Discovery
The discovery process is perhaps the most important stage of financial planning. It aims to establish whether we are the right financial planners for you. As we only offer our services on an ongoing basis, it is important that we identify whether this type of service is suitable for your current needs.
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Preliminary meeting
This is usually a face-to-face meeting with a follow-up discussion by phone or email. It will focus on your values, goals and objectives, interests and process. It will also allow you to find out more about us, how we work, and to ask any questions you may have. By addressing these areas in detail, we both get a clear understanding of how a relationship can work going forward. If you, or we, do not believe that you will benefit from our service, the relationship can be ended with all costs covered by us.
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Engagement
If we both agree to continue the relationship, a period of engagement will take place. This period clarifies and confirms, in writing, the basis on which our relationship will progress in the future.
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Discovery
Following the engagement, we will continue the discovery process; this time focusing more on your financial position, advice history and relationships. Once again this normally takes the form of a face-to-face meeting followed by continuing conversations. At this stage, we will have an in-depth discussion about your understanding and attitude to risk. It is extremely important that you provide us with as much information as required at this stage, to ensure the effectiveness of our advice.
By the end of the discovery process, we will have enough knowledge of you, your financial situation and goals and objectives to be able to move onto the ‘advice & implementation’ stage.
The only goal that matters
Investing is not a goal in itself. Rather, investing allows you to accumulate wealth which will enable you to reach your personal goals.
So before you begin to pick stocks and shares, you need to ask yourself: “What are my life goals and what financial security do I need to achieve them?” Your financial planner can help you to answer this all-important question. Until you find the answer, you should avoid jumping into investing.
