Many people I speak to tell me that they felt daunted by the mere idea of speaking to a financial adviser.
If it’s the first time you have sought advice maybe you feel the same?
Typically, people are unsure what to expect. Many people are embarrassed that they aren’t on top of their financial affairs or that they don’t know as much as they think they should.
I think it goes back to when we were all at school and feared the rebuke of the teacher who might tell us that we either had not worked hard enough or simply that the work we had produced was not good enough!
Thankfully, this is an imagined problem and most people are pleasantly surprised after meeting with their financial adviser for the first time. We are not here to judge, simply here to help.
Let me give you an idea of what to expect…
First off, this is not going to be a grilling. Yes there is a lot information which needs to be gathered but not all at once and certainly not at our first meeting.
If I was going to state my two most important objectives of any new client meeting it would be these
- Create an atmosphere where we both feel comfortable and are able to talk openly and unhurriedly.
- Get to know you and your objectives and what help you feel you need.
A comfortable chair, a tasty coffee and a pen and notepad are all we need at this stage.
How long should this first meeting take?
Well I allow myself a full hour but generally speaking 45 minutes is plenty. I’d always prefer to come back and fill in the gaps at a second meeting or over the phone or email than try and get every last bit when we first meet. My clients tell me this works for them too. Of course, if you’re the sort of person who knows exactly what they want and simply wants to sit down and get it all done then that’s okay as well.
Where do we usually meet with clients?
Normally, clients like us to visit them in their homes as it is a familiar setting in which they feel most comfortable. This said, we also have an office in Coleshill which is available for client meetings. If you have a business you may prefer us to visit you at your place of work and that’s fine too.