Walking an amazing journey
Goal setting is one of most important functions that a successful adviser can perform. The success that one gains from looking back and crossing an item of your to-do-list is the epitome of success.
However, it is not always as easy as we would like, and there is no easy road to success. At the 2015 FPI (Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa) Conference, 2015 Financial Planner of the Year – Wouter Fourie CFP – mapped his journey showing that many sacrifices need to be made on the road to success.
In the beginning
In the beginning, there was passion. This was the underlying factor that motivated Fourie to enter into the industry and to make a difference in people’s lives. “People need to have a passion for the industry, a passion to change the industry and a passion to professionalise the industry,” said Fourie.
For Fourie, the process really began in 2003 when he first received his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. During his acceptance speech at the 2015 FPI Conference, Fourie said that there were significant worries in the past that not enough was being done by industry representative bodies to professionalise the industry.
“These are concerns that most people have at some stage in their life. But I realised it is the wrong concern to have; this is not the way a professional should work or think. To be a professional, you must be a professional at heart. No designation, no professional institute and no title will inherently make you a professional, it is something that must come from within,” said Fourie.
Have a dream
It is this passion that gave birth to Fourie’s dream of establishing a business that offers a non-stop service to clients that will change their lives.
In 2005, Fourie established Ascor Independent Wealth Managers with the vision that the company will offer a suite of services to clients which would provide them with well-rounded financial advice. The company initially only offered limited advice services, but when the company acquired a share in a short-term insurer, Ascor was able to offer a greater suite of services. The services that Ascor now offer include auditing advice, tax advice, financial planning and short-term insurance.
“This presented us with another challenge. How do we promote the company and explain the company to clients. After a discussion with Johan Maree, we realised that we needed to bring someone in to tell us how the company must define itself,” said Fourie. This process helped the company clarify its service offering and clear the mist surrounding the position it needs to take when talking to clients.
Give a little
Throughout his career in financial planning, Fourie engaged with previous winners of the Financial Planner of the Year as well as the runner ups. One of the common threads was the need to give back to the industry.
After establishing Ascor and positioning itself in the appropriate way, Fourie decided to grow within the FPI’s structures. This allowed Fourie to talk with, and engage with fellow industry professionals.
Eventually, Fourie was asked to belong to the FPI North Gauteng regional committee and this is where the passion for mentorship was cultivated. It was also about this time that the FPI started to formalise its own mentorship programme with the vision to help young professionals to gain the necessary guidance to attain the CFP certification.
Set yourself apart
In 2013, the Institute established the FPI Approved Professional Practice brand which is an initiative by the FPI that makes it easier for clients to identify planning practices who will offer a high standard of professionalism.
It was at this stage that Fourie decided to seriously think of entering the FPI Financial Planner of the Year competition. This allowed Fourie to refocus the company’s goals so that he would be the FPI Financial Planner of the Year this year, the year that Ascor celebrates its 10 year anniversary.
“Winning the 2015 FPI Financial Planner of the Year has given me a whole new respect for the industry. If you have an opportunity to be a part of the process to become the FPI Financial Planner of the Year, embrace it with both arms,” said Fourie.
Editor’s Thoughts:
Fourie’s journey to winning the industry’s top award gives practical examples of how advisers can set themselves apart from industry competitors. Do everything with passion, know how to define and position your company’s service offering, gain relevant industry qualifications, and focus on a defined goal. Is your journey any different to that of Fourie’s? Please comment below, interact with us on Twitter at @fanews_online or email me your thoughts jonathan@fanews.co.za.
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