Assurant’s Biju Nair On How They Are Breaking the Cycle of Non-Renewable Consumption
An Interview With Monica Sanders
Great leaders don’t look for who is right, they look for what is right. It avoids the trap of making decisions based on personalities.
As a part of our series about how companies are becoming more sustainable, we had the pleasure of interviewing Biju Nair.
Biju Nair is EVP and president of Assurant’s Global Connected Living business unit, which develops digital platforms that deliver comprehensive services, support, and protection for the connected consumer, including mobile device trade-in solutions for leading global wireless carriers. His entrepreneurial and innovation leadership spans more than 25 years in the wireless industry, including being a two-time finalist for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Biju owns several patents related to wireless technology and is a frequent speaker at major wireless conferences.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
When I was young I wanted to study engineering. At the time computer science was emerging as a field with a lot of potential and demand. During my undergraduate years, I took a class in computer architecture that involved programming. I wrote some code that moved a robotic arm to pick up a cup and move it from one place to another. Though it was just a simple movement, I was just fascinated by the fact that I can write code and make things happen. I decided that that’s what I wanted to focus on. From then on, I have focused on software development, primarily in telecommunications.
What is the mission of your company? What problems are you aiming to solve?
Assurant’s mission is to help people thrive in a connected world. Smartphones have become the remote controls of our lives, and our homes are becoming ever more connected. For three consecutive years, consumers have increased their usage of connected technology, according to Assurant’s annual Connected Decade survey. In 2022, 60% connected at least one new or replacement device to their Wi-Fi for the first time. Yet, as usage grows, so too does the need for helpful technical support and protection. In fact, 58% of consumers experienced frustrations last year with Wi-Fi connected consumer electronics or appliances. Assurant partners with leading providers and manufacturers to help ensure their customers stay connected and protected, making life simpler and easier.
Can you tell our readers about the initiatives that you or your company are taking to address climate change or sustainability? Can you give an example for each?
Every year, between 50 and 60 million tons of e-waste are generated globally, making e-waste the world’s fastest-growing waste problem. To put those numbers into perspective, that’s the equivalent of throwing away 1,000 laptops every second for an entire year. And the problem is growing. It’s estimated that e-waste will surpass 70 million tons annually by 2030, a 100% increase over a 16-year period.
Assurant is the global leader in mobile device trade-in. We partner with global carriers, manufacturers and retailers to intake traded-in smartphones, laptops, hearables such as Bluetooth headphones, and wearables such as smart watches, and refurbish them for extended use. We also recycle those devices that have reached their end of life. Since 2019, Assurant has repurposed more than 145 million mobile devices, diverting them from potentially going into a landfill.
Assurant’s trade-in and asset value recovery programs make it easy for consumers to trade in their smartphones, tablets, wearables and hearables, which are then refurbished as necessary and given new life in secondary markets. The device refurbishment process includes any needed cosmetic touch up and repairs, and more than 60 functional tests among other steps. The highest-grade devices are nearly impossible to tell apart from new smartphones. Devices deemed to be at the end of their useful life are sent for recycling, where the precious metals contained in the device can be recovered and reused.
A challenge is the increasing consumer demand for secondary devices in a time of economic and supply chain challenges. In response, Assurant has invested in AI-enabled automation that improves the evaluation and grading process, and increases the volume of devices that go through our systems so that more refurbished devices get in to the hands of consumers sooner.
How would you articulate how a business can become more profitable by being more sustainable and more environmentally conscious? Can you share a story or example?
Mobile device trade-in programs are a great example of a win-win-win strategy for businesses. Companies can provide customers with a more affordable way to upgrade to their next device, they are better able to entice current customers to upgrade, while attracting new customers, and they can positively impact the environment by keeping devices out of landfills.
The youth led climate strikes of September 2019 showed an impressive degree of activism and initiative by young people on behalf of climate change. This was great, and there is still plenty that needs to be done. In your opinion what are a few things parents should do to inspire the next generation to become engaged in sustainability and the environmental movement?
When I speak at various industry events, I usually open by asking the audience how many have upgraded their phone in the last couple of years. About 80% of the people raise their hands. Then I ask how many people traded in their old phone when upgrading, and only about a quarter of the room typically raise their hand. I’m sure many of those reading this have a few old devices lying around in a drawer somewhere. Though anecdotal, it points to the huge opportunity to extend the life of many devices, which not only helps ensure they stay out of landfills, but also provides mobile technology to people who may not otherwise be able to afford an expensive new device. A great example to set for the next generation is to not only trade in your devices, but also encourage your broader network of family and friends to do the same.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
1 . A genius isn’t someone who can do everything and solve all problems. Over time, I came to realize that it is simply someone who can keep a calm head and think clearly when everyone else around you is panicking.
2 . Meditation is essential for mental health: This helps me become an overall better human being, stay well balanced, and helps with staying calm in times of stress.
3 . Prioritize everything in life, both work and personal. As a Type A+ personality, it is the natural urge to treat everything as super urgent and high priority, however that approach is not scalable over time.
4 . Not everyone has the same capabilities and people work at different paces. I am generally high energy and high capacity, but I’ve learned not to expect that everyone can best work at the same pace and with the same experience.
5 . Great leaders don’t look for who is right, they look for what is right. It avoids the trap of making decisions based on personalities.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
It’s hard to pick out one person as there have been so many who have given me guidance, direction and advice along the way. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have always had phenomenal teammates. One of the key things the people I have worked for have done for me in my career is to trust me with opportunities. Even in my current role. They’ve always given me the opportunities to go explore, try new things and take some risks. As the saying goes, if you’re not willing to risk the unusual, you have to settle for the ordinary.
You are a person of great influence and doing some great things for the world! If you could inspire a movement that would bring the greatest amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
In my world, sustainability and the Digital Divide are closely linked. I believe making device trade-in a mandatory requirement of device upgrade programs, and ensuring that all wireless carriers and retailers can enable at least 50% of their customers to trade-in their used devices and electronics will not only help the Digital Divide, but also benefit the environment from the avoidance of e-waste. This would help extend the benefit of mobile technology to more people without a huge financial burden to taxpayers.
Do you have a favorite life lesson quote? Can you tell us how that was relevant to you in your own life?
There are a few quotes that I like:
- If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.
- Don’t let the urgent crowd out the important.
- It is better to be thought of as a fool for staying silent than confirming it by speaking.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online?
They can follow me on LinkedIn, and they can also find more insights on the digital divide and sustainability on Assurant’s website: https://www.assurant.com/news-insight/insights.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
About the Interviewer: Monica Sanders JD, LL.M, is the founder of “The Undivide Project”, an organization dedicated to creating climate resilience in underserved communities using good tech and the power of the Internet. She holds faculty roles at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Tulane University Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. Professor Sanders also serves on several UN agency working groups. As an attorney, Monica has held senior roles in all three branches of government, private industry, and nonprofits. In her previous life, she was a journalist for seven years and the recipient of several awards, including an Emmy. Now the New Orleans native spends her time in solidarity with and championing change for those on the frontlines of climate change and digital divestment. Learn more about how to join her at: www.theundivideproject.org.
