I read the article "Survey highlights 'super broker' threat" (News, 10 August) and was a little surprised that the issue of technology does not feature more prominently in the list of brokers' concerns.
Although 15% of those that responded to the Lloyd's and Biba survey stated that the internet was a threat to their business, surely their lack of willingness or fear to embrace the onset of the electronic age will prove to be more harmful.
There is a plethora of technological developments, systems in development and some already in place (such as iMarket, digital pens and the use of mobile phone technology to send quotes and renewals and other supporting software) that will surely make a broker's life all the more easier.
Even just using laptops to submit electronic policy information in front of the client is a real problem with brokers instead preferring to seek comfort in the paper and pen.
Like anything, there are always exceptions to the rule and those that do see the potential, but the problem is not technology itself but issues with culture and a general lack of understanding.
One example of this is when a managing director was asked to download new software onto his back office system, to create a backup and then send it to a third party.
What the broker actually did was he downloaded the software from the disk and then photocopied it before sending that piece of paper back to the provider for safe keeping.
If the sector is not careful and does not start to embrace technological change, companies will stop marketing their ideas to the industry and start to look elsewhere. The profession will be in real danger of being left behind by more innovative and accepting sectors.
Amber James
Eastbourne
