2006 News Releases

Boston – John Hancock Financial Network (JHFN) has developed and introduced a field leadership program for identified potential sales managers as part of a broader strategy to expand its career agency system and support its Client Centered Marketing Firm business model. Called the Protégé Program, the leadership development course offers a distinct plan with training and development requirements and timelines.

“We believe that by strengthening second line management, we will facilitate the attraction, recruitment, selection and training of additional managers and ultimately contribute to the continued growth of the unit and firm,” said Karyn O’Connor, senior vice president, JHFN.

The program, which prepares producers to take on a sales manager role, has no time limit for completion. The Protégé can work through the program at the pace set by the Managing Partner. It integrates coursework with management development goals, and was designed so that the participants’ local management has a stake in successful completion – and that success also relates to how well the participant is able to bring along newer producers.

“Last year we developed a general leadership development program that’s been very well received,” said O’Connor. “Offering explicit goals and requirements has been very helpful to participants, and we’ve taken that approach with this program. We also believe the resources and guidance provided by the home office and local management will be critical to the participants as they work toward developing into sales managers.”

Protégé Program participants are expected to complete required coursework and achieve certain managerial targets as they move through the program. A participant will:

• complete the KBI Program, Professional Patterns of Management – 21^st Century, which offers instruction and activity in the basic levels of management competencies
  
  
• use an activity management system and is expected to know how to manage the system, determine appropriate activity levels and be able to identify leading indicators of success or failure. The ability to coach others using these indicators is also a key progression in the program
  
  
• be participating in joint field work with those producers that he/she referred
  
  
• maintain an explicit timeline, set by the local Firm, for completing training programs timeline including expectations in relation to any curriculum
  
  
• undergo a series of assessments conducted by the managing partner and unit sales manager to determine areas of strength and opportunity
  
  
• develop a precisely defined series of expectations related to recruiting/agent referral, joint field work, training and/or coaching activity requirements
  
  
• the Protégé must also maintain current levels of personal production during this period of mentorship by the unit sales manager

“We recognize that strong effective management within our network of offices is critical to our success, today and in the future,” said O’Connor. “The Protégé Program in conjunction with our Leadership Development Program provides education, training and development tools which are key elements in achieving the company’s growth and productivity goals for the career agency system.”

The company also considers both programs to be a competitive advantage for recruiting. “We are committed to providing training and support to those folks who want to take on a leadership role in the business. It’s good for their careers and personal growth, but it also helps the local firm and John Hancock Financial Network.”

About John Hancock Financial Network
John Hancock Financial Network is the career agency distribution arm of John Hancock, with more than 300 registered branch offices nationwide. John Hancock Financial Network associates specialize in meeting the financial needs of business and high net-worth clients. John Hancock Financial Network offers producers the resources they need for long-term growth—competitive products and benefits, marketing and practice management tools and training.

For more information, please visit the group’s website at www.jhnetwork.com.

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial
John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$381 billion (US$341 billion) as at September 30, 2006.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including whole life, term life, variable life, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance, mutual funds and various forms of business insurance.

*John Hancock Financial Network is a service mark of John Hancock Life Insurance Company and its affiliated companies.

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Contact: Brian Carmichael
Phone: (617) 663-4748
Email: bcarmichael@jhancock.com