60 seconds with Bernard McCrea, IC Frith Life and Health General Manager
We've read your title, now tell us how you would describe what you ACTUALLY do to a friend at a BBQ?
Essentially my focus is on looking after people’s financial affairs. For example I look after all their life and health insurances, their mortgages, discuss what KiwiSaver can do for them and help them with any business insurances they have or might need, such as shareholder protection or insure any debts the business has.
What's the biggest factor that's shaping your industry right now?
That would be turning opportunities into real business. The key is to keep focused on the 2-3 projects/ businesses that make the most gains for you, not the 5-10 you could work on. There are so many opportunities with new products and services that it’s a case of focusing on the ones you want to be good at or great at.
What led you to pursue your career path in the first place and can you remember where and when the light bulb came on?
I remember exactly, I was at school when I made it my goal to be a boss of a big company as it seemed a good thing to do. Then it was another manager who early in my career unselfishly said, “There’s only one person who’s in charge of your career and that’s you!” Right after that I left mainstream banking and went into the broad financial services sector and that opened up more career opportunities for me.
To what extent have your career goals changed/remained the same?
Doing a good job in whatever you’re doing has always remained the goal and it’s the best enjoyment you’ll get.
What is the one thing you would have done differently in hindsight getting to where you are now?
Probably those big presentations you sweated on don’t really mean that much in the big scheme of things. If you’re doing a good job and believe in yourself it will be all right.
Who is your most influential or inspirational professional influence and why?
I have many friends I work with to help me. Some help me in sales, some in management, some in marketing, some in finance, some in lending, some in regulation issues, some in IT services, some in fire and general services, some in trustee services and so on. I concurrently help them with stuff I’ve got to know over the years so for me it’s a simple formula: great relationships build great results for all