{"id":30493,"date":"2024-04-26T10:08:07","date_gmt":"2024-04-26T15:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plusweb.org\/?post_type=resource&p=30493"},"modified":"2024-04-26T10:08:07","modified_gmt":"2024-04-26T15:08:07","slug":"a-day-in-the-life-jessica-centeno-part-2","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/plusweb.org\/resource\/a-day-in-the-life-jessica-centeno-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"A Day in the Life: Jessica Centeno Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another edition of A Day In The Life. This is part 2 of a fantastically insightful view into what the typical day looks like for a Client Manager<\/strong>. Jessica Centeno from Lockton Companies has generously volunteered to enlighten our audience with her insights. Her information was so informative and robust that we didn\u2019t want to edit it down to a single post, so we\u2019ve split this into two posts. In this second edition we will discuss Jessica\u2019s daily routine, tips for progressing in your career, discuss the challenges Client Managers face, and the importance of mentors.<\/p>\n

Client Managers<\/strong> play a crucial role in managing individual client accounts, serving as a primary point of contact for risk management & insurance. Client Managers are often responsible for cultivating long-term relationships, and providing trusted advisory services, monitoring changes within client organizations to update business strategies, understand clients’ business and insurance needs. In addition to supporting the day-to-day service needs of clients, they support marketing, placement, and servicing of insurance lines while handling daily administrative tasks associated with client service.<\/p>\n

Daily Structure<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What does your morning routine consist of?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coffee and ideally a workout \u2013 waking up early to spend time to focus on myself is a great way to start the day refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes my way. I\u2019m usually in the office at a minimum of four days a week, so I\u2019ll commute to the office and begin the workday by creating my to-do list for the day, daily reading on articles\/news, and then connecting with UK partners while it\u2019s still workday hours across the pond.<\/p>\n

What tips do you have for hosting meeting effectively?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Preferably holding them in person, but always having a structured agenda by requesting questions beforehand and being able to moderate and guide the discussion. Sometimes clients will pivot, or want to focus on specific topics, so always being prepared that conversations may not always go as planned and as the agenda requires, so being flexible and able to pivot with your client is important.<\/p>\n

How do you achieve work life balance?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I\u2019m not working, I\u2019m making sure to take the time to focus on myself. I try to dedicate my mornings and evenings to my health, whether it\u2019s working out, cooking, spending time with loved ones and friends, or catching up on doctor appointments and errands. I can certainly be better at work life balance, and I\u2019m still trying to navigate on how to get there, whether it\u2019s challenging myself with goals and prioritizing networking events after work and even tasks. Because I\u2019m young in experience and eager to grow, I don\u2019t mind working longing days and dedicating more time to my carrier.<\/p>\n

What do you do to ensure you are progressing in your career and continuously learning?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Continuing to seek out designations and continuing education opportunities. I am consistently subscribing to newsletters and following attorneys and news platforms to be on top off the latest trends and emerging risks. I raise my hand and say \u201cyes\u201d to all opportunities, where team members may need help or additional hands. I\u2019ve become a sponge in the space, soaking up any thing that I can use to my educational advantage.<\/p>\n

How do you approach mundane or administrative tasks?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Taking a break \u2013 going for a ten-minute walk and grabbing a favorite latte or coffee is the perfect reset during the day. Then revisit that task with a fresh outlook. If it\u2019s a rainy day, and I\u2019m in the office, I\u2019ll stroll the office floor and either catch up with someone from the team or try to make a new connection with someone from another practice group that I haven\u2019t met yet.<\/p>\n

How has COVID-19 changed your daily habits?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The ability to have effective remote meetings has helped tremendously with the engagement of clients. When challenges arise, we can easily coordinate a call to have all parties on the line, no matter their geographical location or time zone. Underwriting meetings were always in person, and we had to hold them in large space prior to COVID-19. Now, being able to have everyone dial in and extend the marketing effort to many competitive carriers makes the marketing effort for the client easier and strategic.<\/p>\n

What is the most challenging part of your day and how do you tackle it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Being able to disconnect from the workplace. I struggle with leaving my desk until all my tasks are complete. One of my mentors told me that it\u2019s ok to accept that you won\u2019t be able to finish everything at the end of the day. It becomes impossible as you grow in your career and are given more extensive tasks that can\u2019t be done in an hour, let alone a full day\u2019s work. When it comes to tackling this challenge, I usually find a good stopping point to commute home and aim to cook. I find the commute home to be a nice segway to disconnecting, and then being able to cook and keep my hands busy and away from my phone\/laptop really helps me with the mental break. If there is something pressing at work or that needs to be done prior to the next day, I\u2019ll still do this, but can revisit my tasks after cooking and eating my dinner. It\u2019s important to take breaks, but certainly easier said than done.<\/p>\n

What is your favorite part of the day and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Any moment I get to spend with my team, whether it\u2019s at lunch, an internal meeting at the office, or a quick catch up over coffee. COVID-19 certainly put things in perspective, and I\u2019ve learned to appreciate the face time with the team. It\u2019s important for the work culture and brainstorming together really makes a difference opposed to brainstorming alone.<\/p>\n

Aspirations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

What advice would you give your younger self?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mistakes happen \u2013 they\u2019re learning lessons. I used to (and am guilty of occasionally doing this still) beat myself up every time I\u2019d make a mistake. As I continue to grow and develop in my career, I\u2019ve found that the mistakes in my past have taught me what to do and not do as I\u2019m revisited with some of the same challenges and new ones.<\/p>\n

What is one of your goals you are working towards and have not yet accomplished?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Being a leader in the Cyber industry \u2013 I\u2019d love the opportunity to excel in this industry and I continue to refresh my goals on an annual basis to continue my growth in all focus areas: continuing education\/being technical, business development, management skills and building relationships. I eventually want to be a resource where other professionals in the industry can come to me for educational purposes and be able to give back to the industry.<\/p>\n

Are you a mentor or a mentee? Please describe this relationship.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am both a mentor and mentee. I find that no one can be too old or too young to be either a mentor and or mentee. We can all learn from each other in many different and unique ways. I\u2019ve been lucky to be a part of the PLUS mentorship program, where I\u2019ve met a key mentor in my career, and been able to meet others and give back to others coming into the industry for their first year. I\u2019ve been asked to be someone\u2019s mentee and I\u2019ve asked others to be mentors, as I find that having a soundboard is important when making any major career decisions. I have three mentors I rely on and am extremely thankful for, and two mentees I\u2019d consider upcoming stars in the industry.<\/p>\n

What can the insurance industry do to attract and retain talent?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The industry is underrated \u2013 I find that there is a misconception that insurance is boring, but it\u2019s exciting, the community is great, and provides a financially comfortable lifestyle. There\u2019s plentiful opportunity and ways for people to organically grow. Providing individuals with the flexibility with remote work but finding a balance with in-person meetings and some days in the office may attract and retain talent nowadays. Most importantly, having the support of your organization to establish goals and have a clear understanding of the opportunities within your team is desirable for any potential leader or employee.<\/p>\n

Read Part 1 of Jessica’s Day in the Life here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Headshot Jessica Centeno<\/strong>, Client Manager, Lockton Companies<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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