Aviva appoints twenty-seven new general agents to its french network.
After an 18-week induction period alternating hands-on work and theoretical training, organised by Aviva and certified by the French professional insurance training institute (IFPASS), the new Aviva agents started working in their respective branches on 1 January 2010:
- Alain Albert, in Gardanne (Bouches-du-Rhône)
- Cédric Barbençon, in Ambérieu-en-Bugey (Ain)
- Denis Barbier, in Beynes-Plaisir (Yvelines)
- Laurent Bastide, in Montbrison (Loire)
- Olivier Beaufort, in Dreux (Eure-et-Loir)
- Pierre Besançon, in Bellegarde-sur-Valserine (Ain)
- Maxime Biotteau, in Chemillé (Maine-et-Loire)
- Stanislas de Tourtier, in Cercié (Rhône)
- Julien de Lamerville, in Poitiers (Vienne)
- Laurent Derycke, in Beaucaire (Bouches-du- Rhône)
- Xavier Desalbres, in Bordeaux (Gironde)
- Cécile Fournié, in Bordeaux (Gironde)
- Sophie Gillioz, in Bordeaux (Gironde)
- Stéphane Gontier, in Amiens (Somme)
- Cyril Jannier, in Neuville-sur-Saône (Rhône)
- Olivier Lorry, in Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
- Frédérique Martineau, in Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
- Viannay Mathon, in Ceyzeriat (Ain)
- Pantxika Milhères, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
- Patrick Pelletier, in Gray, Port-sur-Saône and Vesoul (Haute-Saône)
- Patrice Pezzini, in Marcy-L’Etoile (Rhône)
- Frédéric Picot, in Pithiviers and Beaune La Rolande (Loiret)
- Valérie Scotto, in Nice (Alpes-Maritimes)
- Eric Sueur, in Amiens, Albert and Gamaches (Somme)
- Arnaud Vanoye, in Dunkirk (Nord)
- Sébastien Viaene, in Nogent-sur-Seine (Aube)
- Gilles Yacoub, in Aubagne (Bouches-du-Rhône).
Recruitment of Aviva general agents on the rise since 2002
Since 2002, Aviva has been implementing a highly active general agent recruitment policy. In fact, Aviva is the only company in the market to have significantly increased its number of agents (812 in 2003, 850 in 2005, 875 in 2007).
The ideal candidate is a man or woman aged between 30 and 50 with at least two years’ higher education and successful sales experience. Academic qualifications are not the most important consideration: a relevant career path and sales experience are real assets.
Whether or not the candidate is based locally will also be taken into account, as “being a local” and understanding the specific character of a region will help in their dealings with future customers.
IFPASS-certified training that combines theoretical and on-the-job components
In view of the upsurge in recruitment, the increasing specialisation of the insurance sector and different approaches to branch management, Aviva has designed a training programme adapted to this new context.
The training programme allows agents to continue to perform effectively whilst acquiring new skills. Immediately after their recruitment they undergo thorough introductory training, complemented by a second phase of training that offers the opportunity to specialise.
Throughout their careers, Aviva’s regional managers are on hand to guide agents and train them in new products and technologies.
The training programme for new general agents lasts 18 weeks. It is based on alternating training, combining theoretical modules with onsite training in branches. Candidates’ knowledge is tested on an ongoing basis throughout the process. Assessment is carried out by the training team.
Successful trainees are awarded a diploma certified by Aviva Assurances and IFPASS.
For two years after taking up their posts, general agents follow a complementary training programme intended to build on aspects of the profession in which they have acquired a basic grounding. This gives them the necessary independence, particularly within the context of the delegation of powers.
The “Good Advice” approach, a key element for Aviva general agents
In France, long-term customer satisfaction is a key lever for growth. Aviva has invested heavily in this area and continues to do so. The company is gradually extending its policy of personalised guidance for customers, known as the “Good advice” approach, to all of its distribution networks.
This approach consists of offering customers solutions and services that truly meet their expectations and monitoring their situation regularly to make changes to policies if necessary. The general agents are responsible for ensuring that this approach is applied properly.
