Simon Hermant is a specialist in helping businesses extract their full potential and achieve maximum growth. Where does he see himself in five years? Exactly where he is, just doing much more of the same. Find out why in today’s YPDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I help businesses make the best possible decisions in regards to mitigating their risks and protect them from any potential future exposures. Developing and implementing solutions that minimize their total cost of risk is essential. No two businesses or organizations are identical. Thus we work with each client to buid a strategy that is best suited for their particular needs. I focus on being a part of the planning and decision making process for every client to ensure that we are efficient and allow them to spend more time growing their business.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
Choosing to work as an Account Executive at Canada’s leading commercial and personal insurance brokerage, HUB International HKMB, was an easy decision. I started working for HUB because it not only has the best reputation with both its clients and markets, but it has the best possible platform for me to be successful as an entrepreneur. I work for myself within the context of the larger company: building my own book of business, while being able to leverage all of the knowledge and vast variety of industry expertise that our brokerage comprises. I love what I do because I get to help my clients make better decisions for their businesses and their personal assets. I know my clients businesses inside and out, and I get to build personal longstanding relationships with each of them.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
Learning is the best part of my day by far! I get to learn all day long and I love it. I am either learning more about my existing clients, their businesses and their industries, or I am learning about potential clients, their businesses and industries. When I am not doing these, I am learning something from someone. The more I know the better equipped I am to help my clients.
If everything is not a challenge, then you are not working hard enough.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I love what I do and I love living in Toronto. I will be here in five years time, doing more, much more, of the same.
What does success look like to you?
Success is being able to maintain a great work and personal life balance. Despite working very hard, I am much more of the “work to live” not “live to work” mentality.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
I am not one to mark my career or calendar with milestones. Maybe it is because that moment is still yet to come. But I am much more of the philosophy that in life you keep moving forward and that every day marks a new change: keep working hard; keep learning and don’t look back.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Be as involved as you can in both your business and in your community. And don’t ever be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I have always been very involved in my community in some shape or form, whether coaching minor hockey or volunteering for a great organization or helping fundraise for them. Currently I am involved with The Duke of Edinburgh Awards, The Canadian Special Olympics – Motionball, and Movember. In the past I have been very involved with Schools Without Borders and Journalists for Human Rights (JHR). I believe in doing as much as I can for others, especially when it is for such a worthwhile endeavour.
Describe your ideal retirement: how old will you be and how do you plan on spending your retirement years? (Sponsored by the TD Redefine Retirement Contest)
My ideal retirement will allow me to travel whenever and wherever I choose, all the while still having my hands in some business ventures. Hopefully there will loads of grandchildren to play with as well! As for my ideal retirement age, I can foresee myretirement as a slow transition out of a daily routine, but never really stopping to work altogether.
What are you looking forward to most about retiring? (Sponsored by the TD Redefine Retirement Contest)
Sleeping in past 5:30am on weekdays!
What to you is notable?
Anything that takes your breath away.
BlackBerry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
BlackBerry.