Description: As actuaries, we’re trained to see patterns in numbers and to design solutions that mitigate risk. But I can tell you from experience that while quantitative analysis and modeling are critical actuarial tools, looking at the numbers alone can lead to insurance products that don’t succeed in the real world the way the math says they “should.” With new digital technologies, we have more data at our fingertips than ever before, but I believe it’s equally as important to bring qualitative research methodologies into your product development process if you want to design solutions that meet real needs in the market. In this article, Amanda Turcotte shares what happens when qualitative research is neglected or ignored, what happens when you incorporate it into the product design process, and how to implement qualitative research practices in your organization.

Description: This article presents the idea that a New Product Notebook, which contains all of the aspects of a product's development and is accessible to all involved, can make the product development process more efficient.

Description: Continuing our series related to the exposition of distribution terms that may be unclear or misunderstood, our focus in this article is on critical service and support components for sales and distribution, accompanied by a summary of the regulatory oversight of insurance sellers and distributors and a few common terms related to that oversight

Description: This is an article about baby boomers and marketing communication. From News Direct, May 2006, Number 53.

Description: An actuary learns a lot about marketing when he took it on himself to rebrand a consulting service.