The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly wreaked its fair share of havoc since its emergence, but for Ed Ligonde, there was a surprising upside.

"I'm spending so much less time in a car," marveled the Nielsen Benefits group vice president of employee benefits and technology. "I can't tell you how many times I'm driving or flying from one location to another just last year alone, and the time lost in connecting with employees and clients and bringing strategy just because you're in a plane or in a car is exponential. Now I can log off one meeting and go directly into another, or take that walk and be able to think for a moment."

Ligonde was one of three panelists for "The NOW Normal: The Broker and Employer View," a BenefitsPRO Broker Expo session that focused on the necessary adaptation it takes to move forward in these changed times. Hosted by Sharon Tiger, head of business development and sales at Geospark Analytics, the session also featured Pittsburgh Business Group on Health CEO Jessica Brooks and Eric Silverman of Voluntary Disruption.