A Senior Financial Consultant's day
What might you get up to day to day? Of course, when no two days are the same, it’s hard to be precise. Even so, one of our Senior Financial Consultants has tried to give you an idea. Click on a time to read what happens during a ‘typical’ day.
“I leave home for the Area office which is in one of our branches, picking up a colleague on route. On the way I think through the day ahead, what it looks like and what I need to achieve. It’s a fairly quiet Friday today, and quiet days are rare in this job.
To reduce the amount of travelling I do I try to manage my diary so I have as many appointments in one location as I can per day. Today, for a change, I have just one review lined up.”
“I arrive at the branch and head straight for the post tray, then head into my office with a black coffee and my mail. I file the mail, making a note of anything that needs dealing with, and check and answer my e-mails.”
“I head downstairs into the branch itself to participate in branch sales meetings and give them an update on my availability for day and the coming week. This gives me a chance to find out how business is looking. Relationships are key to a successful branch, and crucial to my role.”
“I go back to the office to prepare for my 10:00 appointment which I confirmed by phone last night. (I always call my customers the day before to ensure 100% attendance.)
The first appointment of the day can start at any time from 9:00 am but today it’s 10:00 am. It’s an investment review for one of my existing customers who comes in to see me every year – it’s always great to see returning customers – and preparation for the meeting includes getting updates on long-term investments.
Just before 10.00 am I go down to the retail hall in the branch to wait for my customer. If you’re expecting someone I always think it’s a nice touch to wait for them rather than have them wait for you. It also means that the branch gets to see more of me and I of them.”
“The customer arrives and I carry out the review in a nice relaxed atmosphere. I’m very passionate about financial services and really enjoy being able to make a difference to all sorts of different people – whether that means setting up some life assurance or critical illness to protect their standard of living and loved ones, helping them invest their money to provide financial security in the years to come, or sorting out a pension for their retirement.
In this case, I advised my customer to top up this year’s Stocks & Shares ISAs.”
“I show my customer out. Then it’s back up to my office to complete the paperwork relating to earlier customers and update the Senior Branch Manager on the business that resulted from the review.
I would normally send feedback to the member of staff who booked the appointment but this is someone I booked in. When we give advice, we must also produce what’s called a ‘Suitability’ or ‘Reason Why’ Letter. It’s probably the most time-consuming aspect of the job as the emphasis on it being correct is massive. I anticipate this straightforward case will take about 90 minutes to diagnose. I have 48 hours to get cases done but like to complete them as soon as possible. My quiet afternoon gives me the chance to do just that.”
“I have a meeting with the Senior Branch Manager and two Customer Service Managers to discuss levels of activity and initiatives to increase business. Afterwards I update my Area Sales Manager on how we propose to move things forward.”
“I call my appointments for Monday to confirm their attendance. Monday is shaping up to be quite busy so as well as the phone calls to confirm the meetings, I’ll prepare for Monday’s meeting today if I get the time. Then, armed with another coffee, I start diagnosing the case from this morning’s review.”
“Slightly ahead of schedule I finish the case and take it downstairs to the post tray. As the retail hall is quiet I take the time to speak with members of my team to see how their day has gone and how much luck they’d had securing appointments. Although I could spend this time preparing for Monday’s meetings and therefore maybe leave the office earlier, time spent with the team is extremely important.”
“After getting ready for Monday and dealing with final emails, I leave the office armed with my laptop but happy in the knowledge that I don’t have to work at home this weekend. As a mobile consultant I often see clients on a Saturday or visit them at home in the evening. But there’s great flexibility to manage your own working week and I rarely see customers on a Friday evening. I’ve also given myself this Saturday off.”