Throughout February, the Association of Financial Advisers held its annual GenXt Roadshow. Delivered under the banner of ‘Connecting Knowledge with Performance’, attendees were engaged by a range of presenters, including a number of practising advisers.
Kicking off the half-day event was AFA COO, Phil Anderson, who delivered a blunt message to advisers that 2015 would be a year of fundamental change. He provided an update on the most recent compliance projects, including the joint FSC-AFA Life Insurance Advice Working Group, and the findings of the Parliamentary Joint Committee inquiry into education and advice standards.
Two of the AFA’s advice award winners were showcased during the session. 2014 Rising Star, Ben Budge, shared his ‘why’ story, and reminded advisers that what they do, when they do it well, makes an enormous difference to peoples’ lives. Excellence in Education Award recipient, Peter O’Callaghan, followed with a challenge to advisers to ask themselves how well they really know their clients. He warned advisers that failing to fully immerse themselves in their clients’ stories could mean they fail to secure the trust needed to establish an effective advice relationship.
Colonial First State’s Fintan Thornton and TAL’s David Glen presented respectively on client opportunities and providing strategic insurance advice, and AFA CEO, Brad Fox, addressed the topic of public perception.
The final speaker on the day was Josh Wood, a professional snowboarder who broke his neck in a failed snow jump, then went on to stun the medical world by regaining the use of all his limbs. This inspirational, and self-deprecating speaker encouraged advisers to believe in the impossible.
Thanks to photographer Belinda Pratten for her images.