Do you have a policy with ICEA LION Insurance? These were Bob Tayebwa’s parting words at the end of the interview, signaling his passion for selling insurance and providing a glimpse into the drive that earned him the title of Best Life Insurance Agent of 2023.
Tayebwa has consistently topped the charts as the best sales agent at ICEA LION for four consecutive years since 2020, earning him prestigious rewards including overseas conventions to Mauritius, Dubai, Thailand, and the Netherlands. In 2023, he outperformed his peers across the entire insurance industry in Uganda, solidifying his reputation as a sales guru.
Bob’s journey in sales began over 13 years ago during his career in banking. His path to insurance was inspired by an encounter with an ICEA LION Insurance agent who convinced him to invest in a Toto education plan for his newborn son, Jeremiah. The rapport he built with the agent, who was earning significantly more than he was, inspired Bob to switch careers. “I built rapport with the agent after purchasing the policy, we became good friends and along the way I inquired about her work and how lucrative it was,” he recounted. With mentorship and determination, Bob made the leap to join ICEA LION Insurance in 2019.
Despite a slow start, signing just four policies in his first month, Bob persisted. His sales quickly escalated from a handful of policies to an impressive eight-figure monthly commission. By 2023, he was surpassing his monthly sales targets by 50% and the monthly premium target by 100%.
Bob’s unique approach to selling insurance has helped him overcome industry challenges such as lack of trust, low saving culture, and bias towards insurance. “Most agents talk about death, disability, and uncertainty. Who wants to hear that? Instead, I focus on people’s goals,” he explained. By understanding clients’ aspirations and discussing their goals for the next five to ten years, Bob builds a strong rapport, making insurance feel more like a partnership than a mere transaction.
Regular follow-ups with clients through scheduled calls and in-person appointments are key to Bob’s success. He uses Google Calendar to manage his engagements, ensuring he never misses a meeting. “My calendar has scheduled appointments up to 2027, and I intend to follow up until then,” he added.
Expanding his sales circle through referrals from existing clients has been a major objective for Bob. This strategy has consistently helped him grow his market and maintain his top-performing status.
Bob attributes his success to his faith, commitment to his job, support from ICEA LION, mentorship, and his wife’s invaluable encouragement and moral support. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to IRA and UIA for their commitment to maintaining a level playing field for agents. Special thanks to ITC for equipping me with invaluable insurance knowledge. I’m also deeply appreciative of the supportive network of fellow agents and the nurturing leadership at ICEA LION,” Bob expressed with sincere appreciation.
His advice to fellow and upcoming agents is to remain professional, persistent, and continuously willing to learn in order to succeed in the challenging industry. While some agents lose credibility by fear-mongering, Tayebwa earns clients’ trust by aligning with their hopes and dreams through empathy, negotiation, and focus. His authentic passion for helping people achieve their goals is what made him the Best Life Insurance Agent of 2023.
