À Paris nous venons (To Paris, we come)!

Themed ‘Reaching For Great Towards GELAC Convention 2024’, the Achievers Congress 2023 welcomed more than 2,400 Great Eastern leaders and financial representatives at the Singapore Expo in early July this year. No expenses were spared in transforming the venue to a mini Paris, simulating the city’s elusive yet appealing ‘je ne sais quoi’ air of charm, romance and mystique as a major teaser and reminder to attendees of what they could potentially miss out, should they not qualify for the Great Eastern Life Achievers Club (GELAC) Convention 2024 which would be held in Paris, the capital of France.

TIPS! Based on the inconvenience truth of success as highlighted by Thian Lung Jong, a 12-year MDRT member during the expert-sharing session:

1. You are responsible for your failures. Own them and learn from them.
2. You must be willing to sacrifice. No easy rides, and certainly no free lunches!
3. You must be self-motivated. Stay positive and face negativity with courage. A growth mindset leads to possibilities and breakthroughs.

Stuart spoke on two topics, the first being ‘Work of Heart’; whether one would be willing to use 1% of one’s salary to ensure 75% of one’s salary will come in time, with or without the ability to work anymore. This framing of insurance can help customers recognise the value of protecting their income when unexpected events prevent them from being able to work. In ‘Hardware vs Heartware’, he expounded on how showing empathy is the first step towards truly being heard — a concept that is both art and science.

Director Josh Han touched on finding the conviction one needs to tackle any challenge. Within every obstacle is a potential lesson. The challenges in her career had led to discoveries that have not only driven confidence and professional achievements, but also meaningful relationships with customers essential to success.

Patrick Peck, Managing Director for RAFABA, also took the opportunity to get close and personal with the directors over dinner, exchanging ideas and motivating them to mentor one more representative in their team to qualify for MDRT next year.

Congratulations again to all MDRT qualifiers! See you and other financial professionals in the picturesque city of Vancouver, Canada next 9 to 12 June!

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Soar to PARIS-dise by qualifying for GELAC Convention 2024 with the following agency initiatives this Q3!

• Reach for Great Financial Future Consumer Promotion: Help your customers plan for a brighter future with customised life, health and wealth solutions for them and their family. Sign up for selected qualifying insurance plans to enhance their financial protection from now to 30 September 2023 and receive up to 20% in rewards.
• Special Prestige Life Rewards (PLR) Consumer Promotion: Exclusive to Maturity Rollover (MRO) customers! This is a last call to connect with your maturing clients for this promotion, ending 31 July 2023.
• MRO GREAT Grocery Grab Challenge: Be the Top 15 Financial Representatives with highest issued qualifying MRO Total Weighted Premiums from eligible qualifying products from now to 31 July 2023 and gain access to a bespoke private grocery experience with $1,500 worth of shopping credits!

With agency support, you can fly to Paris! The French says, ‘Voulair, c’est pouvoir’ (to want is to be able to)! We say, when there’s a will, there’s a way! So baguette up on cross selling and upselling based on what’s best for customers to croissant our paths at GELAC Convention 2024 in Paris, France. Seine you at the top of Eiffel Tower!

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Thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of our fundraisers and those who have steadfastly supported them through donations, let’s take collective pride in the following achievements:

As of 24 July 2023, we have

• 56 fin rep fundraising teams comprising 58 customers, 67 prospects and 99 fin reps!
• 24 fins reps signed up as individual fundraisers
• 28,435km as the total distance clocked by fin reps (individuals + teams)
• $53,417 as the total amount raised by fin reps (individuals + teams)

The top three fin rep teams by fundraised amount

Team JKLA, the current leader to beat for fundraising and first runner up for distance clocked, comprises fin reps from four different agencies united by a single mission: to support the great work of Singapore Cancer Society and Daughters of Tomorrow, the beneficiaries of this fundraiser.

This fundraising challenge gives us the opportunity to walk the talk, to go above and beyond the call of our profession to be a channel of financial blessings to those in need. We believe that greatness is measured by our actions. >> Leader Kristiana Anthon

Team JJAM, comprising one fin rep and three customers, appreciates how the fundraising challenge have brought them closer together. Not only is it a fun way to stay fit and healthy by clocking runs/steps, it provides ample opportunities for bonding while chalking up dollars for charity. What’s there not to love?

We celebrate every milestone together. Our aim is to be the top two teams and rally more donations for the beneficiaries. Coldplay concert tickets are also a wonderful incentive! We believe giving is the best form of action; even a little goes a long way. YOU can make a difference ❤ >> Leader Amanda Ng, Altitude Alliance

Team YOUBETTERRUN comprises four fin reps. Ranked second in terms of amount raised and among top five for clocking 1,337km. What’s the secret sauce here?

Just keep clocking your distances anytime, anywhere! As long as you are not in/on a moving vehicle 😉 >> Leader Jeralyn Tan Jie Ling, Signature Trust Advisors

Team Cosy comprises two fin rep and two customers. To clock 400km in a narrow timeframe, they broke the 400km target into attainable milestones.

Encouraging healthy competition within the team pushes us to go beyond comfort zones and achieve better results collectively. Positive reinforcement also plays a crucial role in boosting morale. That’s how we stay determined and dedicated to the fundraising cause >> Leader Ong Cheng Yen, Orion

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Inspired by fin rep peers who made it to the Roll of Honour and want to be part of this meaningful initiative? Sign up now for the Great Eastern Women's Run (GEWR) Reach for Great Fundraising Challenge 2023 here. As of 24 July 2023, we have raised close to $100,000 through the combined efforts of Great Eastern fin reps and employees. We know we can do better with your participation!

With more than two months to go, fundraisers who raise a minimum of $400 in teams or $100 as an individual by 31 August 2023 will receive a free GEWR 2023 race slot. And you still stand a good chance of being the top five teams and individuals, with a chance to win a Great Eastern suite experience for the Coldplay concert in January 2024, and more. Limited slots left for the fundraising challenge, so don’t miss your chance!

The global economy has shown remarkable resilience despite regional banking turbulence and geopolitical challenges. The labour market's strength has been a key factor - with low unemployment, wage growth, and moderately elevated inflation - supporting households during difficult times. While growth is expected to slow, the likelihood of a severe recession has diminished. However, a protracted period of below-trend growth is anticipated due to persistent inflation and central banks' cautious approach to rate hikes. Risks remain, including potential financial turbulence and a hard landing in China. Market sentiment calls for caution rather than panic, as sustained momentum will require patience in navigating uncertainties.

This quarter, our stance on global equities remains ‘neutral’. We have upgraded global fixed income to an ‘overweight’ position while reducing cash allocation. Global equities are experiencing a post-pandemic recovery, yet underlying price pressures remain. Short-term market strength is expected, driven by generative AI excitement, but caution is advised regarding narrow market rallies and high valuations. Investment decisions should be carefully considered due to worsening leading indicators and tightening credit conditions. Weak economic growth and market uncertainties make global fixed income compelling. As inflation eases with moderate interest rate hikes expected, we anticipate slower economic growth, tighter bank lending standards and potential rising corporate defaults that would lead to widened credit spreads. As a result, we prefer investment grade to high yield bonds.

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Farm-to-table is more than a trend. What you eat on a daily basis has an impact on both your and our planet’s health.

With Singapore currently importing 90% of our food, most of the food we eat has already chalked up significant carbon footprint in reaching us.

Replacing imported produce with local sources would easily result in a much smaller carbon footprint due to the shorter distance covered.

At the same time, food grown and harvested locally are fresher, more nutritious with better longevity, simply because less time is lost to freight.

Some of our local farms have even gone the extra mile to get their operations certified with the Singapore Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and Clean and Green (C&G) certification schemes.

To better identify local produce and differentiate produce from farms with quality assurance or sustainable schemes, look out for this series of badges which feature Singapore Fresh Produce (SGFP), GAP Certification, and C&G Certification.

This is a series on best practices for sustainable living.

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Kudos to Lin Yekai, Director of Financial Services, from Advisors' Clique for raising $13,939 for AWWA by undertaking the gruelling Gobi March, a 7-day, 250 km footrace in Mongolia, despite running his one and only conventional marathon during university days almost 20 years ago!

This means covering the 250km, a six-stage ultramarathon spanning mountains, valleys, sand dunes and forests. Temperature were hot in the day and cold at night. It took a toll on his body as he suffered from dehydration during the second half of the run, almost getting disqualified due to severe puking. Yet he did carry on successfully to rank 62 among 112 competitors.

Yekai attributed the funding from Great Eastern as key to turning his fundraising efforts and bucket list into reality – his aspiration to complete the run was among the three winning ideas sought from employees and fin reps as part of Great Eastern’s Reach for Great campaign launched last year. The brand promise of empowering everyone to achieve their unique version of greatness, no matter how big or small, is real.

All proceeds go to AWWA who will channel them to support the integration and inclusion of children with developmental needs, families with complex social issues, the elderly as well as persons with additional needs so that they may live out their various dreams and aspirations.

Hear directly from Yekai here in an interview with Singapore Today's Lance Alexander and Daniel Martin about his run, the fundraiser, the whys and the behind-the-scene lowdown on desert life.

In life, we will have many dreams and goals. I am fortunate to have a Great Company, Great Eastern, that enables me to reach for something I never thought was possible. It was a goal, a dream, a checkpoint in life and during this process, I gained more than I could have imagined. This journey has been a great challenge to overcome but I am delighted to have started and conquered it. To paraphrase Sir Edmund Hillary, ‘it’s not the desert we conquer, but ourselves.’ - Lin Yekai

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Advisors’ Clique Collective has opened AC Gym for youths with special needs every Friday evening. Fin reps and fitness trainers from NCSF conduct the weekly physical training for 15 attendees on average, building up their muscle tone as well as confidence.

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Agency leader, Craig Ong and his team from Henry Kencana & Associates are regular volunteers of Shan You Wellness Community since 2021. They deliver food packs prepared by the organisation to 50 elderly homes every month.

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