What I Learned after Selling HK$12 Million+ As a Wealth Manager for 8 Years at AIA
My path to wealth management was untraditional—I had initially trained to be a Chinese language teacher. But life has its way of rerouting us to destinations we never planned to visit.
After 8 years at AIA to become a top 50 Financial Planner in Hong Kong, I want to share my suitcase of experiences full of unexpected lessons and memories.
This is after...
This article is meant for graduates and professionals from non-finance backgrounds, who may not yet see their place in a company like AIA.
So, let's unpack.
1. A Relief of Imposter Syndrome: You Don't Need a Degree in Finance
The hard knowledge aka "Finance 101" may take just a few weeks for some, if not a few days for others. The real challenge is applying these concepts - which in reality, is no less overwhelming for a finance major as it is the case for liberal arts students like myself.
Interest rates and investment tools are significant beyond the textbook theories and can keep everyone—finance students or alike—on their toes.
Interest rates, REITs, GDP, Supply & Demand, and Financial Ratios—some of these terms are introduced in high school economics or accounting classes, while others can be explored through YouTube or scholarly articles. However, the nuances of investment strategies and asset allocation require hands-on experience and professional workplace training.
This is where certifications like the widely recognized CFP (Certified Financial Planner) come into play, offering the confidence to speak on these matters with authority and knowledge.
Still my best bet? My team.
2. Wealth Manager is a Job for the "People Person"
Our job isn't 9-to-5, and if you're up for meeting people from all walks of life, this is it.
When I'm not in the office for my team, I am out either running a crafts workshop or a private dining event. It goes beyond mere entertainment; planning these events culminates in broadening horizons and cultivating organizational and leadership skills that transfer to every professional arena.
The insurance sector thrives on the diversity of its interactions, constantly engaging with a wide variety of individuals and scenarios, some of whom are -
I've enjoyed connecting with and learning from interesting and exciting folks like doctors, nurses, bankers, teachers, and small business owners - sometimes all at once, if not back-to-back.
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3. Become the Master of Management
To manage is to harness resources toward an objective efficiently. In aiming for achievements, I learned to evaluate resources at my disposal—brand, network, experience—and energize efforts towards objectives.
My most recent management task is enabling my team to pursue their dreams. And my proudest manager moments? Empowering my team members to become MDRT, three times in a row.
4. Become Someone People Trust
Financial planning involves considerations and analyses of various asset allocations, accompanied by substantial data computation. Explaining this in an easily understandable, vivid, logically coherent, and persuasive manner, such that the other party comprehends, agrees, and engages in further dialogue towards consensus and implementation, is truly an art form. This skill, essential in the realm of wealth management, requires not just technical knowledge but also the ability to communicate complex ideas simply and effectively.
5. Make Friends and Allies
Our friends and family members embody stories and aspirations we seldom get to unpack in the bustle of life. Yet, in discussing asset allocation and life's trivialities, I found myself reconnecting with familiar souls anew. Establishing a career brand brings with it a tapestry of interactions from diverse backgrounds, enriching one's own experience through the shared struggles and joys of work, family, and life.
6. Craft Your Words
Human communication, whether through text, tone, or micro-expressions, is an element that requires craftsmanship. Properly understanding and expressing each other's thoughts can deepen trust relationships, making appropriate planning for the future and for wealth management. Education, job hunting, marriage, pregnancy, retirement, bereavement—every life stage needs a financial strategist, and maintaining close, good relationships is the key within.
7. Watch the News
From global demographic shifts to health trends, staying current on societal news and policies is paramount. Local birth rates, marriage and retirement practices, and taxation systems all fall under the specialized expertise of a wealth advisor committed to evolving alongside the industry trends.
8. Self-discovery: Valuing Personal Freedom, Honor, and Achievement
In discovering my vocational calling, the liberty to manage my daily tasks and orchestrate events took precedence. There is a foundational sense of security in autonomy, and an indescribable thrill in striving alongside colleagues for collective goals. Each accolade is a testament to the stretches we've conquered and serves as a beacon, a reminder of meaningful battles fought.
Final Notes
There you have it. Being a wealth manager is not "just a salesperson".
My time at AIA has been a voyage of the self—in realms internal and granular as much as in the vast external expanse of finance. I entered as a prospective teaching professional and evolved into a wealth manager, but learning remained the common thread.
If there's a word for young graduates and professionals who might think finance is not for them, it's this: pursue growth in unfamiliar territories. AIA, born from a teacher's musings, became my unexpected classroom—a place where the learning never ceases, and the opportunities only expand.
To those who have taken the time to read my reflections, I hope now you see a glimmer of yourself in the wealth management narrative and consider opportunities beyond your initial comfort zone. AIA is more than a company; it's a launchpad for growth, learning, and self-discovery.
The door is always open, and the lessons—are endlessly unfolding.
Interested in a career in wealth management? Let's chat.