24 Hours as WPA Healthcare Partner Gavin Flaxman

WPA healthcare partner Gavin Flaxman gives us the inside track on his typical workday schedule

Good health is our most precious asset and Western Provident Association (WPA) allows freedom of choice, offering customers the chance to secure health insurance cover for private treatment that may otherwise be unaffordable.

WPA healthcare partners (franchisees) work as local representatives throughout the UK, helping individuals and companies to find the right WPA health insurance product to suit their needs.

Customer relationships

WPA’s team of healthcare partners work as consultants, not only selling and promoting WPA’s health insurance products, but actively maintaining customer relationships with regular contact to ensure customer satisfaction.

Healthcare partners use their expertise to manage their customer portfolio, while building a successful business. They come from various backgrounds and different walks of life. However, they’re all passionate about providing exemplary levels of service for customers.

Successful candidates have to have the ability to develop a network of customers, have strong interpersonal skills and entrepreneurial spirit. The opportunity is a full-time commitment.

Find out what it’s like to be a WPA healthcare partner in a ‘day in the life’ of Partner Gavin Flaxman, who’s based in Reigate:

6.00am

Up early to get ready for a local networking meeting at 7.00am. This happens normally twice or maybe three times a week. I’m a member of breakfast groups in Weybridge, Betchworth and Dorking in Surrey.

At networking meetings we normally introduce ourselves and our business and then conclude by outlining the sort of referrals we would like to receive from our fellow networkers.

I usually focus on WPA being a not-for-profit organisation and stress the key differentiators with other health insurers.

I also highlight that I’m a franchisee, explaining that although I enjoy the support of a nationally known company and capitalise on the WPA brand, I’m still a local business owner, just like the other members.

These groups are more than just a source of referrals - they represent a support network outside your core business.

Invariably, you do meet a wide variety of people - primarily business owners - usually working alone or running small companies. If there’s a potential introducer, such as an independent financial adviser or accountant, in the room it makes good sense to forge an alliance with them.

9.30am

Back to my home office to start work on my list of tasks for the day and check my latest messages and emails to ascertain my immediate communication priorities.

10.00am

A brief meeting with my part-time PA who assists me with various administrative tasks with any marketing projects we consider appropriate.

11.30am

Off to an appointment with a potential customer - a business owner researching a cost effective way to get key employees back to work from illness more quickly or to give staff an extra benefit, such as a cash plan that helps pay optical and dental bills.

More often than not, this meeting will have been arranged by the telesales company I employ or as a result of a referral from a fellow networker or introducer.

Occasionally I do receive leads from WPA head office or existing customers.

1.30pm

I have a commitment to attend an appointment with an existing customer to discuss the renewal of their family plan. It’s of great importance to maintain regular contact with my customers to ensure the product still meets their needs.

3.30pm

Back to my home office to follow up on matters arising, whether from emails, calls or face-to-face conversations.

4.00pm

I pick up the telephone to talk to customers with upcoming renewals and tidy any administrative tasks.

Quite often at this time of day I will look to prepare quotations for potential customers. I think it’s important to respond to interested parties in a timely manner.

Good communication, whether oral or written, is of paramount importance to building a sound relationship with a prospect, so that they continue to consider you as a trusted adviser.

6.00 pm

Time to wind down, unless I’m attending an evening networking event or visiting a customer.