RSA's UK chief execuitve Bridget McIntyre wins olympic gold.
Like everyone I’m sure, I’ve been watching the Olympics over the last couple of weeks.
I was at the Prize-Giving ceremony the other morning. No, not in Beijing, but at the RSA Leadenhall Court Charity Olympics in our office. My team was also with me, as we took part in the sports as the Greek team, complete with togas and laurel wreaths.
We’d hoped that by choosing the country from where the games began we might have some good luck. Sadly we were wrong. While I think we did well with the outfits unfortunately there are not prizes for fashion. It’s amazing how many Olympics sports that can be invented. Have to say the charity team did a great job – wii tennis, water relay, archery, football in the reception area. We entered the Water relay where we came eighth (out of nine). In fact our medal haul was looking so meagre that we were forced to invent our own sport – Olympic cake baking, hurriedly approved by our friends at the IOC. Our cakes raised £85.32 with only two left unsold, and we won the gold medal as well, as we were the only team taking part (cunning eh ;-) )
“I can't help but have noticed how well Team GB did in China. It was great to wake up every morning and hear news of yet another medal
Bridget McIntyre
Anyway, apart from the merriment of the Leadenhall games, I can’t help but have noticed how well Team GB did in China. It was great to wake up every morning and hear news of yet another medal.
I think that what these medals have shown, is that if a country really choose which sports they want to focus on, if they really put effort into building their teams and capability then they have a far greater chance of success than if they take a scattergun approach and think they can win gold at everything.
I reflect on this as always in our business world, focus and specialism are a big part of our customer strategy here at RSA. An important part of this is getting real insight and understanding as to what customer really want as opposed to what we think they might want. We’ve just carried out 350 end customer interviews as part of this, but what I’ve also been excited about is how we’re attracting people from end customer industries to come here and work in insurance.
“What I've also been excited about is how we're attracting people from end customer industries to come here and work in insurance.
Bridget McIntyre
So recently Robert Rae who comes from a manufacturing background has joined us, and Des Cross whose come from a major supermarket. Their insight it already proving really useful. All these things add up to make a difference and what really brought this home to me was my recent visit to Manchester to see one of our trading floors in action. These are about giving brokers the access they need, and also the products their customers want. It was good to see so much energy on our new trading floor.
So, I think I might have those last two cakes to celebrate. I’ll put my pound coin in the tin though.
