In my previous blogpost (A Vision Of The Future of Financial Planning in the New Age) I explained why you have to master right brain thinking to succeed in the new relationship age. It’s necessary to complement our logic (left brain) reasoning by mastering 10 essential right brain aptitudes. Together these 10 aptitudes can help develop our profession this era demands.
And help you to be successful.
1.
Not just function but also design. It’s no longer sufficient to create a financial planning service that’s only functional . Today, it’s economically crucial and personally rewarding to create something that is also beautiful and emotionally engaging.
2.
Not just argument but also story. When our lives are full with information and data it’s not enough to marshall an effecive argument. Someone, somewhere will inevitably track down a counterpoint to rebut your point. The essence of persuasion, communication and self understanding has become the ability also to fashion a compelling narrative.
3.
Not just focus, but also symphony. Much of the industrial and information ages, required focus and specialization. But as our work is – to some level – reduced to software, there’s a new premium on the opposite aptitude. Putting the peaces together, or in what I think a better word: symphony. What’s in greatest demand today isn’t analysis but synthesis. Seeing the big picture, crossing boundaries and being able to combine different peaces into a new whole.
4.
Not just logic but also empathy. The capacity for logical thought is something that financial planners are born with. But in a world of ubiqitous information and advanced analytic tools, logic alone won’t do. What will distinguish financial planners who’ll thrive is the ability to understand what makes their fellow woman or man tick.
5.
Not just accumulation but also meaning. We live in a world of breathtaking material stuff. That has freed hundreds of millions of people from day to day struggles and liberated us to pursue more significant desires. Like purpose, transendance and spiritual fulfillment.
6.
Not just service but also giving. In the new age we are using free tools such as google, facebook, spotify, evernote and much much more, every day. There are even business models based on ‘free’. (the freemium business model). In the new age people no longer trust on your qualities without experiencing first.
7.
Not just commitment but also consistency. In the old world people came to your office and gave their commitment to you. When people have experienced you’re service in some way it’s not enough to leave it at that. People want to be educated by the people they trust. Also after the deal is closed.
8.
Not just proof but also social proof. The power of social proof is hardly any secret today. The ‘like’ button on facebook is nowadays the most wanted button on the internet. Using social media in your financial planning service is the new way to get referrals.
9.
Not just being the expert but also authority. Every financial planner claims to be an expert. But when a financial plan can be made on the internet for free, being an expert won’t do. People only trust the ones who are an authority in their business.
10.
Not just exclusivity but also scarcity. In a world full of abundance and exclusivity, people long for services that are rare, unattainable and maybe even forbidden. Financial planners mostly focus on reaching the clients goals. That’s important for sure. But to engage with your clients it’s a good strategy to focus on what people have to lose when they are not doing business with you.
IF YOU WANT MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO USE THESE 10 APTITUDES IN YOUR BUSINESS, PLEASE TELL ME – BY COMMENTING BELOW – WHICH ONE APTITUDE YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW MORE OF. IN ONE OF MY NEXT BLOGPOSTS I WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AND HELP YOU TO USE IT IN YOUR PRACTICE.
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To your success,
Ronald Sier
