As a nation we don’t half like talking about the weather, I think today so far at least 10 people have commented to me on how miserable and wet it is.
It’s a hot topic of conversation all up and down the country all year round, its either too hot or too cold, awffy windy or just doesn’t stop raining. I’ve heard more than once lately someone comment on the fact that “it was an awfully disappointing summer and now they’re saying it’s going to be a harsh winter!” The general consensus is the seasons are all over the place and although we have an expectation of what each should bring in terms of the elements, experiencing temperatures in excess of 25 degrees in March and bitter cold and floods in August is just not how it’s supposed to be.
For me, Autumn is the best time of the year, the season that delivers, does exactly what it says on the tin, rustic colours on the trees, a crispness in the air, blue skies and pale autumn sun with the first frosts round about now. It’s the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness and all that and I just love it, it never disappoints.
So where am I going with this? Well the idea of something delivering and doing exactly what is promised seems quite pertinent in our industry just now. With the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) deadline fast approaching every firm is in the process of reassessing its internal processes, Adviser qualifications, the client experience, the services on offer and how these are paid for.
From day one for this business it has been crucial for us to have a defined process and to offer a service that is valuable to all our clients. Over the last 18 months we have given much thought and discussion to how this process can continually be improved and how we can communicate clearly to all our clients each of the stages along the way. This applies to all contact from the initial discovery and fact finding to research and implementation right through to following up once the initial business is completed and then carrying out ongoing reviews at the agreed time period.
We take great pride in delivering what we promise and use the Expert Team and a robust back office system to keep track of where in the process all our clients are at any given time and to ensure reviews happen as and when required. We like to think we are delivering what we promised at the outset and that our clients know what to expect, they value the service available and develop a long and personal relationship with us.
Just last weekend one of our longer standing clients passed away and on the Monday morning his daughter contacted me to inform us of what had happened.
She noted that one of the first things the family discussed over that weekend was that it would be important to let us know as soon as they could as they valued our relationship and knew we would be able to assist with the next steps for the family in terms of support and also advice on what is to happen with the existing investments and pensions.
This contact meant a lot to us and to me personally, as it was a clear demonstration that we are important to these clients, we weren’t an afterthought or the last people to be contacted we were one of the first and that is a strong testament to our relationship with our clients and how they look to us for reassurance and guidance on many matters
With the coming RDR deadline all Advisers should be investing in higher qualifications, better services and more transparent charges so clients now shouldn’t be afraid to ask their Adviser exactly what advice they offer, how their process works, how well qualified they are and how they plan to charge for their services. All of these points should be easily answered if they are ready for the post RDR world and all firms should be able to deliver what they promise from the outset.
We are ready for business post RDR and will continue to offer our existing and new clients the best possible service at all times. We are committed to providing expert advice with a clear charging structure and know that our Wealth Management service can help in terms of providing guidance to all our clients that the financial steps they are taking are right for their current stage in life and will help them achieve future goals.
If you would like to hear more about our service or would appreciate a second opinion on your existing advice or arrangements we would be delighted to hear from you.
Dr Claire Armstrong