Welcome to Cytora’s Practitioner’s Guide, a new series from Making Risk Flow.In each episode, we sit down with experts from Cytora’s global team to explore practical strategies, real-world applications, and emerging insights from the front lines of risk digitization and underwriting transformation.In this episode, Juan de Castro is joined by Rich Lewis, Cytora's Sales Director, and Zaheer Hooda, Head of North America, for a deep dive into what makes proof-of-concept (POC) initiatives in risk digitization succeed—or fail.Drawing on firsthand experience from working with leading carriers, they break down five essential capabilities insurers need to get right when implementing digitization initiatives—from extraction accuracy and full-spectrum intake handling, to scalable deployment and human-in-the-loop exception management.They also provide a practical, inside look at how insurers structure effective proof of concept processes, including live workshops, data preparation, success metrics, and how to align POC design with measurable business outcomes.Whether you're a carrier planning a digitization journey or a leader seeking to optimize underwriting workflows, this episode offers tactical guidance to ensure your technology investments deliver meaningful impact.Fan Mail: Got a challenge digitizing your intake? Share it with us, and we’ll unpack solutions from our experience at Cytora.To receive a custom demo from Cytora, click here and use the code 'Making Risk Flow'.Our previous guests include: Bronek Masojada of PPL, Craig Knightly of Inigo, Andrew Horton of QBE Insurance, Simon McGinn of Allianz, Stephane Flaquet of Hiscox, Matthew Grant of InsTech, Paul Brand of Convex, Paolo Cuomo of Gallagher Re, and Thierry Daucourt of AXA.Check out the three most downloaded episodes: The Five Pillars of Data Analytics Strategy in Insurance | Craig Knightly, Inigo 20 Years as CEO of Hiscox: Personal Reflections and the Evolution of PPL | Bronek Masojada Implementing ESG in the Insurance and Underwriting Space | Simon Tighe, Chaucer, and Paul McCarney, Moody's

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.