Halloween-themed events designed to be engaging and fun
Aggregator outsource Financial kicked off the first of its state-based conferences for brokers and lenders last month and has plans for more events designed to make education fun.
The outsource Spooktacular events ran in Queensland on October 9 and 10, Victoria on October 18 and 19 and in NSW on October 26 and 27.
The conferences attracted over 350 attendees with many outsource Financial staff and members travelling from interstate to attend.
Among the present were (pictured above) outsource Financial national brand manager Madeleine Dart, head of training and education Heather Gallagher, CEO Tanya Sale, head of corporate governance Debra Benn and state manager for Queensland and Western Australia Paul Marshall.
A number of industry updates were provided by Sale and FBAA managing director Peter White coupled with two workshops on operational excellence from Jason Back of Broker Essentials, as well as a keynote address from Jacqui Cooper, a five-time winter Olympian and 15-year company ambassador for La Trobe Financial.
Education vital for success, says outsource Financial
Gallagher said ongoing education programs were vital for brokers and lenders.
“Whilst it is true that there is an industry association requirement for a certain number of professional development points each year, the reality is that it is even more important in these fast-changing times that brokers are on top of everything so they can deliver the very best outcomes for the consumer,” said Gallagher.
The outsource Financial NSW team at the conference included, from left, Debra Benn, Sarah Chan, Andrea Tassis, Heather Gallagher, Donn Tariga, Umit Kose, Tanya Sale and Madeleine Dart.
“Knowledge is the key way in which brokers can stay competitive,” Gallagher said. “This includes updates from lenders on policy and product, but equally includes compliance, fraud mitigation and enhancing their skills as business owners.”
Gallagher said whilst there were plenty of educational offerings for brokers out there, much of it was either lender and product-focused, or was only delivered to a select group of brokers.
“We believe that all education should be accessible to everyone which is why having Jason Back present workshops on operational excellence at this event was such a win for so many brokers.
“With a varied audience [ranging] from new entrants to owners of our largest brokerages, Jason was able to find the balance and deliver high-energy sessions with practical take aways for everyone to implement.”
outsource Financial aims to make broker education fun
The Halloween theme of the events, held in the lead up to Halloween on October 31, was designed to be “engaging, relevant and fun”.
“This ensures that key information sinks in and that our attendees commit their time to the entirety of the even,” Gallagher said.
The outsource Financial Victorian team at the conference included, from left, Irene D’Arcy, Heather Gallagher, Tanya Sale, James Kemp, Madeleine Dart, Fabrice Vivier and Debra Benn.
Sale said events such as these were always a success.
“The feedback I always get from our lender partners from both a high-level, and from those who attend a variety of events across the industry, is that our brokers are highly engaged, and I put this down to our approach to education,” Sale said.
“It is balanced, and it really delivers content in a way that is innovative … with a bit of fun in the mix.”
One of the components of the events was the ‘Hocus Pocus, It’s Time to Focus’ game show where a panel of brokers compete on their knowledge of key lender partners ANZ and CBA, compliance, BID and a bonus fun category related to their outsource team.
More outsource Financial events planned for 2024
outsource Financial, which recently welcomed private lender Aquamore to its lender panel, plans to run more events next year including an event focused on asset finance.
The Loan Admin Mentoring Program, which proved such a success when it launched in 2022 that it was held twice, will also return in 2024.
Earlier this year, outsource Financial launched an education series aimed at helping the heads of its top performing brokerages hone their skills as business owners.
