Description: This book explores diplomatic strategy in an historical context. Many of the lessons in the book are useful to business decision-makers.

Description: Carlos Arocha, the 2022 Chair of the International Section Council, introduces the articles featured in the current newsletter issue. In addition, he highlights recent and planned activities undertaken by the section.

Description: TAXING TIMES recently sat down with a group of retired tax actuaries to hear about how they got involved in actuarial tax matters and how their tax experience impacted their careers. Their insights will be useful for actuaries who are just starting out in the profession, as well as more seasoned actuaries.

Description: Executives often tell subject matter experts such as actuaries, “You should think more strategically!” But, the executives never define what they mean by “thinking more strategically”. This article defines the skills actuaries need to be perceived as being more strategic. It will provide practical steps actuaries can take to gain more strategic influence and escape the trap of being perceived as only a subject matter expert who provides limited strategic value.

Description: The Society of Actuaries’ (SOA’s) educational track on General Insurance (property and casualty) was recently recognized by both Hong Kong and Singapore regulators.

Description: This article describes the EXCEL Model, a teaching and coaching tool developed by The Flippen group, College Station, Texas and adopted by many organizations. It focuses the leader on the needs of the team. The five components of the model are: Engage, X-plore, Communciate, Empower and Launch.

Description: An update on the activities of the JRMS

Description: This article addresses the importance of remembering to respect ourselves and others during times of uncertainty and stress, and offers practical tips on how to do so

Description: there is virtually no possibility of true balance in our lives because to chase “balance” between your work and family is unachievable and therefore futile. That’s because we are all actually living seven different lives, or “slices,” not just two

Description: As a dynamic entrepreneur, the question is not if you’ll need to prepare for high-stakes, emotionally charged conversations, but when you will have them. If you’re looking toward a business conversation where you want the outcome to be positive-oriented and forward-looking, there is some risk involved. It is worth your time to prepare and differentiate yourself before any words are spoken. Risk, in this situation, means that it could negatively or positively impact one or more of the following: Relationships, business outcomes, timing/efficiency, quality metrics, performance, or more. There is a literal cost to this kind of conversation going wrong! In this article, Libby Wagner shows actuarial entrepreneurs how to hold tough conversations that demonstrate respect and bring about the results they want.