Over the course of April to June, Momentum Media and The Adviser hosted their “‘silent disco”’ conference, the Better Business Summit and glittering awards program, the Better Business Awards.
More than 4,000 members of industry attended the Better Business Summit & Awards 2022 marking the biggest-ever turnout.
The Adviser’s Better Business Summit, run in partnership with principal partner NAB, was back with a bang for 2022, visiting five states across April, May, and June.
More than 4,000 members of industry eager to learn, network and celebrate with colleagues and peers registered to attend the conference and awards for its ninth annual roadshow – marking the biggest-ever turnout for the Better Business Summit & Awards.
After two years of remote learning and embracing technology, the 2022 summit took inspiration from the changes that have been made in mortgages this decade –- and what’s on the horizon – harnessing the theme of Digital Broker.
For the first time this year, Momentum Media and The Adviser delivered the Better Business Summit 2022 through headsets for a ‘silent disco’ conference. The wireless headsets enabled delegates to consume content their own way; whether they were listening to the TED Talk-style presentations while answering emails, taking it all in while finding a quiet corner, or listening to the Elite Broker podcast channel with Better Business Awards finalists while perusing partner stands.
For the Digital Broker theme, all of the content for the summit this year had a digital bent, demonstrating how technology is transforming the way clients choose to interact with brokers and lenders, and how brokers can service their evolving requirements.
Catriona Wallace, leading writer, speaker and adviser on responsible technology, ethics and the future of work and Nick Abrahams, global futurist, innovator and author (presented in Western Australia only), explored how AI, the metaverse and emerging tech will change financial services, including through ‘metaverse’ property and how the industry can ensure that it is engaging in an ethical and responsible manner in a new (and unregulated) space.
Meanwhile Luke Matias, founder of AI-backed finance company Matias Group, explored how crypto and blockchain are set to revolutionise the real estate sector and transform how brokers interact with customers. Mr Matias focused on how blockchain is set to reduce property transaction times, decentralise processes, protect investors and increase accessibility for new homeowners, too.
Brokers were later treated to a show-and-tell session on open banking, and how it will help brokers save time and safeguard client data. Renee Blethyn, head of broker partnerships at NextGen, welcomed several volunteers to demonstrate how the new “‘trusted adviser”’ rules work for brokers, and how open banking and the Consumer Data Right will enable instant access to a comprehensive, verified and up-to-date view of borrowers’ finances.
Protecting financial data is a key concern for the financial services space at the moment, as more and more cyber attacks, ransomware attacks and email cloning scams target the boom in property buying. In an eye-opening and (somewhat terrifying) session, Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson AM, PhD, former head of the Department of Defence’s Information Warfare Division and current director of Cyber Compass discussed how businesses can manage the growing financial risk of cyber penetration.
In his session and following Q&A, brokers heard how business, government and Australia’s Defence Force are combating the rising threat of cyber attacks as Australia drives forward in its transition to a digital future. His range of top tips on how to better prepare brokerages from penetrations helped provide practical solutions, too.
In the afternoon, the Better Business Summit turned its attention to marketing in the digital age.
TV and film producer and author Maz Farrelly – who has worked on a number of reality shows and was one of the creators of the ABC current affairs show, Q&A – presented an entertaining and informative keynote address on discovering the art of sticky communication and how to stand out in an increasingly crowded (online) crowd.
A run-down of take-home tips and solutions to creating better video content was delivered to eager broker delegates too, as specialists Jenny De Lacy (content marketing and social video expert, Talking Digital), Jane Clarke (VIE Marketing owner and senior marketing consultant), Dylan Webber (director of Video Domain) and Chris Schwager (video marketer from Ridge Films) provided insights into the secrets to success.
The final session of the day, partnered by Sherlok, heard from broker delegates themselves – as they took to the stage to share the digital tools and solutions they are using to help make their lives easier in an increasingly busy environment.
Momentum Media and The Adviser would like to thank all of the speakers and partners who helped make the Digital Broker theme of the Better Business Summit 2022 come to life.
Better Business Awards honours high-achievers in broking
Following the successful Better Business Summit earlier in the day, the Better Business Awards saw thousands of members of the broking industry join to celebrate the achievements of brokers, business development managers (BDM), loan administrators, brokerages, and other finalists from across the country.
Taking place across Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne, there was no shortage of laughter and merriment during the evening, as comedians provided entertainment throughout the event, while finalists battled it out for the individual and group awards, including the prestigious Broker of the Year award and Editor’s Choice Award.
Thank you to all of our judges for helping select the leading lights of the broking industry across each state and territory.