This week, I met up with a few of my clients who have been with me since I started in the financial services business in 2002. It set me thinking what am I most proud of having devoted almost 8 years of my life into the financial services business. The first thing that came to my mind was that I have stayed in the same company and industry a long time. When I first entered the industry, my vision was simple. To be a financial planner helping people in 2 areas, protecting their family and business as well as preparing for retirement.
My hope is just as simple, that is to last a long time so that I can deliver those promises I made to my clients about "being there" when they need me in the future. However, being able to "endure" so long is not what gives me most pride. I read somewhere that says, "Life on earth takes a very short time and a lot of relationships". I have made many friends in the course of the 8 years and they have given me lessons, happiness and meaning. I now can go to almost any estate in Singapore, make a call and pay a visit to someone who I care about and who also care about me in return. They have been so many clients who have become good friends that I constantly feel blessed to be surrounded by so many nice people. These beautiful memories are perhaps the biggest legacy I can take away when I eventually leave this world.
Yet in the final reckoning, there is something I take even more pride in, beyond the time and the relationships. People are motivated by different things and my biggest motivation is in being able to make a difference. In my work, I have the opportunity to help impact people’s lives directly and literally. In the past 8 years, I have personally arranged hundreds of plans in the form of insurance, savings or investment. The amount of money created is now into many millions of dollars. What I do know is that the moment the client thinks of the policy money, that is the moment they are most vulnerable and need money the most. Nowadays, I make an average of 5 to 7 hospitalization claims every year and to date, I have made 2 critical illness claims. In the current recession, I have already helped some clients to cash out money from the policies to "tide things over". Every single time, I learn perhaps the simplest but most powerful lesson we can ever learn…"When you fail to plan, you plan to fail".
That’s it, my proudest achievement, I helped create millions of dollars for hundreds of people and it’s a matter of time before the millions will be paid out! This is the tangible difference I feel I have made, building and creating assets. Of course, none of what I do would have been possible if I didn’t have the support of my clients! =)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
MDRT Meeting June 2009 at Indianapolis, US
I had the opportunity to attend the MDRT annual meeting in June 2009.
Some personal thoughts... As far as I can observe and understand, the situation in the US is not as bleak as was painted. There seems to be 2 different worlds in America, one that is shaped by the television (let's call them the CNN followers) and another that is led by the entrepreneurs. The CNN followers has a world that is fixated on bad news and bad expectations. Everything centers around what “President Obama” did or did not do. In fact, after spending time watching the news in the US, I am so appreciative of the reporting we enjoy in Singapore which really tells the news instead of opinions.
The other group (the entrepreneurs) talks about it being a “slow but not a bad economy”. The spirit is strong, the attitude is positive and they seem to see their future “delinked” from what President Osama will or will not do. In fact, one top US financial advisor said that his business is the best it has ever been because so many advisors are leaving the business and no one is serving the “orphan clients”. Now, he gets so much referrals he is struggling for time. By the way, this financial advisor is 88 years old!
My point is the entrepreneurial nature of the Americans is very strong and my personal guess is they will emerge from this crisis stronger.
Not to say that everything will be fine tomorrow but no one is talking about a “total meltdown and the global economy starting from ground zero” anymore. The general consensus is that the economy will be out of recession next year and if history is any teacher, the markets will recover before the economy so let's all hope for more good news for the rest of the year!
Some personal thoughts... As far as I can observe and understand, the situation in the US is not as bleak as was painted. There seems to be 2 different worlds in America, one that is shaped by the television (let's call them the CNN followers) and another that is led by the entrepreneurs. The CNN followers has a world that is fixated on bad news and bad expectations. Everything centers around what “President Obama” did or did not do. In fact, after spending time watching the news in the US, I am so appreciative of the reporting we enjoy in Singapore which really tells the news instead of opinions.
The other group (the entrepreneurs) talks about it being a “slow but not a bad economy”. The spirit is strong, the attitude is positive and they seem to see their future “delinked” from what President Osama will or will not do. In fact, one top US financial advisor said that his business is the best it has ever been because so many advisors are leaving the business and no one is serving the “orphan clients”. Now, he gets so much referrals he is struggling for time. By the way, this financial advisor is 88 years old!
My point is the entrepreneurial nature of the Americans is very strong and my personal guess is they will emerge from this crisis stronger.
Not to say that everything will be fine tomorrow but no one is talking about a “total meltdown and the global economy starting from ground zero” anymore. The general consensus is that the economy will be out of recession next year and if history is any teacher, the markets will recover before the economy so let's all hope for more good news for the rest of the year!
Friday, January 9, 2009
My year-end thoughts to my clients in 2008...
“Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do”
The phrase above is the title of a book written by Robert Schuller, pastor and the founder of the Crystal Cathedral in California. In times of uncertainty like what we are facing now, it is important to remind ourselves that well…tough times don’t last but tough people do.
This past year, I had to make my first critical illness claim. I am happy to share that the client has recovered and is back to work. What I am more excited to share is that I have seen for myself how a positive attitude, a supportive family and a strong faith can help anyone overcome extreme difficulties.
This brings me the sobering reminder that ultimately, the most important priorities in life are not anything material. Another way to put it is that “The most important things in life aren’t things”. They are people, they are relationships, they are memories and they aren’t anything that can be measured materially.
I hope there will be no more claims next year but that is beyond my control. What is within my control is to make sure that every client will be well served. This I will resolve to provide.
As I reflect this year, I am thankful that I had people like you who supported me when I started my career in the most inauspicious of times in June 2002. The global economy at that time is not in a better shape than now.
Times may be hard for many but let’s focus on what we can control. My strategy for the coming year is simple. Treasure the important people, work harder than ever before and give thanks for everything I already have.
The relationship we share is the most precious present you have given me and I assure you that this gift of friendship is very much appreciated. I have a belief that I should only “Sell What I Am Proud To Service” and I am very proud to have you as a client, a friend and a source of inspiration.
I wish for you and your family an abundance of good luck, good fortune and most importantly, good health in 2009! Happy New Year!
The phrase above is the title of a book written by Robert Schuller, pastor and the founder of the Crystal Cathedral in California. In times of uncertainty like what we are facing now, it is important to remind ourselves that well…tough times don’t last but tough people do.
This past year, I had to make my first critical illness claim. I am happy to share that the client has recovered and is back to work. What I am more excited to share is that I have seen for myself how a positive attitude, a supportive family and a strong faith can help anyone overcome extreme difficulties.
This brings me the sobering reminder that ultimately, the most important priorities in life are not anything material. Another way to put it is that “The most important things in life aren’t things”. They are people, they are relationships, they are memories and they aren’t anything that can be measured materially.
I hope there will be no more claims next year but that is beyond my control. What is within my control is to make sure that every client will be well served. This I will resolve to provide.
As I reflect this year, I am thankful that I had people like you who supported me when I started my career in the most inauspicious of times in June 2002. The global economy at that time is not in a better shape than now.
Times may be hard for many but let’s focus on what we can control. My strategy for the coming year is simple. Treasure the important people, work harder than ever before and give thanks for everything I already have.
The relationship we share is the most precious present you have given me and I assure you that this gift of friendship is very much appreciated. I have a belief that I should only “Sell What I Am Proud To Service” and I am very proud to have you as a client, a friend and a source of inspiration.
I wish for you and your family an abundance of good luck, good fortune and most importantly, good health in 2009! Happy New Year!
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