When Jacqui & Jeff, the owners of Alpha Financial Group (AFG) were approached to consider the e-Success program for their business their first question was “How practical is this program?”

Both Principals had been in the financial service/ insurance sector for 20 years, and with their current staff of four, AFG had been operating for 10 years.  They wanted a practical online program that would radically change their existing business model, and contribute directly to the bottom line without increasing client servicing time.

As one of the 10 businesses undertaking the e-Success program, they quickly discovered that their current business, which had a large amount of in-office, face-to-face client interaction, could achieve greater business efficiency, client “reach” and returns via a properly optimised online presence.

During the program, their business development vision radically moved from the existing financial product/ service mix for the local market, to an Australia-wide service with a distinct market niche positioning.

Completing the two 4-hour workshops had revitalised their thinking for their current online/ website presence. They considered the challenges to their existing parameters and insurance delivery model, and matched this to opportunities and e-strategies presented by the program.  This, in their words, was “the eye-opener”. 

An idea emerged.  If they could deliver an Australia-wide service at any time, reduce face-to-face time, and meet the just-in-time personal insurance needs of customers, they would have a winning formula without high establishment and overhead costs.

They created a new company, registered a new business name, and developed a strategic alliance with relevant business allies, suppliers and third parties to enable them to deliver a unique personal insurance service to any resident in Australia requiring life insurance or allied services.

They worked in tandem with Competitive Edge to develop a unique Australia-first website branded insurancequoterus.  This included additional calculators embedded into the website so consumers could go online and receive immediate indicative quotes for life insurance, income protection, total and permanent disablement insurance, and trauma crisis insurance from a company in Blackburn.   “Our business has benefited enormously from being exposed to market leading web developers and e-marketers from outside our industry who could analyse our business with fresh and challenging eyes”, said Jacqui.

While the new project has meant a considerable investment in time and money, AFG, working with Competitive Edge, are optimistic of a good return on investment.  Jeff and Jacqui believe that an online presence will provide them with viable business and client development while reducing traditional servicing costs.

In advising other businesses in the area about website development for their business, Jeff states, “I would advise them to do web research and look at similar businesses to theirs that are operating here and in other leading markets such as the USA.  When looking at similar business websites, they will learn enormously how to improve their own business/ service offering, and what works and doesn’t work.”

Both Jacqui and Jeff would definitely recommend the e-Success program to other businesses, and they have already recommended it to three friends running small businesses.

Their new site and business development resulting from the e-Success program can be viewed on www.insurancequotesrus.com.au