This week we’re learning more about Jason Julian of BGM Financial (part of The Winch Group of companies).
What inspired you to enter the industry?
It really was a combination of my love of serving and advising people along with watching how to properly consult employers through the various mentors I was blessed to work with early on in my career.
Who is your mentor?
I guess I was fortunate enough to have a few great mentors as I developed as a Benefits consultant and continue to learn from wonderful leaders in this great industry. My first and always mentor is Gary Shea. I always felt 10 feet tall in the room when he accompanied me to Group proposal meetings. Mind you, he is pretty tall to begin with!! I also was grateful to the early carrier reps that were so patient with me and taught me well. Don Smart, John Murray and Neil Morrison were great teachers. Despite being 30 years in the business I still learn and appreciate the role my mentors have played.
What are some things that people don’t know about you?
I was on the lead security team for Sylvester Stallone, Olivia Newton-John and Tony Bennett many years back at Carmens Annual Celebrity event.
What are the biggest lessons that you have learned in the business?
Gary Shea taught me that you do not own your groups you only rent them so do the best service job possible to earn the right every year to be their consultant. My highest priority has always been to serve with knowledge, kindness and a listening ear.
Do you have insights about the industry that you would like to share?
The industry landscape is changing rapidly. I believe the focus needs to be on a prevention first model/approach. Resources and tools to ensure employees are healthy rather than reactive with the mindset that they have a drug plan “when they get sick or illness manifests”. This very much includes brain health since the connection to our body and functions depend heavily on the functioning of our brains. I am very optimistic for the future of our industry and hopeful it will continue to adapt to a prevention first mindset as new technologies are introduced and embraced including pharmacogenetic testing, virtual health care and brain-healthy tools to name a few. The next generation of benefits consultants will be educated in these prevention first strategies and the impact will be dramatic on plan costs in a very positive way.
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