What do other industry leaders and veterans call themselves?

Specialist or Coordinator.

“The traditional name of broker, to me, is associated with simply a benefits specialist or coordinator. The strategic brokers who are making an opportunity of PPACA are positioning themselves as true HR advisors or consultants that extends far beyond a coordination of benefits. They key in my mind is creating an organization that can execute upon this rather than just talking the talk.”

– Mark Parabicoli

Double Talk

“All the consultants are brokers and the brokers, consultants. Of course then there are benefits advisors, account managers, benefit specialists and so it goes...”

– Jim Christensen

Advisor: Up and Coming

“The thought of working with a broker—the connotation is that you’re a middle man. As an advisor, you’re not saying you’re a full-blown consultant, but it's right in between. Advisor is the up-and-coming name.”

– Aaron Davis

By Any Other Name

“Our No. 1 job is to look out for our consumers and their employees. We’re partners. We advise, consult and plan, but we’re a partner with them as they continue to navigate health care reform. I’m going to advise them what they can do and consult with them.”

– Denise VanPutten

But What About Guam?

I am a licensed health and life agent in all 50 states and DC under CBS, but almost my entire focus is with … discount products.

– Mark Roberts

Seen it All Before

I am not a broker (though I have been one).

I am not a consultant (though I have been one).

I have been recognized by the Workplace Benefits Association as a Hall of Fame member and by the Voluntary Employee Benefits Board (VEBB) as a “Super Star”.

You could describe me as columnist/contributor to Benefits Selling for over ten years.

I am Vice President of Voluntary Benefits and Products at mutual of Omaha. You can describe me as a Voluntary Benefits Practice Leader if that makes more sense.

– Marty Traynor

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited BenefitsPRO content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Breaking benefits news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
  • Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
  • Critical converage of the property casualty insurance and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, PropertyCasualty360 and ThinkAdvisor
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.