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 article is a summary of a panel discussion, held at the March 2010 IAA Meeting in South Africa, which explored the dual roles of consulting actuaries as entrepreneurs and professionals. Topics covered include ethics and professionalism, conflict of interest, and management and communication skills, among others, representing views from small to large consulting firms in different countries.

Description: In this paper, Honorable Mention Essay for the Society of Actuaries' Entrepreneurial Actuaries Section 2010 Papers Competition, the author discusses the relative lack of personal insurance programs in third world countries, and the opportunities and challenges this presents to entrepreneurial actuaries. This essay discusses approaches for solving the issues in order that personal insurance programs in the third world will become a viable business opportunity. In addition to being an opportunity, the author believes this should also be an area in which actuaries feel a responsibility for finding solutions, because actuaries understand the problems and can find the answers. The author also suggests ways the Entrepreneurial Actuaries Section can help.

Description: This paper demonstrate how growing capital when businesses are failing and taking advantage of intellectual capital can assist a consulting actuary to become more successful and offer an alternative approach to expanding a consulting business.