Bank Holiday Week
I ponder how a four-day workweek can feel like a full working week. Perhaps this week was tough after a fun-filled weekend. I may be passionate about the work I do; however, I can also be found making funny shapes during a festival.
This week has been full-on with new potential client meetings. Increasingly, I’m having regular conversations with the younger generation aged 20–40. It’s pleasing to see people engage more with their planning, calling to sense-check it and seek guidance on how to optimize further. I continue to stress the importance of checking their employment contracts, especially around sick pay. The vast majority I speak with don’t know what their long-term sick benefits are.
For potential clients, it can be hard to understand what a financial planner does. There’s an image circulating on Linkedin at the moment which describes it far better than any narrative.
Aside from client meetings, I’ve been following up with meetings post-networking events. This has been helpful as I now have a better understanding of HR issues and topics, plus potential pitfalls. I’m increasingly seeking connections with more HR professionals to fully understand their field, including understanding as an adviser how I can support HR functions, as typically any questions surrounding employment benefits are directed towards HR.
A big congratulations to Sam Patterson , Sean Banks , Adam Field and Kate Evans . They are newcomers to the @Personal Finance Society POWER panel but certainly not newcomers to the profession. They all have a tremendous amount of experience, and I look forward to their contributions. The panel produces guides and content for advisers, promoting great financial planning. For those of you unaware of it, the link can be found in the resources section below.
I note a special thank you to Sam Patterson . He ran an intensive 6-week study course for me which resulted in a pass with AF7. This qualification is all about Defined Benefit pension arrangements. A particularly complex area in the world of financial advice.
This week has proved invaluable for organisation and password management. I’ve had to go through the painstaking process of registering with a lot of providers. So much double-keying and password management. My father introduced me to Bitwarden. This software is golden, easy to use, and manages all your sensitive information.
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Besides having a passion for what I do and continuing my professional development, I have the desire to read more. I’ve tried Audible with moderate success but prefer to sit down with a book. However, I always daydream and find it a challenge to focus. Until now. I’ve found a “hack.” I put on focus music from YouTube; somehow, this quietens my brain, and I can focus on reading.
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Resources:
This week's Vlog: