Solutions for a Changing World
A Q&A with Peter Moore, Director of Business Operations at One Concern
If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that building resilience is no longer an option — it’s a necessity. This idea is not new at One Concern. Since our founding in 2015, we’ve believed that a resilient and sustainable future requires markets — both current and emerging — to adapt alongside our changing world.
As our Director of Business Operations, Peter Moore helps define our place in the larger market, and drives the initiatives that allow us to deliver value to our customers. We had a remote chat about what he’s learned here at One Concern, one of his favorite hobbies (skiing), and how we’re working to address the current challenges of COVID-19.
What are you currently working on?
I work in business operations at One Concern. In my role, I focus on how we create value with our strengths, find the right markets to deliver that value, and deliver efficiently. Right now, I’m focused on how we can help business leaders adapt to COVID and reopen their businesses safely.
Of course I don’t create value on my own — product and tech teams build capabilities, and business teams take them to market — but I help tie them together and guide our approach. And once we do get to market, I think about how we continue to learn, get better, and recognize new opportunities.
Can you talk a bit about how our target customers view resilience today? How do you view One Concern’s role in this market?
We are at a unique point in history where business and community leaders are more attuned to risk than they have been in a very long time. That increased awareness of risk means they’re more ready to do something about it.
Countries have to protect their citizens from disease, volatile markets, and massive unemployment at the same time. Companies must fundamentally reevaluate how to operate when their people, demand, and supply are all at risk in unfamiliar ways.
One Concern is uniquely positioned to help decision makers understand this new, changing picture of risk and take action with tools they’ve never had before. And that can help the world truly become more resilient.
What have you learned (either personally or professionally) since starting at One Concern?
Working at One Concern has been an incredible learning experience, especially given the caliber of diverse talent we have at the company.
I’ve learned about data science and how machine learning can be applied to solve big problems in new ways, from so many talented scientists and engineers (too many to name here!).
I’ve learned about insurance and risk transfer dynamics from industry veterans like Carl Hedde.
I’ve learned how cities, countries, and companies think about risk from emergency management leaders like Craig Fugate and Greg Brunelle, who have been doing this for a long time at the highest level.
I’ve seen how a small group in Menlo Park can come together and make a difference at a global scale.
In short: it’s been great to work with and learn from so many true professionals in their fields.
Now a few questions about yourself…
What was the last book you read? How was it?
I recently read Born to Run. It’s a story about distance running and why endurance sport is an important part of human progression, history and culture. It covers human physiology, evolution, diet, mindset, and how running touches them all. It’s a really cool book! I recommend it to anyone — whether or not you consider yourself a runner.
What are some of the things on your bucket list? Which do you think you’ll do next?
I’m a passionate skier, and the season got cut short this year due to COVID. I’m excited to get back out there. I really enjoy backcountry skiing, and I want to climb and ski some big mountains that I’ve never ascended before. There are a lot of peaks on that list… :)
Finally, what does “resilience” mean to you?
Resilience describes a person’s or system’s ability to recover from challenging circumstances. A full recovery from a big hit is usually difficult, and takes plenty of determination and effort over time.
While determination and effort are essential and admirable, resilience means more to me. It includes learning from each challenge in order to be better prepared for the next ones. Self-awareness, capacity to learn, and a desire to improve are essential. And that applies whether we’re talking about skiing, running, or natural disasters.
Interested in building planetary-scale resilience? We’d love to hear from you! Check out our open positions or reach out to careers@oneconcern.com.
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