Desi News Corp - Index

Desi News Corp - Desi News - June 2009 - Index

SUN LIFE FINANCIAL
Vicken Kazazian,
Sun Life values diversity in the workplace
icken Kazazian, the new
Senior Vice-President, Sun
Life Financial Sales Force,
Individual Insurance and Investments,
takes pride in being part
of an international organization
that invests in the communities
it works in.
With over 30 years with Sun
Life, Kazazian also celebrates
the fact that there is more diversity
in the workplace today than
there was even a few years ago.
“At SunLife, we understand that
to truly succeed in today’s multicultural
environment, our workforce
has to reflect the mutli-ethnic
face of Canada. Look at me!
I’m a former immigrant from
Egypt who came to Canada in
1962 at the age of nine.”
Sun Life rewards knowledge,
innovation and hard work, says
Vicken icken Kazazian
Senior VP, Career Sales Force,
Sun Life Financial Canada
Kazazian. “We reward performance
with opportunities for growth.
Many of our leaders at our financial
centres across Canada
come from diverse ethnic backgrounds.”
Sun Life is taking full advantage
of Canada’s increasing diversity
to power its growth – new
and ethno-Canadians represented
25 per cent of the organi-
zation’s career sales force and 34
per cent of its appointments in 2008.
“We participate equally enthusiastically
in Diwali and the
Dragon Boat Race,” says Kazazian.
While Sun Life Financial trains
new inductees for the Canadian
market, the trainers themselves
are made aware of the cultural
mappings of dif ferent nationalities.
“Our retention rate speaks for
itself. Our people are experienced
and knowledgeable. If
there’s a group of South Asians
being trained, there’s a good
chance that the trainer will also
be of South Asian origin.”
Sun Life is unique in that it
offers career growth opportunities
as well as the freedom to
build one’s own business for
those that have the entrepreneurial
spirit, says Kazazian. Comprehensive
training is provided and
the earning potential is attractive.
Only the best, the most motivated
make it through the rigorous
selection process. Out of
every 20,000 interviewed, only
700 make the final cut.
“We form lasting relationships
with our clients,” he says. “We understand
that individual needs
change over time. One gets married,
buys a home, has children,
and each new stage in life requires
a different solution, a different
product that meets the
changed needs. Our mandate is
to work with our clients over multiple
events through the stages
of life, to provide financial solutions
that stand the test of time.”
Kazazian believes good planning
and reviewing your portfolio
regularly are key to surviving
today’s economic challenges.
“Getting good advice is critical.
In these turbulent times, fundamentals
are of vital importance.
With a Sun Life Financial advisor,
you know you are in good hands.”
With over 60 years of history
in India, Sun Life Financial re-
30 Desi News June 2009