Usually in our newsletter, we cover topics directly related to business development: marketing, communication, prospecting, client management, team structure, etc. This month, I thought of sharing with you the reasons which have motivated me to create Strategist Business Development.
I’ve worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years and held several functions within a team, management of advisory firm branches, marketing department and business development. My education being rather atypical – a B.A. in marketing and a series of securities of the Canadian Securities Institute (followed by a certifying training as a professional and personal coach) – I never really found “my” place: too “creative” to work in management; too “business” for marketing.
Over the years, I have worked with several advisors and different teams. And I noticed one thing: they had the hardest time to put into practice the strategies which had excited them during a coaching session, a conference or a brainstorming meeting. Despite the motivation and energy everyone had to make changes, to implement a new approach or implement a profitable idea, all were quickly swept away by the whirlwind of daily activities. So much that all this energy dissipated along with all the ideas that had originally nourished it.
From there was born… Strategist Business Development
Being fully aware that the best ideas were too often simply put to rest and that teams missed too often excellent opportunity for change and progress, I just thought to myself, “There’s got to be a better way!” and the idea came to me to offer more than coaching services. I had to do this by following a business model – atypical as I am – integrating the resources necessary to ensure the execution of the business development strategies.
It is thus that I developed a different business model in order to respond to a need missing in the market, a turnkey firm where entrepreneurs could go from the creation to the execution of business strategies, responding to their business and marketing needs while understanding the realities of being an entrepreneur. All this with the involvement of a team of professionals to support the creation entrepreneurial dreams!
And that is where I found “my” place.
Three pillars define my approach:
- Bring new business development strategies in order to effectively position businesses;
- Develop tools for client communication, systematization and processes consistent with the business;
- Help professionals humanize their approach – we will never repeat it enough: “beyond the money there are the people.“
But especially, it is for me to coach advisors and their team, so that they step out of their comfort zone and integrate new business practices responding to the realities of today’s clients and marketplace. By doing this, I assure my clients the tangible implementation of the strategy that suits them. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a strategy is worth a thousand… ideas.
Why I decided to tell you my story?
The reason that led me to share my journey is because stories inspire people. Your clients, current or future, as well as your COIs want to know you. [tweetthis display_mode=”button_link”]Your clients, current or future, as well as your COIs want to know you.[/tweetthis] To do this, and if you want to establish lasting relationships with them, it is essential to integrate the human dimension in your business.
- What approach are you proposing?
- Why have you decided to become advisor?
- What is it that motivates you?
- What would you like the clients say about you and your team?
All of these answers allow your clients to feel that you care about them as people and not only as investors.
Take advantage of the week to think about these questions. They will help you clarify who you are, your unique value proposition, [tweetthis display_mode=”button_link”]Clarify who you are & your unique value proposition.[/tweetthis] your service offering, and especially help you determine how you stand out in the crowd and in people’s mind.
