Aggregator rebuilds program around COVID-19

An aggregator has deemed it “time for a longer-term and more holistic approach” to supporting brokers through COVID-19, redesigning and relaunching its learning and development (L&D) program to better suit the current environment.

Connective promptly moved its meetings and events online as a “pragmatic response” to the introduction of social distancing measures, but has redone its L&D program given the ambiguity around how long COVID-19 isolation could last.   

“Aggregators need to undertake a holistic review of how we are delivering value to brokers and not just attempt to retro-fit their learning and development programs onto a digital platform,” said Connective managing director Mark Haron.

“We’ve pulled our L&D program apart and put it back together in a way that makes sense in the middle of a pandemic. We remain focused on our 2020 ‘Elevate and Inspire’ L&D theme, but our context has changed, and we have acknowledged that in all our content and our delivery.”

Connective’s restructured program will include:

• A resource portal with the latest lender information for brokers
• Large format events such as the key-note speaker series and small, personal group sessions like broker-facilitated discussion forums with lender partners
• Peer to peer learning in the broker speaker series
• Tailored topics such as a lender webinar supporting female brokers and clients
• Workshops on essential topics like marketing, compliance and diversification
• On-demand content for brokers to upskill when and where it suits them

“Our technology and agility allowed us to move quickly and provide pragmatic solutions to our brokers in the early stage of lockdown,” explained Haron.

“Now, we're moving forward to provide a more sustainable and contextual learning program for our brokers. This isn't just about moving a physical event to an online format.

“We’ve worked with our lender partners to tailor content to address the challenges and demands of the new landscape and ensure we genuinely connect lenders with our brokers.”

The first event in Connective’s updated program is the Lender Splendour sessions, a week-long program where brokers will get the latest COVID-19 updates from Connective’s lender partners and hear how they are supporting brokers with tools and resources to help get their clients through financial hardships.

The program commences tomorrow, 28 April, with major banks CBA and ANZ kicking off the sessions.

"It’s more important than ever that lenders and brokers stay connected and a new, holistic digital platform where brokers can engage with BDMs from lenders in an interactive and authentic way is what we’ve delivered," Haron finished.