What is important to Tony?

This question could be addressed in different ways, but I am going to focus on my work and business and my current activities. First, as many know, I am passionate about distance education and lifelong learning so, if I may, I will write about my continuing professional education. I regularly attend educational sessions presented by my various suppliers and by Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada. In addition, I take other courses. Right now, I am registered in the first of two courses toward the Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) designation. This program focuses on critical illness, long-term care, and disability insurance, in addition to group benefits.

The Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation requires completion of four courses in the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) program plus 3 more. I completed the first four plus the first CLU course. Should I wish the CFP designation, I have a comprehensive and CFP exam to write. For the CLU, two more courses to go!

In my business, this is the time that I need to be talking to people. There are concerns about the volatility in the markets and the recent account statements being received. This is certainly the time to talk about the income for life programs that guarantee the amount invested, provide bonuses each year, and pay a guaranteed income. These programs take some explanation, so that is the focus of future meetings with prospective new clients. If this is not appropriate for the client, there are still principal guarantees with other investments I recommend.

Another area of concern to me is paycheque insurance. What happens if you are ill or injured? Will you have a continuing stream of income? If you do have the satisfaction of employer benefits, do you fully understand the limitations? I enjoy the opportunity to sit down and review coverage, even if just to educate. Remember, lifelong learning is a passion. Those who teach learn twice, so helping others often involves new learning for me.

Last, you should also know that I have the pleasure of being an online instructor for the University of Calgary in the Business and Professional Programs. In the spring, I taught Emergency Planning for Industry. Now, I am developing my January course, Risk Assessment. This just makes sense to me for two reasons. Everything is risk management related, from my dealings with clients to the risk management related courses. And, my graduate degree is a Master of Distance Education.

I would like to run some educational sessions for my clients and others. Please let me know your thoughts as to whether you would prefer to attend a session in person or thorugh a webinar.

**This message is an expression of the author’s personal opinions. The companies represented by Antony (Tony) Ratcliffe of Ratcliffe Wealth & Risk Management, as an independent agent/broker in Alberta, Canada, will not be held liable in any way for the opinions expressed herein.

Distance Education Technology Symposium

June 12 to 14, 2008, was Athabasca University’s 11th Annual Distance Education Technology Symposium (DETS), held at the Delta Centre Suite Hotel in Edmonton. Having attended the first symposium in Banff, in 1998, I continued attending many, with this being my 6th. DETS is presented by the Centre for Distance Education of Athabasca University in conjunction with the Master of Distance Education (MDE) program. If you read my prior entry, you will know the connection with me as a MDE grad. Students, alumni, and others are welcome.

Events such as DETS are inspiring and tend to re-ignite passions. When it comes to teaching others and developing materials, I come alive with distance education and technology. This becomes obvious when I can spend hours working at the computer and wanting more.

The DETS agenda saw us meeting for a social the first evening, renewing and making acquaintances with faculty, staff, alumni, and current students. Friday and Saturday were packed full of presentations by faculty, alumni, and students, with one friend making the trip from Mexico City to stay at my home and make a presentation during the conference. I am not going to cover the presentations here, but it was great to see Dr Jon Baggaley’s session covering his 800 day trip to 21 Asia-Pacific countries where he was involved with distance education research and development projects.

The presence of Web 2.0 in education is certainly noted. Although not new, it is still in its infancy. Just as I am becoming more familiar with the use of Web 2.0 tools in relation to business, I look forward to following the educational applications and their effect on teaching and learning. For my part, I will be incorporating Web 2.0 and educational activities in my business, and I hope to be able to report at a future conference.