Description: Innovation has become a fashionable concept, but what does it really mean? Are the concepts of innovation and invention synonyms? Is innovation a good thing? If so, why so many oppose it? If we want to become innovators, what considerations should be kept in mind? Are there examples of innovative thought in the actuarial field? If so, can you think of some of them? If you want answers to these questions please read Jay Jaffe’s article, Becoming a More Effective Innovator. Innovation is a big idea in the business education, so much so that many MBA programs are including courses on the subject, so much so that, as we know, our Section is called Entrepreneurial & Innovation.

Description: This column highlights the recent developments in the Health, Management and Personal Development, and Reinsurance Sections of the Society of Actuaries.

Description: This article explores the development of the annuity market in the UK over the past 20 years. It examines the explosive growth achieved by the enhanced annuity market and delves into the kinds of customers attracted by these products and the kinds of enhancements typically presented. It also explores the impact of government policy changes which have lead to annuity volumes declining and 'drawdown' product becoming more popular.

Description: This article is about how to develop vision statements, both corporate and individual.

Description: This article shares tips for those starting out in the actuarial profession. The source is my experience and that of Ian Duncan FSA FIA FCIA MAAA and other actuaries.

Description: The article discusses common themes with personal branding: be authentic, consistently manage your brand, manage your social media reputation.

Description: The author discusses how small firms can compete successfully against big firms by cre¬ating a micro-niche business, because other firms—including big firms—cannot compete directly. In this way a small firm can compete against large firms with great success by stepping outside direct competi¬tion, in which it cannot hope to win. From ‘The Stepping Stone’ issue number 43.

Description: Introduction of the Leadership & Development 20th Anniversary Special Edition of The Stepping Stone.

Description: Discusses a seminar that was run jointly under the auspices of the International Actuarial Association and the Groupe Consultatif in Europe. The theme was entitled “educating actuaries with a business orientation,” and the seminar covered skills that employers look for in actuaries and how business skills could be acquired.