Message from Patrick Peck, MD, Regional Agency / FA and Bancassurance

Message from Patrick Peck, MD, Regional Agency / FA and Bancassurance

Dear Leaders and Financial Representatives,

Firstly, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation for your relentless commitment in 2023, which played a vital role in continuously protecting our clients.

As we start a new year, it is necessary for us to have the right mindset, right attitude, and the right action. To Reach for Great, we need to set ‘BHAG goals’ – Big, Hairy, Audacious, Goals. These goals may sometimes sound crazy to the world, but with our conviction, everything is possible.

Have the belief that by setting BHAG goals, we are pushing ourselves beyond our comfort zone and stretching our capabilities to bring out the best version of us. This mindset makes us bolder, challenging us to go beyond what we think are our limitations. It also prompts us to maximise our resources creatively and compels us to constantly seek new avenues for improvement, propelling us towards the realisation of our full potential.

Together as ONE, let’s Reach for the Greatest and make this year a testament to our collective drive, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

We kicked-off 2024 with our first event, Reach for the Greatest – Great Kick Off 2024 at Marina Bay Sands in the presence of close to 3,000 financial representatives.

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024
Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

The event opened with a heart-thumping lion dance performance by an award-winning troupe. It was a high-tempo performance as we ushered in a year of bold beginnings. The troupe took their performance a notch higher with challenging stunts and moves in the air. It not only raised the energy levels in the hall but also gave everyone something to think about – what rigour these performers must be practicing at to reach this level? It is with unwavering passion for what they do, that they give their very best, this is the mentality that we are trying to bring forward in 2024, Reach for the Greatest!

The opening keynote was by Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Khor Hock Seng, who rallied everyone in the room to become more ambitious, bold, and push beyond their perceived limitations to achieve their goals. He further touched on the real meaning of Reach For Great – it’s about goals, values, commitment, and having the right attitude. He closed by shedding light on our 2024 strategic focus in the areas like Products, Customer Experience, and Operational Services, that will continue to lead Great Eastern to greater success.

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024
Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

Taking the stage next was our Managing Director – Regional Agency, FA & Bancassurance, Mr Patrick Peck. He gave an inspiring speech on goal setting. He delved into the importance of BHAG – Big Hairy, Audacious, Goals. These are goals that should feel almost crazy, beyond our existing capacity, giving us goosebumps, and evoking a never-give-up fighting spirit within us that gives us the courage and guts to venture into new territories. He explained that BHAG is pushing ourselves beyond the comfort zone. He encouraged all agency leaders and representative to keep in mind the importance of staying focused on their goal-setting.

Managing Director – Group Marketing Mr Colin Chan spoke next and reinforced the message that product innovation remains a priority this year. He highlighted enhancements like the GREAT Flexi Saver to encourage policyholders to retain their funds with us, the comprehensive GREAT Bundle of Joy enabling our customers to financially plan for their entire families, and the introduction of Prestige Legacy Advantage to meet the growing demand for legacy solutions.

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

Our surprise segment saw the cast appearance of an upcoming home-grown movie Good Goodbye 好好说再⻅. This film presents a heartfelt narrative about palliative care, revolving around the central theme of letting go, and how one should ready themselves financially and emotionally to fight illness. The cast shared their personal life experiences, striking a deep chord with the audience. ‘Good Goodbye’ will be released on big screens this March.

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024
Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

Continuing on the topic on new opportunities in 2024, Managing Director – General & Group Insurance, Mr Jimmy Tong shared some of the plans in line for the year in the areas of training, products propositions, promotions and incentives. He emphasised our responsiveness to customer feedback and detailed various updates and new processes, ensuring improved services for both customers and financial representatives.

Not forgetting our Customers’ experience, Managing Director – Group Customer & Digital Mr Ryan Cheong shared new and exciting developments related to Great Eastern App, Financial Storyboard, and the Great Planner, paving the way for a stronger and more impactful digital approach. He encouraged the agency force to use the app when assisting customers with their Financial Storyboard.

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024
Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

By this time all financial representatives in the room were eagerly awaiting their favourite segment – incentives and travel. George Goh, Heady of Agency, and Glen Yong, Head of Agency Business Development, brought the room to life by revealing exciting incentives for financial representatives that had the room cheering and clapping. These include thrilling holidays to exotic overseas destinations such as Vienna, Prague, Jeju, and Tokyo as appreciation for the dedication of our financial representatives. The team also unveiled our first quarter sales challenge and ended our first event for 2024 on an inspiring high.

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

Great Eastern invited renowned aspirational speaker, Solomon Hicks, to share his experiences. His moving speech drew from real-life insights, encouraging everyone to persevere, dream big, and believe in themselves. The most memorable part was when he got everyone in the hall to shine their phone torchlights and sing: “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine!”

Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024
Reach for the Greatest - Great Kick Off 2024

The Great Leaders Kick Off

The Great Leaders Kick Off

Following the Great Kick Off, Great Eastern’s leaders, along with the various agency directors, gathered at the annual Great Leaders Kick Off to discuss updates, priorities, strategy, and business direction for the year. This year, close to 500 leaders attended the event in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Khor Hock Seng who shared key industry trends and strategic goals for the year.

Adding to that was Managing Director, Regional Agency/FA & Bancassurance Mr Patrick Peck who shared the 4Ws and H (i.e., what, where, when, who, and how), reinforcing the strategic goals for the year and how we can go about achieving it. He set the scene and touched on the focus areas for the session - Recruitment and Retention, Lead Generation, and High Net Worth.

Head of SG Agency Mr George Goh deep dived into Recruitment and Retention, sharing with the Leaders the statistics for the last 3 years, together with upcoming schemes and programmes.

Dominic Lee Tong, VP, Brand Marketing & Activation, introduced a new company initiative which allows the agency force to brand themselves via an agency franking branding toolkit which has garnered interest from the Leaders.

Mr Thomas Thian, Head, Distribution Alliance and Events, touched on the newly launched lead generation initiatives which includes an integrated activity hub, including a pilot program at One North that was introduced in Q1 2024.

The last segment was presented by Ms Joie Lim, Head, Affluent and HNW Business Management, who covered the new enhancements, including an Associate Prestige Partner and Prestige Partner Aspirant Club track.

Leaders were divided into three tracks based on their clusters. Zooming in on the three main pillars, presenters and moderators took turns to provide more details on their initiatives and to gather feedback from the ground.

The event concluded as Mr Patrick Peck wrapped up the day with the last push and a resounding Huat Ah!

Appreciating our incredible fundraisers

Appreciating our incredible fundraisers

Great Eastern Women’s Run 2024 Fundraisers

We are thrilled to share the incredible success and heart warming moments from the recent Great Eastern Women's Run 2023 Reach for Great Fundraising Challenge. This event brought together passionate individuals with a shared goal - making a positive impact on the lives of others. Our dedicated fundraisers, fuelled by compassion and determination, ran and clocked in the distance to support our beneficiaries, Daughters Of Tomorrow and Singapore Cancer Society, supported by Community Chest. Their efforts were not only inspiring but also instrumental in creating meaningful change within our community as we raised a total of S$260,000.

Appreciating our incredible fundraisers

Mary Tan Lay Muay (Right) and Jasmine Pang (Left)

Appreciating our incredible fundraisers

Team JKLA (Left) and Jesslyn Tan (Right)

The highlight was the spectacular treat for our top fundraisers. They were invited to an unforgettable experience at the Singapore National Stadium Great Eastern suite on January 23, 2024, where they enjoyed the dazzling lights, the electrifying atmosphere, and the soul-stirring music of COLDPLAY: MUSIC OF THE SPHERES WORLD TOUR. We extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to all participants for their unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Let's continue this journey of giving, spreading love and hope with every step. Together, we can Reach for Great and bring about positive change in the lives of those in need.

Stay tuned for more exciting opportunities to make a difference in the coming year.

Rise & Shine Challenge: 2024 Q1 incentive challenge!

Rise & Shine Challenge: 2024 Q1 incentive challenge!

There can’t be a more exciting way to start the year than to earn yourself a trip to Tokyo and encourage your fellow agency folks to join you! We really want you to be there.

So, for the first time ever, we are running a trip-based challenge based on qualifying wealth and protection plans that enrich your clients’ financial portfolio while taking care of them along the way.

The challenge was launched on 5th January during the Great Kick Off to a rousing response from the agency and this is the recap of the qualifying criteria for the Rise & Shine Challenge.

  • Cases Issued within the qualifying period 01 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 (both dates inclusive) except for Great CareShield Supreme to be issued by 30 April 2024. Qualifying products include all RP life, A&H and the newly launched Prestige Legacy Advantage Policies (with attaching riders), excluding RP UL, Prestige Portfolio, GREAT SupremeHealth, GREAT TotalCare and all remaining Single Premium Plans.
  • Qualifying Indicator includes 3 x FYC recognition for all eligible A&H Plans, 20% FYC recognition for Great Flexi Cashback, Great Flexi Goal, Great Wealth Multiplier 3, Great Retire Income, and Great Lifetime Payout 2. Lastly, 50% FYC recognition for Prestige Legacy Advantage plans.
  • Representatives stand to qualify for a 3D2N to Tokyo in a Twin Sharing Room with a minimum of $10,000 Qualifying FYC. With $20,000 and $30,000 Qualifying FYC, qualifiers will be awarded with a spending cash of $500 and $1,500 respectively on top of it.

New product innovations 2024

1. Prestige Legacy Advantage

Legacy planning is no longer a service just for the high net worth. Today, we see a growing demand from the younger mass affluent segment seeking legacy solutions. With a longer runway to grow their wealth, this group of younger customers are more willing to balance between premium affordability and smaller guarantees with potentially higher upsides.

Introducing the latest addition to the Prestige family, Prestige Legacy Advantage, which allows your customers to create an immediate lifetime coverage of up to 20* times with an affordable single premium. In addition, your customers can be assured of added peace of mind with a non-lapse guarantee privilege in the first 15 policy years.

Growth does not happen overnight, it takes time. Therefore, start engaging your prospective customers to help them grow their legacy.

*Based on life assured of 30 Age Next Birthday (ANB), Male, Non-smoker, Standard risk class and choice of minimum single premium amount.

New product innovations 2024

2. GREAT Bundle of Joy

Tying in with the 2024 Dragon year, we have refreshed our GREAT Bundle of Joy, to include more attractive offerings for both the newborn and parents. We have also refreshed our GREAT Maternity Care with a SIO offer (2 simple declarations) for restructured hospitalisation plans for the newborn. Parents are not forgotten, and both parents will be entitled to a free 1-year term coverage when they purchase selected plans for their newborns, with up to S$100 cash rewards.

With over 40,000 new births expected this year, do not miss the opportunity to engage new families and grow your business with them.

3. GREAT Careshield

The competitive CPF solution to help you grow your customer base.

In 2023, thanks to everyone’s hard work, we were the top CareShield life supplement insurer, with a total of 56,000 new cases. We would like to remind everyone that 2024 is the last year of exclusivity, after which MOH will open up the market to more insurers.

Wait no more, with our competitive advantage of lifetime payout with 1 ADL. Continue to reach out to new customers.

Q1 2024 Market Outlook – A Summary from Products & Propositions (Funds)

Despite the global economy’s surprising resilience in 2023, several factors, including elevated interest rates, lingering inflation and ongoing geopolitical tensions, could trigger a slowdown in 2024. Moreover, a baked-in optimism and delayed economic impact of past hikes raise caution flags, and markets are betting on a soft landing that might not last. Hence, the possibility of a recession should not be dismissed entirely, even with potential rate cuts on the horizon. That said, a potential earnings rebound, disinflation, and dovish central banks nearing the finish line of their rate hikes, offer potential support for risk assets. We should remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to navigate a potential downturn. Stay cautious as the path ahead might be bumpy.

We maintain a cautiously optimistic outlook on global equities for this quarter. While we anticipate potential headwinds from high valuations, geopolitical uncertainties, and possible earnings disappointments, we also weigh the upside potential from a corporate earnings rebound fuelled by the low base effect of 2023. Overall, we advocate a balanced portfolio to navigate the current market dynamics. We see continued value in global bonds due to their safe haven status and potential for price appreciation as central banks approach the end of their rate hike cycle and consider cuts. However, we remain mindful of inflationary risks and potential delays in policy shifts.

Q1 2024 Market Outlook

This year, be the Greatest Force for Good

Great Eastern’s long history as a trusted and dependable insurer places us at the heart of community development, where our actions have far-reaching outcomes. As we grow, so does our responsibility to contribute meaningfully in ways that would best support and sustain communities. All of you, our financial representatives, together with our employees, are our key enablers and activators of good.

Last year, more than 1,100 financial representatives dedicated more than 4,300 hours to volunteer in 29 community events, raising more than S$200,000 for local charities. Thank you for time, resources, and kindness to do good!

Please continue to share your ‘do good’ efforts and plans with us so that we can help publicise your efforts as part of building stronger communities and helping them Reach for Great.

This year, be the Greatest Force for Good

Here’s recapping some of the goodness done and dusted by Financial Representatives through publicity snapshots that were shared at the Great Kick Off 2024! Click here to view.

Be someone's lifeline - donate blood

Did you know each pint of blood can save up to three precious lives?

Do your part – donate blood because every drop matters!

Close to 150 brave Great Eastern employees and financial representatives in Singapore donated blood as part of our Great Eastern Blood Donation Drive which was held in December 2023 at CFE with the support of Singapore Red Cross.

Both employees and financial representatives joined hands to organise a blood donation drive to help contribute towards the critical need for blood in Singapore’s healthcare institutions.

Thank you to all our blood-donating heroes for uniting in vein, being a force for good by saving and transforming lives!

Be someone's lifeline - donate blood
Be someone's lifeline - donate blood
Be someone's lifeline - donate blood
Be someone's lifeline - donate blood
Be someone's lifeline - donate blood

Embrace the Morning Harvest

Embrace the Morning Harvest

Great Eastern Life Brunei organised a succulent planting activity called ‘Embrace the Morning Harvest’ for 30 special needs children at Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam. With the guidance of teachers from the centre, 19 employees and financial representatives participated as volunteers to guide the children in planting succulents in small pots, emphasising the feel of the soil and the uniqueness of each plant, thereby creating a sensory-rich experience.

For the children, it was an opportunity to see themselves in action, boost their confidence, and of course, have lots of fun. They learnt new things in the process too. For instance, they relied on verbal cues and visual aids to understand planting, and to express themselves through touch and exploration. Such engaging activities are designed to teach children how to plant succulents and foster a sense of connection to nature.

For our volunteers, this was an experience to remember. They were not just helping children create a greener environment, they were also able to make children with special needs feel truly special about themselves – and that kind of joy cannot be described in words.

Embrace the Morning Harvest
Embrace the Morning Harvest
Embrace the Morning Harvest
Embrace the Morning Harvest
Embrace the Morning Harvest

The Smiling Faces – a memory that would last a lifetime

The Smiling Faces – a memory that would last a lifetime
The Smiling Faces – a memory that would last a lifetime

Agency Directors Patrick Koh and Gerard Ng were inspired by the philanthropic acts of various charity programs when attending the Chinese International Dragon Awards (IDA). After almost a year of meticulous planning, the pair teamed up through the Trusted for Life Financial and GNA One’s Advisors teams to create an impactful community initiative with the support of Vietnam Red Cross and Truong Tieu Hoc School.

As part of this initiative, 31 financial representatives embarked on a 7-hour bus journey from Hanoi to a remote Truong Tieu Hoc School in Yen Bai Province, Vietnam. Together, they spread joy and smiles by donating winter clothes and stationery sets to 300 students. The volunteers were touched witnessing the smiling faces of the students, making them realise that one kind gesture can bring so much happiness into a child’s life.

This initiative went beyond just material donations, it created a bridge of understanding and compassion between the volunteers and the community they sought to support. In their eyes, it made them better and kinder human beings.

The Smiling Faces – a memory that would last a lifetime
The Smiling Faces – a memory that would last a lifetime
The Smiling Faces – a memory that would last a lifetime
The Smiling Faces – a memory that would last a lifetime

Walkathon vs Hearts

Walkathon vs Hearts

In a heart warming display of community spirit, Agency Director Kenny Lim and his team of 35 financial representatives organised ‘Walkathon vs Hearts’, an initiative aimed to raise funds and engage with the elderly community at the Moral Active Ageing Centre at Redhill. As part of this initiative, around 100 households of nearby HDB flats received everyday household essentials, such as milk powder, biscuits, honey, tissue, dish washing liquid, and many other items.

Walkathon vs Hearts
Walkathon vs Hearts

It was heartening to see this initiative raise an online donation of S$10,888 for the Children's Cancer Foundation. This generous contribution will support the families of children battling cancer, providing them with much-needed resources.

The activity aimed to bring joy and cheer to 30 elderly residents, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and warmth. The team engaged the elders in lively Bingo games and karaoke performances, fostering a sense of connection and shared joy.

Walkathon vs Hearts
Walkathon vs Hearts
Walkathon vs Hearts
Walkathon vs Hearts

‘Walkathon vs Hearts’ serves as a shining example of how professionals can go above and beyond their roles to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need. This initiative reminds us of the importance of community, compassion, and shared responsibility. It is truly inspiring to see individuals coming together to make a difference and bring hope to those who need it most.

Embracing Sustainable Lifestyles

Embracing Sustainable Lifestyles

What Do Sustainable Lifestyles Mean?

Sustainable lifestyles are ways of living, social behaviours and choices that minimise environmental degradation (i.e., the use of natural resources, CO2 emissions, waste and pollution) while supporting equitable socio-economic development and better quality of life for all.

Empowering people to live better and lighter

By 2050, the world’s population may reach 10 billion and with more people comes more demand for food, fashion, travel, housing, and related aspirations, and more. In a world stretched thin for resources and under the threat of global biodiversity loss and climate change, our lifestyles decisions are putting the planet at risk. We need targeted action.

Sustainable living means understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world around us and finding ways for everyone to live better and lighter. Applying a ‘people lens’ to sustainability is new and timely – and the opportunities are great.

Our future now depends on our behaviour and how we choose to live, work and play as global consumers – how we run our homes, what food we eat, how we get around, how we relax, what we buy, and how we care for our planet.

For infographic materials on sustainable lifestyles, please click here.

*The article is extracted from UNEP website, a long-time proponent of sustainable living and lifestyles, https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/sustainable-lifestyles

Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day

As Nelson Mandela has said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.” Which is why Advisors’ Clique is using sports as a platform to give back to the community.

Advisors’ Clique Sports Day is an initiative to support Singapore Red Cross (SRC) local humanitarian services. Participants played soccer, relay, tug of war, captain’s ball, and many other exciting sports. It is not only a time for physical prowess and friendly competition, it also offers valuable lessons in teamwork, strategy, and determination.

Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day
Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day
Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day
Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day
Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day
Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day

One of the standout qualities of this Sports Day was the impeccable teamwork demonstrated by financial representatives. They collaborated seamlessly, dividing responsibilities, and leveraging each other's strengths. From event coordination to managing registrations, their teamwork mirrored the synergy they create while managing their clients' portfolios.

This initiative successfully raised S$30,000 to support SRC’s mission of relieving human suffering, protecting human lives, and responding to emergencies. Partnering with SRC helped create a sense of community, highlighting the importance of giving back and contributing to society.

Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day
Advisors’ Clique Scores Big on Inaugural Sports Day

During the event, around 320 financial representatives celebrated the spirit of kindness and sportsmanship. They recognised that in both sports and finance, acknowledging and appreciating small victories is crucial. This positive reinforcement motivated participants to give their best, fostering an atmosphere of encouragement and camaraderie.

In conclusion, the success of Advisors’ Clique Sports Day organised by the financial representatives is a testament to their expertise not only in managing finances but also in going the extra mile and creating a memorable event that touched many lives.