Most people need some help when it comes to financial planning and investing. That’s when we turn to financial advisors. With many options available, it’s important to ensure you choose a financial advisor that you can trust and feel comfortable with.

So what are some signs that a financial advisor is a good fit for you? Here are some things to look for when deciding who is best for you to work with.

1.They have clients that are similar to you

Every client has their own unique needs, goals, and circumstances. But there are some commonalities among clients. Lawyers, doctors, teachers, and other professionals have different pension and retirement plans that affect how much they need to put away themselves. Their careers also alter the resources available to them.

The stage you’re at in your career affects your resources and needs as well. A younger person with a long investment horizon ahead of them may have a greater risk tolerance than someone a year or two away from retirement.

When looking for a financial advisor, find someone who helps clients in situations that are similar to yours. While they won’t be in an identical position, their needs will be similar enough that you can get an idea of how well that financial advisor can help you.

2.They come with a network of advisors

Just as your general practitioner will send you to a specialist to deal with specific healthcare concerns, a financial advisor will have a network of professionals they can refer you to for your financial needs. For example, they may have an estate lawyer who can help with drafting wills, an accountant for tax returns, and a bookkeeper for business dealings.

A strong financial advisor knows that they can’t take care of everything for you, and they will have cultivated a team of experts who can help you manage your finances.

3.They keep you focused on your goals

Financial advisors know that investing is stressful, and novice investors can become overwhelmed by dips in the market. This leads to impulsive decisions with disastrous consequences. Your advisor is a coach, who keeps you on track when investment issues arise.

They can show you the bigger picture–how a dip in the market doesn’t mean it’s time to cash everything in–and how the long-term trends affect your investments. Because they’re there to help you, they can take the emotion out of your investments and bring it back to the information available to you, so you can make smart decisions.

4.They take the time to get to know you

As mentioned before, every client is different. Even where there are similarities, your unique circumstances mean your goals, resources, and needs are different from other clients. The best financial advisors take the time to get to know and understand their clients. They ask about risk tolerance, future goals, what those goals look like, and how comfortable you are asking questions.

They take the time to explain everything to you, so you feel confident and comfortable with the decisions being made. They make it clear that they’re working with your best interests in mind, based on your circumstances. And they are available to talk through your concerns.

It’s in your best interests to work with a financial advisor who works well with you. That’s how you get access to the best, most knowledgeable, and most relevant advice. Talk to people to find out who they go to for their financial advice. Look up reviews and testimonials and don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s how you get to know the people who will be helping you.

Interested to find out more? 

Call us on 01617 985789

Or book a meeting at https://calendly.com/d/ckfd-tzk-zbb

Meetings are often a source of contention in the workplace. Have too few meetings and people feel disconnected. Have too many meetings and people feel that their work is being interrupted. Meetings that are too short might not accomplish enough, while those that are too long lose people’s attention. With some planning and preparation, you can easily turn your meetings into a productive, pleasant experience. Your attendees will come away feeling good and looking forward to the next one.

Define the goal

Meetings take time out of everyone’s day so make sure everyone knows the point of getting together. That way, they aren’t left wondering what the purpose of the meeting is, and they’ll feel more prepared when everyone gets together. Defining the goal can also help you stay on track, meaning you’ll be more efficient at getting things done.

Choose participants with diverse perspectives

The purpose of a meeting is to get everyone on the same page. But it’s also an effective way for you to quickly learn things that you may not have considered about the project. Have a good mix of different voices at the table to get the most out of everyone’s time.

Before inviting a person to the meeting, ask if it’s absolutely necessary they attend. This isn’t to exclude people, it’s to protect their time. If their expertise or role doesn’t match the topics being discussed, don’t invite them. They’ll value meetings much more if they’re only included in sessions that their insights would be useful for.

Create an agenda and send calendar invites

This may seem basic, but it can’t be stressed enough. Lay out the timeline for your meeting, break down how long you’ll spend on each topic – and then stick to it! Keep people on track by allotting a certain amount of time for discussion and stepping in if the talk gets unfocused.

Send out the agenda to your attendees in a calendar invite. This lets everyone know how the meeting will go, and gives you a chance to see who will be there. It also gives them the opportunity to decline to attend if they see that their presence isn’t necessary based on the agenda.

Define roles and leaders

One of the quickest ways you can lose attention is if someone doesn’t understand why they’re there. Make sure that everyone knows why they’re part of the meeting, and what their role is on the team.

Create a safe collaboration space

This looks different across businesses, but everyone has to feel comfortable enough to contribute. Start the meeting with some ground rules. This helps everyone understand how and when to jump in, and ensures that you won’t have a few attendees dominating the conversation.

Never use a meeting to publicly blame or shame. Use positive reinforcement to showcase achievements. Don’t use the opportunity to highlight shortcomings.

Additionally, make sure the room is physically comfortable. Good lighting and airflow, as well as refreshments, go a long way to put people at ease.

Finally, ask for feedback. This shows your group that the meeting is a two-way street. Your goal is collaboration and team improvement.

Only have meetings that are necessary

We’ve all seen the memes. The last thing you want to hear as your attendees leave the meeting are whispers of “could’ve been an email” as they roll their eyes. If the purpose of your meeting is to download information, save everyone the trouble – just send an email!

A meeting is an opportunity to exchange ideas and information quickly among a group. It’s about the perspectives you’re bringing together and the importance of those perspectives being shared with everyone at the same time. If something could be shared in another manner, use that. Save meetings for topics and issues that are important.

Engage equally to ensure participation

With hybrid work here to stay, many attendees will be joining virtually. It’s a tricky balance, but make sure you’re engaging with both groups.

Additionally, don’t assume that because someone is quiet they have nothing to share. They might be hesitant to speak up or not want to interrupt anyone. Before you move on from a topic, address participants individually and ask if they have any thoughts they’d like to share or questions to ask.

End with clear actions, owners, and timelines

Don’t let anybody leave questioning the point of the meeting or what they’re supposed to do next. Give everyone a sense of purpose and direction, and clear due dates for their tasks.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot to consider when planning and running a meeting, but with a bit of preparation you can make it a worthwhile exercise that attendees truly value. It’s nice to get together face-to-face, especially if everyone feels included and like it was a good use of time. A chance for a coffee and a chat with colleagues doesn’t hurt either.

Interested to find out more?

Call us on 01617 985789

Or book a meeting at https://calendly.com/d/ckfd-tzk-zbb