Nicki Tofler, member services and relationships manager at NIBA, talks about joining the insurance industry, raising the standard of education among brokers and dining with the People's Princess.
Why insurance?
I’m relatively new to insurance and have found it to be one of the most diverse and interesting industries that I’ve ever worked in. Despite the fact that brokers and insurers are actually fierce competitors, I like the way they can set aside their differences and work together for the betterment of the industry. It is a personable, friendly and highly social working environment, which suits my personality to a tee!
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Social, committed, successful.
How would you change the industry?
Raise the standard of education by having
ASIC regulate that all brokers need to be diploma qualified in order to provide advice.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
Review spending on international aid and redirect the funds to improve infrastructure and support the health, education and quality of life for all Australians.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry today?
The power of the internet. While improving knowledge, access and productivity, it brings with it exposure to cybercrime and a huge challenge to brokers from the direct insurers.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
Soy cappuccino.
NRL, AFL, soccer or other?
Football – what’s that? I’m always in strife for not following or understanding what is happening in these sports. I’m more interested in having a hit of golf, bush walking or travelling!
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Princess Diana because she was the people’s princess. She was compassionate, selfless and had an amazing inner strength.
Steve Jobs because of his creativity, his ability to look outside the square and following his dream against all odds.
Dalai Lama because he is always smiling, he is calm and he promotes peace, happiness and contentment.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be… an astronaut. When I was in high school I loved studying astronomy and one of my friends and I had a desire to be the first female astronauts. However, physics and chemistry were not our favourite subjects so that killed that ambition!
