August 12, 2008
Advisor: KNOW Your Client.
Know their values!
by
Ron Robins*
This editorial is of particular interest to
investment and financial advisors.
A U.S. survey by Allianz Global Investors early in 2008
showed that half of all investors were planning to
invest in environmental funds in the following twelve
months; in May a U.K. survey by F&C Investments found
about 88% of respondents felt that it was important for
companies to take environmental, social and governance
issues seriously. To benefit from these trends, an
astute advisor will want to truly know thy client,
implementing policies and activities that particularly
cater to their clients’ personal values.
As an advisor, ask yourself:
- Do you want your clients learning about ethical
investing, green funds, etc., from another advisor?
- Do you want the risk of giving inappropriate
advice to your clients by not knowing their personal
values?
- Do you want to gain a competitive edge vis-à-vis
other advisors?
- Do you want clients who are stable and less
volatile when markets go awry?
- Do you want more satisfied clients providing
even more referrals to you?
For advisors new to ethical investing, green funds,
socially responsible investments, etc., the work to
become familiar with these areas may appear daunting.
However, there is lots of help out there for you. To
begin with, take the free online course for financial
advisors offered by the
UK Social Investment Forum. Though oriented to
British advisors, it offers valuable information and
assistance for advisors everywhere.
In addition, advisors can find help from the following
organizations. In the...
Also, here at Investing for the Soul, I now
offer the following uniquely valuable
services for advisors:
workshops
to orient you and your team to personal values
investing;
tutorials in finding and evaluating stocks
that
reflect personal values; a
company research service; and
portfolio audits that ensure holdings are in
compliance with the owners’ personal values.
This is a new era for advisors. The rule, know your
client, now means much, much more than before. A
paradigm shift is occurring in what clients want. Are
you ready for them? This site is here to help you.
© Ron Robins, 2008
*
Ron
Robins, MBA, is founder and analyst,
Investing for the Soul, (http://investingforthesoul.com/),
Huntsville, Canada. He advocates, writes and teaches on the subject of
ethical investing. To contact him, e-mail to
Ron Robins or call 705-635-3034.
© Ron
Robins, 2008. |
