How Topgrading Helped One Commercial Insurer Hire Nearly All ‘A’-Level Managers

July 31, 2013 by Janet Aschkenasy

Argo Group has nearly doubled its hiring of topnotch, “A”-level managers over the past five years, using a hiring protocol known as Topgrading—a rigorous process designed to eliminate much of the mystery involved in screening résumés and vetting candidates’ statements about their strengths and weaknesses.

Executive Summary

Argo Group has nearly doubled its hiring of topnotch, "A"-level managers over the past five years, using a hiring protocol known as Topgrading—a rigorous process designed to eliminate much of the mystery involved in screening résumés and vetting candidates' statements about their strengths and weaknesses. More recently, Aon and some of its insurance clients have started to use Aon Hewitt's LEADeR program—a Web-based, day-in-the-life simulation—to screen new hires and develop current employees by putting them through challenges and interactions they may face on the job.
Executive SummaryArgo Group has nearly doubled its hiring of topnotch, “A”-level managers over the past five years, using a hiring protocol known as Topgrading—a rigorous process designed to eliminate much of the mystery involved in screening résumés and vetting candidates’ statements about their strengths and weaknesses. More recently, Aon and some of its insurance clients have started to use Aon Hewitt’s LEADeR program—a Web-based, day-in-the-life simulation—to screen new hires and develop current employees by putting them through challenges and interactions they may face on the job.

So far, the approach is working—at least for this insurer.

Bermuda-based Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. is an international underwriter of specialty property/casualty insurance and reinsurance products. The organization offers commercial specialty, excess and surplus lines, and international specialty coverages and provides global property and non-U.S. liability business as Lloyd’s Syndicate 1200. Its U.S. retail operation, based in Portland, Ore., offers insurance and risk consulting services to niche clientele including grocers and convenience stores.