Description: The Stepping Stone issue 60, November 2015

Description: Innovation has become a fashionable concept, but what does it really mean? Are the concepts of innovation and invention synonyms? Is innovation a good thing? If so, why so many oppose it? If we want to become innovators, what considerations should be kept in mind? Are there examples of innovative thought in the actuarial field? If so, can you think of some of them? If you want answers to these questions please read Jay Jaffe’s article, Becoming a More Effective Innovator. Innovation is a big idea in the business education, so much so that many MBA programs are including courses on the subject, so much so that, as we know, our Section is called Entrepreneurial & Innovation.

Description: This presentation is a panel discussion from the 1991 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held October 20-23 in Toronto. The panelists, discussing their own experiences in Canada and the U.S., present their views on why they chose to leave insurance companies for a consulting career. Their individual experiences include joining existing firms, as well as starting a practice as an independent consultant. The panelists discuss the tradeoffs between an insurance company career and consulting, and how to start a consulting practice, including skills needed, marketing, financing, and finding a niche. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 4B.