[Take it Easy ]
Said in passing to suggest that one not get too stressed with life and take it as it comes. Example: "Yo Brah, take it easy"

Our speakers' expertise

The success of any conference lies squarely in researching, locating, assessing, then engaging expert speakers who can deliver exactly what the audience wants to hear, then briefing them effectively on what their knowledge can contribute to the delegates attending. We believe that is what we do well - as evidenced by the success of our line-up in 2008. In the remaining months leading up to March 2009, we will refine and hone the programme to perfection.

Therefore we have outlined for you below, not the 'cv' of each speaker and how many tertiary qualifications they have, but why each has been chosen to deliver their session to you.

Graham Poole - Adviser
Graham's longevity in the industry is testament to his skills as a client-centric adviser who makes the very best of every relationship he has developed. He will be known to many delegates already as a business-builder and a mentor to many. This session will showcase Graham's belief in the fact finding process as a crucial business tool to extract the maximum benefit from a new client for your business - while doing a comprehensive and professional job of the advice process for that client.

Jennifer Cullen - CEO Brain Injury Assoc of Qld
With 20 years in Disability and Aged Care Services in her history, Jennifer has been CEO of the BIAQ for almost two years. Jennifer has a passion for anything that can prevent or mitigate the financial devastation of a long term disability, such as those resulting from brain injuries. She was a popular speaker in 2008 and will now drill down into the shocking dollar costs of long term care. She is a true believer in insurance as a solution to long term care issues and this is evident in her work with us.

Dr Paul Davis - Cardiologist and insurance medico
Having 25 years as a Clinical Cardiologist and Consultant Physician in internal medicine, is what supports Paul’s role as Medical Director for RGA’s Asia Pacific operations. Paul is also a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Medicine at Sydney University. He has a real commitment to educating advisers and he does this with passion and a capacity to translate complex medical concepts to 'plain English'.

Brant Dillon - Licensee and adviser
Brant's success as a specialist life risk adviser with many SME and professional clients didn't happen overnight. So he knows what the challenges are in gaining the right knowledge, developing 'systems' for advice delivery and refining presentation tools and skills. He has brought together an accountancy  referral partner and one of their claimant clients for this practical workshop.

Mark Westcott - Adviser
Mark, like many advisers, had to go through a steep learning curve when it came to advising his professional and SME clients on business expenses insurance. He learned the hard way which businesses are not suitable for this type of cover and which were in serious need of protection of their high operating expenses. He will take you through his journey and talk about some claims that prove the value of this cover.

David Bourke - Adviser
Specialising in life risk advice, with a diverse range of clients, David has honed the skill of structuring his advice in a true estate planning context, thus effectively crossing all the 't's and dotting all the 'i's to make sure the outcomes are precisely what the client's estate - living or dead - needs. He is ideally placed to describe how this approach differs from and is more effective than some traditional ways of structuring advice.

Rowena Murray - Financial Services
Marketing Specialist  

Sheila Baker - Human Resources Specialist
Sheila is the Director of the HR division of Gold Seal, financial services compliance specialists. She understands financial advisory practices intimately - it is her market. Sheila is an expert in all matters HR and legislative, but most importantly she is a skilled trainer in using your team to get the best outcomes in the business. That starts at the recruitment process and extends all the way to performance reviews and workflow management by staff. Sheila's breakout session will offer the opportunity for open discussion and will provide some great takeaways as well.

Nick Kirwan - Head: Association of British Insurers (Health and Protection)
Nick proved to be very popular at the 2008 conference and feedback was overwhelmingly for an encore performance. We listened. He's back!
There is plenty of moving and shaking going on in the UK that has direct relevance for us and as one of the UK protection market’s leading authorities and one of its strongest advocates, Nick is THE person to talk through some of these developments with us. Besides that, he simply loved Australia and us Aussies so we had to give hm a reason to come back!

Wayne Kedward - Industry Facilitator & Trainer
Our MC from last year, Wayne ran the programme like clockwork, but we didn't utilise his many other industry skills. Wayne's 'other life' is in adviser training and he suggested he also conduct a breakout session this year, in the light of ever-increasing angst over underwriting process management by advisers with their clients. He will work with an experienced underwriter and an adviser to deliver this session.

TBA - Underwriter The underwriter who will be contributing to Wayne's breakout session is yet to be confirmed.

TBA - Adviser
We are securing an experienced adviser to share the 'secrets to smooth underwriting' with delegates, as a combined breakout session with Wayne Kedward and our underwriter.

Rob McAdam - McAdam Siemon Accountants
Rob's a founder of his local Sunshine Coast accounting practice and was introduced to us via Brant Dillon with whom the firm has a referral partnership. Rob has a keen appreciation of the role of insurance int he business succession plans of his SME and professional clients. His commitment to the concepts of insurance funding means he is well placed to talk to you about improving engagement with your referral partners.

Chris Unwin - Trainer and Life Risk Adviser
A speaking spot for Chris is a must-have in any life risk programme - his passion and enthusiasm is matched only by his common sense and straightforward techniques and strategies for success. This time Chris will give you robust insights into the drivers of each generation so that you can best engage clients in the Living Insurances depending on whether they are 5 or 50.

TBA - Special Overseas Guest via videolink
We have a surprise in store for you...watch this space!