At its first official event in Quebec since establishing an office in the City of Saint-Laurent four years ago, IDC Worldsource Insurance Network (IDC WIN) signalled its intention to further develop its business activities in the province.

Entitled, Change the Status Quo with Expanded Market and Client Opportunities, the training event held April 11 in Montreal enabled the managing general agency’s president, Ron Madzia, to present his organization to about 40 advisors. His vice-president, training and development, Don Hart, then delivered a training session on wealth transfer. This presentation was followed by Dave Parent, regional vice-president, Sun Life Financial and Chris Britton, director, tax and estate planning, IDC WIN.

IDC WIN is a consolidator that ranks among the largest managing general agencies in Canada. The firm with its head office in Mississauga, Ontario, has, over time, made acquisitions that have allowed it to establish itself in Western Canada, Quebec, New Brunswick and, most recently, Newfoundland.

Opening new offices

During an interview at the event with The Insurance and Investment Journal, Madzia revealed that he intends to open new offices in Quebec in response to the firm’s organic growth in the market. Four years ago, IDC WIN acquired the practice of Ivan M. Cons, a high-level advisor located in the City of Saint-Laurent, who then became Managing Director of the Quebec division. IDC WIN eventually envisions opening another office closer to downtown Montreal.

Among its strategies, IDC WIN focuses part of its business development on the ethnic Chinese community in large Canadian cities. The company considers Montreal to be a significant market in this regard. The large majority of the advisors who attended the event are members of this community. Samuel Chan, vice-president, Asian Markets for IDC WIN, was also present at the event.

A close relationship with advisors

Madzia says IDC WIN strives for a business model that includes the human touch, that values a close relationship with advisors. “When we build our value proposition, we always emphasize that through the opportunities, systems, services and tools that we put in place for them, advisors can feel that IDC WIN is their home, and that they can relax and be productive in their home, as independent advisors. Being an independent advisor is a very lonely business. We make a lot of effort to educate advisors, as we are doing at this event, and do a lot of things to recognize them,” he said.