Quincy L. Branch, RHU, EHBA
Vice president employee benefits, Branch-Hernandez & Assocs. Insurance Services
Years at company: 8
College: UNLV 2000, BS in Business Management
Organizations: National Young Agents Committee Member (IIABA), Treasurer-Nevada Young Agents Committee, Member of NAHU, CCAHU, NAAIA
How can employers recruit young talent?
I think it's important for today's employer to understand that members of the generation that they are seeking to hire are different from those in the current “corporate culture.” They may need to identify tactics and things to be revamped for the next generation. Young agents are seeking the support of the business but also the freedom and encouragement to bring in fresh and new perspectives.
What is an important lesson you learned when joining a professional working environment?
The importance of first impressions. As young agents we have to make a conscious effort to always make sure that we are presenting ourselves in the best possible manner. To me this is key as we continue to interact with those that have already attained the positions we aspire to.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in 2011, and how did you handle it?
Healthcare reform. As no one is certain how or what the final outcome of the reform will be, I feel it's imperative for agents like myself to stay knowledgeable and ahead of the curve. We will be the experts that our clients will rely on.
How did you determine that insurance was a viable career choice?
My father has been in the insurance industry since I was about 13 years old. As I was finishing my last year at UNLV I was also working in his back office doing filing and bookkeeping work. He advised me to attain my license so we could have it in the office. About a year or so after I received my P&C license, we moved offices and were growing our commercial client base and my father asked that I get my L&H license so that I would be balanced and well-rounded in the insurance industry. Once I received my L&H license, our agency opened an employee benefits division. The rest, as they would say, is history still in the making.
What advice do you have about working with family?
Treat it as any other business environment. I view my father as the boss and treat him as such while we are in a business setting. People always assume that I have it easy because my father is the owner, but it is the complete opposite. I feel that I work harder because of the level of expectation and relationship. I always want to earn what is given to me.
What's toughest about being a young agent in a field where the average age is 55?
Gaining respect is the toughest thing I have experienced since becoming an agent. I found early on that most people would underestimate me because I look young. That is why I am a big supporter of education. Education is the one thing no one can take away from you so when your opportunity comes to present/speak, you are prepared and your talent shines.
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