busy, travelling all over the country. You should know – you’ve been in the same places having “leaving do”s …
G: Yes, true. Adverse affect on the old waist measurement but well worth it. What else have you been up to?
B: I’ve been mucking out …
G: Have you been raking through my cupboards already? I’m not away yet …
B: No, I’ve been mucking out the horses – in Ireland. I’m from Ireland you know …
G: You’re Canadian.
B: I’m Irish.
G: Irish Canadian?
B: Ok, Irish Canadian.
G: Is that a good thing?
B: No. It’s a great thing!
G: Happy New Year Brigid and good luck in your new role. Have fun!
B: You too Georgie. Enjoy your “retirement”. Maybe we could have lunch next month?
G: You’re on …
Brigid Murphy (Regional Brokers Director)
George Berrie (Retiring Director of Trading)
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